OCTOBER 2018 - AudioFile
This is an audiobook for anyone who misses the Obama administration and wants to hear about what it was like working for and with Barack Obama from the start of his longshot campaign in 2006 to the end of his second term as president. Dan Pfeiffer served in numerous high-level communications and strategy positions, and he was obviously very good at his job. As a narrator, it’s apparent he’s not a professional, but, for the most part, any shortcomings are more than made up for by his enthusiasm for this project, his devotion to Obama, and his thoughts on how Democrats might confront the current administration and politics in the age of Trump. J.P.S. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
05/07/2018
Pfeiffer, Pod Save America cohost and former Obama senior adviser, in an entertaining work of memoir–cum–political strategy, spells out the strengths of his old boss as campaigner and president and seeks to shed light on why Donald Trump won in 2016. With the goal of ensuring the liberal cause isn’t lost in future elections, Pfeiffer describes how he was hired by Obama during the 2008 campaign and how for the next six years he had a front-row seat to the president’s triumphs and struggles. Taking a conversational, occasionally snarky tone, he brings the reader into high-level meetings, such as one over tax cuts held in the vice-president’s office; a fund-raiser attended by Kanye West; and his own awkward moments (he once split his pants in the Oval Office while preparing the president for a press conference). Throughout, Pfeiffer offers advice in bold type, based on the successes of Obama and Trump, on running a winning campaign, using Twitter, dealing with fake news, and other topics crucial to elections. “The path back for Democrats is pretty clear,” he writes, “and it doesn’t mean becoming more like Trump.” Those who share Pfeiffer’s admiration of Obama and his hopes for a Democratic resurgence—and, of course, fans of his podcast—will love both the chatty insider anecdotes and the advice. Agent: David Larabell, Creative Arts Agency. (June)
From the Publisher
"Dan is one of the most brilliant observers of politics and media in America, and he's never lost faith in the idea that activism and public service are noble, worthwhile pursuits -- especially for young people who want to make a difference. We learned a lot from YES WE (STILL) CAN, and we literally host a show with the guy every week. In other words, we're annoyed that he saved the best stuff for the book."—Pod Save America cohosts Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor
"I love YES WE (STILL) CAN for many reasons, but most importantly because you will all get to know and learn from the best bro I know. Dan Pfeiffer's wit, brain, charm, humor, and compassion make him a formidable storyteller, the best colleague, and an even better friend. Also without him, I never would have learned how to tweet. Seriously."—Alyssa Mastromonaco, New York Times bestselling author of Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?
"YES WE (STILL) CAN captures the lessons of Yes We Did during the Obama years and offers clear lessons for why 2016 happened, and how progressives must adapt to win again."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica}David Plouffe, former campaign manager and White House senior advisor to President Obama
"In YES WE (STILL) CAN, Dan Pfeiffer has found a way to be nostalgic for the past while still motivating you in the present. Come for the uplifting stories about his journey with President Obama, stay for the honest (and optimistic) outlook on how Democrats can get their groove back and end the Trump era. A must-read for anyone who has asked the question: "'Now what do we do?'"—Jason Kander, host of Majority 54 and president of Let America Vote
"Amusing and insightful. This is a nostalgic and hopeful must-read for everyone who is unnerved by Trump, misses Obama, and is and determined to fight for a better future for the country."—Esquire
"A nostalgic look back and hopeful look forward."—Kirkus
"An entertaining work of memoir-cum-political strategy...Those who share Pfeiffer's admiration of Obama...will love both the chatty insider anecdotes and the advice."—Publishers Weekly
OCTOBER 2018 - AudioFile
This is an audiobook for anyone who misses the Obama administration and wants to hear about what it was like working for and with Barack Obama from the start of his longshot campaign in 2006 to the end of his second term as president. Dan Pfeiffer served in numerous high-level communications and strategy positions, and he was obviously very good at his job. As a narrator, it’s apparent he’s not a professional, but, for the most part, any shortcomings are more than made up for by his enthusiasm for this project, his devotion to Obama, and his thoughts on how Democrats might confront the current administration and politics in the age of Trump. J.P.S. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2018-05-01
Another Barack Obama staffer reveals his White House experiences.During his campaign for the presidency and his two terms in office, Obama gathered a cadre of young, articulate, and apparently tireless men and women to serve him. In his debut memoir, Pfeiffer, now co-host of the political podcast Pod Save America, recounts his stints as Obama's traveling secretary during the campaign and later director of communications (2009-2013) and senior adviser (until 2015). The author's warm, affectionate portrait of Obama and revelations about pre-Trumpian politics complement recent memoirs by Alyssa Mastromonaco (deputy chief of staff), David Litt (speechwriter), Pat Cunnane (senior writer), and David Axelrod (political adviser) in what appears to be a growing genre. Pfeiffer, an unabashed admirer, burnishes a familiar image of Obama as focused, idealistic, pragmatic, funny, caring, shrewd, savvy, and confidently competitive. "Obama does not like to lose at anything," writes the author, "—golf, basketball, cards, Scrabble, and most certainly campaigns." The author disputes the notion that Obama was aloof: "He is a truly decent and empathetic human who genuinely liked being around people (less so members of Congress angling for a photo and a pork barrel project)." He was challenged, though, by a Republican Congress determined to thwart every effort and policy decision and from a vicious media firestorm—eagerly propagated by Fox—over his place of birth. "If you want to know why nativism and racism are resurgent in the Republican Party," the author writes, "look to Fox News. And if you want to know how we ended up with Trump as president, yet again just look to Fox News." Part of Pfeiffer's motivation in writing is to encourage voters—especially millennials—"to knock the GOP upside the head and convince them that they have to abandon not just Trump but Trumpism." The current Republican Party is composed of "clowns, con men, and racists" and those who enable them, such as "diabolical" and "cynical" Mitch McConnell. Pfeiffer argues that a new path requires Democrats to be "audacious, authentic, and inspirational."A nostalgic look back and hopeful look forward.
