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Disclaimer: this book was at a disadvantage due to my expectations of it being something it wasn‘t, and I hated it on audio. So my experience of it is not reflective of the book itself. I thought I‘d be getting another Obama staffer memoir of the personal experience during the Obama administration. But Rhodes‘ memoir is much more of a political play-by-play of the administration. It‘s certainly interesting in its own right but not what I expected

Rings true on many levels

This feeling is so incredibly my life right now...

President‘s Day read. 🇺🇸

Really enjoyed this revisit through Obama‘s presidency told by Rhodes.

Lots to say about this book, but I'm not very good at expressing myself. If you have any interest in how major events over the 8 year's of the Obama presidency have been shaped by decades of world history, and how these events will go on to further shape the world to come, you need to read this book. Very informative and well written.

Current read and listen 📖🎧

I've read a lot of Obama staffer memoirs, and this is one of the best. Definitely dense since Ben was mostly involved with national security, but I found it really interesting. The only disappointment is that I couldn't do it on audio because he didn't record it, and the narrator was too robotic in tone. I think I'm gonna buy my own copy when the paperback is released.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I think Ben did a good job of showing where he was frustrated with Obama and the limitations of government. I also think it is something everyone should read - it educated me in many ways and helped give background to some of my frustrations with how foreign policy was handled.
Obama is a once in a lifetime politician and President. I hope we live again to see someone like him. For my daughter‘s sake.

I cannot possibly express how much I love this book so far!!

Just finished reading about the Bin Laden raid. It was intense.

#librarybook #obama

Oh hey Obama! We miss you! #sundayplans

To every survivor: You got this. Stand proudly. You have already survived everything up until now, so there‘s no reason not to continue. ❤️ You aren‘t the sum of terrible things that someone did to you. And no person and no event will ever get to define you.

Gray Cat endorses this message.

For a moment, we all just stared out the window at the crowds. “I‘m reading a good book now,” Obama said. “It reminds you, the ability to tell stories about who we are is what makes us different from animals. We‘re just chimps without it.” He described how all civilization, religion, nations were rooted in stories, which could be harnessed for good or bad.

This book chronicles Rhodes time in the Obama administration from the Arab Spring to Cuba to healthcare to Putin to Iran. It made me love Obama the man- who led from facts and humanity more than I had before. I didn‘t see the sheer impact that he had on the world stage. Well written, global and detailed, and a view into the job of “the world as it is to make it the world it should be.”

Only my second #boutofbooks book finished. This was excellent. But really painful to read. It was a really honest look at the Obama administration. It‘s so terrible how awful Rhodes was treated.

A terrific view into Obama‘s White House with quick glimpses at Obama the man through Rhodes‘ career and life. Occasionally a little dry at times, but overall interesting, well written and a testament to Obama‘s term and the legacy of his presidency. #audiowalk #friendofthepod

This is from a speech Obama did in his last year in office. #friendofthepod

I know it‘s the point of these books but this one was possibly a little too introspective for me. Having said that - still so interesting to read about the Obama White House.

I know it‘s the point of these books but this one was possibly a little too introspective for me. Having said that - still so interesting to read about the Obama White House.

Today is so hot, so no #audiowalk today but I got an adorable sunflower to plant in the yard 🌻

I‘ve been meaning to write a review for this book for months. I‘m not a huge reader of nonfiction, but I devoured this book. Rhodes frames the foreign policy elements within a larger narrative of his own personal growth in the 8 years he spent in the White House. It‘s beautifully done. I‘m not embarrassed to admit that it made me cry multiple times.

Why yes, apparently I am going to read/listen to every single Obama era memoir. This might be the best one yet.

I am finishing up editing a photo session tonight so listening to this audiobook while doing the #Readathon. How are people liking the #reversereadathon?

This is my #TBR for the #deweysreadathon along with some ebooks and the tagged audiobook. I will not even come close to 24 hours but it will still be fun. My answers to the opening survey are:
1. I‘m in San Francisco
2. Not sure.
3. There is apple pie in my future.
4. I am hoping to make it to Mount Everest in the Mount TBR challenge by the end of this month.
5. Starting at 5pm my time is perfect.

Library book, attempt two. Let‘s see if I can finish this one before the hold expires 🤦‍♀️

Made an Obama recommends display at work based on the lists he‘s posted to his Facebook account. 😍

I haven‘t read any of the Obama-era memoirs (other than the Pete Souza photo book), but I must stack this one after last night, when an acquaintance dinner guest expressed great interest in reading it...especially because that dinner guest casually revealed a past career of working closely with the President for many years (😮🙌🤯🙏 = how I reacted to this news 😂). (And yes - the guest reported Obama to be the most wonderful boss and person. ❤️)

Tonight's reading plan. I hear the ending is a bit sad.

Rhodes was a Forrest Gumpian figure of the Obama era, present at nearly every major decision, victory, and loss. He writes with candor and affection, offering a portrait of Obama as dynamic, exasperated, and uncertain; yet filled always with fierce love and generous spirit, even when confronting the impossible double binds that ensnared his presidency, which were unlike those faced by all black Americans—even at the heights of power.

Aha here‘s my accidental #BookHaul 🤦🏻‍♀️ I went in to take a book photo and left with these since they were 30% off (thank you Barnes & Noble).

In case the theme here doesn‘t hit you over the head (I ♥️ U Obama): this week especially has made me nostalgic for our recent past. 😫

With all the heartbreak and injustice in the news this week perpetuated by the current administration, it‘s been nice to disappear into this memoir of the Obama years. #dogsoflitsy

Spending my lunch break hiding in a back room to get away from people. I need to get away from people. #food

Bisque, biscuits, and Barack. For anyone who goes to Red Lobster, try dunking the biscuits in the bisque. You‘re welcome. #food

PS I definitely followed the encouragement of the sign at Breakwater... but these are a couple books I‘m coveting yet didn‘t end up buying.

Getting some Sunday morning reading in while this baby is snuggled on my lap. You can see Loki‘s tail at the top. #catsoflitsy