Scan barcode
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
3.0
I learned a lot about Joe Biden in this book. I didn't know very much about his early career, and it was interesting to see which issues were particularly important to him over the years as well as learning about how the process works. The book is an easy read, and it never felt slow or boring.
julieirene's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish, and learned a lot in the process. Biden is at times just what we might expect - a little wordy and a little self-aggrandizing - but he is also direct and often humble. Regardless, he is certainly thoughtful in his reflection on his life and the 6 terms he has spent in the US Senate. He takes the approach of working to educate and inform the reader on his perspective and experiences in US Government, rather than trying too hard to analyze. He makes complicated issues approachable and gives the reader a glimpse into the why's and wherefores of decisions he and his peers have made for this this country over the past 40 years. Biden is not without criticism of some of those decisions, and he seems particularly woeful about the calcification and polarization of the parties, especially in regard to how that has affected the ability of public servants to work together for the common good. The overall message, however, is one of hope and determination - a bird's eye view of very recent history and how, regardless of the ebbs and flows, we in America will make it through. He never fails in his optimism about the nature of the American public and his belief that we can be a force for good in this world.
rachelygr's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was a great political memoir. This book came out as part of Biden's 2008 Presidential campaign as one of those "Learn more about me! Read my book!" media tactics. However, I feel like real effort and thought went into this book and I learned a lot about Biden's political views and his personal life.
This book was not 5 star for me because in an effort to highlight what he must see as the biggest political moments in his life (Bosnian civil war intervention, passing the VAWA) Biden glossed over large amounts of time. I also would have liked if Biden had explained more of the roots of his political beliefs and how he applied that to different situations over time. I think a large part of his self perception of his politics is based around his morality, which seems very genuine, but not as theoretical as a lot of other politicians. I appreciate that he was trying to keep this book as accessible to the widest audience possible but I still think he could have explained more about himself since he did get into the weeds in discussing ideology when it came to Judge Breyer and the NeoCons.
This book was not 5 star for me because in an effort to highlight what he must see as the biggest political moments in his life (Bosnian civil war intervention, passing the VAWA) Biden glossed over large amounts of time. I also would have liked if Biden had explained more of the roots of his political beliefs and how he applied that to different situations over time. I think a large part of his self perception of his politics is based around his morality, which seems very genuine, but not as theoretical as a lot of other politicians. I appreciate that he was trying to keep this book as accessible to the widest audience possible but I still think he could have explained more about himself since he did get into the weeds in discussing ideology when it came to Judge Breyer and the NeoCons.
wah38's review against another edition
3.0
The most Joe Biden book that Joe Biden could have ever Joe Biden-ed. It doesn't feel like a "hey Joe you should write a book so you can run for President in 2008" book even though that's what it is. It just sounds like Joe stood in front of a microphone for days and started telling barely connected stories about his life (at least they were about his life and not Neal Kinnock's). If you like Joe Biden in all his Joe Biden glory, this book is for you.
spinnerroweok's review against another edition
4.0
A comfortable book, but not one I could do again. Probably one of the least interesting presidential lives, but written in a style that makes it interesting.
elysareadsitall's review
3.0
I learned a lot about Joe Biden in this book. I didn't know very much about his early career, and it was interesting to see which issues were particularly important to him over the years as well as learning about how the process works. The book is an easy read, and it never felt slow or boring.
housedesignerking's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
After this former Vice President announced his candidacy for the Presidency (USA), I decided to read his autobiography from his 2008 attempt at the presidency. This was before he even knew he was going to be a VP running mate. It ended up taking me 7 months to finish this book. Not for lack of interest, but rather lack of interest to read (I tend to fall in and out of the reading desire). I didn't really read it for 7 straight months. According to my notes (offline), the last time I'd read this before picking it up again on March 15th of this year was back in October. I always intended on finishing this book before Election day of this year.
In his book (which according to one of the very last pages, he actually <i>did</i> write this, unlike a lot of politicians who have their books written by ghostwriters), he takes the reader through his political life. To be bluntly honest, chunks of it were not pleasant to read. Not because of any inability to write on his part, but because sometimes, life sucks. His second and current wife is named Jill, but he lost his first wife Neilia in a car crash. That was difficult enough to read about, but add to it that he also lost his daughter Naomi <i>and</i> was just elected to his first term as Senator of Delaware, and you can see why he almost left politics. The other two parts that were difficult to read about were on the former Yugoslavia and the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. This book was <i>mostly</i> written (admittedly with the editing assistance of someone named Mark Zwonitzer) coherently and in a way that tells the reader that Biden was literally traveling through his memory to write this. I've read books where that method has come off as "foggy recall," but Biden managed to avoid that. Although, I was a bit confused for a moment when he went from talking about the Violence Against Women Act of 1990 right into the Yugoslavian breakup with no bridge or segue way. Not sure if that's Biden's or Zwonitzer's.
At the end of the book, he kind of glosses over W. Bush’s second term in a way that made me feel like he may have run out of time to write it himself.
I'm going to give this four stars. The only thing I really disagree with was on page 118. Biden mentions that after he married his current wife, there were comments made by his son Beau. "Jill, aren't you ever going to do the laundry?" and "You should probably do it everyday." He was a kid, so it's not an all-together big deal (and I do <i>not</i> wish to speak ill of the passed away), but this would have <i>never</i> slid under my parents' roof. Jill somehow was perfectly fine with this, though. *shrugs*
Edit 2/3/23: I have become somewhat disappointed in this former vice president and candidate for President and eventual president-elect and President. Suffice to say that I am personally pro-life and a member of the lgbt community, and I'm what you'd call a moderate republican, so in supporting him -- a supposed moderate politician -- and seeing what his first term brought, I am now less likely to support him in the 2024 election. I guess it really depends who becomes the republican nominee.
In his book (which according to one of the very last pages, he actually <i>did</i> write this, unlike a lot of politicians who have their books written by ghostwriters), he takes the reader through his political life. To be bluntly honest, chunks of it were not pleasant to read. Not because of any inability to write on his part, but because sometimes, life sucks. His second and current wife is named Jill, but he lost his first wife Neilia in a car crash. That was difficult enough to read about, but add to it that he also lost his daughter Naomi <i>and</i> was just elected to his first term as Senator of Delaware, and you can see why he almost left politics. The other two parts that were difficult to read about were on the former Yugoslavia and the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. This book was <i>mostly</i> written (admittedly with the editing assistance of someone named Mark Zwonitzer) coherently and in a way that tells the reader that Biden was literally traveling through his memory to write this. I've read books where that method has come off as "foggy recall," but Biden managed to avoid that. Although, I was a bit confused for a moment when he went from talking about the Violence Against Women Act of 1990 right into the Yugoslavian breakup with no bridge or segue way. Not sure if that's Biden's or Zwonitzer's.
At the end of the book, he kind of glosses over W. Bush’s second term in a way that made me feel like he may have run out of time to write it himself.
I'm going to give this four stars. The only thing I really disagree with was on page 118. Biden mentions that after he married his current wife, there were comments made by his son Beau. "Jill, aren't you ever going to do the laundry?" and "You should probably do it everyday." He was a kid, so it's not an all-together big deal (and I do <i>not</i> wish to speak ill of the passed away), but this would have <i>never</i> slid under my parents' roof. Jill somehow was perfectly fine with this, though. *shrugs*
Edit 2/3/23: I have become somewhat disappointed in this former vice president and candidate for President and eventual president-elect and President. Suffice to say that I am personally pro-life and a member of the lgbt community, and I'm what you'd call a moderate republican, so in supporting him -- a supposed moderate politician -- and seeing what his first term brought, I am now less likely to support him in the 2024 election. I guess it really depends who becomes the republican nominee.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, and Car accident
Moderate: Death
inthecommonhours's review against another edition
3.0
Truth be told, I liked him more before I read this. The beginning was so strong, because it was pure story-telling, and coming from a culture that was similar to my childhood one. Then it became a mea culpa and an extended resume at times. His lifestory is compelling and heartbreaking, but, to protect his family's privacy or not use his tragedy, he avoided some of the more dramatic parts of his life. I get the impression that writing isn't his forte (I'd say he's best talking off the cuff, telling stories rather than giving speeches or writing narrative).
giftsintogold's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It probably helps that I am a democrat and have voted twice for the Obama/Biden ticket.
This book gave me hope again in politics. It can be a demanding, at times soul-wrenching, career. At the same time it provides a means to be of service to people that few other careers do.
Joe Biden, like few others, has made a career of politics. He was first elected when he was not quite old enough to be sworn in--he was old enough when he actually was sworn in. He has been office since 1973 and has been instrumental in both foreign affairs and the judicial committees.
Biden is an example of someone who has risen to the highest levels of politics through will and determination. He came from humble beginnings and is set to make his mark in history.
Whether you agree with his politics or not this is a good read.
This book gave me hope again in politics. It can be a demanding, at times soul-wrenching, career. At the same time it provides a means to be of service to people that few other careers do.
Joe Biden, like few others, has made a career of politics. He was first elected when he was not quite old enough to be sworn in--he was old enough when he actually was sworn in. He has been office since 1973 and has been instrumental in both foreign affairs and the judicial committees.
Biden is an example of someone who has risen to the highest levels of politics through will and determination. He came from humble beginnings and is set to make his mark in history.
Whether you agree with his politics or not this is a good read.