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themadmadmadeline's review
4.0
A fascinating and humorous view of one of the most powerful (hidden) women in politics, I appreciated Alyssa’s candid presentation of vignettes in political life. I appreciated her transparency (IBS struggles, t name one) throughout this book - highly recommended.
lfcovington's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book in that insight into the White House is always interesting but it carried a little too much "self help" in it. Towards the end the author says that was her goal so while she was successful in that, I most enjoyed her stories about day-to-day life in politics.
dcg44's review against another edition
4.0
Four stars with the caveat that I'm rating it against it's category, not compared to "literature" and such. She's an entertaining storyteller--with some funny and interesting stories to tell--but she tries a little too hard to make it an advice book, when most of her success and "lessons learned" are really tied to her particular personality. I wish it was more chronological, but it's clear enough and, again, really interesting as a real-life version of West Wing.
ceroon56's review
2.0
Some fun behind-the-scenes stories but not much else. Maybe Mastromonaco is just humble to a fault but it was hard to see why she had such power. Many of her decisions seemed weak and not very well thought out.
_lucy_b_'s review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
emilyholladay's review
4.0
Who Thought This Was a Goof Idea? is such a refreshing look at what politics can be, how one person can contribute, and where we can still find hope these days. I got so swept away in Mastromonaco’s story telling that I forgot what we are going through currently for just a moment. I laughed and cried. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
nssutton's review against another edition
3.0
I came out of this audiobook liking Mastromonaco and disliking the book. About 75% of the way through, she talks about why she wrote the book and chose a non-linear structure. I’d spent those first three quarters hating the fact it wasn’t chronological and found myself ten years older than her intended audience. It wasn’t a great fit. But I appreciate her work ethic, focus on preparedness and growth, and the way she models how a strong, powerful woman can be multifaceted.
pocketvolcano's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent read! A fascinating sneak peak into the life of one of President Obama's assistants and into the White House under his term. Alyssa has a wonderful way with words and it made me wish the book was longer or held more stories. The ones she included were alternatively moving and amusing. Makes me miss President Obama even more.
katy82's review
5.0
As a former paralegal who spent 8 hours a day dealing with corporate intellectual property matters I remember the very real feeling that my job was all at once incredibly stressful, important and too boring to fully explain to people I didn't work with. Mastromonaco has come close to writing the perfect political memoir by admitting that a job dealing with the details of running the White House share all of these same qualities.
I know some have knocked her for not writing a book that makes her sound a loaf and too important to be understood by the common masses, but I applaud her for writing a book that is true to who she is as a person.
I'll admit that she almost lost me when she started talking about her cats (cause I'm not a cat person) but it also just made me miss President Obama and the fact that we used to have nice people running our country.
I know some have knocked her for not writing a book that makes her sound a loaf and too important to be understood by the common masses, but I applaud her for writing a book that is true to who she is as a person.
I'll admit that she almost lost me when she started talking about her cats (cause I'm not a cat person) but it also just made me miss President Obama and the fact that we used to have nice people running our country.