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Finding My Voice: When the Perfect Plan Crumbles, the Adventure Begins
"When Valerie Jarrett interviewed a promising young lawyer named Michelle Robinson in July 1991 for a job in Chicago city government, neither knew that it was the first step on a path that would end in the White House. Jarrett soon became Michelle and Barack Obama's trusted personal adviser and family confidante; in the White House, she was known as the one who "got" him and helped him engage his public life. Jarrett joined the White House team on January 20, 2009 and departed with the First Family on January 20, 2017, and she was in the room--in the Oval Office, on Air Force One, and everywhere else--when it all happened. No one has as intimate a view of the Obama Years, nor one that reaches back as many decades, as Jarrett shares in Finding My Voice. Born in Iran (where her father, a doctor, sought a better job than he could find in segregated America), Jarrett grew up in Chicago in the 60s as racial and gender barriers were being challenged. A single mother stagnating in corporate law, she found her voice in Harold Washington's historic administration, where she began a remarkable journey, ultimately becoming one of the most visible and influential African-American women of the twenty-first century. From her work ensuring equality for women and girls, advancing civil rights, reforming our criminal justice system, and improving the lives of working families, to the real stories behind some of the most stirring moments of the Obama presidency, Jarrett shares her forthright, optimistic perspective on the importance of leadership and the responsibilities of citizenship in the twenty-first century, inspiring readers to lift their own voices."--Provided by publisher.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2019
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3852 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Jarrett
4 books42 followersValerie Jarrett was the longest serving senior adviser to President Barack Obama. She oversaw the Offices of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and chaired the White House Council on Women and Girls. Before joining the White House, she served as the chief executive officer of The Habitat Company in Chicago, chairman of the Chicago Transit Board, commissioner of Planning and Development, and deputy chief of staff for Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley. Jarrett has received numerous awards and honorary degrees, including Time’s “100 Most Influential People.” She received her B.A. from Stanford University in 1978 and her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1981. She is currently a senior adviser to the Obama Foundation and Attn and a senior distinguished fellow at the University of Chicago Law School.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
May 5, 2019
Jarrett’s parents were educated. Her father was a pathologist and geneticist. Jarret lived her first five years abroad. Her father was posted at a hospital in Shiraz, Iran. Before returning to the United States, they traveled the world. Her great grandfather, Robert Robinson Taylor, was the first black student to attend M.I.T. He graduated in 1892 and became the country’s first black architect. Jarrett tells of her early life, education and difficulties with racism. Jarrett graduated from Stanford University and Michigan Law School. She went to work for the City of Chicago. She was Deputy Chief of Staff to the Mayor when she hired Michelle Robinson. When Obama became president, she was a Senior Advisor during both terms. Jarrett covers her working life in depth.
The book has the feel of being written by a team. Rebecca Paly and Tanner Colby, who are listed as collaborators, are both well-known ghost writers. The story itself is so inspiring it raises above the “team writing”. I think the publisher needs to heavily edit and maybe rewrite some of the book and to re-issue it. Then it would be a great five star read.
I read this as audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eleven hours and twenty-three minutes. Valerie Jarrett does a good job narrating the book. Her narration helps overcome some of the “team writing”.
The book has the feel of being written by a team. Rebecca Paly and Tanner Colby, who are listed as collaborators, are both well-known ghost writers. The story itself is so inspiring it raises above the “team writing”. I think the publisher needs to heavily edit and maybe rewrite some of the book and to re-issue it. Then it would be a great five star read.
I read this as audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eleven hours and twenty-three minutes. Valerie Jarrett does a good job narrating the book. Her narration helps overcome some of the “team writing”.
May 12, 2019
First, might I say that I bought the book at the Los Angeles Times Book Festival where Valerie Jarrett spoke. I didn't have tickets to the event (they sold out immediately) but I hoped to get my book signed. I waited outside where the book signing was to take place. I was one of the first three people in line. We'd waited 20 minutes when we were told that Ms. Jarrett would not be signing books. It was a special event where "Friends of the Festival" had pre-paid for pre-signed books and a photo op.
The three of us were determined. We were set aside, still at the front of the line, to wait and see if there was an outside chance Ms. Jarrett would sign our books. We were told it wasn't likely, but we could wait if we wanted to. We waited. I took pictures of the photo ops. Ms. Jarrett is beautiful and she was happily cordial to each and every one of the nearly 200 people in line. Greeting them all with a cheerful, "Hi, ya!" and a bright smile. She spoke intimately with the young children and warmly hugged people she knew. We waited. It was a beautiful day, we were in the shade and we got to see Ms. Jarrett do her thing. It was not unpleasant.
Finally everyone had been photographed and Ms. Jarrett's handlers were bustling her away. The festival volunteers told Ms. Jarrett that we had waited patiently the whole time. She generously thanked us and signed our books! It was a win-win for me. The person she was that day is the person she demonstrates in her book. Kind and patient and fair.
I am pleased to read books about the lives of Black people that are not filled with poverty and violence, but show another side of being Black in America. After reading Michelle Obama's "Becoming" it's interesting to see the overlap of Valerie Jarrett and Michelle Obama's stories. I've heard that Michelle encouraged Valerie to write her book. I'm glad they both did.
I never tire of reading about President Obama's winning campaign. Jarrett's point of view is just as emotional and moving as Michelle O's. I love the loyalty she shows toward her long time assistant Katherine Branch. I'm impressed but not surprised by President Obama's meeting with his women senior staffers who were feeling disrespected and unvalued by the men staffers.
I think my favorite chapter is "Pinch Myself Moments" I smiled all the way through. Wow, the things she's seen! Valerie explains politics in a way that I can understand them. I am not a political person and that was quite helpful. She and President Obama and their team members were brilliantly organized. They looked at a problem like health care and methodically worked through to a solution. It's sad to see all of that hard work being systematically dismantled.
I am so glad Valerie Jarrett found her voice.
The three of us were determined. We were set aside, still at the front of the line, to wait and see if there was an outside chance Ms. Jarrett would sign our books. We were told it wasn't likely, but we could wait if we wanted to. We waited. I took pictures of the photo ops. Ms. Jarrett is beautiful and she was happily cordial to each and every one of the nearly 200 people in line. Greeting them all with a cheerful, "Hi, ya!" and a bright smile. She spoke intimately with the young children and warmly hugged people she knew. We waited. It was a beautiful day, we were in the shade and we got to see Ms. Jarrett do her thing. It was not unpleasant.
Finally everyone had been photographed and Ms. Jarrett's handlers were bustling her away. The festival volunteers told Ms. Jarrett that we had waited patiently the whole time. She generously thanked us and signed our books! It was a win-win for me. The person she was that day is the person she demonstrates in her book. Kind and patient and fair.
I am pleased to read books about the lives of Black people that are not filled with poverty and violence, but show another side of being Black in America. After reading Michelle Obama's "Becoming" it's interesting to see the overlap of Valerie Jarrett and Michelle Obama's stories. I've heard that Michelle encouraged Valerie to write her book. I'm glad they both did.
I never tire of reading about President Obama's winning campaign. Jarrett's point of view is just as emotional and moving as Michelle O's. I love the loyalty she shows toward her long time assistant Katherine Branch. I'm impressed but not surprised by President Obama's meeting with his women senior staffers who were feeling disrespected and unvalued by the men staffers.
I think my favorite chapter is "Pinch Myself Moments" I smiled all the way through. Wow, the things she's seen! Valerie explains politics in a way that I can understand them. I am not a political person and that was quite helpful. She and President Obama and their team members were brilliantly organized. They looked at a problem like health care and methodically worked through to a solution. It's sad to see all of that hard work being systematically dismantled.
I am so glad Valerie Jarrett found her voice.
April 20, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book. Aside from the fact that it’s a significant plank in the Obama hagiography edifice, Jarrett is a genuinely likeable person with an interesting life. All this kept me reading when I might otherwise have been put off by the writing. Some of the most obvious problems (such as spelling mistakes!) could probably be attributed to the fact that the book was published really quickly. However, there’s a more fundamental problem. It feels as if the “collaborators” — I guess that’s the polite word for ghost writers— really didn’t click with Jarrett ‘s story. It reads as if the narrative has been forced into a kind of formulaic structure that doesn’t suit what Jarrett has to say. All of which is quite ironic considering the book’s title.
July 18, 2019
Read all of my reviews at bit.ly/PageBedtime
Last year I read Becoming by First Lady Michelle Obama. In it, she mentions her meeting Valerie Jarrett and how that changed the trajectory of her career path. So, when I learned that Ms. Jarrett was writing a book of her own, I was excited to get a copy of Finding My Voice: My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward and read about her life, her perspective of the Obama administration, and how she sees the future.
Similar to Mrs. Obama's book, Ms. Jarrett begins at her childhood. A single child to highly educated (some might even call them "woke") parents who moved to Iran for better career opportunities. Jarrett was born in Iran, but later the family moved to the U.S. after her mom felt that Jarrett was picking up some negative life lessons on how to treat people in Iran. Upon her return, Jarrett recalls the discrimination and bullying she faced in her formative years from her classmates because of her unique beginnings. However, these experiences strengthen her. She became a determined young adult who had lofty goals that included becoming a partner in a law firm, a wife, and a mother before the age of 30. She succeeded in meeting her deadline, but as a result had a marriage that was not based in love. Because this was vastly different from what she witnessed between her parents, this relationship impacted much of her adult life. However, she persevered as a single mom. About a third into the book, we get to that defining moment where she meets Michelle Obama, who was then Michelle Robinson and Barack Obama. She calls it a luck. This meeting of happenstance solidifies her as a figure in the Obamas' lives that remains to this day. As Ms. Jarrett says, she has always felt like a big sister to Michelle and Barack.
Much of the book focuses on Ms. Jarrett's career as a civil servant and the politics of being a senior advisor in the Obama administration. For me, it was interesting to read her perspective on some of the same events that Mrs. Obama shared in her book. While the books might seem redundant, they are not. Where Mrs. Obama comes from a perspective of love and partnership with her husband, Ms. Jarrett's take is more professional and political in nature. She doesn't mince words and is very clear about several major moments that occurred during those eight years. One of those more memorable moments that intrigued me was Ms. Jarrett's re-telling of the nearly destructive relationship between the Obama's and Reverend Jeremiah Wright. She provides much more detail than Mrs. Obama did in her book. I have read several criticisms of how Mrs. Obama presented the spiritual leader in her book. After reading Ms. Jarrett's book, I'd have to say Mrs. Obama was quite kind to him.
I really enjoyed this book. I was able to listen to most of it on a road trip. Ms. Jarrett's voice is soothing and she does a great job sharing her story while keeping the reader engaged. I wish she'd gone into a little more depth about her personal life and maybe reduced the amount she shared about her career in politics. Having said that, the book is subtitled her journey to the West Wing, so I knew what I was getting into!
Recommendation: If you enjoy autobiographies and would like to learn a little more about one of President Obama's closest friends and advisors, Finding My Voice will provide just that. Thanks to the Fort Worth Public Library for the borrow!
Until next time ... Read on!
Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.
Read all of my reviews at bit.ly/PageBedtime
Last year I read Becoming by First Lady Michelle Obama. In it, she mentions her meeting Valerie Jarrett and how that changed the trajectory of her career path. So, when I learned that Ms. Jarrett was writing a book of her own, I was excited to get a copy of Finding My Voice: My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward and read about her life, her perspective of the Obama administration, and how she sees the future.
Similar to Mrs. Obama's book, Ms. Jarrett begins at her childhood. A single child to highly educated (some might even call them "woke") parents who moved to Iran for better career opportunities. Jarrett was born in Iran, but later the family moved to the U.S. after her mom felt that Jarrett was picking up some negative life lessons on how to treat people in Iran. Upon her return, Jarrett recalls the discrimination and bullying she faced in her formative years from her classmates because of her unique beginnings. However, these experiences strengthen her. She became a determined young adult who had lofty goals that included becoming a partner in a law firm, a wife, and a mother before the age of 30. She succeeded in meeting her deadline, but as a result had a marriage that was not based in love. Because this was vastly different from what she witnessed between her parents, this relationship impacted much of her adult life. However, she persevered as a single mom. About a third into the book, we get to that defining moment where she meets Michelle Obama, who was then Michelle Robinson and Barack Obama. She calls it a luck. This meeting of happenstance solidifies her as a figure in the Obamas' lives that remains to this day. As Ms. Jarrett says, she has always felt like a big sister to Michelle and Barack.
Much of the book focuses on Ms. Jarrett's career as a civil servant and the politics of being a senior advisor in the Obama administration. For me, it was interesting to read her perspective on some of the same events that Mrs. Obama shared in her book. While the books might seem redundant, they are not. Where Mrs. Obama comes from a perspective of love and partnership with her husband, Ms. Jarrett's take is more professional and political in nature. She doesn't mince words and is very clear about several major moments that occurred during those eight years. One of those more memorable moments that intrigued me was Ms. Jarrett's re-telling of the nearly destructive relationship between the Obama's and Reverend Jeremiah Wright. She provides much more detail than Mrs. Obama did in her book. I have read several criticisms of how Mrs. Obama presented the spiritual leader in her book. After reading Ms. Jarrett's book, I'd have to say Mrs. Obama was quite kind to him.
I really enjoyed this book. I was able to listen to most of it on a road trip. Ms. Jarrett's voice is soothing and she does a great job sharing her story while keeping the reader engaged. I wish she'd gone into a little more depth about her personal life and maybe reduced the amount she shared about her career in politics. Having said that, the book is subtitled her journey to the West Wing, so I knew what I was getting into!
Recommendation: If you enjoy autobiographies and would like to learn a little more about one of President Obama's closest friends and advisors, Finding My Voice will provide just that. Thanks to the Fort Worth Public Library for the borrow!
Until next time ... Read on!
Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.
Read all of my reviews at bit.ly/PageBedtime
November 19, 2019
Who is Valerie Jarrett? Even to political junkies like me, the longest serving senior advisor to President Obama (in fact, she was the longest serving senior advisor in White House history) was always somewhat of a mystery. Having enjoyed a long personal history with the Obamas and working quietly behind-the-scenes for the majority of her tenure, she didn’t really enter the American consciousness until after she left public service and was the subject of a misguided and startlingly racist tweet from Roseanne Barr (even as I type that I’m struck once again by how bizarre our politics have become). In “Finding My Voice: My Journey To The West Wing And The Path Forward,” Jarrett herself sets the record straight and, in the process, presents a rare insider’s look at what it’s like to be an employee in The People’s House.
The daughter of an educator and a physician, Jarrett was raised abroad, mostly in Iran, as well as in Chicago, two very different environments that left the light-skinned mixed-race girl feeling like a outsider no matter where she called home. However, instead of letting her isolation make her bitter and self-centered, Jarrett’s compassion, tenacity, and intelligence paved the way for her to become a respected lawyer and later an essential part of Chicago’s local government, all while juggling the responsibilities of being a single mother. In the course of her remarkable career, she had the good fortune of hiring Michelle Obama and becoming well-acquainted with her and her soft-spoken and principled husband, Barrack. As something of an older-sister-type mentor to the couple, Jarrett was along for the ride when the junior senator’s improbable run for the presidency ended at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It was in her capacity as a senior advisor that Valerie Jarrett was able to champion the rights of those who had been marginalized, ignored, or blatantly persecuted by the George Dubya Bush administration. Honestly, the title “Finding My Voice” isn’t just inspirational gobbledegook; her story is really all about how hard work and advocating for oneself are essential to success but also how that must be balanced with compromise and service to others. Of course she fell into the Obamas’ orbit, right? From start to finish, “Finding My Voice” is a fascinating autobiography (though my favorite parts were definitely her recollections of the administration’s battles and triumphs), written in a you-can-do-whatever-you-set-your-mind-to style and with just enough gosh-can-you-believe-where-I-ended-up wonder. The world needs more people like Valerie Jarrett.
That, ultimately, was my biggest takeaway from the book. In our current fractured and frustrating political climate, when our reality show conman and Russian asset president has surrounded himself with inexperienced and corrupt yes men, Valerie Jarrett’s story demonstrates just how important it is for the leader of the free world to be advised by worldly, smart, and honest staff members. After having read “Finding My Voice,” Valerie Jarrett is far from a mystery to me now. She’s an awe-inspiring example of what it is to be one of the best of us.
The daughter of an educator and a physician, Jarrett was raised abroad, mostly in Iran, as well as in Chicago, two very different environments that left the light-skinned mixed-race girl feeling like a outsider no matter where she called home. However, instead of letting her isolation make her bitter and self-centered, Jarrett’s compassion, tenacity, and intelligence paved the way for her to become a respected lawyer and later an essential part of Chicago’s local government, all while juggling the responsibilities of being a single mother. In the course of her remarkable career, she had the good fortune of hiring Michelle Obama and becoming well-acquainted with her and her soft-spoken and principled husband, Barrack. As something of an older-sister-type mentor to the couple, Jarrett was along for the ride when the junior senator’s improbable run for the presidency ended at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It was in her capacity as a senior advisor that Valerie Jarrett was able to champion the rights of those who had been marginalized, ignored, or blatantly persecuted by the George Dubya Bush administration. Honestly, the title “Finding My Voice” isn’t just inspirational gobbledegook; her story is really all about how hard work and advocating for oneself are essential to success but also how that must be balanced with compromise and service to others. Of course she fell into the Obamas’ orbit, right? From start to finish, “Finding My Voice” is a fascinating autobiography (though my favorite parts were definitely her recollections of the administration’s battles and triumphs), written in a you-can-do-whatever-you-set-your-mind-to style and with just enough gosh-can-you-believe-where-I-ended-up wonder. The world needs more people like Valerie Jarrett.
That, ultimately, was my biggest takeaway from the book. In our current fractured and frustrating political climate, when our reality show conman and Russian asset president has surrounded himself with inexperienced and corrupt yes men, Valerie Jarrett’s story demonstrates just how important it is for the leader of the free world to be advised by worldly, smart, and honest staff members. After having read “Finding My Voice,” Valerie Jarrett is far from a mystery to me now. She’s an awe-inspiring example of what it is to be one of the best of us.
March 30, 2019
I won this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.
In Finding My Voice, Valerie Jarrett discusses her upbringing, her early career in government, and her friendship with the future First Family. Overall, it was a pretty quick read that provided an interesting perspective of the Obama Administration, to include some challenges and successes. I appreciate that Ms. Jarrett acknowledged early in the book that much and more has to do with luck, as some senior government officials make it sound like they were destined for their lot and got there through their amazing work ethic instead of being incredibly lucky. I also appreciated the frank discussions of race and gender, and the unique perspective of a woman of color operating a work environment predominantly occupied by white men. Overall, a good read and recommended for those interested in biographies of government officials.
In Finding My Voice, Valerie Jarrett discusses her upbringing, her early career in government, and her friendship with the future First Family. Overall, it was a pretty quick read that provided an interesting perspective of the Obama Administration, to include some challenges and successes. I appreciate that Ms. Jarrett acknowledged early in the book that much and more has to do with luck, as some senior government officials make it sound like they were destined for their lot and got there through their amazing work ethic instead of being incredibly lucky. I also appreciated the frank discussions of race and gender, and the unique perspective of a woman of color operating a work environment predominantly occupied by white men. Overall, a good read and recommended for those interested in biographies of government officials.
June 27, 2019
It was a good read. Ms Jarretts early life and upbringing were interesting. She doesn’t hide the fact that she comes from a bit of privilege compared to the average back citizen like Michelle Obama. Her time in the White House was not a super interesting part of the story. It seemed to drag on. I am glad she found her voice. It’s obvious that she thinks very highly of her parents. Her story however describes her life as near perfect, short of her failed marriage. Though I enjoyed the read, I did not find her inspiring.
February 23, 2020
I received this book as a gift from my husband, and I pushed it to the front of the queue when I saw who it was about. I normally don't like memoirs, but I enjoyed Michelle Obama's so much, (and all of Hillary's) that I thought I would like this equally well. And I did. There's so much to like --- she gives an inside look at Chicago politics (where she first started working for Washington and then the Daley son). Then, she develops a relationship with the Obamas and follows them into the White House where she is the longest working senior advisor that has ever worked there. Finally, she gives a perspective of a capable, hard working and intelligent black woman working in a white man's world. The divisions of the chapters made sense, and it was easy to follow her story chronologically --- once in a while, she would go back in time, but she didn't lose me. The only chapter I had trouble getting through was the one on Chicago politics --- slow going there, but mostly my fault in not knowing many of the ins and outs of the various organizations and jobs --- but I cared least about that part, also. What I found most interesting was going through all the headlines I read about (like Sandy Hook, the passage of the Same Sex Marriage Act, etc.) and taking us backstage for those stories. Wow! It was really a shot in the arm to me. Totally disheartened with the whole voting process (not to mention the debacle that is our white house now) , I needed to be reminded that the Obama white house shared my values because it was full of hardworking people who wanted to do well for the people in the US, and wanted to unite us, not divide us and help all people! ( not just the President's fans or friends) . What a juxtaposition of what is going on now! If you are also a bit depressed about it all, you might want to check this book out because pages on pages show what work goes into all that they did for us for 8 years only to be demolished by the present regime. And Valerie was at the top of the list of busy bees --- and I'm sorry to say, I didn't really catch her name much through all the time Obama was in office, and actually first looked her up when I heard about the Roseanne tweet. How disgusting! For that, I would like to apologize to her and instead thank her a thousand times over for the work she did for us and continues to do --- that was a bit of a surprise (although, I guess there shouldn't have been because of how dedicated she and others were ) that people that were in that terrific white house are continuing some of the work as civilians that they started when they were in the west wing. I am not an avid non-fiction/memoir type of reader, but I highly recommend this --- I would have given it 4.5 if I could have (but Goodreads doesn't have a button for that --- wish they did!)
July 7, 2019
Ok, so it was all I knew that it would be!!! I enjoyed hearing her story, her travels and her personal life as to what was expected of her but she chose to be happy! Not once did she bad mouth her spouse and that was simply wonderful to me. Her daughter has grown up and is successful and the cutest thing was the fact that her dad was on point which in turn did not allow any bullshit to enter her pathway!
Also, I will read any type of autobio/bio WRT the Obama Admin because I simply adore them as people & haven’t met them not once lol. The book was amazing and her story was worth while which gives me hope to the fact that even though you don’t have it figured out— life will guide you to the right path and you’ll excel beyond your furthest beliefs!! Read this book y’all, it has for sure revived my reading slump that I have been in 💚💚💚! Tops for sure
Also, I will read any type of autobio/bio WRT the Obama Admin because I simply adore them as people & haven’t met them not once lol. The book was amazing and her story was worth while which gives me hope to the fact that even though you don’t have it figured out— life will guide you to the right path and you’ll excel beyond your furthest beliefs!! Read this book y’all, it has for sure revived my reading slump that I have been in 💚💚💚! Tops for sure
August 23, 2019
Wow. I loved Valerie...her back story; her honesty about her marriage; her slowly moving path to politics ; her tight relationship with the Obamas; her (and their accomplishments); and then the bitter ending with the awful, obstructionist Republican party led by McConnell. All clearly spelled out and filled with heart and soul. One really gets a gut check on just what it takes in this crazy world of polarized politics to accomplish something meaningful for the greater good of Americans--from the poor to the middle class. The rich couldn't have it so good--they do not need the government's help--they need to help the government so that all people have a fair shot and the opportunity to better themselves and make us a more perfect union.
What a patriot.
What a patriot.
November 5, 2019
I am so glad I ended up reading this so close in time to Michelle Obama's memoir. The two works dovetailed nicely together and reminded me how far we've come, and how far we have yet to go. As a newly minted attorney, I especially enjoyed reading how both women hated working in corporate BigLaw™ and ended up going to work in Chicago city government.
Ms. Jarrett's story was inspiring and moving, even bringing me to tears towards the end when she recounted her father's final illness and the impact of gun violence across the country and in the administration. The pages absolutely flew by as I read.
Many thanks to Viking and Goodreads First Reads for my free copy!
Ms. Jarrett's story was inspiring and moving, even bringing me to tears towards the end when she recounted her father's final illness and the impact of gun violence across the country and in the administration. The pages absolutely flew by as I read.
Many thanks to Viking and Goodreads First Reads for my free copy!
April 29, 2019
I received an ARC of this book and leave my thoughts below.
This is a rather interesting biography of a figure that I thought I knew a fair amount of from following the Obama presidency, but was pleasantly surprised to find some fascinating perspectives that really help make this particular biography a welcome read.
Her own personal biography is one that should prove to be an inspiration for those struggling to find a place in life. Easy to pick up and fascinating to go through, well worth a pick-up!
This is a rather interesting biography of a figure that I thought I knew a fair amount of from following the Obama presidency, but was pleasantly surprised to find some fascinating perspectives that really help make this particular biography a welcome read.
Her own personal biography is one that should prove to be an inspiration for those struggling to find a place in life. Easy to pick up and fascinating to go through, well worth a pick-up!
January 4, 2020
What an extraordinary story of personal growth, hard work, amazing achievements, and optimism. Her story lifts you up and makes you proud to be an American. However, the description of Mitch McConnell and most Republicans’ efforts to thwart everything President Obama was trying to accomplish for the good of our country made me angry and sad. His accomplishments are legendary in the face of such opposition. Valerie also opened my eyes to the extraordinary work ethic necessary for a well-run White House.
May 1, 2019
I really enjoyed listening to this book, read by the author.
An intelligent woman who worked her way up through the ranks to become one of President Barak Obama's most trusted advisors and who stuck with him through thick and thin!
As a woman and a woman of color, she gives an interesting and important voice to the political scene she was drawn into and of which she became an integral part.
An intelligent woman who worked her way up through the ranks to become one of President Barak Obama's most trusted advisors and who stuck with him through thick and thin!
As a woman and a woman of color, she gives an interesting and important voice to the political scene she was drawn into and of which she became an integral part.
May 8, 2019
Probably 3.5 stars for me. I saw Ms. Jarrett on book tour and she was refreshingly honest, relaxed and had an authentic voice. I was impressed!
But her book left me flat -- I'm guessing it was written by a ghost writer that was in a hurry to get the details down and get it published. It did not have an authentic voice -- more of an accounting of what she did and who she worked with.
There are other well written books about the Obama years to read first.
But her book left me flat -- I'm guessing it was written by a ghost writer that was in a hurry to get the details down and get it published. It did not have an authentic voice -- more of an accounting of what she did and who she worked with.
There are other well written books about the Obama years to read first.
April 20, 2019
Thank you, Goodreads, for my copy of this book. I found it a quick read that I thought should have been more interesting. I really wish Ms Jarrett had concentrated more on her early years and family then her years at the White House. Those early years were fascinating
May 31, 2019
I enjoyed listening to the first half of the audiobook. Valerie Jarrett had an interesting upbringing and story to tell. However, once it got into the political stories and ties, my interest diminished.
May 24, 2019
Personal and poignant.
June 18, 2019
It was ok. Nothing earth shattering. It was kind of boring at times and went into too much detail about her extended family. I have enjoyed other Obama staff memoirs more.
February 12, 2021
Valerie Jarrett was the senior advisor and liaison to state governmental officers for President Barack Obama. She lasted in this position all eight years of his presidency. Before the White House, she was a POWERFUL Black woman in Chicago, the only child of upper-middle-class parents who paid for her outstanding education at Stanford and then the University of Michigan Law School. She was born in Iran, while her Dad was in his pathology residency. This gave her a well-traveled unique view, and one of the ways she bonded w/ Barack Obama, who spent part of his childhood in Indonesia. Jarrett hired Mrs. Obama for her position in the City planning department, and was her boss. So this began her long friendship w/ Barack and Michelle. But for those of us who thought she got her position in the WH simply b/c she was the corporate fundraiser for Barack's senatorial campaign, and an advisor on his presidential campaign, we were wrong. She was the CEO of Habitat and on numerous corporate boards. She's REALLY an accomplished, impressive woman.
In this memoir, she also comes across as a warm, friendly, passionate woman who adores her only daughter and her extended family, but could not get along w/ a husband. She is also a warning figure for ladies who think they can have and do it all. Her story shows you that you CAN'T. Different parts of a woman's life will be in control, but not all of them will be at the same time. She also shows, through hers and Michelle's experience, that it is impossible to have a high-powered career without excellent childcare and extended-family support. So I liked the "cautionary-tale" aspect.
I enjoyed Jarrett's take on the big wins and losses during her time in the WH working for the President. She presented the more-emotional side to all these issues than either Mrs. Obama in "Becoming" and certainly more than President Obama in "A Promised Land." It was fun to read her describing Rahm Emmanuel literally screaming when he was upset at someone or about something. We sure didn't get that from the Obamas!
I hope Ms. Jarrett is doing well now. She does not say in the memoir (written in 2019) what she is doing now. I'm glad I found this book at the bottom of one of my book stacks, b/c it allowed me to re-visit the Obama White House one more time.
In this memoir, she also comes across as a warm, friendly, passionate woman who adores her only daughter and her extended family, but could not get along w/ a husband. She is also a warning figure for ladies who think they can have and do it all. Her story shows you that you CAN'T. Different parts of a woman's life will be in control, but not all of them will be at the same time. She also shows, through hers and Michelle's experience, that it is impossible to have a high-powered career without excellent childcare and extended-family support. So I liked the "cautionary-tale" aspect.
I enjoyed Jarrett's take on the big wins and losses during her time in the WH working for the President. She presented the more-emotional side to all these issues than either Mrs. Obama in "Becoming" and certainly more than President Obama in "A Promised Land." It was fun to read her describing Rahm Emmanuel literally screaming when he was upset at someone or about something. We sure didn't get that from the Obamas!
I hope Ms. Jarrett is doing well now. She does not say in the memoir (written in 2019) what she is doing now. I'm glad I found this book at the bottom of one of my book stacks, b/c it allowed me to re-visit the Obama White House one more time.
September 30, 2020
Overall I enjoyed this book, my favorite parts were her family history, early life in Iran and her time working in City Hall. Having lived in the Near West Suburbs and the Far South Side of Chicago as well as my husband being a native from the 100’s I found her stories about the revitalization of the City during the Daly Administration interesting. I would’ve liked to hear her thoughts on how that process of repopulating disadvantaged ppl has effected particular neighborhoods in the city some 25 years later. I’ve always enjoyed her interviews and find her to be genuine. Having read Michelle Obama’s Becoming a couple months ago there was a similarity. I’ve seen her interviewed on The View a couple times and wanted to know more about her.
March 23, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this and learning so much about Valerie’s early life. So many life lessons that can be learned from her.
May 13, 2020
Loved it.
February 29, 2020
Really great story of one woman’s personal journey intertwined with the winning and running of the White House for 8 years. It will make you cry about the terrible turn the country has taken since the end of the Obama era but Jarrett still has hope and so shall I.
May 15, 2022
Audiobook! Enjoyed her story 😊
October 11, 2024
Listened to the audiobook. It was just okay. Did not focus as much on the West Wing as I'd hoped.
March 2, 2020
Many of the Obama-era memoirs agree on the telling of their stories. If you have read many others, some of this will be covered ground. Jarrett's early life, before meeting Michelle Robinson, and the late-term stories on election night 2016 will be new -- and for me were rich in unexpected details. I knew little about Jarrett, and this recording, by the author herself, provided new insight.
January 30, 2020
Valerie Jarrett has led a very interesting life – and written this book to tell about it. I found that I was engaged in what she was writing about, as well as how she was writing it. The book is very “readable” and interesting. I liked learning about some of the things that go on behind the scenes in various political situations. I won an ARC of this book from GoodReads.
October 28, 2019
I read this book for a book club.
Valarie Jarrett worked hard and had a fascinating life. The early part of the book was what I liked best. Her words on her family and her childhood were warm and interesting and lovely. If I were a writing short stories teacher I would say, "Yes! you are writing what you know, and it jumps off the page." It was a very good way to learn the history of Chicago, of the South Side, of Hyde Park, (the neighborhood where I grew up.)
But as the book went on I found it sagging, which it shouldn't have. I mean dude she's writing about the white house - the central power of the whole United States. The name of one chapter is literally "Pinch myself moments." But by this point the book read with a level of reserve, like the kind of writing people use when they write lots of memos for work. It's efficient, clean, just not very compelling. Not warm with enthusiasm like the earlier chapters. The writing style reflects the carefulness that the whole administration was tasked with the entire 8 years. . . one wrong word and Fox News was all over them like white on rice. So I get it, it's not like I am unsympathetic, just found it hard going to read the whole book.
Reading it made me irritated all over again with that former TV star who tweeted an extremely offensive, extremely racist slur about Jarrett then back-pedaled out saying she didn't even know Jarrett was black. Well you know what? In a different world maybe Jarrett wouldn't be "Black" but the dominant stake holders are the ones who made up the "one drop" rule - and kept people of color out of certain schools, stores, neighborhoods and restaurants. I'm sick and tired of people pretending that didn't happen when apparently it's still a thing to write racists tweets and have other people yuk it up and find such appalling behavior hilarious. ugh.
Valarie Jarrett worked hard and had a fascinating life. The early part of the book was what I liked best. Her words on her family and her childhood were warm and interesting and lovely. If I were a writing short stories teacher I would say, "Yes! you are writing what you know, and it jumps off the page." It was a very good way to learn the history of Chicago, of the South Side, of Hyde Park, (the neighborhood where I grew up.)
But as the book went on I found it sagging, which it shouldn't have. I mean dude she's writing about the white house - the central power of the whole United States. The name of one chapter is literally "Pinch myself moments." But by this point the book read with a level of reserve, like the kind of writing people use when they write lots of memos for work. It's efficient, clean, just not very compelling. Not warm with enthusiasm like the earlier chapters. The writing style reflects the carefulness that the whole administration was tasked with the entire 8 years. . . one wrong word and Fox News was all over them like white on rice. So I get it, it's not like I am unsympathetic, just found it hard going to read the whole book.
Reading it made me irritated all over again with that former TV star who tweeted an extremely offensive, extremely racist slur about Jarrett then back-pedaled out saying she didn't even know Jarrett was black. Well you know what? In a different world maybe Jarrett wouldn't be "Black" but the dominant stake holders are the ones who made up the "one drop" rule - and kept people of color out of certain schools, stores, neighborhoods and restaurants. I'm sick and tired of people pretending that didn't happen when apparently it's still a thing to write racists tweets and have other people yuk it up and find such appalling behavior hilarious. ugh.
January 25, 2020
A nice, simply (ghost?) written book by a very competent woman who enjoyed great personal success and found herself in the right place at the right time with the Obamas. She is very flattering of others but does not particularly reveal her own "secret sauce," which she must have to have had the access and success she has had. The only people she really throws under the bus, despite her years of inside access, are her ex husband and John Boehner. I'm glad I read it but it had a lot less color and fewer takeaways than I had hoped for.
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