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A review by aaronwest333
Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose by Joe Biden
3.0
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.