Politics in Literature: 2008 Presidental Memoirs

Must-Reads for an In-Depth Look at the Candidates

© Lisa Rufle

Oct 11, 2008

With the 2008 presidential election in the forefront of Americans' minds, it is becoming difficult to get fresh perspective on the candidates. The re-churned rhetoric and carefully stylized PR-speak has become tedious and repetitive, offering no real insight into the background and politics of the candidates. For those who are interested in doing some reading on the candidates before placing their ballot, here are some must-reads:

Republican Reads

• Faith of My Fathers by John McCain and Mark Salter. A riveting memoir that is divided into two parts: one tells the compelling history of McCain's grandfather and father's lineage in the navy, while the second half is a retelling of McCain's infamous POW experiences during Vietnam.
• Worth the Fighting For: The Education of an American Maverick and the Heroes Who Inspired Him by John McCain and Mark Salter. This book serves as a continuation of Faith of My Fathers, picking up after McCain's release from the POW camp. This memoir traces McCain's political career through to the 2000 Presidential campaign.
• Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life by John McCain and Mark Salter. McCain's emphasis in this book seems to be a retrospective on how courage has played a vital role in America's most trying historical moments. It comes across as an enlightening read into one man's courageous life and how we can all strive to life more courageously (and why living courageously is important).
• Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down by Kaylene Johnson. The only book on this list that is not written or co-written by the candidate, Sarah still manages to give the reader a glimpse into the life of the least-known candidate, Sarah Palin. Though this book is brief and slightly unbalanced (there seems to be no criticism for a book not written by Palin herself) it provides a snapshot of Palin's life and her role as Governor of Alaska.

Democratic Reads

• Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama. Obama's first book heavily centered on issues of race and how his experiences shaped his political and personal views. While the book hinges on his father's death, the event is clearly a key moment in his life acting as a catalyst for Obama to return to his father's homeland of Kenya and embark on a journey of self-discovery.
• The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream by Barack Obama. A best seller long before he ran for president, The Audacity of Hope is an eloquently written book that delves deeper into the political ideals of Obama. A great primer for anyone interested in learning about where he stands on the important issues.
• Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics by Joseph Biden. The recollections of Senator Biden who has been in politics since the early 1970s, Promises to Keep tells the story of a man who faced and overcame challenges, saw major life-altering events of the past five decades and built his political foundation on the simple idea of staying true to your word.
• Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton. Though Clinton is not technically a candidate, she deserves an honorable mention. Living History is an engaging memoir of a woman who opens up about her pre-Bill days, her role as a mother, her time spent as First Lady and her own admirable political career. A thorough overview for anyone looking to know more about a powerful female figure.

While most voters are likely to already have their candidate chosen, these books can offer some insight to those undecided voters. They also make for fascinating reads, especially in a time when so much hinges on the outcome of this presidential election.

Books about 2008 presidential candidates

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