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The Book of Joe: The Life, Wit, and (Sometimes Accidental) Wisdom of Joe Biden
The aviators. The Amtrak. The ice cream cones. The memes. Few politicians are as iconic, or as beloved, as Joe Biden. Now, in The Book of Joe, Biden fans will finally have the definitive look at America's favorite vice president-and what he can teach us. Structured around key moments in Biden's life and career-and filled with Biden-isms like "That's a bunch of malarkey" and "I may be Irish, but I'm not stupid"-this blend of biography, advice, and humor will reveal the experiences that forged Joe Biden, and the lessons we can use in our own lives. Along the way, listeners will also encounter fun asides about his love of muscle cars, his most endearing gaffes, his bromance with President Obama, and much more. Yet beneath the memorable Biden-isms, the book will reveal an inspirational story of a man who keeps "getting back up." We need this right now. Much as Biden has come back from both professional missteps and personal heartbreaks, sometimes we all have to get back up and fight. Given Biden's reputation as a decent, plainspoken, patriotic statesman of integrity, this entertaining and practical book will be both a celebration of great political figure and an essential guide to creating the America he believes in so dearly.
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Published November 28, 2017
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About the author
Jeff Wilser
13 books79 followersJeff Wilser is the author of Alexander Hamilton's Guide to Life.
He's also the author of four other books, including The Good News About What’s Bad For You… and The Bad News About What’s Good For You, which was named an Amazon Best Book of the Month.
His writing has appeared in print or online in GQ, New York magazine, Time, Glamour, Cosmo, VH1, Esquire, mental_floss, MTV, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Comstock’s, The Miami Herald, The Baltimore Sun, Detroit Free Press, and The Huffington Post.
The topics? It varies. He has written about health, relationships, film, travel, the folly of juice cleanses, hashtags, monks, architecture, books, fashion (not that he’s fashionable), sneak attacks of World War II, how to pick champagne, the intersection of math and magic, Finland’s school system, and the shortcomings of General Custer. He also collaborated with Marc Ecko, the fashion designer and founder of Complex media, on the book Unlabel: Selling You Without Selling Out.
Jeff is likely the only person alive to have written for both GQ and The Knot. His TV appearances, where he occasionally pops up as the token male, have ranged from BBC News to The View. Business and marketing stuff? Sure, he does that too, providing customer-segmentation insights to a +$1 billion publishing company. He’s also the founding editor of ThePlunge.com, the primary website for grooms. (Jeff has never been a groom.)
He can’t tan.
He's also the author of four other books, including The Good News About What’s Bad For You… and The Bad News About What’s Good For You, which was named an Amazon Best Book of the Month.
His writing has appeared in print or online in GQ, New York magazine, Time, Glamour, Cosmo, VH1, Esquire, mental_floss, MTV, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Comstock’s, The Miami Herald, The Baltimore Sun, Detroit Free Press, and The Huffington Post.
The topics? It varies. He has written about health, relationships, film, travel, the folly of juice cleanses, hashtags, monks, architecture, books, fashion (not that he’s fashionable), sneak attacks of World War II, how to pick champagne, the intersection of math and magic, Finland’s school system, and the shortcomings of General Custer. He also collaborated with Marc Ecko, the fashion designer and founder of Complex media, on the book Unlabel: Selling You Without Selling Out.
Jeff is likely the only person alive to have written for both GQ and The Knot. His TV appearances, where he occasionally pops up as the token male, have ranged from BBC News to The View. Business and marketing stuff? Sure, he does that too, providing customer-segmentation insights to a +$1 billion publishing company. He’s also the founding editor of ThePlunge.com, the primary website for grooms. (Jeff has never been a groom.)
He can’t tan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
January 8, 2018
I love Joe Biden. Love him or not this is a delightful look at a pretty amazing man. To me, in this time of political craziness it is salve to my weary heart to know that there are still really good people out there who happen to be politicians. Each chapter tells the reader a bit more about his life, what lessons he learned, how each thing helped make him the man he is today. Each chapter gives us "the wisdom of Joe". There was a lot of humor, and a lot of struggles and a lot of heartache. But he endured, and is worth every bit of respect he deserves. We find out why he is beloved by so many. Agree with his politics or not, you would be hard pressed to find a more honest, genuine or humble civil servant. If we were to take to heart the wisdom of Joe, we would all be better people.
September 27, 2020
I know, I know, I'm just reading what I want to hear. But it feels so goooood, and that's what I need right now. That's exactly what this is -- a feel-good book about Joe Biden. Most of it I knew already: growing up in Scranton, his early ties to Syracuse, his early family tragedy, the later tragedy, his many years of service and devotion to Delaware, his love of Amtrak, his long-windedness, and yes, his gaffes. But I did not know he was an ice cream freak! Gotta love him just for that. ;-)
Seriously, a quick and easy read following the life of Joe. It does give me a greater appreciation for the man.
Seriously, a quick and easy read following the life of Joe. It does give me a greater appreciation for the man.
November 24, 2017
3.5
Jeff Wilser is admittedly a long time fan of Joe Biden, and his appreciation shows in The Book of Joe. I had a lot of fun reading the stories of Joe's gaffs and greatness of heart.
Wilser succinctly covers Biden's career and contributions in an agreeable and accessible presentation. He extrapolates The Wisdom of Joe from Biden's life, replete with stories that illustrate Biden's core values.
I laughed and had to share stories, and I was inspired and impressed by Biden's character.
Wilser does address Biden's errors and faults, yet the man's humanity and warmth shine through in a lasting impression.
I read the book in a few days, a welcome feel-good book in a troubled world. The book makes me want to learn more about Joe Biden.
I received a free book through Blogging for Books in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Jeff Wilser is admittedly a long time fan of Joe Biden, and his appreciation shows in The Book of Joe. I had a lot of fun reading the stories of Joe's gaffs and greatness of heart.
Wilser succinctly covers Biden's career and contributions in an agreeable and accessible presentation. He extrapolates The Wisdom of Joe from Biden's life, replete with stories that illustrate Biden's core values.
I laughed and had to share stories, and I was inspired and impressed by Biden's character.
Wilser does address Biden's errors and faults, yet the man's humanity and warmth shine through in a lasting impression.
I read the book in a few days, a welcome feel-good book in a troubled world. The book makes me want to learn more about Joe Biden.
I received a free book through Blogging for Books in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
October 27, 2020
I'm not sure I can say enough great things about this book. It offers such an intimate yet relatable portrait of a man we've come to love, Joe Biden. The things Joe has been through give him my utmost respect. I had no idea about his first wife and the tradegy that befell him and his family before his start in the senate. There is also much more to the story of "hot young Biden" than we probably thought. This book makes me want to be best friends with Jeff and Joe and eat all the ice cream. The overarching moral of the story: Just get back up. I can't wait to discover what more there is to learn about Joe in the coming years.
January 9, 2021
I read this so as to learn more about Joe Biden, the person, as well as Joe Biden, the politician and my soon to be president. This was written with Biden's cooperation as well as that of other Biden family members, friends and colleagues. The more I read, the more I came to love him and the more I came to realize that he was and is a man of his time. After the carnage of this week and the destabilization of American democracy over the past four years, he, I believe, is the only one who has the history and the established relationships needed to successfully reach across the aisle and forge some semblance of unity in this ugly period of American history where disunity and rejection of a free and fair election and even a willingness to use violence to disenfrancise millions of voters is rampant.
Mr. President-Elect, my prayers are with you and will be with you every day of your presidency and beyond. You were and are singularly meant to be president at this time as so clearly shown in this book that you are a man of honor and dignity and empathy. As I read this book with every word, I came to be more and more thankful that you were and are willing to restore our integrity and save our democracy.
Mr. President-Elect, my prayers are with you and will be with you every day of your presidency and beyond. You were and are singularly meant to be president at this time as so clearly shown in this book that you are a man of honor and dignity and empathy. As I read this book with every word, I came to be more and more thankful that you were and are willing to restore our integrity and save our democracy.
November 12, 2017
If you’re just beyond exhausted by the current political climate, stop what you’re doing and pick up this book. There is hope for politicians to be uplifting, funny, wise, strong, and honest. Whatever side of the aisle you’re on, ya gotta love Uncle Joe.
October 31, 2017
A great book about Joe Biden. To quote Biden "A good life at its core is about being personal. It's about being engaged. It's about being there for a friend or a colleague when they're injured or in an accident, remembering the birthdays, congratulating them on their marriage, celebrating the birth of their child...It's about loving someone more than yourself...It all seems to get down to being personal." What a great man he is and what a great service to this country. We need more Joe Biden's in this world.
November 2, 2017
Disclaimer: this is not the sort of Joe I often am associated with. There is no "cuppa" before it.
For many, Joe Biden became a name well known when he became the 47th Vice President of the United States. Even though I'm not from Delaware, I've known of Biden for a long time prior to the Obama years. This little book, which doesn't claim to be a biography or all-inclusive, gives snippets of Biden's life, often in his own words. It's more like a love poem than a serious examination, but it's a quick and interesting read, and fills out the image of the man in the memes. (And for the record, all the mentions of Hot Young Joe Biden did succeed in sending me to the internet to look for pictures.)
For the record, my favorite memory of Biden thus far is the presentation of he Presidential Medal of Freedom, with distinction, which he received in January 2017. The man's response was priceless. He is a mensch.
Thank you to Blogging for books and to the publisher for sending me a copy.
For many, Joe Biden became a name well known when he became the 47th Vice President of the United States. Even though I'm not from Delaware, I've known of Biden for a long time prior to the Obama years. This little book, which doesn't claim to be a biography or all-inclusive, gives snippets of Biden's life, often in his own words. It's more like a love poem than a serious examination, but it's a quick and interesting read, and fills out the image of the man in the memes. (And for the record, all the mentions of Hot Young Joe Biden did succeed in sending me to the internet to look for pictures.)
For the record, my favorite memory of Biden thus far is the presentation of he Presidential Medal of Freedom, with distinction, which he received in January 2017. The man's response was priceless. He is a mensch.
Thank you to Blogging for books and to the publisher for sending me a copy.
November 12, 2017
Yet another book that I've read lately which makes me supremely angry that Donald Trump is president. Who doesn't love Amtrak Joe? This was a brief (177 pages of actual content) biography of the man and the legend that is Joe Biden.
If he had run in 2016 he would have handily beaten both of his challengers (Hi Hillary and Bernie) with no ill-influence from the DNC required, and as stated in the book, Joe's history of "gaffes" are child's play compared to the mockery that is Donald Trump.
Joe Biden has worked his ass off for this country - he would do a damn fine job running it. If he's healthy as a horse, I say he should run in 2020...because I feel if poor Beau hadn't died in 2015, Joe would have run in 2016.
If you read this book, you'll fall in love with him even more...and that's not malarkey :)
If he had run in 2016 he would have handily beaten both of his challengers (Hi Hillary and Bernie) with no ill-influence from the DNC required, and as stated in the book, Joe's history of "gaffes" are child's play compared to the mockery that is Donald Trump.
Joe Biden has worked his ass off for this country - he would do a damn fine job running it. If he's healthy as a horse, I say he should run in 2020...because I feel if poor Beau hadn't died in 2015, Joe would have run in 2016.
If you read this book, you'll fall in love with him even more...and that's not malarkey :)
December 22, 2017
I love this genre of "pop memoirs"! Fact-based books that also make you chuckle ... biographies that feel relatable ... memoirs that are written with wit. Alexander Hamilton's Guide to Life, also by Jeff Wilser, was a delight in all of these ways. The Book of Joe delivers the same winning combination. A very enjoyable read!
Also, I learned more than I expected to. To be honest, I was surprised at how much of Biden's story I didn't know. I consider myself pretty well-informed, but still had missed certain parts of his story in the press coverage of his over the years. The stories Wilser relays are great - some were really funny and two made me cry. And, I got the sense that Biden has grown through the years, sometimes in public ways, and that was interesting to think about.
It's a wonderful, affirming read!
Also, I learned more than I expected to. To be honest, I was surprised at how much of Biden's story I didn't know. I consider myself pretty well-informed, but still had missed certain parts of his story in the press coverage of his over the years. The stories Wilser relays are great - some were really funny and two made me cry. And, I got the sense that Biden has grown through the years, sometimes in public ways, and that was interesting to think about.
It's a wonderful, affirming read!
October 25, 2017
I went into this book knowing very little about Joe Biden. Aside from him being the VP to Obama, and him being very popular amongst millennials, there wasn't much more. This book is a very condensed version of Joe's life. It shows how much he has given to public service, and how he continues to do so, without leaving family and friends behind. The book was overall a good read, it was humorous and emotional. I recommend this book if you're a political junkie looking for a short, motivating read.
July 15, 2021
I read this book by accident (on a long train ride when it was the only thing available) and it was mostly what I expected it to be.
This book was good for what it was, but it wasn’t for me.
Essentially, if you know Joe Biden through memes and want to hear a playful summary of his career from the perspective of one of his fans and geared at a gen z audience, you’ll probably enjoy this.
If you’re looking for an account of Joe that is detailed, profound, or critical in a serious way, look elsewhere.
This book was good for what it was, but it wasn’t for me.
Essentially, if you know Joe Biden through memes and want to hear a playful summary of his career from the perspective of one of his fans and geared at a gen z audience, you’ll probably enjoy this.
If you’re looking for an account of Joe that is detailed, profound, or critical in a serious way, look elsewhere.
November 12, 2020
Wow! Grateful that I read this book!
It has become too easy for people to oppose someone because of party or, even worse, because of the rhetoric from their opposition. This has been unfortunate in politics. This was never the approach of Joe Biden. You may not like his policies, but I challenge you to learn about the person. I did just that. I am amazed.
Was he perfect? No. Did he make blunders? Yes. But when it really counts he comes through. He fights for the little guy and has been since he mortgaged his home to pay for positive ads to be elected as a 29 year old senator. He fought through sorrow, trial, and loss. He worked both sides. He was revered by Reagan enough to be asked on Supreme Court justice recommendations.
He has fought for the women and violence act after years of going without the votes. He stated publicly, and acted privately, that he was pulling for Trump in 2017. Yes, he opposed his vicious tweeting and various policies, but he was better than most of us that disagree with Trump’s style.
He has fought for women’s and children’s rights. He fights for the middle and lower class. He values American ideals. He overcome a major speech stutter to be a great orator.
Before you judge the man because of the side of the aisle that he runs on learn about him.
He will fight to cure cancer, save the environment, bring better fiscal equality, and continue to fight for our children, all genders, races, and religions.
It has become too easy for people to oppose someone because of party or, even worse, because of the rhetoric from their opposition. This has been unfortunate in politics. This was never the approach of Joe Biden. You may not like his policies, but I challenge you to learn about the person. I did just that. I am amazed.
Was he perfect? No. Did he make blunders? Yes. But when it really counts he comes through. He fights for the little guy and has been since he mortgaged his home to pay for positive ads to be elected as a 29 year old senator. He fought through sorrow, trial, and loss. He worked both sides. He was revered by Reagan enough to be asked on Supreme Court justice recommendations.
He has fought for the women and violence act after years of going without the votes. He stated publicly, and acted privately, that he was pulling for Trump in 2017. Yes, he opposed his vicious tweeting and various policies, but he was better than most of us that disagree with Trump’s style.
He has fought for women’s and children’s rights. He fights for the middle and lower class. He values American ideals. He overcome a major speech stutter to be a great orator.
Before you judge the man because of the side of the aisle that he runs on learn about him.
He will fight to cure cancer, save the environment, bring better fiscal equality, and continue to fight for our children, all genders, races, and religions.
November 24, 2017
Oh Joe Biden, how I miss your positivity and class.
This is such a cute little bio of ‘Uncle Joe.’ It’s not quite as clever as Wilser’s similarly formatted book about Alexander Hamilton, though it has the same quips and style.
The Book of Joe is a good way to get to know our former VP, and you can read this in a weekend. It’s only 170ish pages, and covers his entire political career up to this point (fall 2017). I will say that I was a teensy bit bored in the middle–the 70s and 80s had me yawning. But, since this is such a short book, it didn’t take long to power through it. I think anyone who has an interest in politics and modern American history will get a kick out of this.
This is such a cute little bio of ‘Uncle Joe.’ It’s not quite as clever as Wilser’s similarly formatted book about Alexander Hamilton, though it has the same quips and style.
The Book of Joe is a good way to get to know our former VP, and you can read this in a weekend. It’s only 170ish pages, and covers his entire political career up to this point (fall 2017). I will say that I was a teensy bit bored in the middle–the 70s and 80s had me yawning. But, since this is such a short book, it didn’t take long to power through it. I think anyone who has an interest in politics and modern American history will get a kick out of this.
November 22, 2017
Joe Biden is one of the most liked politicians in modern America politics and this book highlights some of his many facets that make him likable. From his early days as a procrastinating law student to a grieving widower and father, to his ascendancy in the Senate, his tenure as Vice President and his enduring an unthinkable additional loss, Biden has typified the average Joe and the antithesis of average in his compassion, empathy, and championing of women's causes. This book lays all of these things out for the reader in an enjoyable series of vignettes. While Wilser is an obvious longtime Biden fan, that allows him to build an intimate portrait of Biden's adult life and his contributions and losses. The kernels of wisdom offered are simple ones. Joe Biden embodies the idea of "just get back up." He's done it again and again.
I received a copy of this book via Blogging for Books and Three Rivers Press, a division of Crown Publishing.
I received a copy of this book via Blogging for Books and Three Rivers Press, a division of Crown Publishing.
February 23, 2018
This was an entertaining read and I believe that was what the author intended. It was a brief overview of Joe Biden's life and political career, not at all in depth, but gave you enough of the highlights to get an idea of what Mr. Biden is like. The author is obviously a huge fan of Mr. Biden and I share his admiration for the man as well but I did think he took a light approach to anything that could have been deemed negative. I can't say it was completely a "light read" as Joe Biden's life has been filled with many tragedies. My heart broke just reading this short biography so I cannot quite yet bring myself to read Biden's newest book "Promise Me, Dad" but I came to admire his son, Bo, maybe even more than his father just from this short book. If you are a Biden fan, this is a must-read, and if you are not, I don't think there is enough depth here to change your mind. Overall, it was a very enjoyable read.
April 5, 2018
This book was a good overview of the wisdom and story of perhaps one of the best Vice Presidents of the modern age if not the best. Joe Biden was a man who went all the way from having a stutter, which made him barely able to speak to the awarding of a Presidential Medal of Freedom just a little while earlier. Biden got there not just by sticking up for the little guy and using his empathy but getting back up when everything seemed dark. Joe championed against sexual assault on campuses and providing health care for every working family. This is a man who lost his 1st wife, little daughter, and his son Beau Biden. Through all that he kept at it. Joe is authentic, personable, and intelligent. Few match his senatorial experience, his foreign policy chops, his legislative ability, and his wit. All that combined with a big mouth made and still make Joe Biden accessible to all across the aisle. He would have been my choice in 2016 and he would have won, but I know that he still fights with determination and empathy. We could all learn a thing or two from Joe Biden.
November 15, 2017
I didn't know what to expect of this book and, initially, I was let down because I thought it was written by Joe Biden.
But I was NOT disappointed. This is a wonderful small book of big thoughts and big moments. Wow, Joe Biden has been through many ups and downs. And his attitude is absolutely remarkable.
The most impactful portion for me was on grief. We all know that Biden's son, Beau, died of cancer recently. What we didn't know - at least I did not - is that Beau was truly a chip off the old shoulder and then some. And because Beau was so phenomenal, Joe's pain was so great and vast and encompassing. And here we get some wisdom from both Joe and Beau. Heartbreaking but important.
Really, the small messages here are grand. And I'd recommend this book to anyone, fan or not of the Vice President and his politics.
But I was NOT disappointed. This is a wonderful small book of big thoughts and big moments. Wow, Joe Biden has been through many ups and downs. And his attitude is absolutely remarkable.
The most impactful portion for me was on grief. We all know that Biden's son, Beau, died of cancer recently. What we didn't know - at least I did not - is that Beau was truly a chip off the old shoulder and then some. And because Beau was so phenomenal, Joe's pain was so great and vast and encompassing. And here we get some wisdom from both Joe and Beau. Heartbreaking but important.
Really, the small messages here are grand. And I'd recommend this book to anyone, fan or not of the Vice President and his politics.
December 19, 2017
What an enjoyable, fun, and enlightening read! I loved this book! I loved it almost as much as Leslie Knope loves Joe Biden. Jeff Wilser did a wonderful job breaking down the wit and wisdom from Vice President Biden's life, starting as a child going all the way past his bromance with President Obama. It's not always sugarcoated but it is honest, moving and inspiring. From his personal life to his political career, Joe Biden is a man who lives by his words and actions. It made me re-think everything I thought I knew about Biden and appreciate his contribution to American politics and society even more. A must read!!
December 31, 2017
I really enjoyed learning more about this VP Biden.
January 5, 2018
A good book about a good man.
May 5, 2020
I enjoyed getting to know more about the life of Joe Biden and who he is as a person. Great read!
October 23, 2020
Not much malarkey.
January 29, 2018
I gave it 3 stars because it felt like a public relations book. Having said that, I did enjoy some of the anecdotes.
October 17, 2018
Great book. Quick read. Everyone should read this about what will be our oldest president in 2020
November 5, 2017
I was looking for so much more... more facts, more humor, more anything.
March 3, 2020
Rarely has a book made its approach more plain and failed to account for the obvious problems that result from the framing of the book's subject. If this book is useful, despite its framing, it is in showing that Joe Biden is not someone to be underestimated. If he comes off as being a few bananas short of a fruit stand at best and in early stages of dementia at the worst, this book indicates that beneath the zaniness and malarky that Biden tries to pass off as his own personality and beyond the immense capacity for gaffes that he shows on a consistent basis is a person willing to put the hard work in doing his oppo research and then springing it on those who underestimate his stamina. I did not come away from this book liking Biden, but I did come away respecting him as a formidable swamp monster who is worthy of being taken seriously if not at face value. And the fact that the author seemed to indicate Biden's popularity among other bipartisan swamp monsters does not quite serve the purpose of allaying concerns that one might have about him relating to corruption, as the book tries to make it seem as if Biden and his family have not greatly profited from the grift related to public service, which is definitely not the case.
This book is a relatively short one at 200 pages that seeks to frame Biden's life as being a source of inspirational wisdom for the reader. After an introduction that discusses the body of work that exists about Biden, the author begins with a discussion of Biden's early life in part one, which contains three chapters that discuss his childhood struggle with a stammer (1) and the bullying that came with it, his studies in college and graduate school and his struggles to make a living afterword (2) and his campaign against a popular Republican senator who underestimated him (3). After that the next four chapters discuss Biden's career as a Senator (II) from 1972-2008, including chapters that discuss how Biden developed a reputation for fair dealing with his colleagues (4), how he Borked someone who would have greatly improved the moral state of the United States over the past few decades (5), how he overcome a disastrous first campaign for President in 1988 (6), and how he took advantage of second chances after recovering from a brain aneurysm that nearly killed him (7). The last part of the book then looks at Biden's reputation as a Vice President (III), with a discussion of his gaffes (8) in the office, his being a father to Beau (9), and his desire to come back and even run for President afterward (10), after which the book ends with acknowledgements, endnotes, and a selected bibliography.
Looking at this particular book, it is clear that this is part of a larger effort at framing Joe Biden as being a key player in Obama's administration and someone whose career as a whole is worthy of the presidency. Playing up the sympathy angle relating to the tragic death of Biden's first wife and oldest daughter in a car accident as well as the death of Beau Hunter, his eldest son, by cancer, the author is keen to avoid talking about the political corruption that Hunter Biden has been involved with in China, Ukraine, Romania, and who knows how many other countries. The author tries to promote Biden as a middle class hero instead of a multi-millionaire who has profited greatly from political grift and influence peddling, and who has tended to draw at least grudging respect from those politicians on both sides of the aisle who share his profiteering motive with regards to public service. Whether or not this is worth any fondness and approval from the general public is a different matter entirely.
This book is a relatively short one at 200 pages that seeks to frame Biden's life as being a source of inspirational wisdom for the reader. After an introduction that discusses the body of work that exists about Biden, the author begins with a discussion of Biden's early life in part one, which contains three chapters that discuss his childhood struggle with a stammer (1) and the bullying that came with it, his studies in college and graduate school and his struggles to make a living afterword (2) and his campaign against a popular Republican senator who underestimated him (3). After that the next four chapters discuss Biden's career as a Senator (II) from 1972-2008, including chapters that discuss how Biden developed a reputation for fair dealing with his colleagues (4), how he Borked someone who would have greatly improved the moral state of the United States over the past few decades (5), how he overcome a disastrous first campaign for President in 1988 (6), and how he took advantage of second chances after recovering from a brain aneurysm that nearly killed him (7). The last part of the book then looks at Biden's reputation as a Vice President (III), with a discussion of his gaffes (8) in the office, his being a father to Beau (9), and his desire to come back and even run for President afterward (10), after which the book ends with acknowledgements, endnotes, and a selected bibliography.
Looking at this particular book, it is clear that this is part of a larger effort at framing Joe Biden as being a key player in Obama's administration and someone whose career as a whole is worthy of the presidency. Playing up the sympathy angle relating to the tragic death of Biden's first wife and oldest daughter in a car accident as well as the death of Beau Hunter, his eldest son, by cancer, the author is keen to avoid talking about the political corruption that Hunter Biden has been involved with in China, Ukraine, Romania, and who knows how many other countries. The author tries to promote Biden as a middle class hero instead of a multi-millionaire who has profited greatly from political grift and influence peddling, and who has tended to draw at least grudging respect from those politicians on both sides of the aisle who share his profiteering motive with regards to public service. Whether or not this is worth any fondness and approval from the general public is a different matter entirely.
July 3, 2021
I listened to this as an audiobook - nice job by the reader. I appreciate knowing more about Joe Biden - the good and the bad. His response to tragedy is inspirational. I also appreciate that he owns his mistakes. I recommend it no matter who you voted for. Best quote: “Don’t look left; don’t look right. Look in the mirror.”
August 6, 2019
Excellent bio of Joe!
December 7, 2020
The audio book is extremely high quality and tells the wonderful love story of Joe Biden, his kids, and his wife. As well as some other stuff.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews