I really enjoyed reading this book. American academics have a far better style of writing than ours in Australia. They are more objective and fact oriented without compromising readability or prose. Our academics by contrast are garbage.

What goes through my head the most is the word "anti-Semite". I absolutely hate the level of fear that the word brings about in people, and it is obvious that a lot of what the lobby depends on is fear to move its agenda. People and politicians are... (show more)

I really enjoyed reading this book. American academics have a far better style of writing than ours in Australia. They are more objective and fact oriented without compromising readability or prose. Our academics by contrast are garbage.

What goes through my head the most is the word "anti-Semite". I absolutely hate the level of fear that the word brings about in people, and it is obvious that a lot of what the lobby depends on is fear to move its agenda. People and politicians are scared into doing the work of the lobby, and thus it derives its strength from cowards motivated by fear.

And these cowards are both Jewish people who are so scared of "what could happen" to them given what has happened in the past and therefore seek hardline policies, and the Gentiles who are so scared of upsetting Jews who have suffered at the hands of their forefathers.

I thank Mearshimer and Walt for not being cowards but for being brave. If only more people were brave like them more conflicts like the Israeli-Palestinian one would be solved sooner. (show less)

I loved this book, and it has to, in all seriousness, be one of the best-written and hard-hitting that I've read in my life. I am not endeared to Obama's politics, but this was not about them; it was about a man and his life. Obama the man is a very good man, and certainly we could have a far worse person as the President of the US. I'm very pleased that he won rather than McCain, and this solidifies that.

There's a lot in here! A lot about fathers (which, I think, will speak to many sons), ... (show more)

I loved this book, and it has to, in all seriousness, be one of the best-written and hard-hitting that I've read in my life. I am not endeared to Obama's politics, but this was not about them; it was about a man and his life. Obama the man is a very good man, and certainly we could have a far worse person as the President of the US. I'm very pleased that he won rather than McCain, and this solidifies that.

There's a lot in here! A lot about fathers (which, I think, will speak to many sons), a good deal about race and background, and very little about politics. His emotional honesty is such a great breath of air, as he puts in words many of the things which men consider all the time -- but in different circumstances than Kenya, Africa, or Chicago, Illinois, of course.

I recommend reading it. Anyone who has no interest in politics should read it, simply because it will tell you a lot about people -- varied people the world over, but all quite the same nonetheless. And the tragedy of Obama's father (and his father), who knew all about himself, but so little about people, should mean a lot to many.

Go! Buy it; borrow it! (show less)