This is the unofficial book club started for Barack Obama in Minnesota and hopefully a start of something that we can use across the nation. Our first meeting of the club is on Thursday, 02/22 in Minneapolis. We currently have 22 people signed up for the event in only 3 days. Shut off signup due to size of space. I started creating this site on my own wiki space but have started moving it over to this site. Encourage everyone to add their comments, correction, & additions to this site.

Current Wiki Space (Process of Moving):
http://obamamn.wikispaces.com/The+Audacity+of+Hope+Book+Club

Book Club Event & Group Link on www.barackobama.com:
Book Club Minneapolis Event
Obama Book Club Group

Purpose:

The purpose of this group is to learn more about Barack Obama by reading his books. I am currently making the decision about who I am supporting for President in 2008. I like what I have seen during his 2004 Democratic Convention speech and his interviews on TV and in the news. I want to learn more about the man to either back up my initial decision or choose not to support him. What I have read so far has strengthened my initial decision. Hopefully as a group we can help each other as we make our own decision about Barack Obama.

Summary:

In the book, Obama recounts his childhood and the insight that his racially mixed heritage and the experience of living in a number of exotic locales instilled in him. He also discusses in great detail virtually every major political issue facing the American electorate today, offering his opinion and possible strategies for reform.
On issues ranging from abortion to defense, Obama’s stance is one that attempts to find a middle ground between reactionary conservatism and idealistic liberalism. Hearkening back to a period when Congress was characterized by collegiality and mutual respect, Obama calls for more real compromise and cooperation between Democrats and Republicans. His overarching message is that America has the inherent potential to offer hope to anyone, regardless of their background or experiences; however, in order to ensure that opportunities exist for all in a secure, functional, and sustainable national environment, a number of key policy changes are necessary. (Source: Wikipedia: The Audacity of Hope

Chapters: Prologue
Chapter 1-Republicans and Democrats
Chapter 2-Values

External Links:

Wiki Audacity for Hope Study Page

Rules on Site Use:

The only rule on this book club site is to be respectful (ex. no racial/sexist slurs) against Barack Obama, other presidential candidates, or people in this group.


Contact:
If you are interested please contact me at carlholmquist@yahoo.com especially if you want to start your own group either at a coffee shop or in wiki/cyber world.