Review: Dreams From My Father
January 18, 2010 by Sithe
The Barack Obama Book Review
I have always been indifferent when it comes to Barack Obama. I couldn’t understand how his victory affected me or any South African for that matter. It is until I read his autobiography, Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance, that I started to respect the man. After I read the last page I felt that I knew the man personally.
The book begins from the time he was a student in New York, staying in a tiny apartment. Through-out the book he relates his life story, from the time he was born, his parents’ divorce, having a crocodile pet in Indonesia, growing up with white maternal grandparents, his rebellion as a teenager, his quest to find identity and meaning to life, his community organizing in Chicago, meeting his father for the first time. Until the time he visited his father’s birthplace, Kenya, for the very first time.
There is a sad and sombre tone about the book, at least most part of it. Obama takes the reader to the most inner part of his thoughts and feelings. He narrates, with passion, how it is like being a black person in America. How white people are still in control of everything and how that resulted in black people being cynical, apathetic and hopeless.
He tells a story that we all can relate to. Going through its pages, I was reminded of my own life – growing up without a father, trying to belong. His memoir is beautifully written and well thought out. What impressed me is his honesty and innocence – or the lack thereof. My favourite part of the book is when he decided that he can bring the change in his life and that he is the change. And off he went to Chicago to really begin his life.
Dreams from My Father has the perfect answer to some of life’s important questions. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants real change and how to go about achieving it.
Favourite Quote From The book
My stepfather Lolo said, “Men take advantage of weakness in other men. They’re just like countries in that way. The strong man takes the weak man’s land. He makes the weak man work in his fields. If the weak man’s woman is pretty, the strong man will take her. Which would you rather be? Better to be strong. If you can’t be strong, be clever and make peace with someone who’s strong. But always better to be strong yourself. Always.”
By Sithe ©
Ayanda on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 8:15 am
I will definitely give the book a shot. Judging from your well written review.
mmathato on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 8:55 am
wow sithe-what are u doing in that dreary corporate office when u should be doing things like this and writing for a living!!!
khafo on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 9:04 am
nive one sithe. nice one. big ups!
khafo on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 9:05 am
nice one sithe. nice one. big ups!
Tabz on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 9:27 am
I’m gobsmacked, such great review, with so much info about the book. This review encourages me to go to the book store now and but the book.
LindZ on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 9:30 am
Wow im moved to buy the book the review is awesome.
magebam on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 9:33 am
Wow! its sounds good
Nonny on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 9:37 am
This sounds like a really good book indeed. Ur review is stunning S’the.
Bongstar on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 10:18 am
WOW! very nice review. Biographies and autobiographies were never my thing, but after reading this review, i really really considering this one.
Nonhla on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 11:08 am
Nice on Sthe..Big Ups!
sonto on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 11:33 am
wow…who knew i could be convinced to read an autobiography? Impressive Sthe.
Funky K aka FK on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 11:48 am
mmmhhhh, I will be getting myself a copy and read. Sounds interesting and relevant to most SA’s as we also have that background (white mans rule).
Thanks Sithe
Bee on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 12:28 pm
Um very lazy to read(that’s the reason i havnt read LONG WALK TO FREEDOM. But very gud @ writting. So i don knw, encouraging review tho. So still think abt goin n buy bt first gona have to start with LONG WALK TO FREEDOM.
Bee on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 12:29 pm
Oh ja Ta Sithe.
Joe MrGe Phiri on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 1:17 pm
Yeah its a great book indeed. Got myslf a copy in 2008…
Sifiso on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 1:18 pm
Wow…! I’ll try get myself a copy and read it..
Sibongile on Mon, 18th Jan 2010 7:12 pm
I’m moved.
sponono on Tue, 19th Jan 2010 8:43 am
I’ve just started reading it yesterday and I’m hoomked…he’s a great storyteller..and i didnt know its a book he wrote BEOFRE he became President
DIKELEDI on Thu, 21st Jan 2010 8:38 am
I WILL STRIVE AND FIGHT TO BE A STRONG MAN,SO THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO FORGIVE AND BRING PEACE IN OUR LAND.(rainbow nation)
Lwandie on Thu, 21st Jan 2010 3:14 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed this book along with The Audacity of Hope.He tells his story with a very human honest voice and to date it is my next favourite autobiography after Long Walk to Freedom.My favourite quote from Dreams from my father:
“I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn’t speak to my own. It was into my father’s image, the black man, son of Africa, that I’d packed all the attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, Dubois and Mandela.”
Well written review Sthe
Andie on Mon, 25th Jan 2010 7:25 pm
Wow…im impresd,ths book is defntly n my budget!!!!!big ups Sithe!!!!