Did Obama tell a half-truth regarding his relationship with Ayers during the final presidential debate?

When McCain asked Obama about his relationship with Ayers, Obama said that he wanted to set the record straight and continued by stating that his relationship with Ayers was limited to serving on a school reform board with Ayers, but Obama never mentioned to the American people that he endorsed Ayers' book in 1997.

Here is what we know about Obama's praise for Ayers' book:

A blogger discovered the Dec. 21, 1997, endorsement in the Chicago Tribune and posted photographs of the praise for Ayers' book on Zombietime.com Saturday.

On December 21, 1997, Barack Obama wrote a short review of William Ayers’ book A Kind and Just Parent: The Children of Juvenile Court, which had recently been published by Beacon Press.

Scroll down for a photo of how the review appeared in the Chicago Tribune.

Obama’s review of Ayers’ book says, “A searing and timely account of the juvenile court system, and the courageous individuals who rescue hope from despair.”

Did Obama tell a half-truth to the American people?

Why didn't Obama mention this to the American people during the final presidential debate? Why did he omit this important fact when addressing the American people?

Scroll to :40 to hear Obama's response regarding his relationship with Ayers at the final presidential debate.