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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Speaking for Myself summary
Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Faith, Freedom, and the Fight of Our Lives Inside the Trump White House
21 mins
Brief summary
Speaking for Myself by Sarah Huckabee Sanders is a memoir that sheds new light on her time as the White House press secretary, sharing personal stories, reflections, and behind-the-scenes moments with President Trump.
Table of Contents
Speaking for Myself
Summary of 7 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 7
Sanders was on the frontlines of the decision-making process for the Trump administration.
December 24, 2018. It was late, and the Sanders family was exhausted.
Sarah Sanders had spent the day in the kitchen. She’d served up a memorable feast with a Southern twist: slow-cooked brisket, hash brown casserole, spaghetti squash, gravy, and a bourbon chocolate pecan pie.
Her three kids were already tucked up in bed. Bryan, her husband, had just started reading them a story when her phone rang.
“I hate to do this,” she said after hanging up, “but I have to leave.”
It was a phrase the family had gotten used to hearing over the previous 18 months. As Donald Trump’s press secretary, things were always coming up. It was Sanders’s job to deal with them – Christmas or not.
The key message in this blink is: Sanders was on the frontlines of the decision-making process for the Trump administration.
After receiving the call Sanders drove to a naval base in Maryland, where she joined Trump and his senior advisors on Air Force One – a Boeing 747 that serves as a mobile presidential command center.
Air Force One is usually lit up like a Christmas tree, but tonight was different. It took off with its lights off. Inside, all electronic devices had been disabled. The president and his inner circle were off the grid.
A Secret Service agent revealed their destination: a military base in Anbar Province, Iraq, the frontline of America’s war against the terror group ISIS. This was hostile territory, he concluded, and they should be prepared to seek cover from enemy fire after disembarking.
Luckily, Air Force One landed without incident. Sanders accompanied the president to a dining hall packed with soldiers getting ready for a Christmas feast of their own. If they couldn’t spend the evening with their families, Trump was going to give them the next best thing – a meal with America’s First Family.
The trip to Anbar wasn’t just about boosting morale. Trump was also there to authorize a final push against ISIS. He believed that defeating this notorious group in Iraq was more important than getting involved in the Syrian civil war – a course of action many senators back home were demanding.
By late March 2019, the soldiers Trump had spent Christmas night with had completed their task. ISIS had been crushed and its caliphate eradicated. They were coming home, just as the president had pledged they would. It was exactly this kind of boldness that had made Sanders want to work for Trump.
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What is Speaking for Myself about?
Speaking for Myself (2020) is an insider’s account of Donald Trump’s first two years in office by the woman whose job it was to present the president’s thinking to the world – press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Alongside fascinating snapshots of Trump’s decision-making process, values, and sense of humor, Sanders offers readers a glimpse of the inner workings of the White House and the role of the press in American political life.
Speaking for Myself Review
Speaking for Myself (2020) by Sarah Huckabee Sanders offers an inside look at her time as White House Press Secretary. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With behind-the-scenes stories and firsthand experiences, it provides a unique perspective on the Trump administration's inner workings.
- Through candid reflections on her role, Sanders gives readers an insight into the challenges and triumphs of being the spokesperson for the President.
- It offers a personal account of the author's journey, making the book an engaging and captivating read for anyone interested in politics.
Best quote from Speaking for Myself
I sacrificed way too many nights Id planned to be home to tuck my kids in bed to instead spend hours working to correct a story based on false leaks.
—Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Who should read Speaking for Myself?
- Trump haters interested in the other side of the story
- Journalists, reporters, and broadcasters
- History and politics buffs
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Speaking for Myself FAQs
What is the main message of Speaking for Myself?
The main message of Speaking for Myself is an insider account of the Trump administration's inner workings by Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
How long does it take to read Speaking for Myself?
The reading time for Speaking for Myself varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Speaking for Myself a good book? Is it worth reading?
Speaking for Myself is a compelling read, offering unique insights into the political landscape and the author's experiences in the Trump administration.
Who is the author of Speaking for Myself?
The author of Speaking for Myself is Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
What to read after Speaking for Myself?
If you're wondering what to read next after Speaking for Myself, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Them by Ben Sasse
- On the House by John Boehner
- Single, Dating, Engaged, Married by Ben Stuart
- A Warning by Anonymous
- Anatomy of a Breakthrough by Adam Alter
- The Case for Trump by Victor Davis Hanson
- The Curious Advantage by Paul Ashcroft
- 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do by Amy Morin
- The Open Society and Its Enemies by Karl R. Popper
- Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell