Obama Barack - Reclaiming hope: lessons learned in the Obama White House about the future of faith in America

PRAISE FOR RECLAIMING HOPE

This is an important and extremely timely book. It is partly a memoir, partly a reflection on the relationships between faith and governing power, and partly a road map for navigating the unprecedented social and cultural changes we are facing. Its readable and thought-provoking. Get it, read it, and talk to others about it.

TIMOTHY KELLER, AUTHOR OF REASON FOR GOD

Michael Wear is a man of deep faith who clearly brought his love for Jesus to his work in the White House. Reclaiming Hope offers important insight about his time working in the public square for the legitimate and necessary place of both faith and people of faith in todays political environment, and it deserves serious attention.

HIS EMINENCE TIMOTHY CARDINAL DOLAN

This is an important book on many levels: it addresses faiths role in politics and public policy; it reveals Barack Obamas personal faith and beliefs; it calls for Christians to engage in the public square; and it offers hope for Americas future. For anyone interested in the intersection of faith and politics, Reclaiming Hope is a must read.

THE HONORABLE MARK PRYOR, FORMER US SENATOR FROM ARKANSAS

According to my friend Michael Wear, too many of us left the party early! Ive known Michael for years and greatly appreciate his commitment to the church and his personal faith in Jesus. Reclaiming Hope will certainly give you a fresh perspective on politicsbut, more important, it may also give you a fresh perspective on faith.

ANDY STANLEY, SENIOR PASTOR OF NORTH POINT MINISTRIES

Michael Wear makes a powerfully compelling case for engaging the intersection of politics and religion. Drawing from his personal and singular experience in the White House under the Obama administration, Wear writes a lifeline for these timesthat despite any personal differences, hope can unite. The pages in your hand could give you hope and lead and guide us forward as a nation. We can all reclaim hope and carry it with us.

ANN VOSKAMP, NEWYORKTIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF ONE THOUSAND GIFTS AND THE BROKEN WAY

As a pastor who has been close to President Obamas personal journey of faith, I was fascinated by Michael Wears insider account of the events and influences that formed this administration. Surprisingly honest and compelling, this book helps us understand the forces at play in President Obamas leadership decisions. Reclaiming Hope will give you a sense of hope for a future we can help shape.

JOEL HUNTER, SENIOR PASTOR OF NORTHLAND, A CHURCH DISTRIBUTED

Michael Wears reflections on life as a young evangelical Christian working for President Obama are not your typical Washington memoir. Theres no If only theyd listened to me bravado nor is there the catty score-settling weve grown to expect from the genre. Instead, this book offers Oval Office insight with road-to-Damascus vulnerability. Whether or not you agree with the authors politics, you can learn what it means to bear witness in a time riddled with culture wars and political strife. Michael Wear is part of why I think a new generation can bring a new shape to American public life, one in which we can disagree without tearing each other apart. We can hope and this book can help us.

RUSSELL MOORE, PRESIDENT OF THE ETHICS & RELIGIOUS LIBERTY COMMISSION OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION

In my eighteen years as a leader of the congressional coalition on adoption, I happily witnessed countless times when members of Congress from opposite ends of the political spectrum united behind their shared belief that children belong in families. Revealing such opportunities for common ground was what Michael was uniquely good at. During a time when the political discourse has strayed more to what we dont agree on, Reclaiming Hope reminds us all of what can be achieved when we come together.

THE HONORABLE MARY LANDRIEU, FORMER US SENATOR FROM LOUISIANA

More than a story about how faith and politics entangle in the rarified atmosphere of the White House, this fine memoir is also a road map for how we can pick up the broken pieces of our political life and reassemble a national commitment to a common good.

MIKE MCCURRY, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY 199598 AND PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC THEOLOGY AT WESLEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Michael Wears Reclaiming Hope is an engaging, sympathetic but not uncritical account of life in the Obama White House. Wear cares about politics, but he cares about his Christian faith even more. The result is a balanced, thoughtful look at how politics and faith intersect, what the pitfalls and possibilities are, and why we cannot give up hope. At a time when too many Christians in public life are discrediting their public witness, Michael Wear is offering an admirable alternative.

PETER WEHNER, SENIOR FELLOW AT THE ETHICS AND PUBLIC POLICY CENTER AND FORMER SENIOR ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH

Reclaiming Hope is both a fascinating insiders look into the Obama administrations faith-based initiatives and a stirring call for Christiansindeed for Americans of all faithsto rediscover a sense of hopefulness. Even as we find ourselves in a crisis of disillusionment, and even despair, about the state of American politics, Wear reminds us that we must hold fast to the belief that we can change our country and our world for the better. Each of us would do well to adopt at least a bit of Wears realistic hopefulness.

E. J. DIONNE JR., AUTHOR OF WHY THE RIGHT WENTWRONG AND SOULED OUT

This is an unusually important and moving book. Reclaiming Hope is a fascinating portrait of a critical moment in American public life, exploring the role of Christianityand faith more broadlyduring the Obama era. Part memoir, part exhortation, Michael Wear offers us an intimate look at the power and relevance of religion at a time when so many have discounted it. The reflections on President Obamas evolution on gay marriage are by themselves worth the price of admission. Marked in parts by disillusion, Wear ends the book with a powerful meditation on hope that, while directed to Christians, will appeal to anyone interested in the complex intersection of faith and politics.

SHADI HAMID, SENIOR FELLOW AT BROOKINGS INSTITUTION AND AUTHOR OF ISLAMIC EXCEPTIONALISM

In addition to helping readers reclaim hope, Michael Wears writing and ideas encourage Americans to reframe our views of public service, revive the relevance of civility and religious freedom, and restore the importance of government and faith communities working together toward a common goal.

JANET VESTAL KELLY, FORMER VIRGINIA SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH

Michael Wears debut is a warm, engaging read of the authors experience with faith, politics, and the intersection (and sometimes collision) of the two. Reclaiming Hope is an important contribution in this age of religious and political polarization.

J. D. VANCE, AUTHOR OF HILLBILLY ELEGY

Anyone who (mistakenly) believes that the right wing holds a monopoly over faith in America should read Michael Wears warm and moving account of his work on behalf of Barack Obamaand of the rest of us.

ALAN WOLFE, AUTHOR OF AT HOME IN EXILE

Transparent. Timely. Helpful. Michael Wear writes with an honesty and impartiality that is rare among politically themed works. Part memoir, part political textbook, part behind-the-scenes glimpse into the nations most powerful office, Reclaiming Hope is a timely and important call for people of faith to rise above the clamor of dissension and work together to make liberty and justice a reality for all.