West Wingers
Stories from the Dream Chasers, Change Makers, and Hope Creators Inside the Obama White House
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4.3 • 8 Ratings
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
The Obama White House staff invites us behind-the-scenes of history for a deeply personal and moving look at the presidency and how the president’s staff can change the nation
“West Wingers is exceptional. . . . We have so much to learn from these stories.” —President Biden
When we elect a president, we elect with them an entire team that will join them in the West Wing to help run the country. Each of these staffers has a story to tell, and in West Wingers, Barack Obama’s White House staff reveals how these extraordinary citizens shape the presidency and the nation.
In these moving and revealing personal stories, eighteen Obama staffers bring us deep inside the presidency, offering intimate accounts of how they made it to the White House, what they witnessed, and what they accomplished there. We hear from a married gay staffer pushing the president towards marriage equality; a senior aide working to implement the Affordable Care Act while battling Stage IV cancer; a hijab-wearing Muslim adviser accompanying the President to a mosque. In each one we see the human face of government, staffers devoting themselves to the issues that have defined their lives. From the triumphs of Obamacare and marriage equality to the tragedy of the Charleston shooting, this book tells the history of the Obama presidency through the men and women who worked tirelessly to support his vision for America. More than just a history though, West Wingers is an inspiring call to arms for public service, a testament to the possibility of real social change, and a powerful demonstration of what true diversity, inclusivity, and progress can look like in America.
“These deeply moving stories offer more than a fascinating view into the window of history: they show us how hope becomes real, sustainable change.” —Valerie Jarrett, former senior advisor to President Obama
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Former West Wing staffer Raghavan brings together an engaging and at times uplifting collection of firsthand accounts from all levels of the White House staff during the Obama administration. Contributors include a seasoned political operative who served as the President's domestic policy advisor, the White House pastry chef, and the West Wing receptionist. These heartfelt and earnest essays often track the staffers' unlikely paths to the White House, such as that of the White House social secretary, who started as an "older, nontraditional community college student" and then won a coveted internship. Other pieces focus on the administration's losses and wins, such as passing immigration reform and ill-fated military operations, showing the rewards and frustrations of life in the White House. A few key moments of the Obama presidency, such as the rollout of the Affordable Care Act, are discussed multiple times, but each narrative adds another perspective. As one contributor recalls, "President Obama chose individuals with deep empathy and diverse upbringings that brought unique perspectives into his White House." This memorable collection of essays, which shares those diverse and empathetic perspectives on behind-the-scenes events, will appeal to those who remember the Obama administration fondly.)
Customer Reviews
Thank you storytellers
As a recent Biden-Harris alum coming off the 2020 race this book was exactly what I needed to read.
This books has further inspired me to get involved in politics and help strive toward my dreams.
The stories that were shared has helped me look at my career and my personal story. This book helped reenforce that first generation Americans can aspire to do great things in and around politics.