Audacity is a fairly direct discussion of Obama's political ideas, with personal touches that are interesting and relevant to an overall understanding of who and what he is. Like autobiographies in general and political autobiographies in particular, the book is somewhat self-serving. However, he doesn't shrink from saying what he thinks, even on topics that he knows a number of potential voters will dislike. His views on most issues aren't as extreme as some might think, and he shows that he's capable of seeing both sides of issues. This indicates a willingness to compromise, to accept less than he might have wanted in order to achieve an acceptable measure of progress. This is exactly what we've seen in his performance as president.
Those on the right who disagree fundamentally with liberal political philosophy aren't going to have their minds changed by Audacity. But they are the very people who can profit most from reading it because they will come away with a better understanding of the man with whom they so strongly disagree. And they'll come away with a better appreciation of Barack Obama as a kind and decent man who loves his country and tries to do what he believes to be right and good.
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