View from the East Wing: A Memoir

by Jill Biden

A novelist once wrote, “There are stories one must tell, and years when one must tell them.” Jill Biden’s time to discuss her four years in the White House is now.

Jill Biden became First Lady at a complicated moment in US history, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the shadow of the January 6 insurrection. These were the circumstances under which she set up office in the East Wing, where she hit the ground running. Throughout her husband’s presidency, Jill remained a tireless advocate for her causes, including women’s health, military families, vaccine awareness, cancer initiatives, and education. She made history as the first-ever First Lady to hold an outside job while her husband was in office, continuing to work as a professor at a nearby community college. Yet all the while, she saw herself as an ordinary woman living an extraordinary life.

In View from the East Wing, Jill shares her White House experiences for the first time, in her own words. She reflects on the Biden presidency and its impact on her family. She brings you behind the scenes, from Camp David to Air Force One, from grading papers in the Rose Garden to witnessing the abrupt end of her husband’s bid for reelection. This is the story of a woman dedicated to her roles as a wife, mother, grandmother, teacher—and First Lady of the United States.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Politics, Biography, Biography Memoir

288 pages, Hardcover

Published June 2, 2026

About the author

Jill Biden, former First Lady of the United States, is the New York Times bestselling author of Where the Light Enters and her children’s books Don’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops, Joey: The Story of Joe Biden, and Willow the White House Cat. She served as Second Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. As First Lady, she advocated for military families, the Biden Cancer Moonshot, community colleges, and women’s health research—and maintained a full-time career teaching English as a community college professor. She chairs the Milken Institute’s Women’s Health Network. A mother and grandmother—and now great-grandmother—she lives with her husband, former President Joe Biden, in Wilmington, Delaware, with their cat, Willow.

Reviews

[Allison Horrocks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book flows seamlessly from topic to topic as Jill Biden has her say about being First Lady. It’s obvious Dr. Biden has taken all her service roles seriously. In the early chapters, Biden makes it clear she’s uneasy talking about addiction & health issues. Her deliberate avoidance of difficult topics is obvious throughout this book, which is absolutely not a tell-all. There’s paragraphs filled with details about Camp David, flowers at the White House, and portrait projects. This book reads like a last attempt at assuring Americans someone cares about decorum, and I’m afraid that in June 2026, it’s already too late.

[Kristine M Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Memoir Delivers Cheers and Tears

For decades, Dr. Jill and Senator/VP/President Joe Biden dedicated their waking hours to improving conditions and outcomes in the US and around the world. Their numerous personal and family heart aches, challenges and tragedies didn't derail them. Instead, they deepened their resolve and their empathy for others who have suffered and are suffering. And their hearts never hardened despite the cruel, merciless and unwarranted attacks on their characters.
I consider them both role models and salt of the earth human beings. I am, and always will be, glad that they represented us on the world stage for as long as they did. They continue to inspire me. So, it was impossible for me to put this book down. I read it in one sitting. It's riveting, emotional and utterly fascinating to be given the unique opportunity to inhabit Dr. Biden's mind and to vicariously experience the life she has lived. If you can put your preconceptions and your politics aside, no matter where you are on the political spectrum, you will find much to love and admire about her journey.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for Sharon's book club and it was.. fine. I think I expected more from it because it was a Sharon pick, more depth maybe. The book was just very vanilla and didn't feel like anything we haven't heard before. No shade to Jill Biden, I think I just had different expectations. I really loved the part where she discussed her teaching and her students during her time as First Lady. It is a super quick and easy listen. I hated the added clips/sound bytes from speeches, but that is a me issue. I always find those very jarring when listening to an audiobook.

[Annie Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the time & energy it takes to write a Memoir. I was excited to listen to the Audio, as Dr Biden was reading her story. Although I found it factual, and I learned about all of her day to day events, I did not feel I really heard the ‘voice or emotions’ of the First Lady.
I find Dr Biden an exceptional woman .. Motherhood, Teaching with Passion, diverse curiosity & interests in so many areas, Diplomat, Grandmother, wife & First Lady. She wears so many hats with Grace & Dignity and I was a bit disappointed that her warmth didn’t translate to the Memoir.
Enjoy the Moments🍀

[Lottie C · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

And not just because I’m left-wing—but because she managed to humanise both herself and politics—like what being in the White House is like just as a person. Some much needed humanity.