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risabella's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. This was incredible. An in-depth look to the team that makes the President, the President. I didn't realize the extent of Air Force One and how seriously his security is taken. But also there are so many pieces that make up all things presidential and WOW, I'd never thought of that.
Fascinating to see how world events bring us out of the details of Beck's life. And how encompassing the world of POTUS can be. How incredible, unreal and also horrible, frustrating, discouraging.
This account leaned heavily into her personal relationships and experiences, which wasn't my favourite part. But it spoke to how easy it is to fall into bad habits when they're in proximity.
Also, what a trip to experience the magnificence of Obama and then his successor.
Fascinating to see how world events bring us out of the details of Beck's life. And how encompassing the world of POTUS can be. How incredible, unreal and also horrible, frustrating, discouraging.
This account leaned heavily into her personal relationships and experiences, which wasn't my favourite part. But it spoke to how easy it is to fall into bad habits when they're in proximity.
Also, what a trip to experience the magnificence of Obama and then his successor.
katieloucl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
emily_odonnell's review against another edition
3.25
Very interesting look behind the scenes of the Obama administration with very thinly veiled references to the Pod Save America guys. Messy drama, I loved it
hjf95's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
bothompson's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. I’m very fascinated by the inner workings of the White House but not well versed in politics so it was great for me. She made a lot of personal choices in her relationships that became such a central theme and it did frustrate me to no end but I felt there were enough other focuses to keep my attention.
mrstiabee's review against another edition
3.0
This memoir gives a unique, insider perspective to some very intimate moments inside the second term of President Obama’s administration. Dorey-Stein describes the President as cool, heart-warming, and utterly badass as we thought him to be, and even more so.
It was fascinating to read about the work lives of people who cover the President’s words and movement for a living. Details about Air Force One, travel to other countries, and media protocols were all pretty fascinating.
The only thing that dragged the pace of the book was the author’s internal debates about how her feelings for two men who took up the majority of the book’s story line. I found myself getting frustrated with the amount of self-deprecating thoughts.
Read if: you want to get an outside the box perspective on the Obama White House, you have a love/hate relationship with DC politicos, or you want to giggle at the shared mishaps we all have had as twenty-somethings trying to figure out what the hell we’re doing with ourselves.
It was fascinating to read about the work lives of people who cover the President’s words and movement for a living. Details about Air Force One, travel to other countries, and media protocols were all pretty fascinating.
The only thing that dragged the pace of the book was the author’s internal debates about how her feelings for two men who took up the majority of the book’s story line. I found myself getting frustrated with the amount of self-deprecating thoughts.
Read if: you want to get an outside the box perspective on the Obama White House, you have a love/hate relationship with DC politicos, or you want to giggle at the shared mishaps we all have had as twenty-somethings trying to figure out what the hell we’re doing with ourselves.
emily__bee's review against another edition
4.0
Loved getting a behind the scenes view of the Obama White House. While I appreciate her love triangle and decisions, it did get kind of old chapter after chapter. But again, she is only human, and I appreciate her being honest with her readers!
andrearbooks's review against another edition
4.0
From The Corner Of The Oval is a memoir from Beck Dorey-Stein who was a White House stenographer under Obama. True Confession: I didn't really know what that was until I read this book. Also, you know what's wild? She got this job from Craigslist! Anyway, this book is not so much a memoir about the Obama administration, but moreso about someone making their way in a unique work environment both personally and professionally. In addition to talking about what her job was, she talks a lot about her relationships (both romantic and friendships) as she navigates being in the room where it happens. Yes, I just dropped that Hamilton reference there. It was a nonfiction read that read like fiction which was intriguing. This one won't be out until the summer (I had an ARC), and it would be a great beach read. Oh, and apparently it's going to be a movie? Do yourself a favor, and read the book first.
madams13's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the storytelling and the amazing writing! Wish I got a little more White House news action but I enjoyed learning about all of her personal relationships!