Natalya Bronzova Bronzova itibaren Ősagárd, Hungary itibaren Ősagárd, Hungary

Before I read this book I had heard a critic say it lacked any policy prescriptions, but personally I think it is loaded with practical ideas for improving domestic and foreign policy. Obama necessarily paints with a broader stroke than if the book were about one issue only, but by reading it one can learn where he stands on issues ranging from healthcare to the role of the Bretton-Woods institutions. This does not make the book boring, however. His ideas are nicely woven with personal anecdotes and the lessons he has learned from speaking with his constituents. Furthermore, because Obama writes on a very personal level and admits to mistakes he has made in life, he comes across less as a stuffy politician and more as a real, complete human being. Although Obama is obviously a Democrat, he acknowledges valid points that conservatives make and attempts to define our shared values. In this way, even though the book points out particular problems within our nation that frustrate me, overall Obama succeeds in making me feel better about the people of America, at least while I'm reading it.

When Alison loaned my this book, she said, "You shouldn't read this because it's [work VP's] new favorite book; you should read it because you love your iPod." And she was right. I started using the shuffle function on my iPod more after reading this book, because of the author's fascination with it and the concept of randomization in general. I think it's made me enjoy my iPod even more, which is an unusual outcome from reading a book.

I always love a book about history in someone else's point of view. Markale has recieved some bad reviews for his telling of the Celtic history, but I really came away with a sense of understanding and knowledge of their myths, and the spreading of their myths, and I continue to use his book as a reference to some of my own writing.