Ben Rhodes’ book, “The World as It Is,” is a memoir that chronicles his journey as a speechwriter and adviser to President Barack Obama. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the Obama administration’s foreign policy and the challenges they faced during their tenure. Rhodes shares his experiences and insights on the complexities of international relations, diplomacy, and the role of the United States in the global community.
Chapter 1: The Education of a Speechwriter
In the first chapter, Rhodes reflects on his upbringing and how it influenced his interest in politics and international relations. He describes his time at Harvard and his initial job at a public relations firm before joining the Obama campaign. Rhodes shares how he became a speechwriter for Obama and the challenges of crafting speeches that resonated with the American people while also reflecting the president’s vision.
Chapter 2: The Making of a President
In this chapter, Rhodes delves into the 2008 presidential campaign and the challenges the Obama team faced in winning the election. He describes the importance of messaging and how the campaign used social media to connect with voters. Rhodes also shares his experiences on election night and the sense of hope and possibility that surrounded Obama’s victory.
Chapter 3: The Innocence of Power
Rhodes reflects on the early days of the Obama administration and the optimism and idealism that surrounded the new president. He shares how the team worked to address the financial crisis and the challenges of balancing domestic and foreign policy. Rhodes also describes the importance of diplomacy and how the administration worked to improve relations with countries like Iran and Cuba.
Chapter 4: The Hard Work of Diplomacy
In this chapter, Rhodes shares his experiences working on the Iran nuclear deal and the challenges of negotiating with a country that had been a longtime adversary of the United States. He describes the importance of patience and persistence in diplomacy and how the administration worked to build trust with Iranian officials. Rhodes also shares his experiences traveling to Cuba and the sense of hope and possibility that surrounded the normalization of relations between the two countries.
Chapter 5: The World as It Is
In the final chapter, Rhodes reflects on the challenges of being a speechwriter and adviser to the president. He shares how he struggled with the idea of selling the administration’s policies to the American people and the importance of being honest and transparent with the public. Rhodes also shares his experiences in the aftermath of the 2012 election and the sense of disappointment and frustration that followed Obama’s re-election.
Conclusion
Overall, “The World as It Is” is a fascinating and insightful look at the inner workings of the Obama administration’s foreign policy. Rhodes shares his experiences and insights on the complexities of international relations and the challenges of balancing domestic and foreign policy. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in politics, international relations, and the role of the United States in the global community.
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