Say More
Lessons from Work, the White House, and the World
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- £11.99
Publisher Description
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Former White House Press Secretary and current MSNBC host Jen Psaki shares the surprising lessons she’s learned on her path to success and offers unique yet universal advice about how to be a more effective communicator in any situation.
Not many White House Press Secretaries capture the nation’s interest the way Jen Psaki did. Refreshingly candid and clear, Psaki quickly became known for her ability to break through the noise and successfully deliver her message. In her highly anticipated book, Psaki shares her journey to the Briefing Room and beyond, taking you along the campaign trail, to the State Department, and inside the White House under two Presidents. With her signature wit, Psaki writes about reporting to bosses from the hot-tempered Rahm Emanuel to the coolly intellectual Barack Obama to the surprisingly tenderhearted John Kerry. She also talks about her time working closely with President Joe Biden from the start of his administration to set a new tone for the country, restoring a sense of calm and respect for the role of the media in our Democracy.
Since leaving the White House, Psaki’s star has continued to rise. She launched a highly rated show on MSNBC and was so successful that in just six months she was given an additional primetime Monday slot, ahead of Rachel Maddow. And Psaki’s work doesn’t end at the office. She is the mother of two young children and shares her stories about the journey of communicating as a parent: During one bedtime briefing, her young daughter asked the question, “Why do wars start?”, which Jen carefully explained and then got a follow up: “Have you ever seen a unicorn?”
In Say More, Psaki explains her straightforward approach to communication, walking you through difficult conversations as well as moments where humor saves the day—whether it is with preschoolers, partners, or presidents. She addresses the best ways to give and receive feedback, how to connect with your audience, how to listen actively, and much more. Say More is the book Psaki wishes she had when she started her career, and is a trove of entertaining, essential lessons from one of the most prominent voices in American politics today.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Former White House press secretary Psaki combines the personal and the professional in her enjoyable debut. Opening the account on the first day of her job with the Biden administration, Psaki recalls her determination to "reset the tone in the briefing room and hopefully take some of the venom out" of the combative exchanges that had become common during Donald Trump's presidency. From there, she addresses readers directly, drawing from her experiences working for major political figures and raising two children to help "reveal something important about being an effective communicator." From addressing grieving families after the U.S. pulled out of Afghanistan in 2021 to imparting life lessons to her daughter, Psaki covers a lot of ground. She shares tips on active listening, boundary setting, engaging with gossip, and captivating audiences with humor. Sprinkled throughout are self-deprecating jabs that highlight her own occasional blunders, like the time at a state dinner when she asked Chance the Rapper what he does professionally ("Failing to recognize a celebrity was not a diplomatic blunder of epic proportions," Psaki concludes, " but it's still embarrassing"). Such levity helps the book breeze by. Readers need not be political obsessives to appreciate the practical wisdom on offer here. Agents: Pilar Queen and Georgia Bodnar, UTA.
