Job Search Scrap Trading Books News Scholarship Website
Promise Me, Dad - Joe Biden

Promise Me, Dad

By Joe Biden

  • Release Date: 2017-11-14
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 290 Ratings

Description

The Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller

From President Joe Biden, Promise Me Dad is his deeply moving memoir about the year that would forever change both a family and a country.

“Biden splices a heartbreaking story with an election story and a foreign affairs story. And in so doing, he offers something for everyone, no matter which strand draws you in.”—The New York Times Book Review

In November 2014, thirteen members of the Biden family gathered on Nantucket for Thanksgiving, a tradition they had been celebrating for the past forty years; it was the one constant in what had become a hectic, scrutinized, and overscheduled life. The Thanksgiving holiday was a much-needed respite, a time to connect, a time to reflect on what the year had brought, and what the future might hold. But this year felt different from all those that had come before. Joe and Jill Biden’s eldest son, Beau, had been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor fifteen months earlier, and his survival was uncertain. “Promise me, Dad,” Beau had told his father. “Give me your word that no matter what happens, you’re going to be all right.” Joe Biden gave him his word.

Promise Me, Dad chronicles the year that followed, which would be the most momentous and challenging in Joe Biden’s extraordinary life and career. As vice president, Biden traveled more than a hundred thousand miles that year, across the world, dealing with crises in Ukraine, Central America, and Iraq. When a call came from New York, or Capitol Hill, or Kyiv, or Baghdad—“Joe, I need your help”—he responded. For twelve months, while Beau fought for and then lost his life, the vice president balanced the twin imperatives of living up to his responsibilities to his country and his responsibilities to his family. And never far away was the insistent and urgent question of whether he should seek the presidency in 2016.

The year brought real triumph and accomplishment, and wrenching pain. But even in the worst times, Biden was able to lean on the strength of his long, deep bonds with his family, on his faith, and on his deepening friendship with the man in the Oval Office, Barack Obama.

Writing with poignancy and immediacy, Joe Biden allows readers to feel the urgency of each moment, to experience the days when he felt unable to move forward as well as the days when he felt like he could not afford to stop.

This is a book written not just by the president, but by a father, grandfather, friend, and husband. Promise Me, Dad is a story of how family and friendships sustain us and how hope, purpose, and action can guide us through the pain of personal loss into the light of a new future.

Reviews

  • C’mon man!

    1
    By BOC me262
    It made no sense. Appears to have been written by a child.
  • I was so confused reading this!

    1
    By Pateeekk
    Joe Biden’s dimenia was really showing in this book... TRUMP 2020!
  • Capt. R.S. Hardman

    5
    By Count thy Blessings
    A moving and inspirational read. This book displays that the Biden family is a typical American family who has endured heartache and pain due to the loss of a loved one. Shame on anyone who comments that their tragedy as an effort for personal gain. Crises and tragedy can lead to personal growth and opportunity when one chooses to remain positive and have faith. This story is about choosing to look on the bright side and counting our blessings even amidst the darkest of days.
  • Promise Me, Dad

    5
    By Naktrout
    Very engaging and a good read!
  • Promise Me Dad

    1
    By Doctor Bonnie
    Totally pathetic use of a tragedy for political gain.
  • Amazing book

    5
    By Manesmobb
    I can never imagined losing a child. I felt his pain through this book ---- his love for his son is so real and powerful.
  • Good book

    3
    By Ttm621
    I love Joe Biden, so my review may be a little skewed. This was an easy book to read and served its purpose for me. I gave it 3 stars because I felt there was too much about the politics in it and all I wanted to read about was his family and his time with Beau. But I understand why he included it all, he carried a full plate in the White House while caring for his son and family. Love the story and learned quite a few life lessons
  • Promise Me,Dad

    4
    By Word Lover 70
    Excellent narrative of the political and personal accomplishments and heartaches of the Vice President. Throughout the telling I marveled at the fortitude and perseverance of Joe Biden as he experienced perhaps the worst trauma a parent can endure. Throughout this period of time he expertly served his country and forged successes only to have to confront the reality that his son was losing his battle with brain cancer and his subsequent death.
  • A great storyteller, a great man

    5
    By zedlyfe
    Wow. I went into this book without much knowledge of Biden's personal life and I came out with more respect for him than any other politician. He captured my heart with his detailed and emotional writing & I'm now hoping for a future where I get to say he's my president. 10/10 would recommend this book to anyone regardless of political affiliation (I'm a republican).
  • A touching read

    5
    By MKGoose
    That left me feeling smarter about the world and more enamored with the Biden family.

Comments