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teaandlibri's review
3.0
Thought this would be a good read for Hispanic Heritage Month in the US but this book was not available through my library/my hold did not come in time. Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to read the story/book of Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council under President Obama and what she learned in this job. We also get bits and pieces about her life, lessons she learned and the like.
As you might have guessed, this book isn't a traditional memoir or self-help but rather a mishmash of both. The book is roughly divided up chronologically and via headers that describe various lessons and how her life experiences led her to serving in the Obama administration, what she learned from them, what it was like sometimes being the only woman of color or only Latinx, etc. in the room.
So if you're looking for a biography of her, this isn't quite it. If you're someone thinking of getting into politics or are curious what her path looked like, this might be more for you. I would say many of these lessons aren't "new" necessarily but may come across differently vs. perhaps other people (namely, many white men) who were in similar positions.
Overall I would say it was interesting to learn more about her, but I wasn't blown away by the text, which wasn't always the most compelling read. But it's an important book that might be a great read for Latinx people looking to get into politics, serve at the White House, etc. for an insider look and understanding what it might be like.
Library borrow for me and that was best.
As you might have guessed, this book isn't a traditional memoir or self-help but rather a mishmash of both. The book is roughly divided up chronologically and via headers that describe various lessons and how her life experiences led her to serving in the Obama administration, what she learned from them, what it was like sometimes being the only woman of color or only Latinx, etc. in the room.
So if you're looking for a biography of her, this isn't quite it. If you're someone thinking of getting into politics or are curious what her path looked like, this might be more for you. I would say many of these lessons aren't "new" necessarily but may come across differently vs. perhaps other people (namely, many white men) who were in similar positions.
Overall I would say it was interesting to learn more about her, but I wasn't blown away by the text, which wasn't always the most compelling read. But it's an important book that might be a great read for Latinx people looking to get into politics, serve at the White House, etc. for an insider look and understanding what it might be like.
Library borrow for me and that was best.
kmishmael's review
5.0
In full transparency, I worked for Cecilia at New America, in her post-White House years and was a member of the inaugural cohort of Public Interest Technology Fellows.
So many of the things she says in this book, she lived in practice. Don’t let her petite size fool you because she is a powerhouse and her advice in this book proves this.
I love her storytelling and ability to lift up the voices of so many others with thoughtful advice that accompany those stories.
So many of the things she says in this book, she lived in practice. Don’t let her petite size fool you because she is a powerhouse and her advice in this book proves this.
I love her storytelling and ability to lift up the voices of so many others with thoughtful advice that accompany those stories.
geneva_reads's review
5.0
Ceclia Muñoz's book is a must-read for anyone in public service. I listened to this audiobook that was narrated by the author. A few of my key take-aways:
1. Mentor and nurture younger staff, always.
2. Support people of color and those with less privilege and power.
3. Celebrate the wins, even if they're not as great as we wanted. Progress is progress, even when it's small.
4. Learn how to recharge. Pursuing deep, meaningful societal change is hard work, so know when to take care of yourself and set boundaries. It's through moments of recharging that you can keep going year after year, challenge after challenge.
1. Mentor and nurture younger staff, always.
2. Support people of color and those with less privilege and power.
3. Celebrate the wins, even if they're not as great as we wanted. Progress is progress, even when it's small.
4. Learn how to recharge. Pursuing deep, meaningful societal change is hard work, so know when to take care of yourself and set boundaries. It's through moments of recharging that you can keep going year after year, challenge after challenge.
readingresa's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This book is so incredibly inspiring. Cecilia makes me want to be a better woman and a better leader.
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