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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
4.5 stars
In the current Trump era, it was nice to go back to "simpler" times for a bit. I’ve always been curious to learn more about politics, but been afraid because of all the terms that I don’t know and so many policies that I don't fully understand. So this was a nice way to get an overview of some topics in layperson's terms.
It was especially interesting for me to get an insight into the speechwriting process and the reasons why speeches had "this versus that" in them. Also, Litt is hilarious! I marked so many pages that I thought were funny. This was good for me because otherwise: politics + boring content = falling asleep. I loved the random references he sneakily included, like Harry Potter, Snow White, The Wizard of Oz, and more.
One thing to note, I was confused on the timeline and felt that we were sometimes jumping back and forth quickly between months/years and it wasn't always completely clear to me where we were at.
Something fun that I did was to look up speeches that Litt mentioned after reading about them. My favorite one was the prep of the Luther sketch with President Obama & Keegan-Michael Key for the 2015 Correspondent's Dinner and then watching it after and seeing how Obama was able to not "break" even though during practice he couldn't keep it together.
In the current Trump era, it was nice to go back to "simpler" times for a bit. I’ve always been curious to learn more about politics, but been afraid because of all the terms that I don’t know and so many policies that I don't fully understand. So this was a nice way to get an overview of some topics in layperson's terms.
It was especially interesting for me to get an insight into the speechwriting process and the reasons why speeches had "this versus that" in them. Also, Litt is hilarious! I marked so many pages that I thought were funny. This was good for me because otherwise: politics + boring content = falling asleep. I loved the random references he sneakily included, like Harry Potter, Snow White, The Wizard of Oz, and more.
One thing to note, I was confused on the timeline and felt that we were sometimes jumping back and forth quickly between months/years and it wasn't always completely clear to me where we were at.
Something fun that I did was to look up speeches that Litt mentioned after reading about them. My favorite one was the prep of the Luther sketch with President Obama & Keegan-Michael Key for the 2015 Correspondent's Dinner and then watching it after and seeing how Obama was able to not "break" even though during practice he couldn't keep it together.
Funny, heartwarming, insightful, and easy to read. One of those books that just makes your heart happy (and a little sad because of what a painfully different world we now live in). A much needed reminder of the power of hope.
This was a lot of fun, especially if you liked/loved Obama. The audio is narrated by the author which added a nice touch to the self-deprecating manner in which is was written. Lots of interesting stuff!
For the longest time I thought that Presidents write their own speeches (I mean, who wouldn't, look at Trump?!) But how stupid of me to think that POTUS has the time to 'write' a speech, of course not! There is a group of writers doing that job for the most powerful man on Earth!
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Thanks, Obama is a witty memoir of speechwriter David Litt, which, I bet, was funnier on audio. It was everything I expected from the book—memoir-y, funny, engaging, and wholesome in a way. I got to know how the speechwriters function in the White House, and how it's cool to work there (obviously, Litt couldn't stop ralking about that!) But his engaging writing didn't let me go offtrack even once.
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Apart from the witty banter, it was nice to see that Litt also perceived Obama to be a superhero, the reason he got into politics in the first place, and then came to terms with the fact that he wasn't . . . that he had the flaws like any other human being.
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It was a fun read and I was laughing and snorting most of the times during my commute. It's perfect for anyone who wants a light, witty, and engaging read
•
Thanks, Obama is a witty memoir of speechwriter David Litt, which, I bet, was funnier on audio. It was everything I expected from the book—memoir-y, funny, engaging, and wholesome in a way. I got to know how the speechwriters function in the White House, and how it's cool to work there (obviously, Litt couldn't stop ralking about that!) But his engaging writing didn't let me go offtrack even once.
•
Apart from the witty banter, it was nice to see that Litt also perceived Obama to be a superhero, the reason he got into politics in the first place, and then came to terms with the fact that he wasn't . . . that he had the flaws like any other human being.
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It was a fun read and I was laughing and snorting most of the times during my commute. It's perfect for anyone who wants a light, witty, and engaging read
“My freshman year of college I wore a fedora to class in the sincere belief it would establish me as both stylish and smart. The outside of the Democratic National Committee is the architectural equivalent of that hat.”
David Litt strikes me as somewhere between a self-aware douchebag and a clueless one. (Coincidentally, this is where I would self-categorize as well) However, he's usually funny and certainly had some unique experiences during a fascinating time in history.
This alternates between cheesy, fun, and occasionally a bit preachy...but its worth if if you'd like something light & entertaining. It gives great behind the scenes insight into what it's like to rise from a low level white house employee.
To counteract the perception I may be unfairly giving Litt, I wanted to end with a really nice thought of his:
“...choose service instead. Not because The World Needs You. It probably doesn’t. The world will be fine, and if it won’t be fine, you alone can’t fix it. Choose service because there is nothing more insufferable than a talented, driven person who is also completely self-obsessed. Those people are awful. They spend their lives trying to fill a hole and digging it deeper instead. Anyone can be successful. Only service can make you realize how insignificant—and yet how meaningful—your time on earth really is.”
Listened on audio. Audible, read by author. I was dubious at first, but this exceeded expectations. What could have been an icky self-indulgent memoir was a self-deprecating and hilarious look into one person's journey as a speech writer for the Obama administration. Parts of this book had me laughing out loud. Recommend listening on audio to get the author's humor and to actually hear a clip of Obama singing Amazing Grace.
I remember when Obama was elected and saying to a friend that we all wished we could be writing speeches for Obama. So this is neat insight into that process.
David Litt really loves Obama.
Plus the Weinstein episode is interesting given it was written well before all the assault allegations came out.
David Litt really loves Obama.
Plus the Weinstein episode is interesting given it was written well before all the assault allegations came out.
Do you remember the beginnings of Obama on the national stage and how people were infatuated by him? David Litt couldn’t escape it either and started out as a campaign aid before he made it to the White House as a speechwriter. If you miss the time when the White House was ( or at least seemed) functional, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this.
This book gives a glimpse behind the scenes of the White House during the Obama years and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy and nostalgic for when this very decent man was still our Commander in Chief. There is a bit of realism in the book, as we learn how much of the president’s public appearances are staged and scripted. I think, Litt himself became a little disillusioned learning about the inner workings of the White House, but he kept a sense of humor about it and his writing style was realistic but still hopeful. And you can tell when the president has a dedicated and talented staff behind him and when he doesn’t (or chooses to ignore it altogether).
This book gives a glimpse behind the scenes of the White House during the Obama years and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy and nostalgic for when this very decent man was still our Commander in Chief. There is a bit of realism in the book, as we learn how much of the president’s public appearances are staged and scripted. I think, Litt himself became a little disillusioned learning about the inner workings of the White House, but he kept a sense of humor about it and his writing style was realistic but still hopeful. And you can tell when the president has a dedicated and talented staff behind him and when he doesn’t (or chooses to ignore it altogether).
Me pretending Obama is still leader of the free world and Trump never happened.