Finding My Voice: My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward
Finalist for the NAACP Image Award for "Outstanding Literary Work"
"Valerie has been one of Barack and my closest confidantes for decades... the world would feel a lot better if there were more people like Valerie blazing the trail for the rest of us."--Michelle Obama
"The ultimate Obama insider" (The New York Times) and longest-serving senior advisor in the Obama White House shares her journey as a daughter, mother, lawyer, business leader, public servant, and leader in government at a historic moment in American history.
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.
Reviews (102)
Aren’t You Spending A Lot of Effort On What You Dislike?
Hmm, do some of these politically motivated negative reviewers not know that people can see what they are up to? If they actually bought and read the book (which they probably didn’t) then, if I may be so bold as to presume on her behalf, I am sure Ms.Jarrett thanks you for listening. If you didn’t buy the book or read it, but felt the need to provide a negative comment, bless your heart.
A lovely book
I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I loved the warmth and feelings and experiences Valerie Jarrett shared. I envy her the friendships and family and love in her life, but even more I envy her the opportunities she shared. Bravo!
To stick to your values and truly believe in oneself.
The audio book was sensational. The delivery was outstanding. The book was certainly a fantastic journey.
Great insight into the Obama administration
Well written with layers of information I would not have known or comprehended without this book. It gives me courage to persevere in any challenges I encounter. So glad I read this book.
Don’t be fooled
This book was well written and gave me the unique perspective of Valerie Jarrett. She especially has advice to women on how to find their voice and to speak up for their needs. My book club read the book and the members highly recommended it as one of their favorites. Do not be discouraged by the negative comments of some of the reviewers as most admit they did not read the book. There comments are more to spread a political agenda.
Not worth the time or money.
Valerie Jarrett was a long-term adviser to President Barack Obama, so I believed this book might contain insight into increasing a positive view of his administration. It doesn't flow, and I couldn't read it beyond a few pages. Not worth the money or the effort.
Boring read
Terrible read. I was half way then I gave it away to Goodwill
Good read and women empowerment
Leisure reading, interesting and inspiring.
Points of View
Enjoyed getting to know this optimistic, accomplished woman, and follow her path to the West Wing as a senior advisor to President Obama. Many lessons about staying the course and focusing on your true North during life's inevitable storms. Thought provoking references to having "a village" of family to raise and motivate your children with rich support systems. And to finding your voice as a woman in the halls and board rooms of influence with all the challenges our bodies and emotions naturally go through. She encourages us to push ourselves to provide a place for those unique challenges in our workplaces. Which leads me to my next read by Melinda Gates. The author takes us with her on an amazing journey. Her nuggets of experience from her family and her life are true treasures she shares with her readers. Her story is worth sharing with our daughters and sons! Her writing style is easy to read and brings joy and tears. Having also read, "The Long Game" by Senator Mitch McConnell I was eager to see her side of the lack of bipartisan cooperation that he spoke of when referring to working with the Obama Executive branch, and it's there in black and white. Very interesting to see how polarized and crippling our government can become with each side of our two party system oblivious to their part in the break down. Read both books. Great leadership can't accomplish much when it only wants to share a conversation from its own view point and can't see others have a different background, viewpoint, experience in this same great country. I enjoyed the book of this positive influencer! She brings value to the page.
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