Books for thought
05 November 2008 à 00h00
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Barack Obama and John McCain argue on many issues, but the two candidates share a mutual taste for literature. Their reading lists might give some hints on how they want to be seen.
Ernest Hemingway could be the only one able to bring Barack Obama and John McCain back together. At least for a few hours. The two candidates apparently share the same taste for the American writer. Both of them disclosed the list of their favorite books "of all time".
In an interview with Katie Couric on CBS, Obama named "For Whom the Bell Tolls" as one of the three books that have inspired him.
But actually, it wasn’t his first answer. What came first is an old book, which sold quite well throughout the world... « The Bible is the book that shaped me and moved me the most,” said Obama.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/RuUlnhRaJOs&rel=0&fs=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/RuUlnhRaJOs&rel=0&fs=1</a>
McCain also mentionned Hemingway’s 1940 novel as one of his favorite books. That's where he got the phrase "the world is a wonderful place and well worth the fighting for." It makes him seem « more human and sophisticated than his stump speeches », according to Huffington Post blogger John Lundberg. In this story, the hero confronts the absurdity of war.
McCain also named "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque, a German veteran of the First world war and Edward Gibbon's "History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."
The Democrat candidate also loves Toni Morrison's “Song of Solomon”. A perfect choice, since the book deals with a rich young black man discovering his roots. « It's just a beautiful, beautiful book,'' Obama said. The Illinois senator, who published some poetry in a college literary magazine, also enjoys the tragedies of William Shakespeare. « You can read them once a year and each year, there's something new, there's something you didn't notice. There is some insight into the human dilemma. It's powerful stuff.''
This reading question can prove revealing, about what the candidates really like, and about the way they want to be considered.
In 2004, Washington Monthly's Brent Kendall wrote on how presidential candidates try to impress reporters with their reading lists.
Books helped candidates build their identities.
President George W. Bush chose a book close to his own alcohol troubles, Hillary Clinton liked books on women written by women, Mike Huckabee's books deal with religion.
Bill Clinton did even better. He adapted his favorite books to the audience he was addressing.
Ernest Hemingway could be the only one able to bring Barack Obama and John McCain back together. At least for a few hours. The two candidates apparently share the same taste for the American writer. Both of them disclosed the list of their favorite books "of all time".
In an interview with Katie Couric on CBS, Obama named "For Whom the Bell Tolls" as one of the three books that have inspired him.
But actually, it wasn’t his first answer. What came first is an old book, which sold quite well throughout the world... « The Bible is the book that shaped me and moved me the most,” said Obama.
McCain also mentionned Hemingway’s 1940 novel as one of his favorite books. That's where he got the phrase "the world is a wonderful place and well worth the fighting for." It makes him seem « more human and sophisticated than his stump speeches », according to Huffington Post blogger John Lundberg. In this story, the hero confronts the absurdity of war.
A perfect choice ?
McCain also named "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque, a German veteran of the First world war and Edward Gibbon's "History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."
The Democrat candidate also loves Toni Morrison's “Song of Solomon”. A perfect choice, since the book deals with a rich young black man discovering his roots. « It's just a beautiful, beautiful book,'' Obama said. The Illinois senator, who published some poetry in a college literary magazine, also enjoys the tragedies of William Shakespeare. « You can read them once a year and each year, there's something new, there's something you didn't notice. There is some insight into the human dilemma. It's powerful stuff.''
To seem rather than to be...
This reading question can prove revealing, about what the candidates really like, and about the way they want to be considered.
In 2004, Washington Monthly's Brent Kendall wrote on how presidential candidates try to impress reporters with their reading lists.
Books helped candidates build their identities.
President George W. Bush chose a book close to his own alcohol troubles, Hillary Clinton liked books on women written by women, Mike Huckabee's books deal with religion.
Bill Clinton did even better. He adapted his favorite books to the audience he was addressing.
