In a recent review of a book about Barack Obama, Bruc Elder asked: "Are we all watching the fall of the US Empire and even Obama will not be able to stop it?" There is enormous pressure on Obama right now. The eyes of the world are on him to deliver the change, and the hope, that he preached in the election campaign.

Even if the Empire falls, and I am not suggesting it will, Obama will still have a life as an author. He is a publishing phenomenon! His books Dreams from my Father and Audacity of Hope have been Top 10 round the world since halfway through last year. This latest offering is an outline of the Obama plan for rebuilding America.

The Change We Can Believe In was originally released in the US during the election campaign. It was designed to complement the online release of information about the Obama policies. The Australian edition features eight speeches from the campaign trail, including the inspirational speech from election night.

This book is part of the incredibly successful and media savvy communication juggernaut Obama's team have set in motion. A visit to the Obama website is incredible. There are virtually daily video and sound bites from the great man, and even advice from his wife. The book is for those who prefer to read something that they are tangibly holding in their hands.

There are several things that impress me about the policies set out in this book. They are very comprehensive for an election campaign. They are also quite specific and written in language that is easy to understand. As Andrew West has pointed out, the mark of Obama has been his clarity:

"the use of simple, straightforward language, short words and sentences that all readers can understand."

Obama has also been thorough rather than glamorous, fair dinkum rather than vote-catching. I have to admit that the policies on health care, education, environment and international aid are really heartening. Whether he will ever be able to afford those programs in the current climate is another thing…

There are many however, who will already be disappointed with Obama as a self-proclaimed Christian with his decisions to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, and his promise to fund stem cell research.

However, we need to remember a couple of things. Firstly, he is head of a democratic party and these are party policies. He may or may not support them personally. Secondly, those decisions still have a wider social agenda; so there is justification of stem cell research on the basis of advancing medical science and needing to find cures for those who are suffering; and he put up a bill recognising same-sex unions because discrimination based on sexual orientation was unfair, and he wanted to end the hypocrisy.

He acknowledged in his election night speech that not everybody will agree with every decision or policy he makes, but at least this book proves he has been upfront and honest.

His faith does come through in the book. While all US Presidents usually claim God is on their side, not all are as clear about the link. For example, Obama says that faith is not just a source of personal strength, it can be the foundation of renewal of society. In saying that he is breaking down some of the classic church and state divisions; he is saying faith is not just an individual issue, it impacts our whole lives.

In terms of faith influencing the policies, there seem to be clear links in the sense of the need to restore integrity to political processes, to care for the poor, not just in the US but also around the world through the forgiveness of foreign debt, and there is a commitment to innovative programs to rebuild community, using churches and parachurch organisations.

I was particularly interested in one of the speeches at the back of the book. You might remember there was some controversy over some comments Obama's pastor had made that were considered racist. Obama was put under a lot of pressure to denounce him; but he refused: denouncing the views expressed but supporting his pastor. He explained that his pastor had introduced him to his Christian faith, had taught him to love others, to care for the sick and lift up the poor. In the speech he tells of his first experience of church when he saw the link between the stories of those around him with the stories of the David and Moses, and he heard hope and the possibility of reclaiming memories, and the possibility of rebuilding. The man does not lack vision; but he will need to do lots more reclaiming of memories in the present economic climate.

There are weaknesses. This is not a pretty book; in some ways it is plain and dirty. The goal was to match what was happening online and through the speeches; to outline policy and have it available for everyone. It could have been better set out and more attractively presented. In addition, none of the policies are costed. Maybe that was considered too much detail, but it makes it seem even more unlikely that they can be delivered upon.

However, there is more about this book that is positive. The Change We Can Believe in suggests that Obama is not just an outstanding orator, but someone with faith and conviction, who has God's heart for creation and the poor and sick. He has already freed the prisoners of Guantanamo Bay, after all. I think this man and his family need our prayers. There is so much focus and attention and expectation on him right now" Let's pray that his faith will be deepened and enriched, that he will have an acute awareness of God's spirit prompting him during his time of Presidency, and that he will walk Jesus' way.