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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
Like having a long conversation with a very funny friend. It strikes just the right balance between unbridled optimism and realism.
I was 24 years old. Most of my proudest achievements in life fell under the category of "over-complicated pranks." But starting April 1st, I was cleared to work in the White House.
David Litt was one of Obama's speech writers, and this book is an inside look at his time with the President. Litt is hilarious in a self-deprecating, don't-take-yourself-too-seriously kind of way. His stories about Obama are so nostalgic, also. I voted for Obama's opponent in both presidential elections, but over the past few years I have come to see how great of a man he really is. Litt talks about his humor, his way of making everyone feel like they matter, and his genuine desire to make the country a better place for EVERYONE.
I found the way Litt described the role of a speech writer to be very informative:
If you're working with a writer, chances are you're an expert. And if you're an expert, chances are you're boring. You can't help it. The more you know about a subject, the harder it is to express your knowledge in a way the rest of us understand. As professional dilettantes, speech writers use their short attention spans to your advantage. Sifting through the dense muck of facts and anecdote, they find nuggets worth something to the outside world.
We also get to hear about Obama's sense of humor and how he used social media and comedy to get his messages out. He went on Funny or Die's Between Two Ferns to talk about the Affordable Care Act, and he played along with Key and Peele's Luther, the Anger Translator skit at the Correspondents' Dinner. Litt reflects on its success: "In just 48 hours, Luther, the Anger Translator, had become the most popular government produced video in internet history. I bring this up for two reasons. And the first...is bragging."
Excellent audiobook. David Litt's delivery is awesome.
David Litt was one of Obama's speech writers, and this book is an inside look at his time with the President. Litt is hilarious in a self-deprecating, don't-take-yourself-too-seriously kind of way. His stories about Obama are so nostalgic, also. I voted for Obama's opponent in both presidential elections, but over the past few years I have come to see how great of a man he really is. Litt talks about his humor, his way of making everyone feel like they matter, and his genuine desire to make the country a better place for EVERYONE.
I found the way Litt described the role of a speech writer to be very informative:
If you're working with a writer, chances are you're an expert. And if you're an expert, chances are you're boring. You can't help it. The more you know about a subject, the harder it is to express your knowledge in a way the rest of us understand. As professional dilettantes, speech writers use their short attention spans to your advantage. Sifting through the dense muck of facts and anecdote, they find nuggets worth something to the outside world.
We also get to hear about Obama's sense of humor and how he used social media and comedy to get his messages out. He went on Funny or Die's Between Two Ferns to talk about the Affordable Care Act, and he played along with Key and Peele's Luther, the Anger Translator skit at the Correspondents' Dinner. Litt reflects on its success: "In just 48 hours, Luther, the Anger Translator, had become the most popular government produced video in internet history. I bring this up for two reasons. And the first...is bragging."
Excellent audiobook. David Litt's delivery is awesome.
This audiobook was a great distraction during walks, runs, and mindless work. Loved the funny stories, self-deprecation of the author, and overall reminder that we once had a pretty articulate president.
On the other hand, listening to this book in times like this almost feels obsolete. The book ends three weeks after Trump was inaugurated, which truly feels like a lifetime ago in an alternate universe. Still, an interesting perspective and one that although grandoise in nature at times, acknowledges faults of all presidencies.
On the other hand, listening to this book in times like this almost feels obsolete. The book ends three weeks after Trump was inaugurated, which truly feels like a lifetime ago in an alternate universe. Still, an interesting perspective and one that although grandoise in nature at times, acknowledges faults of all presidencies.
Oh how I needed the laughs I got from this. 👌🏻
A light political memoir from an Obama speech writer. He shared some interesting anecdotes like his interaction with President Obama and Luther/Keegan Michael Key. Learned a lot about speech writers. Sometimes his insecurities where annoying but all in all a nice read.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Fascinating and funny insight into the White House from one of Obama’s young speech writers, David Litt. Litt is a honest and humorous writer and I highly recommend his book.
The only downside to this read was learning that the famous “walk and talk”’in the West Wing doesn’t happen in real life, sad times!
The only downside to this read was learning that the famous “walk and talk”’in the West Wing doesn’t happen in real life, sad times!
I loved this down-to-earth insider view of being a White House staffer. Litt recounts the highs and lows of his 7.5 years as an Obama speech writer with humor and humility. In it, you feel the extreme mood swings that go along with this all-consuming job and occasional snippets of interactions with Obama, moments that both fill you with pride and make you cringe. Personally, it was just nice to spend a little time in what already feels like a long-lost era of hope and class in the White House.
I was kind of skeptical of this at first, but I really enjoyed reading about Litt's journey as a speechwriter for Obama. He does a great job of mixing in the funny/embarrassing/little happenings of his work with the bigger questions about the purpose of public service, Obama's presidency, and America. Would recommend if you're curious about what it's like to be a speechwriter in the White House. Also, it's a light and optimistic read, with eloquent and funny writing - as you might expect from someone who wrote presidential speeches.