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4.55 AVERAGE
4.55 AVERAGE
During these same 10 days that Cody brilliantly writes about, I was in college being tested in so many ways but finding the encouragement I needed in the President and the progress he was making and ideals he stood for.
During the 24hours since I borrowed this book, I’ve been moved to tears by his retelling of those 10 days. I’ve found comfort in relating to Cody and the way he managed those days, comparing our levels of self doubt as some sort of strange confirmation that I am capable. I’ve reflected on the colleagues and relationships I have, people who have my back in big and small ways. And most importantly, I’ve rediscovered my sense of optimism for the direction I’m personally moving and the change I’m pushing for in small ways every single day.
And, I immediately put a hard copy version on my Christmas list this year. Thank you for sharing Grace with us, Cody!
During the 24hours since I borrowed this book, I’ve been moved to tears by his retelling of those 10 days. I’ve found comfort in relating to Cody and the way he managed those days, comparing our levels of self doubt as some sort of strange confirmation that I am capable. I’ve reflected on the colleagues and relationships I have, people who have my back in big and small ways. And most importantly, I’ve rediscovered my sense of optimism for the direction I’m personally moving and the change I’m pushing for in small ways every single day.
And, I immediately put a hard copy version on my Christmas list this year. Thank you for sharing Grace with us, Cody!
Interesting and inspiring with insights into West Wing workings and the lives of the people who work there - a balm during this distressing month. I rec the audiobook for the author’s delivery (and Obama impersonation).
4.5⭐️ This was one of my favorites of all the Obama-era memoirs I’ve read. I loved the framing of the book and how it spanned ten days but was interwoven with stories from other times in the Obama administration. Also, just as someone who teaches rhetoric, I’m a big fan of speechwriters and seeing this inside look at how they get made was fascinating. Sometimes a little repetitive in parts, but I loved overall.
If you’ve been following me for any considerable length of time (on Insta), you know that I love politics. I was ecstatic when this book was chosen as the Ashley Spivey October book because it gave me the push to prioritize it. I’m not going to review it really other than to say that I gave it 5 stars (I knew early on that I would). The prose is tight, powerful, and engaging. The fact that SO MANY historical events took place over 10 days boggles my mind. I ugly sobbed throughout the entire epilogue. The. Entire. Epilogue. I loved it. I wish I could personally press this one into all of your hands.
I really enjoyed this book, as I always like reading about the presidency.
I used to think I would love to be a speechwriter, but after reading this book, I don't think my anxiety or my ego could even take it. Cody Keenan was Obama's chief speechwriter and he covers 10 days of events beginning on June 15 and culminating at the eulogy for Clementa Pinckney where Obama sang "Amazing Grace". Over these 10 days, ACA and marriage equality were on the SCOTUS docket and a young man full of hate walked into the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and murdered nine people. It was an intense 10 days, and Keenan takes you on this journey with compassion, hope, and humor. The entire thesis of this book comes from Obama himself, "It was not a clash of armies, but a clash of wills; a contest to determine the meaning of America." There are so many quotable moments in this book. It was at the end of these 10 days that Obama took us all to "Black Church" where we learned what it means to be a part of Black Church, "our beating heart; the place where our dignity as a people is inviolate." Obama speaks my favorite line here, "by acknowledging the pain and loss of others, even as we respect the traditions and ways of life that make up this beloved country; by making the moral choice to change, we express God's grace."
I didn’t think I needed to read (listen to, get this one audiobook!) another Obama staffer book but this one was unique and so special to read. Especially in the time we are in right now. I loved the premise and I cried multiple times.
What a treat to read about Barack Obama and the grace with which he handled some of the worst days of his presidency! This book is of a behind the scenes report of how the president and the author created the words Obama would speak to the country in response to Ebenezer AME Church massacre, as well as major supreme Court decisions, and other events affecting the nation.
I'm giving this book only three stars however, because I didn't think it was written all that well. Keenan may have written some pretty spectacular speeches for Obama, but this book was a little hard to follow at times. The author jumps around a bit, giving background information from previous years, but it was sometimes confusing and unclear what was past and what was present. Also I felt the book got bogged down in a catalog listing of names of staffers and their credentials. The author tells the story through his own eyes - which is what one does in a memoir, after all - but in this case I just am not all that interested in his point of view. I found the tremendous pressure and high pace he describes in himself and the White House to be exhausting even just in the reading, but I didn't feel a lot of sympathy for him in this self-imposed frenzied state.
In the end, I'm glad I read it for the information gained and the inside look at the functioning of this President and his White House advisors and staff.
I'm giving this book only three stars however, because I didn't think it was written all that well. Keenan may have written some pretty spectacular speeches for Obama, but this book was a little hard to follow at times. The author jumps around a bit, giving background information from previous years, but it was sometimes confusing and unclear what was past and what was present. Also I felt the book got bogged down in a catalog listing of names of staffers and their credentials. The author tells the story through his own eyes - which is what one does in a memoir, after all - but in this case I just am not all that interested in his point of view. I found the tremendous pressure and high pace he describes in himself and the White House to be exhausting even just in the reading, but I didn't feel a lot of sympathy for him in this self-imposed frenzied state.
In the end, I'm glad I read it for the information gained and the inside look at the functioning of this President and his White House advisors and staff.
Ignored many things on the to-do list because once I started I didn’t want to put it down. Only needed to use my bookmark once.