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A review by amyzhen10
Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose by Joe Biden
5.0
This past week, as I heard of Trump’s desire to end birthright citizenship — something that I, as a daughter of immigrants, am a beneficiary of — I was contemplating more deeply what does it mean to be an American. In the midst of that, I was glad to have Biden’s book as a source of guidance and encouragement.
I have always harbored a skepticism of politicians, even a stereotype of them to be self-serving and deceitful. However, truly Biden reveals the creme de la creme, the ideal public servant and American. His heart and passion to pursue a better America and a better world are so evident in this concise and straightforward story that chronicles his desire to be a good vice president and a good father to his dying son. It is an emotionally compelling book, inspiring in its authors’ unrelenting commitment to hope, while also giving deeper insight behind several foreign crises that I had been just a teenager during. Biden made me “nostalgic for the future” and imparted that sense of hope, unity, moral fortitude, loyalty, and sacrifice that are the hallmarks for the American character. Though I am aware that his story romanticizes the role of America as a hero, and even his own persona as a larger-than-life man, it felt forgivable. Though I would’ve loved to have a much deeper exploration in Biden’s own flaws and that of the nations (especially the military industrial complex and America’s imperialism), I think it would’ve been a much different story.
Lastly, throughout reading this, I kept thinking of the following phrase: “It is hard for a good man to be king.” The challenges he surmounts and the moral dilemmas he faces cemented Biden’s image in my mind as a hero. But he takes all of it in stride, treating his responsibility to the country and family as a privilege and duty rather than a burden.
I do hope to live and be part of the future Biden describes in Promise Me, Dad.
I have always harbored a skepticism of politicians, even a stereotype of them to be self-serving and deceitful. However, truly Biden reveals the creme de la creme, the ideal public servant and American. His heart and passion to pursue a better America and a better world are so evident in this concise and straightforward story that chronicles his desire to be a good vice president and a good father to his dying son. It is an emotionally compelling book, inspiring in its authors’ unrelenting commitment to hope, while also giving deeper insight behind several foreign crises that I had been just a teenager during. Biden made me “nostalgic for the future” and imparted that sense of hope, unity, moral fortitude, loyalty, and sacrifice that are the hallmarks for the American character. Though I am aware that his story romanticizes the role of America as a hero, and even his own persona as a larger-than-life man, it felt forgivable. Though I would’ve loved to have a much deeper exploration in Biden’s own flaws and that of the nations (especially the military industrial complex and America’s imperialism), I think it would’ve been a much different story.
Lastly, throughout reading this, I kept thinking of the following phrase: “It is hard for a good man to be king.” The challenges he surmounts and the moral dilemmas he faces cemented Biden’s image in my mind as a hero. But he takes all of it in stride, treating his responsibility to the country and family as a privilege and duty rather than a burden.
I do hope to live and be part of the future Biden describes in Promise Me, Dad.