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Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?: And Other Questions You Should Have Answers to When You Work in the White House
If your funny older sister were the former deputy chief of staff to President Barack Obama, her behind-the-scenes political memoir would look something like this...
Alyssa Mastromonaco worked for Barack Obama for almost a decade, and long before his run for president. From the then-senator's early days in Congress to his years in the Oval Office, she made Hope and Change happen through blood, sweat, tears, and lots of briefing binders.
But for every historic occasion-meeting the queen at Buckingham Palace, bursting in on secret climate talks, or nailing a campaign speech in a hailstorm-there were dozens of less-than-perfect moments when it was up to Alyssa to save the day. Like the time she learned the hard way that there aren't nearly enough bathrooms at the Vatican.
Full of hilarious, never-before-told stories, WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA? is an intimate portrait of a president, a book about how to get stuff done, and the story of how one woman challenged, again and again, what a "White House official" is supposed to look like. Here Alyssa shares the strategies that made her successful in politics and beyond, including the importance of confidence, the value of not being a jerk, and why ultimately everything comes down to hard work (and always carrying a spare tampon).
Told in a smart, original voice and topped off with a couple of really good cat stories, WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA? is a promising debut from a savvy political star.
Alyssa Mastromonaco worked for Barack Obama for almost a decade, and long before his run for president. From the then-senator's early days in Congress to his years in the Oval Office, she made Hope and Change happen through blood, sweat, tears, and lots of briefing binders.
But for every historic occasion-meeting the queen at Buckingham Palace, bursting in on secret climate talks, or nailing a campaign speech in a hailstorm-there were dozens of less-than-perfect moments when it was up to Alyssa to save the day. Like the time she learned the hard way that there aren't nearly enough bathrooms at the Vatican.
Full of hilarious, never-before-told stories, WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA? is an intimate portrait of a president, a book about how to get stuff done, and the story of how one woman challenged, again and again, what a "White House official" is supposed to look like. Here Alyssa shares the strategies that made her successful in politics and beyond, including the importance of confidence, the value of not being a jerk, and why ultimately everything comes down to hard work (and always carrying a spare tampon).
Told in a smart, original voice and topped off with a couple of really good cat stories, WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA? is a promising debut from a savvy political star.
244 pages, Hardcover
First published March 21, 2017
1144 people are currently reading
17636 people want to read
About the author
Alyssa Mastromonaco
3 books404 followersAlyssa Mende Mastromonaco is the Chief Operating Officer of Vice Media. She is also a contributing editor at Marie Claire magazine. She previously served as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations in the administration of President Barack Obama from 2011 to 2014.She was the youngest woman to hold that position. Mastromonaco had worked for Obama since 2005 when he was on the United States Senate as his Director of Scheduling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,307 reviews
March 27, 2017
"I also wanted to write this book because I didn't see anything like it out there. When I was trying, kind of desperately, to get a job in politics, and then one I got one, all my mentors were men. Most political memoirs are written by men--because most of the people who work in politics are men."
This is like if Mindy Kaling wrote a book that was half-memoir/half-what it's like to work in the White House: kind of a mixed bag.
While the memoir parts are dull and unnecessary--weird that I wasn't interested in the pages detailing her younger sister's birth--the stories about the White House with President Obama are wild and hilarious and overwhelming. I've always thought that Obama was a nice man, but Mastromonaco really drives home that Obama is a legitimately thoughtful, caring, wonderful human being. (Um. Foreign policy aside. She didn't bring that up.) This book made me sad to think of what the White House is like now under the Trump administration. The extraordinary amount of respect that Obama's staff had for the President, for the office itself, and for the very ideas and issues his administration championed is sorely missing from Trump's White House. Also missing: lots and lots and lots of competency. And ethics. And morals. And a sense of right and wrong. And basic human decency.
But I digress.
Unfortunately, I just think this book is poorly written. (And it had two authors???) It's intentionally presented not in chronological order, but that drove me wild and made it hard to keep things straight. It's inconsistent (sometimes she calls her husband David, other times DK; how hard is it to pick a name and stick with it?) and I got the feeling that this entire book was written solely for Mastromonaco's friends to read, because they are the only ones who would understand/care about some of the stuff she covers. It feels, at times, kinda like a love letter to her friends and old co-workers. Which is sweet, but not something I want to read.
I believe Mastromonaco's main goal is to reach out to young women who have a fiery desire and passion for entering politics, and that's great. It lacks a general appeal, though, I think.
One last complaint: I wanted to see the photo of Mastromonaco and Obama sitting together on a street corner that the '08 campaign staff had framed as a gift for her. Why specifically mention this picture if it isn't included in the photo section??? I'm mad because it sounds adorable (though in all fairness, there are plenty of other adorable photos of Mastromonaco and Obama included).
This is like if Mindy Kaling wrote a book that was half-memoir/half-what it's like to work in the White House: kind of a mixed bag.
While the memoir parts are dull and unnecessary--weird that I wasn't interested in the pages detailing her younger sister's birth--the stories about the White House with President Obama are wild and hilarious and overwhelming. I've always thought that Obama was a nice man, but Mastromonaco really drives home that Obama is a legitimately thoughtful, caring, wonderful human being. (Um. Foreign policy aside. She didn't bring that up.) This book made me sad to think of what the White House is like now under the Trump administration. The extraordinary amount of respect that Obama's staff had for the President, for the office itself, and for the very ideas and issues his administration championed is sorely missing from Trump's White House. Also missing: lots and lots and lots of competency. And ethics. And morals. And a sense of right and wrong. And basic human decency.
But I digress.
Unfortunately, I just think this book is poorly written. (And it had two authors???) It's intentionally presented not in chronological order, but that drove me wild and made it hard to keep things straight. It's inconsistent (sometimes she calls her husband David, other times DK; how hard is it to pick a name and stick with it?) and I got the feeling that this entire book was written solely for Mastromonaco's friends to read, because they are the only ones who would understand/care about some of the stuff she covers. It feels, at times, kinda like a love letter to her friends and old co-workers. Which is sweet, but not something I want to read.
I believe Mastromonaco's main goal is to reach out to young women who have a fiery desire and passion for entering politics, and that's great. It lacks a general appeal, though, I think.
One last complaint: I wanted to see the photo of Mastromonaco and Obama sitting together on a street corner that the '08 campaign staff had framed as a gift for her. Why specifically mention this picture if it isn't included in the photo section??? I'm mad because it sounds adorable (though in all fairness, there are plenty of other adorable photos of Mastromonaco and Obama included).
May 11, 2017
Because I cannot do anything earnestly, I'll preface this review by saying that I really, really hate the title of this book. It's a blatant play on Mindy Kaling's first book, but it doesn't stick in the memory. In fact, I couldn't remember the title well enough to look it up, and had to go by the author's name.
https://emmareadstoomuch.wordpress.co...
With some mild complaining out of the way, let's do this thing. (I say, as if I could possibly limit my tendency to complain to just one paragraph in a review of anything.)
I'm debating between three and four stars as I write this. I feel a tad lied to - I was told this was essentially Mindy Kaling's writing style + politics + fun behind the scenes Obama stories. I am obsessed with Mindy Kaling, politics, behind the scenes stuff, and Obama, so I was IN. I heard about this book through the author's very charming interview on one of my favorite podcasts, Pod Save America, and I bought it immediately after. So the expectations were high and very specific.
What I got was more...advice book. Heavy on the politics, light on the Obama. Very different from Mindy Kaling - which isn't, like, automatically a bad thing. Still. Who likes a false promise, am I right?Let alone approximately one bajillion of them.
But don't let my constant whining fool you - this book is not bad. Not by a long shot. Alyssa Mastromonaco is One Badass Bitch. (I hope she would take that as the compliment it is intended to be.) It makes sense this isn't just, like, pregaming for Obama's memoir. It's about the author herself, which of course makes more sense. Even if ex-POTUS takes up more space on the cover.
It's also wayyyy more compulsively readable than any political memoir, like, ever. I read it in two sittings. (The second sitting was the last 30 pages because I took cold medicine and fell asleep on this book. No shade to the book; all credit to Nyquil Severe.) It's not always funny, but it is pretty much always relatable.
A fun thing is that I am this book's exact target audience. I am six months out from being its epicenter (young women interested in politics ages 15-25). And another fun thing: This book made me kind of, sort of, a little bit want to apply for internships on Capitol Hill. I know. Thanks,Alyssa Ms. Mastromonaco.
It's not funny, exactly, but it's wise in this really particular and useful way. Like, it genuinely may have inspired me to try out politics once I'm outta this dump (by which I mean the American college experience). That's really crazy. I probably will chicken out, but still. Crazy.
Bottom line: Give this book a try! Especially if you're a girl or semi-interested in politics. Also, listen to Pod Save America.
https://emmareadstoomuch.wordpress.co...
With some mild complaining out of the way, let's do this thing. (I say, as if I could possibly limit my tendency to complain to just one paragraph in a review of anything.)
I'm debating between three and four stars as I write this. I feel a tad lied to - I was told this was essentially Mindy Kaling's writing style + politics + fun behind the scenes Obama stories. I am obsessed with Mindy Kaling, politics, behind the scenes stuff, and Obama, so I was IN. I heard about this book through the author's very charming interview on one of my favorite podcasts, Pod Save America, and I bought it immediately after. So the expectations were high and very specific.
What I got was more...advice book. Heavy on the politics, light on the Obama. Very different from Mindy Kaling - which isn't, like, automatically a bad thing. Still. Who likes a false promise, am I right?
But don't let my constant whining fool you - this book is not bad. Not by a long shot. Alyssa Mastromonaco is One Badass Bitch. (I hope she would take that as the compliment it is intended to be.) It makes sense this isn't just, like, pregaming for Obama's memoir. It's about the author herself, which of course makes more sense. Even if ex-POTUS takes up more space on the cover.
It's also wayyyy more compulsively readable than any political memoir, like, ever. I read it in two sittings. (The second sitting was the last 30 pages because I took cold medicine and fell asleep on this book. No shade to the book; all credit to Nyquil Severe.) It's not always funny, but it is pretty much always relatable.
A fun thing is that I am this book's exact target audience. I am six months out from being its epicenter (young women interested in politics ages 15-25). And another fun thing: This book made me kind of, sort of, a little bit want to apply for internships on Capitol Hill. I know. Thanks,
It's not funny, exactly, but it's wise in this really particular and useful way. Like, it genuinely may have inspired me to try out politics once I'm outta this dump (by which I mean the American college experience). That's really crazy. I probably will chicken out, but still. Crazy.
Bottom line: Give this book a try! Especially if you're a girl or semi-interested in politics. Also, listen to Pod Save America.
May 22, 2017
After seeing her on Charlie Rose, had to read this audio book. Every 18 to 25 years old female should read this book. Author has great advice for those looking for work. Loved behind-the-scenes look of youngest woman working in the White House and after. Needed this book fifty years ago, but I loved her humorous writing, she's definitely very comfortable in her own skin. Her story about tampon dispensers made me laugh, and her tragic story about her cat, made me cry.
Not many male reader reviews, after reading this book maybe they look their female workers around them different.
Not many male reader reviews, after reading this book maybe they look their female workers around them different.
April 7, 2017
I am stopping at page 159. This book is too annoying. I love political anecdotes, but this woman thinks she is funny (she is not), and I have read enough about her menstrual cycle, digestive problems, and love life. She has not kept my interest nor entertained me. Not recommended. Moving on.
April 2, 2017
Alyssa Mastromonaco has met the Pope, the Queen of England, and Colin Firth. She has worked for Bernie Sanders and John Kerry, and has jumped on the hood of Newt Gingrich's car. Hillary Clinton and George W. Bush both inquired after her sick cat while flying Air Force 1. Anna Wintour texts her and Mindy Kaling comes to her parties. And, of course, she worked for Barack Obama while he was a senator, and then on his historic campaign. She's the youngest woman to occupy the office of deputy chief of staff in the White House.
Incredibly enough, her book lives up to her life and to her achievements. I loved it, and would recommend it on the strength of the Obama anecdotes alone. I almost feel like it's a spoiler to add my favorite to this review:
This book made me laugh out loud several times, but I also really appreciated the advice that Alyssa (first name basis? that's the dream) adds throughout the book. She's actually relatable: she's honest that running a meeting for the all-male White House Military Office (while dressed in all Kate Spade) was daunting, and gives advice on how to be prepared and/or effective in meetings that terrify you. I trust her because of her repeatedly demonstrated badassery, but I like her because she will also tell the story about getting drunk and buying a $13,000 wedding dress after being proposed to outside a Domino's. Her stories about politics are fascinating, her advice is relevant and helpful for any professional career, and she is someone that I would love to have several mimosas with. Buy this and read it immediately!
Incredibly enough, her book lives up to her life and to her achievements. I loved it, and would recommend it on the strength of the Obama anecdotes alone. I almost feel like it's a spoiler to add my favorite to this review:
One night during a Voterama—what usually happens before the Senate breaks for a recess and they vote on measures late into the night to get everything done—Senator Obama came out the back door and walked in on me doing sit-ups on the floor. Most senators would have been appalled; he said, “Good for you.”
This book made me laugh out loud several times, but I also really appreciated the advice that Alyssa (first name basis? that's the dream) adds throughout the book. She's actually relatable: she's honest that running a meeting for the all-male White House Military Office (while dressed in all Kate Spade) was daunting, and gives advice on how to be prepared and/or effective in meetings that terrify you. I trust her because of her repeatedly demonstrated badassery, but I like her because she will also tell the story about getting drunk and buying a $13,000 wedding dress after being proposed to outside a Domino's. Her stories about politics are fascinating, her advice is relevant and helpful for any professional career, and she is someone that I would love to have several mimosas with. Buy this and read it immediately!
April 28, 2017
2.5 stars. What to say about this one?
The writing itself is not very good. And it feels extremely derivative of Mindy Kaling's work and style (even going so far as to basically copycat Kaling's own book title, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)). Mastromonaco is pretty open about the influence there: she specifically mentions that she's friends with Kaling, that she loves Kaling's books, that The Mindy Project is her favorite show. And Kaling recently optioned Mastromonaco's book, so it seems the circle is complete. But here's the thing: Mindy is so great because so much of her vibe is so uniquely hers, so to hear that style mimicked by someone else--and particularly by someone who is forty years old and the former deputy chief of staff to the President rather than a professional comedy writer--is kind of uncomfortable. And, to be honest, she's just not that funny. Which is fine, but it does kind of call into question what this book really offers. Because there's not much substance in it either. So it ends up just being a (rather disorganized) collection of kind of interesting, kind of fun anecdotes and campaign/WH memories.
So that's that. It's fine as a fluffy YA light-hearted "look at the cool stuff I did and that you should know you can totally do too!" sort of memoir. As a piece of writing or political history, it doesn't offer much.
The writing itself is not very good. And it feels extremely derivative of Mindy Kaling's work and style (even going so far as to basically copycat Kaling's own book title, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)). Mastromonaco is pretty open about the influence there: she specifically mentions that she's friends with Kaling, that she loves Kaling's books, that The Mindy Project is her favorite show. And Kaling recently optioned Mastromonaco's book, so it seems the circle is complete. But here's the thing: Mindy is so great because so much of her vibe is so uniquely hers, so to hear that style mimicked by someone else--and particularly by someone who is forty years old and the former deputy chief of staff to the President rather than a professional comedy writer--is kind of uncomfortable. And, to be honest, she's just not that funny. Which is fine, but it does kind of call into question what this book really offers. Because there's not much substance in it either. So it ends up just being a (rather disorganized) collection of kind of interesting, kind of fun anecdotes and campaign/WH memories.
So that's that. It's fine as a fluffy YA light-hearted "look at the cool stuff I did and that you should know you can totally do too!" sort of memoir. As a piece of writing or political history, it doesn't offer much.
May 26, 2017
This is the autobiography/memoir of Alyssa Mastromonaco. She starts off telling about growing up in a small town in New York. While attending the University of Vermont she did her summer internship with Bernie Sanders. After college she worked for Senator John Kerry then obtained a job with Senator Barack Obama. When Obama became President, she became the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President. She was the youngest women to assume this office.
The author provides a look inside how presidential campaigns are run and what it is like to work in the White House. For those planning on a job in politics, she provides some pointers and a few examples are…. “always be prepared”, “Know as much as possible about the people you meet”,… “Be polite”… “Take responsibility for your mistakes”.
The book is easy to read but did not follow a chronological order which was a bit confusing at times. I enjoyed the humor but what I did not enjoy was the profanity. If you are curious about politics or thinking about working in politics, you will enjoy this book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is about six hours long. The author narrated the book.
The author provides a look inside how presidential campaigns are run and what it is like to work in the White House. For those planning on a job in politics, she provides some pointers and a few examples are…. “always be prepared”, “Know as much as possible about the people you meet”,… “Be polite”… “Take responsibility for your mistakes”.
The book is easy to read but did not follow a chronological order which was a bit confusing at times. I enjoyed the humor but what I did not enjoy was the profanity. If you are curious about politics or thinking about working in politics, you will enjoy this book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is about six hours long. The author narrated the book.
April 8, 2017
Writing this book was definitely not a good idea. It reads like a book written by a 20-year old youtube star for teenagers, definitely not of a 40 year old successful manager of Barack Obamas back office. I guess once you reach certain heights, it is prudent to write a book to start the next career, but I am not sure what her move will be. It is not going to be book writer.
Disclosure: I stopped reading at 60%, I really tried and did not give up hope, but a book that does not turn the corner past the halfway mark does not deserve to be finished.
A teenager with ambitions in Washington may enjoy this shallow self glorification of a book.
Disclosure: I stopped reading at 60%, I really tried and did not give up hope, but a book that does not turn the corner past the halfway mark does not deserve to be finished.
A teenager with ambitions in Washington may enjoy this shallow self glorification of a book.
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March 25, 2017I devoured this book on a transatlantic flight (as it turns out, reading an Obama staffer memoir as Trumpcare failed felt exactly as satisfying as you think it would). This book was Mindy-Kaling-meets-the-West-Wing (except a version of the West Wing where sexism is called out, not in a patriarchal Sorkin way). I especially appreciate any human with a serious job who can write about poop and feelings in her memoir.
May 30, 2017
I work in library IT and have no desire to work in a different industry, especially the private sector, and I'm finding these stories of powerful woman who work in public service really valuable and inspiring.
October 16, 2017
Disappointing, even after discovering it's YA aimed. Here's an example of the writing and the book's (lack of) depth: "At any high-powered job, you're going to have to work a lot. America is a nation of people who work a lot and of people who strive to work a lot." (Page 130)
I'd seen the author speak in an interview and I was excited to read the book. It appears the author's goal is to inspire young women to consider politics as a profession, an admirable objective; but even so, I wouldn't expect such juvenile writing, and to see exclamation marks (!!!!!!!) across pages, or for her to drone on for 4 pages -in graphic detail- about menstruation and feminine hygiene products. The material seems better suited for a Seventeen magazine article. The publisher's mission, listed at the back of the book, doesn't appear to have been met with this title.
Considering the jobs Mastromonaco has held, and that she has a co-author on this book, Lauren Oyler, I expected better quality. I've read plenty of great YA books, but this book would have insulted me even as a young adult reader. I'm returning it to the store (where I found it in adult "New Releases"); don't want to keep it or even pass it forward.
I'd seen the author speak in an interview and I was excited to read the book. It appears the author's goal is to inspire young women to consider politics as a profession, an admirable objective; but even so, I wouldn't expect such juvenile writing, and to see exclamation marks (!!!!!!!) across pages, or for her to drone on for 4 pages -in graphic detail- about menstruation and feminine hygiene products. The material seems better suited for a Seventeen magazine article. The publisher's mission, listed at the back of the book, doesn't appear to have been met with this title.
Considering the jobs Mastromonaco has held, and that she has a co-author on this book, Lauren Oyler, I expected better quality. I've read plenty of great YA books, but this book would have insulted me even as a young adult reader. I'm returning it to the store (where I found it in adult "New Releases"); don't want to keep it or even pass it forward.
July 7, 2017
I waffled on how I felt about this book up until Obama calls Alyssa from Air Force One to express his condolences over her cat's death. Then I started crying. What an amazing (and kind of crazy?) gesture—it completely won me over.
Reading about Alyssa Mastromonaco's experiences working in the White House stressed me out. To say that she's dealt with some intense exchanges would be an understatement. She coordinated transportation in Haiti following the devastating 2010 earthquake, secured meetings with international leaders, has managed to fly through volcanic ash and a sandstorm, but she's also not afraid to tell you about ripping her skirt, or buying a $13,000 wedding dress that she never wore.
Funny, a little scatterbrained, but ultimately both interesting and charming.
Reading about Alyssa Mastromonaco's experiences working in the White House stressed me out. To say that she's dealt with some intense exchanges would be an understatement. She coordinated transportation in Haiti following the devastating 2010 earthquake, secured meetings with international leaders, has managed to fly through volcanic ash and a sandstorm, but she's also not afraid to tell you about ripping her skirt, or buying a $13,000 wedding dress that she never wore.
Funny, a little scatterbrained, but ultimately both interesting and charming.
December 5, 2017
From the A+ Obama anecdotes to the zany but practical career advice, I loved every minute of this. Alyssa Mastromonaco is obviously a badass who has seen some crazy stressful situations in her professional life that many of us will (thankfully) never have to navigate, but she has written a book that is completely approachable, charming, and applicable for women in all career paths.
And also I would be remiss if I didn't mention that her relationship with her cat Shrummie was the *best* part of this book and I feel 100% the same way about my senior lady dog Madam. I don't know how I'll cope when she eventually moves back to Malta (my euphemism for what happens to Malteses when they get old) but .
My Kindle Notes & Highlights say it all. If you read this book...
You'll laugh: "I put on my 'election night' pants (read: non-yoga pants) and immediately split them with my fat campaign ass, so I had to put on my fat Gap skirt."
You'll cry: [After the 2008 election]"As I set my alarm for 5:30 AM, I could hear kids coming down the street chanting, 'Yes we can!'"
You'll completely identify with the author: "I didn’t look at the prices and ended up spending $400 on a really boring Ballet Slippers mani-pedi."
And you'll find some real gems that will stick with you: "You should always be prepared to defend your choices, whether just to yourself (sometimes this is the hardest) or to your coworkers, your friends, or your family. The quickest way for people to lose confidence in your ability to ever make a decision is for you to pass the buck, shrug your shoulders, or otherwise wuss out. Learning how to become a decision maker, and how you ultimately justify your choices, can define who you are."
Just read it.
And also I would be remiss if I didn't mention that her relationship with her cat Shrummie was the *best* part of this book and I feel 100% the same way about my senior lady dog Madam. I don't know how I'll cope when she eventually moves back to Malta (my euphemism for what happens to Malteses when they get old) but .
My Kindle Notes & Highlights say it all. If you read this book...
You'll laugh: "I put on my 'election night' pants (read: non-yoga pants) and immediately split them with my fat campaign ass, so I had to put on my fat Gap skirt."
You'll cry: [After the 2008 election]"As I set my alarm for 5:30 AM, I could hear kids coming down the street chanting, 'Yes we can!'"
You'll completely identify with the author: "I didn’t look at the prices and ended up spending $400 on a really boring Ballet Slippers mani-pedi."
And you'll find some real gems that will stick with you: "You should always be prepared to defend your choices, whether just to yourself (sometimes this is the hardest) or to your coworkers, your friends, or your family. The quickest way for people to lose confidence in your ability to ever make a decision is for you to pass the buck, shrug your shoulders, or otherwise wuss out. Learning how to become a decision maker, and how you ultimately justify your choices, can define who you are."
Just read it.
May 13, 2017
By a few chapters in, the main title was already starting to sum up my feelings about this book. I'm glad that the author has enjoyed her career, but the book is not nearly as funny, clever, or insightful as it thinks it is.
First off, skipping all over the timeline is a pet peeve of mine even when it's done more coherently. But as executed here, it feels like the author and her co-author just threw this together over the course of a champagne brunch and then couldn't be bothered to go back and edit it into a more organized form. Second, as an author, you can name drop every other page OR you can do cutesy nicknames. But don't do both, and don't fail to explain the cutesy nicknames. It's obnoxious and makes you sound full of yourself. (Even more so when you relate the time when you relate in irritation the time a job interviewee recalled that you used to be a White House staffer. It reeked of 'don't you know who I am?')
Now for the major irritating factor. Sorry, but you can't start with a chapter about feeling accomplished because you were instrumental in getting a tampon machine installed in the West Wing ladies' - desperately needed because you are too busy to run out for tampons and keep getting caught without them, segue into the time you almost pooped yourself in the Vatican because despite knowing you have IBS and knowing certain foods trigger it you ate one of those foods anyway the morning you were going to meet the pope (and compounded your questionable judgement by not having remedies and bottled water on hand - and then asking 'where is this water from' when someone gets you some as if someone's going to hand you holy water to drink) and then follow these anecdotes up by talking about preparedness. You just can't.
Two stars because I did read most of the book, and I reserve one star ratings for books so awful that I quit.
First off, skipping all over the timeline is a pet peeve of mine even when it's done more coherently. But as executed here, it feels like the author and her co-author just threw this together over the course of a champagne brunch and then couldn't be bothered to go back and edit it into a more organized form. Second, as an author, you can name drop every other page OR you can do cutesy nicknames. But don't do both, and don't fail to explain the cutesy nicknames. It's obnoxious and makes you sound full of yourself. (Even more so when you relate the time when you relate in irritation the time a job interviewee recalled that you used to be a White House staffer. It reeked of 'don't you know who I am?')
Now for the major irritating factor. Sorry, but you can't start with a chapter about feeling accomplished because you were instrumental in getting a tampon machine installed in the West Wing ladies' - desperately needed because you are too busy to run out for tampons and keep getting caught without them, segue into the time you almost pooped yourself in the Vatican because despite knowing you have IBS and knowing certain foods trigger it you ate one of those foods anyway the morning you were going to meet the pope (and compounded your questionable judgement by not having remedies and bottled water on hand - and then asking 'where is this water from' when someone gets you some as if someone's going to hand you holy water to drink) and then follow these anecdotes up by talking about preparedness. You just can't.
Two stars because I did read most of the book, and I reserve one star ratings for books so awful that I quit.
August 17, 2017
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
Alyssa Mastromonaco’s memoir of her political career, including her time in the Obama White House, is funny, inspiring, and vulnerable. When I bought it, I was wishing for a reminder of what made Obama’s presidency exemplary. I really had no idea tampon access in the White House would be covered. But kudos to the young staffers who made it easier for women to be a vital part of the political structure of this country. (Dare I wonder if those dispensing machines have remained since January 20, 2017?)
One thing you need to know going into Mastromonaco’s book is that it’s aimed at women aged 15-25. She does a great job of telling both serious and humorous moments in her campaign and Washington, D.C. experiences. The insights into the politicians she worked for and with are pretty fascinating, but don’t expect a deep dive into politics, economics, or history. The purpose of the book is to give advice on setting goals, reaching higher, and being a regular human at the same time.
The book is structured by the qualities she recommends young women nurture in themselves. Thus, it jumps around a lot chronologically, which is a bit odd. But once I got the hang of it, I didn’t mind much.
Reading this in a week with heavy political discussions, Mastromonaco took me back to a time when the President was respected, warm, and brilliant. I might have to read this every month from now until January 2021. But the memoir is mostly about Mastromonaco, a political insider who is approachable and smart at the same time. She tells stories about dating, her cats, the stress of living with IBS, and what it’s like to cry (often) while working in the White House.
I’d recommend this to people who aren’t political wonks and want a mostly lighthearted, but smart, insider’s view of U.S. politics.
More reviews at TheBibliophage.com
Alyssa Mastromonaco’s memoir of her political career, including her time in the Obama White House, is funny, inspiring, and vulnerable. When I bought it, I was wishing for a reminder of what made Obama’s presidency exemplary. I really had no idea tampon access in the White House would be covered. But kudos to the young staffers who made it easier for women to be a vital part of the political structure of this country. (Dare I wonder if those dispensing machines have remained since January 20, 2017?)
One thing you need to know going into Mastromonaco’s book is that it’s aimed at women aged 15-25. She does a great job of telling both serious and humorous moments in her campaign and Washington, D.C. experiences. The insights into the politicians she worked for and with are pretty fascinating, but don’t expect a deep dive into politics, economics, or history. The purpose of the book is to give advice on setting goals, reaching higher, and being a regular human at the same time.
The book is structured by the qualities she recommends young women nurture in themselves. Thus, it jumps around a lot chronologically, which is a bit odd. But once I got the hang of it, I didn’t mind much.
Reading this in a week with heavy political discussions, Mastromonaco took me back to a time when the President was respected, warm, and brilliant. I might have to read this every month from now until January 2021. But the memoir is mostly about Mastromonaco, a political insider who is approachable and smart at the same time. She tells stories about dating, her cats, the stress of living with IBS, and what it’s like to cry (often) while working in the White House.
I’d recommend this to people who aren’t political wonks and want a mostly lighthearted, but smart, insider’s view of U.S. politics.
More reviews at TheBibliophage.com
January 19, 2019
I picked up this paperback at an airport bookshop, looking for an inflight read. It filled a flight from Mexico to San Francisco, but I didn't feel particularly rewarded beyond not spending 4 hours staring out the window.
On the plus side, it does nothing to dispel the fact that Obama is just an all-round wonderful human being. It is also a sobering and depressing reminder of how far into the gutter US politics have now sunk.
On the down side, for someone who was responsible for organising the president's life, Mastromonaco can't arrange a series of stories into anything resembling a coherent narrative, even with help. This book is all over the place, jumping from one tale to another, backwards and forwards in time, and despite its representation as a memoir of life in the White House, includes a load of irrelevant anecdotes from Mastromonaco's backstory that don't really add anything beyond weird self-aggrandisement and seem more targeted at her friends and family than a casual reader.
This book could have, and should have, been amazing. Mastromonaco achieved an incredible amount at a very young age, and this should be a fitting tribute to all that she did. Instead it's a messy piece of disposable fluff.
On the plus side, it does nothing to dispel the fact that Obama is just an all-round wonderful human being. It is also a sobering and depressing reminder of how far into the gutter US politics have now sunk.
On the down side, for someone who was responsible for organising the president's life, Mastromonaco can't arrange a series of stories into anything resembling a coherent narrative, even with help. This book is all over the place, jumping from one tale to another, backwards and forwards in time, and despite its representation as a memoir of life in the White House, includes a load of irrelevant anecdotes from Mastromonaco's backstory that don't really add anything beyond weird self-aggrandisement and seem more targeted at her friends and family than a casual reader.
This book could have, and should have, been amazing. Mastromonaco achieved an incredible amount at a very young age, and this should be a fitting tribute to all that she did. Instead it's a messy piece of disposable fluff.
Read
July 3, 2024It took a while to settle into this read, but I’m glad I stuck with it. Alyssa Mastromonaco is a woman in leadership telling her story in a relaxed, accessible style. She worked for Barack Obama’s team since before his first Whitehouse run up through 2014. By then she was his Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, and the youngest woman to hold that job. Her stories range from slice of life embarrassing moments to the insider baseball of how truly important internationally-reaching decisions get made. This is a book for political junkies, aspiring leaders, and that person in the office who has all their post-its, highlighter colors and calendar days color-coordinated to organize their time (you know who you are...). -Joyce A.
March 9, 2017
Considering I read it in three days, I would say I liked this book quite a bit. The author did a great job of proving some 'behind the scenes' without it coming across like a gossip column. She also didn't push any political agenda, which was nice. It felt like a book that's not-not about politics that omitted any overtones of overt political talk. And while the author does specifically mention that her plan was to not write the book chronologically, I still found the jumping around slightly annoying.
The authors story provides a great resource for girls and young women, a true "I can do it" tale that also shares realistic and relatable self conscious moments.
The authors story provides a great resource for girls and young women, a true "I can do it" tale that also shares realistic and relatable self conscious moments.
November 23, 2017
I returned this to Audible at the 50% point. It was awful, and that's saying something because I'm a huge sucker for political memoirs. I found the book to be shallow. It lacked flow and was terribly light on interesting details about the work. I don't want to know all about Ms. Mastromonaco. I want to know about her JOB. The crass language was also obnoxious, and I just found the whole thing sophomoric. It needed a good editor.
August 11, 2017
-- Proper review to come --
Full disclosure: I am an Australian who has long been the kind of person who tolerates politics but has never been tempted to pick up a political-themed book. For some reason this one spoke to me, and I decided to give it a go. I'm very glad I did
I laughed out loud quite a few times, I cried (maybe even sobbed) once.
Funny, heartfelt, honest. This book, while not entirely about Obama but also about Mastromonaco's road to the White House, definitely solidifies Obama's status as a truly decent person and shows just how at odds the current presidency is. (We already knew that, but even the "little" behind the scenes things show how drastically different the two are.)
Full disclosure: I am an Australian who has long been the kind of person who tolerates politics but has never been tempted to pick up a political-themed book. For some reason this one spoke to me, and I decided to give it a go. I'm very glad I did
I laughed out loud quite a few times, I cried (maybe even sobbed) once.
Funny, heartfelt, honest. This book, while not entirely about Obama but also about Mastromonaco's road to the White House, definitely solidifies Obama's status as a truly decent person and shows just how at odds the current presidency is. (We already knew that, but even the "little" behind the scenes things show how drastically different the two are.)
November 18, 2017
Make sure to check out You Tube and Alyssa Mastromonaco's highlights on the Charlie Rose interview. In an attempt to make her book humorous and trendy, it bypasses Ms. Mastromonaco's true composure, confidence and intelligence. The book really does not do her justice in this respect.
The author's experiences are important for girls and young women to hear. The lessons she has
learned and writes about, from working at a grocery store to working at the White House, are wise and honest (work hard, be prepared, be fearless, be kind) and perfectly geared for a high school girl.
3.5 stars (amateurish writing) but highly recommended for teen girls.
The author's experiences are important for girls and young women to hear. The lessons she has
learned and writes about, from working at a grocery store to working at the White House, are wise and honest (work hard, be prepared, be fearless, be kind) and perfectly geared for a high school girl.
3.5 stars (amateurish writing) but highly recommended for teen girls.
July 4, 2017
Full of great anecdotes, plus a lot of interesting advice on navigating challenging professional environments. And in the current political climate, this book will make you unbelievably nostalgic for the days of the Obama presidency, and for when we were led by such a classy and wonderful adult.
I'm giving this three stars because in terms of the structure of a memoir, this one struggled a lot. Mastromonaco has a lot of interesting thoughts, useful and relevant advice, and good insights (plus funny stories + cat jokes!), but she clearly had a lot of trouble with how to organize and lay out this book. Structure within her chapters could be very good, so I think she'd be great at writing essays, but the book as a whole had difficulties which left the individual chapters and sections struggling.
But overall, this book had some really good points, and Mastromonaco deserves a lot of credit for writing her first book, and for being pretty honest about how much she struggled with it. If you think of it as reading a series of loosely-connected essays rather than a cohesive book, it works a lot better!
I'm giving this three stars because in terms of the structure of a memoir, this one struggled a lot. Mastromonaco has a lot of interesting thoughts, useful and relevant advice, and good insights (plus funny stories + cat jokes!), but she clearly had a lot of trouble with how to organize and lay out this book. Structure within her chapters could be very good, so I think she'd be great at writing essays, but the book as a whole had difficulties which left the individual chapters and sections struggling.
But overall, this book had some really good points, and Mastromonaco deserves a lot of credit for writing her first book, and for being pretty honest about how much she struggled with it. If you think of it as reading a series of loosely-connected essays rather than a cohesive book, it works a lot better!
July 16, 2017
I didn't expect to tear up while reading this, but I did!
Anyway, I really enjoyed it. It's more life advice book than straight memoir, but it blends them together well enough. The stories are AMAZING and the lessons are certainly stuff that bears repeating. And it's novel to get this from a youngish woman who has held incredibly important political positions, and therefore I am glad to have read it.
Anyway, I really enjoyed it. It's more life advice book than straight memoir, but it blends them together well enough. The stories are AMAZING and the lessons are certainly stuff that bears repeating. And it's novel to get this from a youngish woman who has held incredibly important political positions, and therefore I am glad to have read it.
March 27, 2017
Check your target audience
This is a well intentioned book, and possibly a fifteen to 25 year old will find it inspiring. However it seems that pages devoted to veterinary medicine and vomit bags might have been better spent on descriptions of the White House...or policy decision making process.
This is a well intentioned book, and possibly a fifteen to 25 year old will find it inspiring. However it seems that pages devoted to veterinary medicine and vomit bags might have been better spent on descriptions of the White House...or policy decision making process.
January 3, 2018
Overall: 3 stars.
The last chapter on her cat: 5 stars
The fact that Obama made her a condolence call from Air Force 1 when her cat died: 10billion stars and some tears from me.
God, I miss that man.
The last chapter on her cat: 5 stars
The fact that Obama made her a condolence call from Air Force 1 when her cat died: 10billion stars and some tears from me.
God, I miss that man.
October 18, 2021
Read for a reading vlog: https://youtu.be/8edOHAgdCX0
This was frequently interesting and entertaining with some great anecdotes about the Obama White House and what it was like to work in the organizational and management side of things. I do wish it had been more entirely about that period rather than including so much other memoir material, and I think the way it's structured is less than ideal. Instead of chronologically, this is divided up into chapters based loosely on ideals like Leadership, Organization etc. and I'm not sure it really works. I liked it fairly well and the author reads the audiobook!
This was frequently interesting and entertaining with some great anecdotes about the Obama White House and what it was like to work in the organizational and management side of things. I do wish it had been more entirely about that period rather than including so much other memoir material, and I think the way it's structured is less than ideal. Instead of chronologically, this is divided up into chapters based loosely on ideals like Leadership, Organization etc. and I'm not sure it really works. I liked it fairly well and the author reads the audiobook!
February 25, 2019
Pēdējā laikā manis lasītajām grāmatā ir divas problēmas - vai nu par īsu, vai par garu.
Šī atkal viena no īsajā.
Sava laika "ietekmīgākās nezināmās sievietes" politiskais memuārs - par darbu pie Obamas, par politisko karjeru, nu un par dzīvi vispār.
Varēja būt vairāk to karjeras padomu, jo tieši to autore pati pieteica grāmatas sākumā - ka grib motivēt sievietes doties politikā. Bet rezultāta uzrakstījusi dažas nodaļas par daudz - par kaķiem, par saviem vīriešiem, par jaunību. Jā, it kā interesanti, bet tas nav uz vāka pieteikts. Obama, protams, visās atmiņu epizodēs parādās kā perfektais džentelmenis.
Bet bija arī interesantas nodaļas par pašu darbu Baltajā Namā - par iekšējām norisēm, protokoliem, starptautiskajiem sakariem, utt.
Iesaku tiem, kam interesē politika, bet negribas mežģīt smadzenes ar ko pārāk sarežģītu.
Šī atkal viena no īsajā.
Sava laika "ietekmīgākās nezināmās sievietes" politiskais memuārs - par darbu pie Obamas, par politisko karjeru, nu un par dzīvi vispār.
Varēja būt vairāk to karjeras padomu, jo tieši to autore pati pieteica grāmatas sākumā - ka grib motivēt sievietes doties politikā. Bet rezultāta uzrakstījusi dažas nodaļas par daudz - par kaķiem, par saviem vīriešiem, par jaunību. Jā, it kā interesanti, bet tas nav uz vāka pieteikts. Obama, protams, visās atmiņu epizodēs parādās kā perfektais džentelmenis.
Bet bija arī interesantas nodaļas par pašu darbu Baltajā Namā - par iekšējām norisēm, protokoliem, starptautiskajiem sakariem, utt.
Iesaku tiem, kam interesē politika, bet negribas mežģīt smadzenes ar ko pārāk sarežģītu.
December 14, 2023
Mastromonaco shares funny, honest stories from her time as one of Barack Obama's top staffers. I frequently laughed out loud, and had to share one story with all of my coworkers (Obama calling her fresh from an event she decided to keep going where it was sleeting sideways into his face, asking her where she is right now: Alyssa: "my desk..." Obama: "It must be nice." *hangs up*.) She offers advice to young women starting their careers, which I mostly ignored but still picked up some useful tidbits from. I've read this twice now and I'd happily read it again.
March 22, 2017
I enjoyed this! Very insightful and funny. The tampon chapter was ridiculous, not to mention
It was a sad representation of a grown ass woman not being able to prepare for (numerous times) something you should've learned how to prepare for as a teenager. Followed by chapters on the importance of planning, making lists, etc. it was just odd. But I'm glad the machine got installed! However, loved the rest and find her to be incredibly intelligent and witty.
It was a sad representation of a grown ass woman not being able to prepare for (numerous times) something you should've learned how to prepare for as a teenager. Followed by chapters on the importance of planning, making lists, etc. it was just odd. But I'm glad the machine got installed! However, loved the rest and find her to be incredibly intelligent and witty.
November 20, 2018
I love this book! I started to read it as a counterweight to Woodward’s excellent Fear, and I read a few pages or a chapter right through the election. It reminded me that presidents can be gracious, erudite, thoughtful, generous, compassionate & so much more. It made me laugh and cry. Thanks so much, Alyssa Mastromonaco, for sharing your stories, I mourn Schrummie’s passing, our cats and dogs bless us every day. Very highly recommended!
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