Reclaiming Hope

Starred review from January 9, 2017
Wear, founder of Public Square Strategies and former White House staffer for the Obama administration, argues for voters—especially young adults—to take a less cynical and apathetic approach to politics, especially the intersection of politics and religion. After a chance meeting with then-Senator Obama as a college freshman, Wear signed on to assist with his campaign in 2008, eventually landing a position in the White House doing outreach to evangelicals and helping to manage the Obama administration’s engagement on issues important to religious communities, such as adoption and efforts to stop human trafficking. While Wear witnessed the dark underbelly of politics at times, he is able to maintain a balanced and nuanced approach to writing about it, even offering critiques of Democratic strategies when appropriate. It takes a mature observer to understand the ambiguities involved in ethical and religious issues, and Wear is savvy enough to comprehend and cogently explain some complex and thorny policies, such as the ACA contraception mandate. This is not a political tell-all; instead, Wear’s book provides clear, actionable ways to rethink political engagement within the frame of fostering healthy religious communities. Agent: David Patterson, Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency.

"Hope" was a word used by our 44th president to launch him into the presidency. Today all hope seems lost due to the politicization of the Christian faith on both sides of the aisle. Stu Gray narrates this insightful audiobook as if he were the author himself. You can hear his incredulity as he recounts meeting Senator Obama and his surprise and awe at finding himself in the White House, one of the youngest staffers. Later, the listener feels his sadness and regret as things don't go the way he had hoped. Through it all, Gray narrates with the tone of hope that one would expect. His ability to deliver this work with zeal makes this timely and welcome resource easy listening. T.D. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine