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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
My heart hurts. Joe Biden has dealt with a lot of grief in his lifetime and I don't think it could ever be said he hasn't handled it with grace.
Based on the title, front and back covers, and synopsis, I was expecting more of a story about the relationship between Joe Biden and his son, Beau. My rough guess is that 75% of this book is about what Joe worked on as VP during the time Beau was sick. I’m okay with that because I’m a presidential history junkie, but I really was expecting more of the personal story. 3-stars for not sticking to the expectation. Well written. Easy to read. Probably deserves another half star.
Promise Me, Dad made me feel like I really understand what makes Biden tick. Primarily family, love of country and years of political experience. Aside from talking about politics and his time as VP this book focuses heavily on grief and the loss of his son Beau. I sobbed through at least 100 pages (and I mean sobbed). Despite how you may feel about his politics this man has been through some of the worst possible things in life and is still trying to do what he thinks is best for his country. We may not agree on everything politically but I respect the hell out of Biden and have a better sense of who he is and what he believes in.
I know this won’t be everyone’s choice of read, but I thoroughly enjoyed this! So much is said and yet you feel like there should be at least 100 more chapters. What a life.
This book will definitely make you cry. You should know that before you start.
I enjoyed most of this book. Parts slogged on when it got to be the political pieces about Ukraine etc. But the personal part about his life, his strength, his compassion and his empathy for others won the day. Sometimes it is nice to know the person behind the politician. This book did a nice job of sharing that. Joe. I love that we just like to think of him as Joe. This book helps explain why.
I've had this book for a couple years now, but have been postponing actually diving into it because I just couldn't handle anything else during You-Know-Who's reign. I did expect this to be much more Beau focused, but ultimately liked that he touched on a bunch of different topics and his family as a whole. It was all very well written and a nice reminder of a president who is A. coherent, B. intelligent, and C. empathetic.
The only parts where Biden lost me were when it got a little deeper into foreign policy. I fully admit to doing a light skim over those sections because I simply don't have the brainpower.
The only parts where Biden lost me were when it got a little deeper into foreign policy. I fully admit to doing a light skim over those sections because I simply don't have the brainpower.
My first impression of Joe Biden was one of indignant disapproval. The year was 2008: I had an energetic obsession with Sarah Palin, and during the Vice Presidential Debate, his no-nonsense tone and straight-talking clout soured my perception. To me he became another notch in the bedpost of the ‘Godless liberal elite,’ which was an idea my extended family had generally been raised to regard with wary disdain.
But as with many public figures, if you can get into their head and see what they’re thinking, intentions become more clear. Things fall in to place and the image resolves. I am thankful that over time, I began to think more critically rather than accepting the status quo of distrust. I am glad that expanded experiences and listening to other perspectives has led me to see truth more clearly. Well, my obsession with Sarah Palin has long since died, and since I read a whopping two of her autobiographies, I figured I’d give Joe Biden’s a chance. I’m glad I did.
The book is based on a few central ideas: family, the job of vice president, and the potential of running for president.
The title is the quoted words of his son, Beau, who died of glioblastoma. The book touches a lot on grief, and how that was dealt with (and still is being dealt with) by the Biden family. I hadn’t realized what a hard life Joe has lived (having also lost his first wife and infant daughter in a car accident). At times his description of a need for avoidance of breaking down and showing his pain seems unhealthy, almost like he is prolonging the loss by not facing it and “staying strong,” but I had to remind myself that everyone’s grief is different; it was an experience to listen to, not determine its worth.
The autobiography reads as you’d expect from a politician: it discusses ideals and concepts, the accomplishments and intentions Vice President Biden carried out in his office. It offers some hope for the future, and deals with a lot of the agonizing decision to try and run for president in 2016, which ultimately didn’t happen.
All in all, it’s hard to say if Joe Biden will run in the future. Regardless, he’s made it clear that his life in public service is far from over. And his dedication to family remains ironclad. As well as an impressive inside view, this book offers a small dose of inspiration at what could be, if people of all nationalities and interests came together for the greater good.
But as with many public figures, if you can get into their head and see what they’re thinking, intentions become more clear. Things fall in to place and the image resolves. I am thankful that over time, I began to think more critically rather than accepting the status quo of distrust. I am glad that expanded experiences and listening to other perspectives has led me to see truth more clearly. Well, my obsession with Sarah Palin has long since died, and since I read a whopping two of her autobiographies, I figured I’d give Joe Biden’s a chance. I’m glad I did.
The book is based on a few central ideas: family, the job of vice president, and the potential of running for president.
The title is the quoted words of his son, Beau, who died of glioblastoma. The book touches a lot on grief, and how that was dealt with (and still is being dealt with) by the Biden family. I hadn’t realized what a hard life Joe has lived (having also lost his first wife and infant daughter in a car accident). At times his description of a need for avoidance of breaking down and showing his pain seems unhealthy, almost like he is prolonging the loss by not facing it and “staying strong,” but I had to remind myself that everyone’s grief is different; it was an experience to listen to, not determine its worth.
The autobiography reads as you’d expect from a politician: it discusses ideals and concepts, the accomplishments and intentions Vice President Biden carried out in his office. It offers some hope for the future, and deals with a lot of the agonizing decision to try and run for president in 2016, which ultimately didn’t happen.
All in all, it’s hard to say if Joe Biden will run in the future. Regardless, he’s made it clear that his life in public service is far from over. And his dedication to family remains ironclad. As well as an impressive inside view, this book offers a small dose of inspiration at what could be, if people of all nationalities and interests came together for the greater good.
This is not a political book. It is a story of a family's struggle during a tough time and it provides such an interesting perspective on grief and loss. The way his son and his cancer battle is described is just heartbreaking. Please don't pass this off just because of the author, take the time to read it. You'll be pleasantly surprised.