From the Corner of the Oval: A Memoir

It may seem improbable that answering an ad for a position as a stenographer on Craigslist would lead to a dream job as a staff member of the Obama administration, but that's what happened to Dorey-Stein. For five years, as part of the White House steno pool, the author attended interviews and dignitary visits in the Oval Office and other White House venues, traveled the world on Air Force One, and rode in presidential motorcades to tape Obama's remarks and transcribe them for press releases and administrative record. Providing plenty of stories about incidental interactions with POTUS and a solid account of life in "the Bubble," Dorey-Stein also describes relationships with White House staff members—both romantic and platonic. Through it all, the author maintained close friendships with other women working in the White House who supported her during her emotional crises and whom she, in turn, did the same.