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4.55 AVERAGE
4.55 AVERAGE
Spectacular book. I listened to the audiobook, which was expertly narrated by the author, but I have a hard copy as well with photos and the text of the speeches he writes about in the book. I loved it.
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Phenomenal.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I started reading this book the day Roe vs. Wade was overturned. It made reading this book even more emotional and devastating. This book focuses on ten days of President Obama’s last term of office through the lens of his chief speechwriter. The three big events that were happening in this ten days were the upholding of the ACA, gay marriage becoming the law of the land and the shooting in Charleston. There is so much hope in this book yet we still have so far to go.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book by the publisher which has not affected my review
I was provided an advanced copy of this book by the publisher which has not affected my review
Listened to the audiobook. Really enjoyed getting to relive the idealism of the Obama era. Also enjoyed the extremely relatable experience of grappling with procrastination
Loved this book. Felt like reuniting w “old friends” to reminisce about what this country was aspiring to be during the Obama years. The “behind the scenes” anecdotes reinforced that these were an amazing group of “regular people” who were committed and mission-driven who also dealt w real “work frustrations and accomplishments”. I could’ve read Keenan’s description of everyday of their administration years. Again- how I miss them…!
This was my second attempt at a book by an Obama staffer, and I really enjoyed it. Written by a speechwriter, this was structured in a way that was engaging and emotionally captured a huge week of wins for the Presidency and nation. I appreciated the epilogue, which focused on the ways Obama's successor halted America's progress and turned us to our darker voices, but end on a high note about the youth of America.
Just loved the behind the scenes look at how some of Obama’s most important speeches were written and the goings-on of the president and his speechwriting staff.
100 stars
My throat was tight a lot during my reading of this and I also laughed a lot. Brilliantly written by a master wordsmith.
My throat was tight a lot during my reading of this and I also laughed a lot. Brilliantly written by a master wordsmith.
Fascinating, heartfelt, excellent
Cody Keenan was a speechwriter for Obama during his presidency, so the writing is obviously exceptional. His perspective as a speechwriter feels like a peek behind the scenes and deeper into what it looks like being a president, specifically this president, President Obama. It’s a peek into the huge issues that needed to be addressed with words and how impossible that must feel sometimes. What do you say after another and another and another shooting?
I cried reliving some of the monumentally important moments discussed and how they affected citizens and members of the White House staff. So many shootings, the impact of Supreme Court rulings on the ACA and same sex marriage, and the determined passion behind the idea of making the US better for everyone - and that’s just in this snapshot of ten days (though told with flashbacks and past references). I’m in awe.
Cody Keenan also shares his personal life and humor, how he met and dated the woman who, among other duties, was a fact-checker for his speeches. Hearing about what it’s like working in such positions so close to the president and under intense pressure was held my interest. He and Kristen were both always tethered to their phones and could never really leave work at work and made an incredible team at work and at home. Hearing how much Cody worried about such a giant job and the support from his fiancé and then wife was touching.
Anyone who has enjoyed listening to podcasts by other former Obama speechwriters and other close positions and been fascinated thinking about what the must have been like will enjoy getting an even closer look through these ten days in June 2015 and hearing how they all met and came to work together.
Narrated by himself, the audible version was also wonderful.
Cody Keenan was a speechwriter for Obama during his presidency, so the writing is obviously exceptional. His perspective as a speechwriter feels like a peek behind the scenes and deeper into what it looks like being a president, specifically this president, President Obama. It’s a peek into the huge issues that needed to be addressed with words and how impossible that must feel sometimes. What do you say after another and another and another shooting?
I cried reliving some of the monumentally important moments discussed and how they affected citizens and members of the White House staff. So many shootings, the impact of Supreme Court rulings on the ACA and same sex marriage, and the determined passion behind the idea of making the US better for everyone - and that’s just in this snapshot of ten days (though told with flashbacks and past references). I’m in awe.
Cody Keenan also shares his personal life and humor, how he met and dated the woman who, among other duties, was a fact-checker for his speeches. Hearing about what it’s like working in such positions so close to the president and under intense pressure was held my interest. He and Kristen were both always tethered to their phones and could never really leave work at work and made an incredible team at work and at home. Hearing how much Cody worried about such a giant job and the support from his fiancé and then wife was touching.
Anyone who has enjoyed listening to podcasts by other former Obama speechwriters and other close positions and been fascinated thinking about what the must have been like will enjoy getting an even closer look through these ten days in June 2015 and hearing how they all met and came to work together.
Narrated by himself, the audible version was also wonderful.