by Barack Obama

Paul Krugman wrote that Obama’s “command of the issues — and ability to explain those issues in plain English — is a joy to behold.”  Krugman was writing about Obama’s oratory skills, but it could also describe his writing style–clear and engaging.  If I had read this book before the November 2008 election, I certainly would have voted for him.  Sure, he’s a politician, but the way he writes about educational issues or foreign relations demonstrates that he cares about all people making progress.  He’s also well aware of the Jekyll and Hyde nature of the media and right wingers.  A great read if you want some reassurance that in the Oval Office there is a fundamentally good, grounded person with a wide and deep understanding of topics ranging from failure (there is a great passage about losing an election and Al Gore)  to the relationship of manufacturing to the service sectors in the economy.