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Walk With Us: How the West Wing Changed Our Lives
The West Wing premiered in 1999. That’s a long time ago. Back then, we were worrying about the Millennium Bug, paying $700 for DVD players, and using pagers. 1999: a century ago.
And yet, the show continues to have an impact that is arguably unique. If you live or work in DC, references to it are inescapable. People have walked down the aisle to the theme music. Or they’ve named children, pets, GPS systems, and even an iPhone app after the characters. Or they’ve started Twitter accounts as the characters to continue the storyline and comment on current political events. Or they credit it for closer relationships with their family members or a way out of depression.
In this anthology of quotes and essays, contributors from six countries, ranging in age from twenty to seventy years old, tell their West Wing stories.
And yet, the show continues to have an impact that is arguably unique. If you live or work in DC, references to it are inescapable. People have walked down the aisle to the theme music. Or they’ve named children, pets, GPS systems, and even an iPhone app after the characters. Or they’ve started Twitter accounts as the characters to continue the storyline and comment on current political events. Or they credit it for closer relationships with their family members or a way out of depression.
In this anthology of quotes and essays, contributors from six countries, ranging in age from twenty to seventy years old, tell their West Wing stories.
89 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2016
76 people are currently reading
654 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 22, 2016
'Walk With Us' is a collection of essays and shorter quotes from people who love The West Wing and have been changed by it. For some it changed their family relationships – being about the only show on TV they could all watch and enjoy together. For others it changed romantic relationships, career choices, the way they approach work and life, and of course their political engagement. The stories are all well-written and well edited, and come from across the US, as well as from the UK, Europe and Australia.
For fans of the show this would make a great birthday gift or stocking filler. It’s a quick, light, easy read, with a great balance between short quotes and longer pieces, and would make a good bathroom book (for those who aren’t grossed out by such things) or handbag book. You’d probably get through it in two average London commutes, though (I’ve no idea how long a Washington DC commute is), so it’s probably not a summer holiday book – you’d have finished it by the time you reached the airport.
I also wouldn’t advise reading it until you’ve finished all seven seasons. There are some references in it that will spoil your unfolding discovery.
One slight change I'd have liked would be to have either all the quotes/references footnoted by episode or none of them. One chapter has footnotes, and the inconsistency felt odd (plus, there's one reference that I just can't identify and it's obscure enough that I'm not sure a search engine would help).
Other than that, if you’re a fan, and you want to geek out over the show all over again, this is a great little way to do it.
For fans of the show this would make a great birthday gift or stocking filler. It’s a quick, light, easy read, with a great balance between short quotes and longer pieces, and would make a good bathroom book (for those who aren’t grossed out by such things) or handbag book. You’d probably get through it in two average London commutes, though (I’ve no idea how long a Washington DC commute is), so it’s probably not a summer holiday book – you’d have finished it by the time you reached the airport.
I also wouldn’t advise reading it until you’ve finished all seven seasons. There are some references in it that will spoil your unfolding discovery.
One slight change I'd have liked would be to have either all the quotes/references footnoted by episode or none of them. One chapter has footnotes, and the inconsistency felt odd (plus, there's one reference that I just can't identify and it's obscure enough that I'm not sure a search engine would help).
Other than that, if you’re a fan, and you want to geek out over the show all over again, this is a great little way to do it.
June 10, 2016
This is a must-read for fans of "The West Wing" & an eye-opening read for anyone who has never seen the show. Although it is short, it is chock full of interesting stories of how the show made a strong impact on those who watched. It could have been written by any of us "Wing-nuts" (fanatical fans of the show). Re-watching "The West Wing" is like re-reading a favorite book, you feel like you're visiting an old & dear friend. Thanks to Claire Handscombe for sharing these stories with us.
October 9, 2016
Every WW fan needs to read this book. This is what makes us a community. We're all better for it.
November 17, 2017
I bought this book for my husband, who is the real "West Wing" fanatic, and then I stole it and began to read the thing myself. Definitely a fun read for those of us who love the series. It was honestly enjoyable to learn that other people -- not just those in the U.S., but people from other countries as well -- love the show just as much as our family does. It was really nice to read about how the series has influenced people's lives for the better. I know that in our household, no other t.v. series will ever compare to The West Wing.
August 15, 2016
An absolute must read for any West Wing fan. The excellent stories reminded me of why I fell in love with the West Wing in the first place and why I continue to watch it, discuss it with friends, and listen to podcasts about it. The show was one of a kind when it first aired and still is to this day.
November 4, 2020
It seems an inarguable fact that, if something gets onto television, it will have a fanbase. No matter how long or short it runs for, it will inspire a following. The West Wing, Aaron's Sorkin's series about the staff of the fictional Bartlet administration, was to prove no exception. Except The West Wing has done more than that. What it's done, and why that might be, is what inspired editor Claire Handscombe and a group of writers back in 2016 for this collection.
Let this reviewer be upfront: If you're looking for a guide to the show, or some deep-dive critical analysis of it, you've come to the wrong place. There's a place for both out there (in fact, some guides were published during the original run, though none covered the entire seven seasons, something that someone should remedy), but this is not it. Don't let that discourage you from reading it, though, because this has plenty to offer.
Handscombe and her writers offer up something more personal than simple recountings of episode details and analysis. Instead, these are tales of how a successful TV influenced their lives. Often starting from how they discovered the show or how they came to it at a particular moment in their lives, between the covers are stories of people who changed career paths, bonded with family and friends, met their spouse, or found inspiration and hope from its episodes. People who learned that decisions are made by those who show up or became active in their communities more than they had, and entered the realms of law and government inspired by the series and characters like Press Secretary CJ Cregg or speechwriter Sam Seaborn. These are stories of ordinary people whose lives became a little less so because they came into contact with the series and how they made the most of it.
There's more than that, with some powerful pieces as well, tales of the less ordinary kind. There's the emotional tale of someone who worked their way through grief and PTSD thanks to a character's experiences on-screen with it, which had this reader tearing up. There's the testimony of those diagnosed with the same affliction as Martin Sheen's President, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, who found strength from the series. For them, The West Wing is more than just a TV show but comfort viewing and even a life-preserver of sorts.
The West Wing has been coming back into vogue in recent years, as the recent reunion or HBO Max can help attest. This book came perhaps a little before that wave started to break, but it remains a sampling of just a handful of lives that the series has touched. For fans of The West Wing wanting to revel in the experience of their fellow fans, or wanting to hear something different about a favorite show, come along and Walk With Us.
Let this reviewer be upfront: If you're looking for a guide to the show, or some deep-dive critical analysis of it, you've come to the wrong place. There's a place for both out there (in fact, some guides were published during the original run, though none covered the entire seven seasons, something that someone should remedy), but this is not it. Don't let that discourage you from reading it, though, because this has plenty to offer.
Handscombe and her writers offer up something more personal than simple recountings of episode details and analysis. Instead, these are tales of how a successful TV influenced their lives. Often starting from how they discovered the show or how they came to it at a particular moment in their lives, between the covers are stories of people who changed career paths, bonded with family and friends, met their spouse, or found inspiration and hope from its episodes. People who learned that decisions are made by those who show up or became active in their communities more than they had, and entered the realms of law and government inspired by the series and characters like Press Secretary CJ Cregg or speechwriter Sam Seaborn. These are stories of ordinary people whose lives became a little less so because they came into contact with the series and how they made the most of it.
There's more than that, with some powerful pieces as well, tales of the less ordinary kind. There's the emotional tale of someone who worked their way through grief and PTSD thanks to a character's experiences on-screen with it, which had this reader tearing up. There's the testimony of those diagnosed with the same affliction as Martin Sheen's President, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, who found strength from the series. For them, The West Wing is more than just a TV show but comfort viewing and even a life-preserver of sorts.
The West Wing has been coming back into vogue in recent years, as the recent reunion or HBO Max can help attest. This book came perhaps a little before that wave started to break, but it remains a sampling of just a handful of lives that the series has touched. For fans of The West Wing wanting to revel in the experience of their fellow fans, or wanting to hear something different about a favorite show, come along and Walk With Us.
April 6, 2020
This is West Wing porn in the same way The West Wing is democracy porn. It's nothing life changing or wildly deep, but it resonates perfectly and reminds you why this show is so powerful. I wish the entire thing had been more focused essays rather than essays mixed with a bunch of random quotes, but it did the trick.
December 19, 2017
"The West Wing" is probably one of my favorite shows of all time. I own the entire series on DVD. However, I was one of those people who never watched an episode when it was on tv. I discovered the show through reruns watched with my best friend Lee when I would visit him. He also got me hooked on a couple of other great shows (Burn Notice and The Closer).
It was very interesting to read this little short book on how "The West Wing" affected people from all walks of life and various parts of the world. It was fun reading which parts/episodes/scenes/quotes they connected with and remembering those points in the series.
The book is very short (barely over 100 pages) and is easily read in a couple of hours. If you're a huge "West Wing" fan, you'll love this book!
It was very interesting to read this little short book on how "The West Wing" affected people from all walks of life and various parts of the world. It was fun reading which parts/episodes/scenes/quotes they connected with and remembering those points in the series.
The book is very short (barely over 100 pages) and is easily read in a couple of hours. If you're a huge "West Wing" fan, you'll love this book!
November 11, 2017
Great short little book; I hope later editions have more stories. It's very well written and edited. I recommend for all West Wing fans.
June 19, 2016
There's a West Wing resurgence right now. Ten years after the finale, people are remembering it or discovering it for the first time (yay, Netflix) and people are talking about it. Many, many people are talking about it.
Claire, the editor, has been talking and thinking and dreaming West Wing for a long time. I've followed her story online for a while and watched how the show has literally changed her life. So, when this book came out, I expected good things.
Today, at last, I downloaded the book. And inhaled it. Ripped through it in two hours. Because the book contains my people. Those who were inspired by this show in different ways. What joy to hear their stories. It's swift, it's engaging, it harks back to scenes I could picture so vividly. There's not enough of it; I want everyone's West Wing stories because I never want it to end.
If you miss the West Wing, if a random scene often pops in your head, if you're wondering what's next - this is your book. Jump in.
Claire, the editor, has been talking and thinking and dreaming West Wing for a long time. I've followed her story online for a while and watched how the show has literally changed her life. So, when this book came out, I expected good things.
Today, at last, I downloaded the book. And inhaled it. Ripped through it in two hours. Because the book contains my people. Those who were inspired by this show in different ways. What joy to hear their stories. It's swift, it's engaging, it harks back to scenes I could picture so vividly. There's not enough of it; I want everyone's West Wing stories because I never want it to end.
If you miss the West Wing, if a random scene often pops in your head, if you're wondering what's next - this is your book. Jump in.
Read
July 6, 2016Originally published at Novel Escapism
Full disclosure: I am a huge fan of "The West Wing". Oh, and I’m a contributor to this anthology.
Despite having been off-the-air for a decade, "The West Wing" has and still is shaping lives all around the world. In this anthology of quotes and essays, people from six countries and ranging in age from twenty to seventy, tell how Aaron Sorkin’s vision of American government changed them. Anyone who has watched "The West Wing" will be able to relate to these stories and feel a sense of community with their authors. And, if for some reason, you’ve never seen an episode, I’m sure this book will have you hurrying to Netflix to see just how much "The West Wing" can inspire and improve your life. In fact, I think I’ll go watch some episodes now, too.
Full disclosure: I am a huge fan of "The West Wing". Oh, and I’m a contributor to this anthology.
Despite having been off-the-air for a decade, "The West Wing" has and still is shaping lives all around the world. In this anthology of quotes and essays, people from six countries and ranging in age from twenty to seventy, tell how Aaron Sorkin’s vision of American government changed them. Anyone who has watched "The West Wing" will be able to relate to these stories and feel a sense of community with their authors. And, if for some reason, you’ve never seen an episode, I’m sure this book will have you hurrying to Netflix to see just how much "The West Wing" can inspire and improve your life. In fact, I think I’ll go watch some episodes now, too.
May 15, 2016
For More than West Wing Lovers
The power of art is deep and often overlooked on our post-modern, cling-to-logic, cynical world. Yet this book reminds us of the timeless power of excellent storytelling. For West Wing fans, you won't be disappointed to see your favorite lines written in the stories of others. For those who don't know the show, be reminded of the power of art and then you just might find yourself watching The West Wing!
The power of art is deep and often overlooked on our post-modern, cling-to-logic, cynical world. Yet this book reminds us of the timeless power of excellent storytelling. For West Wing fans, you won't be disappointed to see your favorite lines written in the stories of others. For those who don't know the show, be reminded of the power of art and then you just might find yourself watching The West Wing!
June 16, 2016
A surprisingly touching dedication not only to The West Wing, but to all the small, seemingly mundane things that can change our lives in an instant. Handscombe and her cadre of writers lend credibility to the idea that we can make major life choices based on shows we love, because this fictional world is simply a mirror of the real one. The voices in this anthology are diverse, representing the different personalities that discovered and have been forever changed by The West Wing
July 3, 2016
Want to hear about how a bunch of people loved the West Wing and were inspired to go on and do great things? So did I, but this is disappointingly about a bunch or people who loved the West Wing and found it had an impact on their ordinary lives, but didn't make them any less ordinary. Basically a grouping of fan forum posts writ longer.
The West Wing remains awesome.
The West Wing remains awesome.
January 2, 2017
The book offers a series of essays by folks who love the show, many of whom have watched the series multiple times. Some of the stories are amazing, replete with references to specific scenes and phrases from the show, and now I plan to watch the series again. I enjoyed The West Wing and this book reminded me why.
Read
August 29, 2016This book just confirms why if you were brought up in the 90's like me then the west wing was the best thing on tv & nearly 20 years later still stands up to scrutiny, also it should be mandatory viewing this & the next generations to come.
December 31, 2016
A nice little compilation of remembrances by fans of the impact TWW had on their lives. I smiled at nearly every one of them and marveled at how much impact the show had on people around the world, not just here in the US.
August 12, 2016
A heart-warming collection of stories and quotes about how The West Wing changed the lives of its fans. A charming book to read on a wet afternoon.
January 14, 2017
It is nice to see I am not alone in my fandom with the West Wing. Still remember watching my first ever episode in college and being hooked immediately.
September 21, 2024
I am glad I finished this book before writing a review. I didn't really enjoy the "stories" until about halfway thru the book. I still think the $35 price tag is a bit on the expensive side for a 104-page book, some of which have no verbiage at all on them. As a watcher of The West Wing" and an admirer of the series, the writing, the actors and in general the entire production I was interested in this book.
I will pass it along to other West Wing devotees and hopefully, down the line it will earn its price tag.
Sent the book to Bill, who also enjoys the West Wing and is very into shows with ethics as a central theme.
I will pass it along to other West Wing devotees and hopefully, down the line it will earn its price tag.
Sent the book to Bill, who also enjoys the West Wing and is very into shows with ethics as a central theme.
September 2, 2024
Walk With Us: How "The West Wing" Changed Our Lives, by Claire Handscombe, is a quick read for devotees of the show. I'm one of them..I watch the entire series every four years before the upcoming Presidential election. I'm inspired by Sorkin's writing, the complexities of the characters, and the utter faith in our democracy, despite its flaws. I don't think the show changed my life although it often makes me happier about my country. This is a quick read that may inspire you to take a break from cable news and ups and downs of polling.
October 7, 2020
Walk With Us: How The West Wing Changed Our Lives, is a terrific read not only for fans of the series, but people who love TV in general.
It’s a lovely collection of stories and essays from fans of The West Wing the world over, and articulates perfectly why this series means so much to so many - and still does.
What’s Next?
It’s a lovely collection of stories and essays from fans of The West Wing the world over, and articulates perfectly why this series means so much to so many - and still does.
What’s Next?
April 30, 2022
I am a huge West Wing fan, and this was a simply amazing read! This TV show changes lives, and it was amazing to read of how it touched so many others, just like it did mine. It’s not a long read, but, for any fan of Sorkin’s masterpiece, it’s worth the couple of hours it takes to get through it just to see other peoples’ experiences!
July 25, 2018
I love the West Wing. It's in my top three favorite shows of all time, so I gravitated to this title for my Book Riot Read Harder Challenge - an essay anthology. It made me realize why I'm not a fan of essay anthologies. The content was fine, but felt disjointed.
July 12, 2020
As someone who is easily influenced by TV shows, I appreciated the testimonies in this book about how "The West Wing" changed their lives. It was also interesting how many international writers the editor got. If you're a fan of the show, I'd read it. It's quick one.
July 3, 2023
This is full of interesting anecdotes of varying lengths that connect TWW to contributors’ lives. Reading the book itself was more heartwarming than life-changing, but it absolutely inspired me to rewatch the series (again).
October 25, 2024
Short essays from people describing their connections to The West Wing and how it helped to form their lives. I love The West Wing and reading this book gives me the impetus to watch the series “one more time”!
February 26, 2018
Generic but cute. A quick read.
November 14, 2018
For the Wing Nuts (and I am one).
December 2, 2018
Very good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews