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writergracie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.0
While I was expecting more of a memoir (I requested the book from the library because it was by Jen), I enjoyed the communication lessons Jen Psaki framed her book around.
giorgiareadsbooks's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Interesting and informative. I’ll definitely keep thinking of how to communicate better and how I approach making my point come across in the best way possible.
Hearing about Jen Psaki’s journey as a communicator was extremely interesting and relatable, even if you’ve never been attacked by Russian propaganda.
Inserting her own mishaps and mistakes into the book made it more relatable and effective as actually showed what happened and how, in some instances, it could have been handled better.
Both a memoir and a guide to better communicating, this was a great read
Hearing about Jen Psaki’s journey as a communicator was extremely interesting and relatable, even if you’ve never been attacked by Russian propaganda.
Inserting her own mishaps and mistakes into the book made it more relatable and effective as actually showed what happened and how, in some instances, it could have been handled better.
Both a memoir and a guide to better communicating, this was a great read
sidreads's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
bmpicc's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Part memoir, part behind the scenes at the White House, part how to be an effective communicator. I was already a fan of Psaki and her Psakibombs. The percentage of inside stories mixed with personal tidbits was perfect the perfect. More than anything, this was a fantastic reminder about listening and communication.
"It takes two people to make things awkward," she told me. "So if you hold your head high, it won't be."
"Your trust squad is made up of the coworkers who cheer for you publicly and root for you behind the scenes, who let you vent without judgement and give you advice, including when you screw something up, and who know what you're struggling with and can make you laugh on good days and bad."
"It takes two people to make things awkward," she told me. "So if you hold your head high, it won't be."
"Your trust squad is made up of the coworkers who cheer for you publicly and root for you behind the scenes, who let you vent without judgement and give you advice, including when you screw something up, and who know what you're struggling with and can make you laugh on good days and bad."
mari1532's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
I want to thank Netgalley and Scribner Publishing for a copy of this book.
One of the reasons that I was interested in reading this book is because Psaki was the author. I enjoyed watching her as Press Secretary and thought that her book sounded interesting. Overall, I did find this to be an interesting read. Psaki's writing style is informative without being dry and educational without being repetitive. I also felt like she struck a balance between discussing her personal experiences and providing suggestions for being an effective communicator.
This is a valuable book for teaching people how to articulate their points to an audience. I feel this should be required reading for graduate-level students, regardless of discipline. I know that when I began teaching as a graduate student I had no training on how to teach to undergraduates. I was essentially handed a teaching template and hoped for the best. While I did prep work in the background, I do think that a book like this could have provided important insights into how to think about how I was communicating with my students.
While I wish I had this book for a specific purpose I do think that it has some universal lessons about communicating with others. I particularly enjoyed how Psaki used examples of her different audiences throughout the book to highlight how effective communication is important in all domains of life. Her advice about how to deal with your work bully or confrontation with a colleague was enlightening too. Having emotions is only human, but also understanding how and when to demonstrate your frustration is a valuable skill to have and learn from.
The most interesting part of the book was when Psaki discussed how she had to handle Russian media attacks. While she was trying to highlight something important about communication style, I do think that it highlighted a more personal aspect of her time in the White House. My favourite part of the book was her daughter's opinion on Biden's baking skills.
This is a useful book for those looking to further their communication skills. However, if you are also interested in learning about Psaki's career this book will also highlight some important aspects of her career. Although the stories about her career may not be as in-depth as they might have been if this was purely a memoir. Nevertheless, I would recommend this book.
One of the reasons that I was interested in reading this book is because Psaki was the author. I enjoyed watching her as Press Secretary and thought that her book sounded interesting. Overall, I did find this to be an interesting read. Psaki's writing style is informative without being dry and educational without being repetitive. I also felt like she struck a balance between discussing her personal experiences and providing suggestions for being an effective communicator.
This is a valuable book for teaching people how to articulate their points to an audience. I feel this should be required reading for graduate-level students, regardless of discipline. I know that when I began teaching as a graduate student I had no training on how to teach to undergraduates. I was essentially handed a teaching template and hoped for the best. While I did prep work in the background, I do think that a book like this could have provided important insights into how to think about how I was communicating with my students.
While I wish I had this book for a specific purpose I do think that it has some universal lessons about communicating with others. I particularly enjoyed how Psaki used examples of her different audiences throughout the book to highlight how effective communication is important in all domains of life. Her advice about how to deal with your work bully or confrontation with a colleague was enlightening too. Having emotions is only human, but also understanding how and when to demonstrate your frustration is a valuable skill to have and learn from.
The most interesting part of the book was when Psaki discussed how she had to handle Russian media attacks. While she was trying to highlight something important about communication style, I do think that it highlighted a more personal aspect of her time in the White House. My favourite part of the book was her daughter's opinion on Biden's baking skills.
This is a useful book for those looking to further their communication skills. However, if you are also interested in learning about Psaki's career this book will also highlight some important aspects of her career. Although the stories about her career may not be as in-depth as they might have been if this was purely a memoir. Nevertheless, I would recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Cursing, Sexism, Bullying, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Cancer, Pregnancy, War, and Mass/school shootings
ibz47's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.75
This book is a good book about communication. I was expecting more of a memoir. I did enjoy listening to Psaki. If I was still teaching I would be able to apply what she has to say.
magerosenburg's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
My interest in this book was mostly to due with the amount of hours I have spent watching White House Press briefings over the last 8 years or so, and I do think this is a very well written reflection on one's own failures and successes and how you can learn from them and pass on those lessons.
This book gives a well rounded explanation of the role of any person who in communications. Whether it be White House Communications, Public Relations, or even Speech Writing, all of the principles she has mentioned apply. Words matter, emotions conveyed matter, facial expressions and body language matter, and sometimes even what you withhold matters, or jsut good old fashioned listening - an effective communicator knows this and is able to use those tools to convey their message to hopefully have it recived well by their audience.
Jen's story of being offered a job while pregnant and thinking the job offer will then be resinded immediatley upon disclosing, I think was the most 'shocking' parts of this book to me. The job was for the White House during the Obama Administration, a political party who has stated their desired support for women in the workplace through maternity leave, childcare, and other avenues. To me this says more about the political party that even the most devout, involved, and supportive aren't fully sure they will follow through on their promises and are suprised when they do even if its minimal effort. The argument could be made that this is a differant kind of job in a more critical enviroment, but I would argue that at the highest level the political party you support should be leading the way in the things they claim to champion.
This book gives a well rounded explanation of the role of any person who in communications. Whether it be White House Communications, Public Relations, or even Speech Writing, all of the principles she has mentioned apply. Words matter, emotions conveyed matter, facial expressions and body language matter, and sometimes even what you withhold matters, or jsut good old fashioned listening - an effective communicator knows this and is able to use those tools to convey their message to hopefully have it recived well by their audience.
Jen's story of being offered a job while pregnant and thinking the job offer will then be resinded immediatley upon disclosing, I think was the most 'shocking' parts of this book to me. The job was for the White House during the Obama Administration, a political party who has stated their desired support for women in the workplace through maternity leave, childcare, and other avenues. To me this says more about the political party that even the most devout, involved, and supportive aren't fully sure they will follow through on their promises and are suprised when they do even if its minimal effort. The argument could be made that this is a differant kind of job in a more critical enviroment, but I would argue that at the highest level the political party you support should be leading the way in the things they claim to champion.