Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial

Hardcover
from $33.21

Paperback
$22.82

Select delivery location

See All Buying Options

Follow the author

Joe Biden

Follow

Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose Hardcover – 14 November 2017

by Joe Biden (Author)

5,751

See all formats and editions

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. Vice President Biden travelled 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 vice 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.

Report an issue with this product

Print length

272 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Macmillan
Publication date

14 November 2017
Reading age

18 years and up
Dimensions

14.5 x 2.3 x 22.4 cm
ISBN-10

150989005X
ISBN-13

978-1509890057
See all details

Lowest pricein this set of products
Joe Biden
1,174
Paperback
$14.73
Best Selling | Highest ratedin this set of products
Barack Obama
124,975
Hardcover
$32.90
Hunter Biden
2,305
Paperback
$24.55
Jill Biden
2,545
Hardcover
$29.18
Valerie Biden Owens
268
Hardcover
$38.50
Evan Osnos
1,779
Paperback
$17.32
Kamala Harris
6,502
Paperback
$18.37
Chris Whipple
249
Hardcover
$21.86
Dr Jill Biden
1,836
Hardcover
$23.65
Franklin Foer
454
Hardcover
$46.34

From the Publisher

Product description

Review

The book is a backstage drama, honest, raw and rich in detail. People who have lost someone will genuinely take comfort from what he has to say...These flashes of vulnerability are part of what makes Promise Me, Dad memorable; so, too, are the small, tender interactions between Biden and his dying son. ― The New York Times

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

Promise Me, Dad is Joe Biden's poignant, instructive and deeply affecting account of a family's struggle against a vicious brain cancer, played out against the demands of his job as vice president and the temptations of another run for the presidency. It is also a touching account of the cruel realities of cancer, especially cancer that strikes a child. ― Washington Post

Promise Me, Dad is Joe Biden’s poignant account of the most challenging year of his vice-presidency and the second-most difficult year of his life. More than anything else, the book is a reminder of the importance of politics: how much elections can change the trajectory of a country, and how different America has become one year after Donald Trump was elected president. ― The Guardian

Review

A deeply moving memoir about the year that would forever change both a family and a country.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Macmillan (14 November 2017)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 150989005X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1509890057
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 14.5 x 2.3 x 22.4 cm

Best Sellers Rank: 219,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 84 in Biographies of Terrorists & Freedom Fighters
- 379 in U.S. Politics
- 395 in Biographies of U.S. Presidents

Customer Reviews:
5,751

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Joe Biden

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Joe Biden represented Delaware for 36 years in the U.S. Senate before serving as 47th Vice President of the United States from 2009 to 2017. As the Vice President, Joe Biden addressed important issues facing the nation and represented America abroad, traveling over 1.2 million miles to more than 50 countries. He convened sessions of the President’s Cabinet, led interagency efforts, and worked with Congress in his fight to raise the living standards of middle class Americans, reduce gun violence, address violence against women, and end cancer as we know it.

Since leaving the White House, Vice President Biden continues his legacy of expanding opportunity for all with the creation of the Biden Foundation, the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Biden Institute for Domestic Policy at the University of Delaware. He is the author of Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics and the forthcoming memoir, Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose (on sale Nov. 14).

Review this product

Write a customer review

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from Australia

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Amazon Customer

My Greatest Respect

Reviewed in Australia on 27 February 2021

Verified Purchase

A moving uplifting account about family and purposeful courage The perfect family for America’s most notable family at the moment Thank you to Jo Biden for sharing the grief, it’s challenges, it’s shaping.

Reviewed in Australia on 11 January 2018

Verified Purchase

What an inspiring and inspired man and family. Such a fulfilling read. This man is the American Dream in the flesh.

Reviewed in Australia on 18 August 2020

An interesting book which gives an insight into the life of Vice President Biden at a time where things in his professional and personal life couldn't have been more stressful.

I thought the book would have more about Beau's illness than it did and there were parts about Joe Biden's political life that I kinda skimmed over but nevertheless it was a bit of a look into a life that I couldn't even imagine. I didn't know what a Vice President actually did so it was good to find that out!

It has to be said that Joe Biden comes off as a very caring family man (I suspected he was anyway), with a level of love and caring which is unusual for a man of his generation. I loved the strong bonds of family in the Biden clan, it was heart-warming to read about. His faith is also very important to him.

Barack Obama gets a lot of mentions and since I have been fan of those little clips on YouTube and the cartoons about the relationship between the two of them, I wasn't too surprised. I have always had a high level of respect for both Barack and Michelle Obama (I read her book too) and the genuine deep friendship between Joe Biden and Barack Obama was wonderful to read about. Everyone should have as strong a bond as these two when you are running the biggest economy on the planet for 8 years.

Anyway, I liked the book and thought it was well worth reading.

4.5 stars from me.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Vivienne May Beddoe

The Vice Presidents Story

Reviewed in Australia on 28 February 2018

Verified Purchase

This is a fascinating account of inside the White House and of manoeuvrings in US foreign policy. It is a deeply moving account of a father's grief as a desrly loved son takes head on the struggle against cancer.
As someone whk is not an American citizdn, the intricaciesof US domestic politics was not so engaging, though the foreign policy certaiy was.
It is Biden's personal life that really engags. A man no stranger to personal sorrow translated that into compassion for humanity.
The Americanbpeople were lucky to have him ss Vice President.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Caillault

Très bon livre

Reviewed in France on 16 August 2021

Verified Purchase

J'ai trouvé ce livre très personnel pour un homme politique de cette stature.
Ce livre est bien écrit (anglais américain).
Il montre aussi le travail de Président Biden au quotidien (et c'est peut-être la partie la moins intéressante, c'est pour dire !).

Translate review to English

MERRYLION

Encourage

Reviewed in India on 18 November 2020

Verified Purchase

Vividly it tells the story of the family and the hard time shared by them.Encourage all.

2 people found this helpful

A Garthwaite

An unusual blend of personal tragedy and political insight

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 November 2020

Verified Purchase

I don't think there could have been a better time to read this book than immediately following Joe Biden's election victory. After nearly four years of the most erratic and mendacious presidency in US history, it was comforting to digest a narrative steeped in strong family values, care for others and policy considerations which are clearly founded in strategic logic and truth. Regardless of any political and policy differences readers may have with Joe Biden, one couldn't fail to welcome the feeling of normality that oozes off every page and the belief that stability and humanity will soon return to the White House.
The book blends Biden's comprehensive and agonising account of how his son, Beau, succumbed to the tragedy of a brain tumour with his efforts, as Vice-President, to resolve major foreign policy challenges, particularly in Iraq, Ukraine and Central America. This is, therefore, an unusual book but the author's approach worked for me. Although the sadness of the story is heart breaking, Biden's loving relationship with his son and family is inspiring. I felt privileged to be allowed into Joe Biden's grieving process as well as gaining an insight into how he applies his considerable political experience to resolve complex issues.

9 people found this helpful

Bob

A Love Story

Reviewed in Canada on 30 December 2018

Verified Purchase

If you know Joe Biden as a politician, than you most assuredly must get to know him as a Dad (and husband). While written with a strong political narrative, Promise Me, Dad, is really so much more; digging deep to expose the soul of this man who loves his family beyond all else. The death of his son, Bo, slammed the brakes on what would have most likely been a successful bud for the U-S Presidency (my, I-am-sure-not-alone, opinion) and tested his faith and resolve in the most trying of ways. But that tragic event also demonstrated how the strongest of family bonds can lift and sustain us even when life seems totally unbearable.
Learn about this man of remarkable character who not only loves his family, but who has an unfathomable depth of caring for the United States and its status and stature on the world stage. As a Canadian, I hope someone of his ilk (perhaps him?) will rise and rescue my Southern neighbour and friend from its current darkness.
This book is an inspiring read and I highly recommend it to all world citizens.

4 people found this helpful

Christopher

This book is a must read.

Reviewed in the United States on 24 November 2017

Verified Purchase

This review is of the hard copy edition, purchased off Amazon. I will disclose this early: I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat. I am very moderate, although I lean right on economic issues. Bottom line up front: This book is a masterpiece.

This autobiography goes through Vice President Joe Biden's life as he and his family struggle with Beau Biden’s diagnosis and battle with a rare form of brain cancer. Throughout his career as a senator and Vice President, VP Biden gained a reputation for being a grounded, kind, and intelligent individual. It is astonishing how this and his genuine warmth radiates off of the pages. It is also interesting to note how well written it is. Whether VP Biden is describing his family’s yearly thanksgiving trip to Nantucket or the walls of the hospital hallways as his son is being carted to surgery, he does so with a simple clarity that makes you feel like you are there. You are reminded of your own experiences as he describes his own to you.

There is so much that can be taken away from this book. Those who have struggled with a family member’s illness will find a brother in arms. Those who are interested in politics will find a treasure trove of interesting tidbits on the inner workings of the US government. And whether intentionally or not, VP Biden’s book offers subtle lessons on how to be a better father and person. As I read it, I find myself aspiring to live up to the standard set by the author and his family.

The book still sits by my bed. Not being a very large book, it is easy to hold. The cover is an opaque white with simple blue and red text. As I look over to it now, it reminds me of how I feel as I reflect upon VP Biden’s experiences. One does not need to be flashy to be important. One does need to be “great” to have meaning. Kindness is not a weakness. Men can be defined by their genuineness.

I will close by noting the almost theatrical feeling of the opening pages. In typical Joe Biden style, it begins with a quote from Immanuel Kant. It is one which hides incredible meaning behind incredibly simple words. It is one befitting the author and one which immediately struck me and has sat with me since:

“Rules for happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.”

VP Biden, although tragic, your son’s death has been given meaning. Thank you for sharing it with us.

22 people found this helpful

See more reviews

Image Unavailable

Follow the author

Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose Hardcover – 14 November 2017

What Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?

From the Publisher

Product description

Review

Review

Book Description

From the Publisher

About the Author

Product details

About the author

Joe Biden

Customer reviews

Review this product

Top reviews from Australia

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries