Barack Obama: This Improbable Quest

by John K. Wilson and John K Wilson

Barack Obama is quickly becoming America's most popular politician, and his run for the presidency has brought huge crowds at home and an unprecedented wave of international attention as well. Much... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1594514763
• ISBN13: 9781594514760
• Release Date: March 2008
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.4" x 9.1"
• Age Range: 19 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Great book

I borrowed this book from my local library and after I started reading it, I just had to have it for my own. It addresses all the issues that cropped up during the time Obama was running for President. And I must say that it laid them to rest. It was unbiased and straightforward. I have already recommended this book to others. Money well spent!

Argument and Counter-Argument

I couldn't put this book down, and I can't ever remembering feeling that way about a political book. This fascinating exploration of the Obama campaign, media coverage, and political strategies is excellent. The book takes a reflective look an array of the issues about Obama we've heard about during a nearly two year campaign. In a unique examination, Wilson traces the origins of rumors, discusses the role of media, and explores arguments and counter-arguments about Obama. Wilson's solid research synthesizes events in ways that make sense as a retrospective. The book will enable the reader to contemplate the many arguments raised against Obama, the role of racism in the campaign, and other social and political issues. I found the book to be an understandable, thought-provoking, and lively read. If you're looking for the Internet and media rumors to be confirmed or Obama to be demonized, you'll want to read a different book. If you want to read about arguments and counter-arguments that will make you question what you think you know, read this book!

What makes Barack Obama a skilled politician?

This blatantly positive profile of presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama presents the man, his positions and specific responses to the criticisms against him. Extensive direct quotes from the candidate himself plus 30 pages of footnotes buttress the book's powerful, if partisan, presentation. John K. Wilson, a former student of Obama's, omits some important things, however, it is only fair to note that some hot campaign topics (such as Reverend Wright) emerged after the book's publication. Wilson also makes a few odd comments (for instance, drawing a link between low black unemployment and the high incarceration rate under Bill Clinton). Still, he sets forth a compelling case for Obama and provides observations about the Senator's formative years, accomplishments and policies. He offers some good insights, for example, he discusses the role cynicism plays in politics and the role of white guilt. While Wilson sometimes gets carried away with his support of the candidate, he notes that both the far right and the far left have attacked Obama, so he must be doing something correctly. getAbstract recommends this to voters who want the story (albeit somewhat sunny) behind the candidate and to Obama supporters seeking more information about their presidential hopeful.

A Great Book

I am 68 years old and I have never been as excited about any politician since John F. Kennedy. This man has integrity . I really enjoyed reading this book. John K. Wilson kept my interest and curiosity.

The other reviewer is a political operative!

How the University Works: Higher Education and the Low-Wage Nation (Cultural Front) I know John Wilson, and he's written a powerful, relevant, moving book--one that he demonstrated a great deal of perspicacity in conceiving. That other reviewer is a political operative who has taken a pseudonym for the purpose of giving all Obama-related books a "one-star" rating and unjustified negative review!