Making It in Washington [Paperback]

Dave Oliver Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 6, 2003

An essential guide for political appointees in Washington.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The Honorable Dave Oliver, Jr. learned leadership in the military and corporate worlds (he is a retired Rear Admiral). Dave aquired his Washington knowledge in five separate jobs. He has worked both with and for political appointees, and has personally served as a Senate-confirmed nominee for Republican and Democratic Administrations. Dave Oliver offers us a perspective that is unique for Washington. During his 35 years of professional life, he has seen public service at every level. His last four years were at the top, but he remembers the pressures and challenges of every level. This experience provides a remarkable perspective that is fresh and helpful to all those who serve the country in public office. - The Honorable John Hamre, Former Deputy Secretary of Defense

Product Details

• Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing (January 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1553951727
• ISBN-13: 978-1553951728
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,436,032 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book for Anyone Wishing to Understand Washington, June 16, 2004

By 

Don R. Hamilton (McLean, Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Making It in Washington (Paperback)

A great book. I was a career government employee rather than a political, but the advice is great for everyone who aspires to accomplish something in government. For that matter, most of the lessons transfer well to the private sector if you just use a little common sense.

Certainly anyone coming to Washington as a political appointee should read this book. I worked for too many who did not.

Full disclosure: I read this book because I met Dave Oliver and liked him. Now that I have read the book I like him even more.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Management Text Focused on the Government, April 5, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Making It in Washington (Paperback)

Most management texts seem to be aimed at the private sector. Oliver makes a great contribution with a text focusing on the different management and leadership environment within the government, including relations with civil servants, Congress and personnel in other agencies/Departments. In addition to useful tips on organizing a personal staff and managing a schedule, he provides insight on loyalty -- an essential currency inside the beltway -- and information management. Case studies unsurprisingly draw on Oliver's experience at the Defense Department, and some parts of the book seem overwhelmingly focused on the military, but nearly all of the lessons Oliver offers appear applicable to any part of the federal government. The book, which is a quick read due to the clear writing and logical organization, should be required reading, not just for political appointees, but for civil servants who will be working for political appointees, as well as lobbyists, lawyers and industry representatives who need to understand political appointees in seeking to persuade them to adopt a particular viewpoint. One minor quibble: a good copy editor should have caught more of the typos scattered throughout the text. Hopefully, this will be corrected in future editions.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read and Succeed, March 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Making It in Washington (Paperback)

This is an excellent book no matter where you are trying to succeed. The leadership skills apply to any profession. It's also a good education about the way our country is run. The author is entertaining as well as informative. If this book had been required reading in any of my high school or college classes I would have actually read and retained the information beyond the test. Dave Oliver manages to capture the attention of a broad audience with his entertaining and intelligent writing.
Where is this man and how do I get a chance to work for him?