The Briefing

Politics, the Press, and the President

By: Sean Spicer

Narrated by: Sean Spicer

Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

No job is more of a pressure cooker than being a White House press secretary...especially in this White House.

For more than two decades, Sean Spicer had been a respected political insider, working as a campaign and communications strategist.

But in December 2016, he got the call of a lifetime. President-elect Donald J. Trump had chosen him to be the White House press secretary.

And life hasn’t been the same since.

When he accepted the job, Spicer was far from a household name. But then he walked into the bright lights of the briefing room, and the cameras started rolling. His every word was scrutinized. Every movement was parodied. Every detail became a meme.

And that’s just the public side.

Behind the scenes, things were almost as difficult in an administration plagued by leaks that frustrated and angered both Spicer and the president. Not to mention the extraordinary pressures on Spicer’s family and his faith.

Now, in his provocative and enlightening political memoir, The Briefing, Spicer reveals the truth behind some of the biggest news stories of our time, and he offers a glimpse into what it’s like to stand at the press secretary’s podium - and how he got there.

The Briefing is the first insider account written by someone who worked on the Trump campaign, with the Trump transition team, and in the Trump White House - and has seen Donald Trump rallying voters, building an administration, and making crucial policy decisions.

Spicer’s riveting and personal account makes The Briefing the must-listen political book of the year.

©2018 Sean Spicer (P)2018 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

I did not expect to like this non-fiction book!

This book was a beach listen for me. I expected a novel that was heavily political partisan but instead enjoyed what is a mostly biographical book. Sean Spicer is a Republican who supported Trump only after he was the last candidate standing. The Briefing certainly is interesting and informative about the demands of life working in the White House for an unorthodox president, but it is more than I expected about Spicer's early life and parents, his education, his work history, his wife and marriage, and his children. As a human interest story it is well worth a listen. Spicer's narration is stellar.

Spicer’s Sloppy Spins

Sean Spicer is not a critical thinker. Not very quick ( or slow) on the up-take. He dodges behind thinly veiled, sophomoric entreaties to please understand him because he means well.
Duh, See how this all happened? Duh, what was I supposed to do?
Trump handed him the party hat and Sean, with naive, spineless dimwittedness, was going to bang the drum hard. I wonder if he’s ever read Hitler’s strategy to quell a gullible public? You know, like telling lies over and over, berating the press, taking a hard stance against curious journalists, removing reporters?
I was hoping better from his book, but even the editing is poorly executed, and there are inaccuracies, sloppy, sloppy mistakes. In a hurry Sean? Before no one cares about you anymore? Before your golden opportunity turns to dust.
A terrible disappointment.

very poorly produced

I am bringing this book back because to read it you need to blast the volume.
What I was able to hear was good but the audio book is not worth it.
Maybe the hard cover is I won't find out .

Succinct and balanced account of Spicer's role

I purchased the book today and expected to read a portion and continue later, but I was quickly entranced with Spicer's succinct and balanced account of his role as press secretary. He comes across in a positive light and it is easy to understand his logic for his decisions. I appreciate his input and insight into the role of press secretary.

Almost unbearable

I’m three chapters in and I don’t think I can go on much further. Spicer seems a harmless enough guy, but the book is just so self-serving, formulaic, and full of tripe. I have no doubt Spicer is appalled by most of what he sees from Trump but he has now cast his lot and I guess needs to make a living.

Great Book! No matter Party affiliation.

Sean Spicer’s The Briefing is a great book about the struggle for success & having the short achievement of serving in theWhiteHouse. The book is relatable (with me as a catholic) when Sean speaks of his dying father and his small doses of religion. Most importantly it helps humanize Sean and the Trump Presidency to the reader. Even for me being the opposite of his party I can respect the man and his values.

Good to know!

His view on how things went down. Differently from what presented to us, via the media. Good to know and hear his side of the story. Although I am familiar with most of the events in this book, you will definitely give you insight on what really went on. I was glad to read this book, eye opener that the media is definitely not honest how things are presented to us.

Great insight into the Whitehouse.

Thoughtful, informative , fast moving, great backstage look at the 2016 election and the press.

Sincere & not self-serving

Often books from politicos (e.g. Hillary Clinton, James Comey) are self-centered, narcissistic and don't add much to the current dialogue or understanding of motivations or events. Spicer's book is refreshingly sincere and non-self serving. He candidly admits mistakes and explains some events from "behind the scenes". It is direct and plainspoken, although offers only a limited glimpse, since his time involved in the Trump Campaign and White House was relatively short. The book provides brief but comprehensive information regarding his upbringing and career to date. The book is not ground-breaking or back stabbing, but is modest and believable.

Needs editing but totally inside baseball

I listened to this because Kyle Kuchev was on Twitter with spicy and said nice things. It is good but the editors should have done a better job stitching the parts of the story together or asking for better transitions. Engaging none the less.