Yes We (Still) Can: Politics in the Age of Obama, Twitter, and Trump

As a regular listener of Pod Save America, I practically heard Dan’s voice narrating every single page of this book. It’s a fantastic, witty blend of nostalgia for the Obama years and a pragmatic roadmap for where the Democratic party needs to go next. Pfeiffer manages to tell these hilarious behind-the-scenes stories—like the time he almost tweeted while high on hospital painkillers—without losing sight of the serious political stakes we face today. The writing is incredibly conversational and punchy, making it a very quick read even when he’s diving into the weeds of media strategy. It’s rare to find a political memoir that actually makes you laugh out loud while simultaneously providing a sober analysis of the Trump era. If you’re looking for a reminder of what a functional White House looks like, this is exactly the tonic you need right now. It left me feeling genuinely hopeful about the future of our democracy.

Wow, what a rollercoaster of emotions this turned out to be. I started reading because I miss the Obama era so much, and this book felt like a warm, familiar hug from a friend who also happens to be a political genius. Dan’s retelling of the Kanye West incident and the general chaos of life in the White House had me laughing out loud on the train. But then, the reality of the Trump presidency hits, and you’re suddenly hit with the gravity of the situation we’re in. The prose is well-crafted, energetic, and accessible to people who aren’t total political junkies. It serves as a powerful reminder of what leadership looks like when it’s driven by integrity and intelligence. I finished the book feeling less like I was mourning the past and more like I was ready to fight for the future. It’s easily one of the best post-Obama memoirs out there.

This book provides a much-needed dose of hope without being naive. Dan Pfeiffer manages to be cynical about the current state of politics while remaining fiercely optimistic about the people who can change it. His writing style is punchy and direct, avoiding the dry, academic tone that plagues so many other political memoirs. I loved the insider details about Obama’s personality—hearing about his reading habits and his calm demeanor during crises was incredibly grounding. It’s a quick read, but the lessons on how to effectively use digital media for activism will stay with me for a long time. Not gonna lie, I teared up a bit at the end. It’s more than just a trip down memory lane; it’s a call to action. We need more voices like Dan’s in the room right now. Highly recommended for anyone who needs a boost.

Picked this up on a whim and was pleasantly surprised by how much I laughed. Dan Pfeiffer has a gift for storytelling that makes complex political maneuvers feel as simple as a conversation over beers. The contrast he draws between the Obama administration’s approach and the current chaos is striking and, frankly, a bit heartbreaking. Yet, the book never stays in the doldrums for long because Dan’s wit keeps the energy high throughout. I especially appreciated his focus on the future and his belief that the next generation of leaders is already out there. The anecdotes about the staff and the volunteers reminded me that politics is ultimately about people, not just polls and pundits. It’s an easy, breezy read that manages to say something profound about the state of our union. This book deserves five stars all the way.

Finally got around to reading this after hearing Dan plug it on the pod for ages. The book is definitely at its strongest when it leans into the 'how-to' guide for modern political communication and the breakdown of the Fox News media machine. To be fair, it does occasionally wobble between being a personal memoir and a political manifesto, which makes the pacing feel a bit uneven in the middle sections. However, the insider anecdotes about President Obama’s cool-headedness are worth the price of admission alone. I particularly loved the section about how politicians often struggle to interact with pop culture like normal humans. It’s an approachable, smart, and often scathing look at our current landscape. While it can be painful to relive the 2016 election through Dan’s eyes, the insights provided offer a clear-eyed strategy for moving forward. It’s a solid, thoughtful read for anyone who cares about the intersection of tech and politics.

The chapter on media strategy was a total eye-opener for me. Pfeiffer breaks down how the landscape has shifted since the early days of the Obama campaign and how the Right has mastered the art of the internet cycle. Look, we all know Dan is funny, but his analysis here is genuinely sharp and should be required reading for anyone working in communications today. He doesn't hold back on his frustrations with how the 2016 election was covered, yet he manages to avoid sounding like he's just venting. The balance of humor—especially the stories about West Wing life—and serious political advice keeps the pages turning quickly. I did find the formatting in some sections a bit jarring, which took me out of the flow briefly. Still, the overall message is one of empowerment and action. It’s a great reminder that while the current climate is tough, we aren't helpless in changing the narrative.

After hearing so much about this on Crooked Media, I finally picked it up. This isn't just a book of 'remember when things were good' stories; it’s a blueprint for how to handle the modern media environment. Pfeiffer’s perspective as a former Communications Director gives him a unique lens on how Twitter and Facebook have fundamentally altered the way we consume news. He writes with a sarcasm that is both entertaining and incredibly relatable for anyone who spent the last few years yelling at their TV screen. Gotta say, the section on how to talk to people who only get their news from Fox was particularly enlightening, if a bit depressing. The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is that I felt a few of the earlier childhood anecdotes were a bit less engaging than the White House stuff. Regardless, it’s an essential read for anyone trying to make sense of the current political mess.

Ever wonder what it's actually like to be in the room where it happens? Pfeiffer gives us a front-row seat to the Obama presidency, from the highs of the 2008 campaign to the stressful days in the West Wing. The book is remarkably readable, largely because Dan writes exactly how he speaks: with a mix of self-deprecating humor and sharp intellect. I found his take on the 'alien' nature of most politicians trying to be relatable to be spot-on and hilarious. To be fair, some of the advice for the future feels a bit optimistic given how polarized things have become since the book was published. But even with that caveat, the stories are top-tier and the writing is consistently engaging. It’s a great snapshot of a transition point in American history. If you like political podcasts, you'll love this book's vibe.

Not what I expected, but in a way that made me think. While I appreciate Dan’s wit and his obvious dedication to the Obama legacy, I found myself questioning if some of these strategies are a bit too rooted in a political era that has already passed us by. The book is funny and the writing is sharp, yet I struggled with the tone which felt a bit like a seven-hour podcast episode stretched into a book. Truth is, the nostalgia for 2008 felt heavy at times, making it difficult to focus on the prescriptive advice he offers for the future. Some chapters felt a little repetitive, especially regarding the media’s role in Trump’s rise. It’s a decent enough read for die-hard fans of the PSA crew, but I wanted a deeper dive into policy failures rather than just communication tactics. It’s an okay snapshot of a specific moment, but maybe not the definitive guide I was looking for.

Honestly, I wasn't sure if I could handle another book about the 2016 election. Reliving that night is always painful, and while Dan’s perspective is unique, it still feels a bit like a wound that hasn't fully healed. The book is definitely entertaining and the 'insider' stories are fun, but at times the humor felt like it was masking a lack of deeper policy analysis. Frankly, I think it struggles to decide if it wants to be a funny memoir or a serious strategy guide, and the result is a bit of a mixed bag. I did enjoy the sections on the changing media landscape, as that’s clearly Dan’s wheelhouse. However, some of the chapters felt like they were written for a very specific audience—namely, PSA fans—and might not translate as well to a general reader. It’s a good book, just not a great one.