The Obama Nation

by Jerome R. Corsi

The Obama Nation

published

August 5th 2008 by Threshold Editions

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binding

Hardcover, 384 pages

isbn

1416598065 (isbn13: 9781416598060)

description

The New York Times bestselling author analyzes the life and career of Barack Obama.

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 161)

All ratings | 5 stars (13) | 4 stars (24) | 3 stars (20) | 2 stars (6) | 1 star (7) | avg 4.25

all | this edition

Jeremy

Jeremy rated it:

08/07/08

recommends it for: Anyone with a rickety table

This is a good book if you are looking for a reason to believe Obama is a Muslim/Socialist/Commi-Nazi. As with his previous effort (you know, the book of straight-up lies he wrote about the last Democratic presidential contender in the previous race?) Corsi's latest waste of brainpower is rife with hyperbole, exaggeration, and factual errors.

If you don't want to vote for Obama, that's cool. But take issue with his positions on tangible issues that affect this country, like health care, the...more

Like this review? yes (4 people liked it)

3 comments

Jim

Jim rated it:

09/12/08

bookshelves: politics-and-political-economy, weep-for-the-trees-it-took

Read in August, 2008

Mostly, I found this to be dreck. Corsi raises some valid criticisms, such as Obama's earlier ties to felonious political fundraiser Tony Rezko and Rev. Wright, as well as his closeness to the Daley machine in Chicago. While the Rev. Wright stuff has been pretty well covered in the press, few responsible journalists have looked at his relation to Rezko or the Daleys in any depth. (Personally, I don't think Obama is corrupt, but he has some dubious friends.)

On the whole, the valid issues are...more

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MG rated it:

08/16/08

Read in August, 2008

recommended to MG by: Amazon
recommends it for: Everyone

While contraversial, it cannot be disputed that this book is well-researched and well-written. Corsi does a great job of peeling back the layers of Axelrod's and Obama's "Cult of Personality" and exposes what may be the "real" Obama.

While the first few chapters of the books may be a little dry, delving into the inconsistencies and the real truth about Obama's parentage, and his meddling into Kenyan politics, it then does a masterful job of analyzing and explaining the mo...more

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Ashley

Ashley rated it:

08/10/08

After considering his work on Unfit for Command, I was surprised with how fair Corsi is with Obama in the Obama Nation. Surprisingly, Corsi holds judgment and opinion to a minimum until the last few chapters. Corsi fills in the gaps left in Obama's Dreams from my Father and analyzes Obama's experiences and ties to Chicago politics and political figures. He gives a detailed and factual account of Chicago politics. Everything is meticulously cited and documented by reputable outside sources.

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Missmath144

Missmath144 rated it:

10/20/08

bookshelves: history, politics

Read in October, 2008

recommends it for: anyone who has been getting their information solely from mainstream media

This book is well researched and documented. Every statement of fact is carefully footnoted. It is not an opinion piece as some will be quick to accuse.

Just a couple issues brought up in the book:

Kenya: Obama was in Kenya, ostensibly for a very laudable purpose -- to encourage people to get checked for HIV. However, every day he was there, he railed against the current president (who is capitalist, pro-USA, Christian), and standing by his side was his fellow tribesman Odinga (opposition ...more This book is well researched and documented. Every statement of fact is carefully footnoted. It is not an opinion piece as some will be quick to accuse.

Just a couple issues brought up in the book:

Kenya: Obama was in Kenya, ostensibly for a very laudable purpose -- to encourage people to get checked for HIV. However, every day he was there, he railed against the current president (who is capitalist, pro-USA, Christian), and standing by his side was his fellow tribesman Odinga (opposition candidate for president, socialist, a man who named his son Fidel in honor of his greatest hero, pro-Russia, a man who finally had to admit that he had made a secret agreement with the Muslims that if they would support him in the election he would see that they got equal representation in the government of this 85% Christian country). Obama's candidate did not win, so violence broke out against Christians across the nation -- 300 churches damaged or destroyed, 50 women and children locked in a church and burned to death, hundreds of thousands of people forced out of their villages and still not able to return. Conde Rice and Obama convinced the elected president to share his power in a co-presidency in order to quell the violence. So Obama's candidate (because of violence) has risen to co-presidency of Kenya, and is looking forward to having a fellow Luo tribesman as President of the most powerful nation in the world.

Rezko, Obama's friend and neighbor -- a man who helped bankroll Obama in five election runs -- a man who helped Obama buy his mansion -- a man convicted on 16 counts of political influence peddling and money laundering. Obama claims that he didn't know the man was crooked. I don't believe Obama is a stupid man, so I find it difficult to believe that he couldn't see what was going on with a man he was close to for 17 years. He worked for the law firm that did Rezko's work. Rezko was his friend, neighbor and political supporter through 5 elections. In the sub-zero winter of 1997, several of Rezko's tenemant buildings were without heat for 5 weeks. He claimed he didn't have funds to fix the heating systems (after having received 100 MILLION dollars in grants and loans for low-income housing projects, and a man still living in his own well heated mansion). Obama was then Senator in the Illinois legislature. Those buildings were in his district. The people freezing there were his constituents. What did he do for them? Nada. At that time he was drafting yet another letter of recommendation for Rezko to receive another grant in the amount of $866,000 for more low-income housing.
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Colleen

Colleen rated it:

(review of isbn 0743580591)

08/26/08

Read in August, 2008

recommends it for: NO ONE. Reading this will only lower your IQ.

I knew what I was getting into when I started listening to this book, but that doesn't mean I could stomach it. Corsi is nothing more than a slanderer (as was made perfectly clear in his book about John Kerry's military service) - his allegations have absolutely no factual proof behind them and serves only to push his right-wing agenda. I can't believe rubbish like this can actually get published...oh wait, I forgot that Threshold Editions is a conservative off-shoot of Simon and Schuster. That ...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

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Mazola1

Mazola1 rated it:

11/11/08

The Obama Nation is about as balanced, thoughtful and fair as might be expected from a book with its snarky, pun-fully-intended, title. Corsi believes that an Obama presidency would be an abomination, leading to a militarily weakened and economically diminshed United States. In his book, he sets out to prove this thesis, concentrating on what he sees as Obama's character flaws and unsavory past acquaintances with radicals, terrorists and leftists.

The Obama Nation is not particularly well wri...more The Obama Nation is about as balanced, thoughtful and fair as might be expected from a book with its snarky, pun-fully-intended, title. Corsi believes that an Obama presidency would be an abomination, leading to a militarily weakened and economically diminshed United States. In his book, he sets out to prove this thesis, concentrating on what he sees as Obama's character flaws and unsavory past acquaintances with radicals, terrorists and leftists.

The Obama Nation is not particularly well written, being marred by its choppy and repetitous nature. To cite but one glaring example, Corsi tells us five times in the first 30 pages that Obama's father died in a drunken driving accident. All too often, the book harps on such marginally relevant facts, and draws unfavorable conclusions from neutral facts. For instance, Obama is painted as a plagiarist, in part for using the word "bamboozled," supposedly stolen from Spike Lee.

It's also his view that the slogan "change" was lifted from Saul Alinski, and is "nothing more than a code word for the typical income redistribution those on the left have sought since the days of Karl Marx." That's typical of the type of innuendo Corsi seems to specialize in. Another example is his repeated references to the fact that Obama's father was a Muslim and Obama attended a Muslim school when he was ten, included it seems to suggest that Obama is a "secret" Muslim who sympathizes with the radical Muslim agenda.

Of some interest is Corsi's examination of Obama's two books, from which he extracts the most inflammatory passages he can find. What's missing is any pretense of objectivity or even completeness. One gets the feeling that if Obama had given $1,000 to each of ten worth charities and a dollar to a black panhandler in front of his office, Corsi would neglect to write anything about the substantial gifts to charity, but would instead write that Obama provided financial support to sex offenders, was full of black rage at the unfair treatment blacks from the criminal justice system and only gives lip service to women's issues.

So, if you think Obama is an America hating radical with Marxist leanings, this is the book for you. If you're looking for a more balanced look at Obama, you'll probably want to skip it. ...less

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Lisa

Lisa rated it:

10/12/08

bookshelves: nonfiction

Read in October, 2008

recommends it for: everyone.

While this book does contain some information about Obama that is inconsequential, such as his father's alcohol problem and Obama's secret smoking, it does point out some far reaching ideas.
The most important thing I take from this book is that Obama wishes to fundamentally change America--he says that himself, but you have look a little deeper to see the type of change to expect. Why did Bill Ayers (still a self professed radical) choose Obama to distribute millions of Annenberg Foundation d...more While this book does contain some information about Obama that is inconsequential, such as his father's alcohol problem and Obama's secret smoking, it does point out some far reaching ideas.
The most important thing I take from this book is that Obama wishes to fundamentally change America--he says that himself, but you have look a little deeper to see the type of change to expect. Why did Bill Ayers (still a self professed radical) choose Obama to distribute millions of Annenberg Foundation dollars? They had the same radical philosophy of programs to advance.
Why did Obama sit for 20 years in Rev. Wright's church and listen to black liberation philosophy? If you don't know that philosophy, look it up--it is very radical and racist.
As you read this well documented book, you will realize Obama's ideas come from radicals such as Alinsky and that Obama supports groups that are far from democratic ideals.
The United States is not perfect--we do need change--but do we wish to fundamentally turn away from the Constitution? Do we wish to turn towards socialism?
Another good point in this book has to do with Chicago politics. If you aren't familiar with Chicago politics and "The Chicago Way" ("which involves power, access to government jobs, and taking care of your own--getting close to people in positions of power to gain access") read this book or The Case Against Barack Obama. A lot of powerful people have contributed to Obama's rise and now he owes them. Look at his voting record, he is doing his best to pay them back. Mark my words, if Obama becomes president, he will find a way to pardon Rezko who threw millions of tax dollars away that should have improved the lives of many that need affordable housing.
Obama is a good looking athletic man with a winning smile and a calm demeanor. I can see why he is popular. But can you name one big accomplishment of his? Never mind that, he tells us he will lower taxes for 95% of the people but raise taxes for the richest 5% of the people. That's an effective way to buy votes. Isn't that what Thomas Jefferson warned us about? ...less

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Wendy

Wendy rated it:

08/19/08

I know there's a lot of controversy over this book. Let me just say this: If it's true, it is unbelievably frightening. If it's false, it's an outrage. In other words, it is a typical political expose. Take it with a grain of salt, but it can't all be untrue, can it?

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Emily

Emily marked it as to-read

08/12/08

bookshelves: to-read

For some reason he fascinates me... between his books and this one, hopefully I will have a good idea of the arguments made on both sides

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Jamie

Jamie rated it:

08/13/08

Ballin'! I love this book.

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

1 comments

Lydia

Lydia rated it:

10/20/08

Read in October, 2008

Corsi did a good job of not commenting so much as compiling the research to show who Obama is. He even takes lots of things from Obama's book. I found this a fascinating book--scary if it's all true... On Obama's website you can read what he thinks of Corsi's book. I found it interesting that the things they argue are all very minor. Corsi also has a refute of Obama's refutes...

But the book was well-written and researched. I learned a ton (even if I don't agree 100% with everythin...more

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Vivian

Vivian rated it:

10/16/08

Read in October, 2008

recommended to Vivian by: "Heard it on the radio"
recommends it for: anyone with an open mind

What Obama says and does in public and what he's done or said in the past are disputed in this book. Despite the fact that Corsi isn't voting for Obama in the upcoming election, he has compiled hundreds of investigative reports and interviews by outstanding writers that present the real Obama. This book is frightening to read. The real Obama is not the one he and his cadre of advisors have crafted--a polished personality that, if elected, will take command of America and lead it into the sewer!!...more

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Esteban

Esteban rated it:

11/06/08

bookshelves: currently-reading

I don't think this book is written very well. What was designed to be a rebuttal to Obama's best selling "Audacity of Hope" and "Dreams of My Father", though well researched, seems fairly redundant and unable to provide a clear argument against Barack's ideaologies. I still have yet to finish it...

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Jane

Jane rated it:

09/04/08

Read in September, 2008

If you read “Dreams of My Father,” you have most of the information in this new book by Corsi. What he did was to take facts from Obama’s autobiography, and turn them into something sinister. For example, I really don’t think “secret smoking” is worth several pages and indicates that Obama has no character and capable of hiding all kinds of things. That does not pass the silly test.

The parts about his family are particularly cruel. Like Jane Austen, I believe that you can come...more

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Andreia

Andreia rated it:

11/03/08

bookshelves: currently-reading

A different analysis; Corsi dwells more on his psychological profile trying to re-create his motivations and his patterns of thinking. Quite ambitious. So far very thoroughly documented.

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Bliss

Bliss rated it:

09/22/08

Read in January, 2008

recommended to Bliss by: An article in a magazine and seeing it on the book shelf at a Sa
recommends it for: Anyone seeking to better understand Senator Obama.

I am currently reading THE OBAMA NATION by Dr. Jerome R. Corsi. It's a book well worth the time to read as it reveals a great deal about Barack Obama's own views through his friends, relatives, his own writings, and his personal history. He has been long-time friends with Bill Ayers, a 1960s radical and terrorist who got away with bombings in the United States.

Like Dr. Corsi, I'm not voting for John McCain, but, it's still important to better understand McCain's Democratic Party contestant ...more

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Roxanna

Roxanna is currently reading it

10/29/08

bookshelves: currently-reading

I know all the good things about Obama, I wanted to know the bad things. All I can say is that the author really hates Obama and this book has not shown anything else but the big fear the author, and a lot of other people, have to have an African-American president. What a shame!!!

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Maribeth

Maribeth marked it as to-read

11/16/08

bookshelves: to-read

propaganda and lies? maybe...but I'd rather find out for myself.

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Barbara

Barbara rated it:

11/12/08

Very Interesting!

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book data (includes all editions)

avg rating (all editions): 4.25 (59 ratings)
avg rating (this edition): 4.11 (59 ratings)
number of reviews: 46

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