Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?

Alyssa Mastromonaco recounts her journey from college student to White House Deputy Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama. Through a series of professional experiences and personal anecdotes, she details the path that led her to become one of the youngest people to hold this position. The book provides an inside view of the Obama administration's daily operations and challenges from 2009-2014. Mastromonaco shares the realities of working in the White House, from managing international crises to coordinating logistics for presidential travel. Beyond politics, Mastromonaco discusses workplace dynamics, career development, and the unique pressures faced by women in high-level government positions. She includes practical advice based on her experiences navigating professional environments. The memoir serves as both a political narrative and a guide for young professionals, examining themes of perseverance, preparation, and authenticity in leadership roles. Through her candid perspective, Mastromonaco offers insights into the intersection of personal life and public service.

Readers describe this as a candid, behind-the-scenes look at working in the Obama White House, with Mastromonaco balancing political insights with personal anecdotes. Readers appreciated: - Practical career advice for young professionals - Humor and relatability in describing workplace challenges - Details about White House operations and logistics - Discussion of being a woman in politics Common criticisms: - Too much focus on personal stories vs political content - Informal writing style can feel scattered - Limited depth on major policy decisions - Some readers wanted more Obama administration insights Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,000+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Perfect mix of funny stories and actual career advice" - Goodreads reviewer "Expected more substance about working with Obama" - Amazon reviewer "Helpful tips about managing workplace anxiety" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

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🌟 Alyssa Mastromonaco was one of the youngest people ever to become White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, taking on the role at age 34 under President Obama. 🌟 The book's title comes from a phrase Mastromonaco frequently muttered to herself while dealing with challenging situations in the White House, including the time she had to organize a secret presidential trip to Iraq. 🌟 During her tenure, Mastromonaco successfully campaigned to add tampon dispensers to the White House women's restrooms—a basic amenity that had been overlooked for decades. 🌟 Before working for Obama, Mastromonaco started her political career as an intern for Bernie Sanders in Vermont, where she lived in a house with no heat and worked part-time at a bagel shop. 🌟 The book reveals that President Obama once tried to play matchmaker for Mastromonaco, attempting to set her up with Denis McDonough, who later became his Chief of Staff.