An American Story: the Speeches of Barack Obama

Barack Obama's superb and captivating oratory style has earned him comparisons to John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, and this collection of his complete speeches—presented for the first time in their entirety—exposes politicos, voters, and fans of Obama to the words that have catapulted his remarkable rise from underdog to future U.S. president. First capturing America's attention with his keynote address to the Democratic National Convention in 2004, all of Obama's key speeches are presented as he discusses themes of race, identity, community, and above all, his hoped-for vision of a new America. Interspersed throughout the collection, political columnist David Olive reveals lesser-known stories and facts about Obama, his career, and the campaign trail, while also exploring the controversies—from his shedding of his American flag lapel pin and the remarks made by Reverend Wright to his anti-war stance, his strong Christian faith, and his often racially charged remarks. This book is truly a primer for readers who want to examine the substance of his thought and reflect on the inspiring words of a gifted orator.