“Nearly forty years after I first got involved, I remain captivated by the possibilities of politics and public service. In fact, I believe t...
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reviews
Oct 02, 2008
I didn't finish this book and won't get back to it anytime soon, so it seems unfair to rate it. From the standpoint of hooking my interest, the most compelling thing about this autobiography so far has been Joe Biden's killer smile on the cover. His world-famous personal warmth and charm doesn't come through in the writing, which seems stilted and unnatural.
But maybe that's just me. I've been reading a lot about politics lately, and this year's election cycle has been highly enterta More...
But maybe that's just me. I've been reading a lot about politics lately, and this year's election cycle has been highly enterta More...
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Aug 23, 2007
Amy
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This book - even more so than Hillary's - is a history lesson from the perspective of someone who was in the thick of it. Joe Biden has had a much more interesting life than I would have expected, personally and professionally. It was a crash-course in the Bork Supreme Court nomination, genocide in the Balkans, and even the post-9/11 era. I have to say that I was riveted while reading this book and came away very impressed with Biden's character, knowledge and integrity.
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Nov 30, 2008
Ryan
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This book tries a little too hard to be folksy. Either that or Joe Biden is a bit less clear than I would prefer. He spends the first half of the book trying to make himself out to be a character in a Norman Rockwell painting. The text however is choppy, idiomatic for a past age, and weakly constructed; paragraphs end with jarring, disconnected sentences, etc.
Biden's view of America during the Bush Regime is invaluable. The last third or so of the book is the most interesting part as More...
Biden's view of America during the Bush Regime is invaluable. The last third or so of the book is the most interesting part as More...
Feb 19, 2008
Robert
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Biography of the life of Delaware Senator Joe Biden. It talks about his early run for president back during Dukakis Democratic run, and how he had to drop out due to a plagarism scandal. I find his life very interesting, about how he lost his first wife, and also just some of the stories of his life in the nation's capitol helping to head up the council that dealt with international affairs. A very good story about a sit down he had with Milosovic right before that conflict really came to a h
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Mar 17, 2010
Steve
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Before the 2008 election I read the biographies of McCain, Clinton (Hilary) and Obama. I enjoyed all of those and this one as well. As others have stated it's a piece of American history, as he recounts his involvement in the Bork confirmation hearings (he says nothing about the Clarence Thomas hearings), the conflict in Bosnia, the Violence Against Women Act and the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Given that the book was published in the midst of his campaigns for the presidency and then
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Jan 26, 2011
Sean
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"Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics" by Joe Biden is a deeply personal, engaging memoir from the current U.S. Vice President. I have meant to read this book for over a year and I was not disappointed. Unlike most of the "campaign books" written before 2008, Mr. Biden's book is more than just a political screed: it is the inspiring story of a man whose life embody compassion, empathy, and a belief in what America can do.
The tone is very readable. It is clear th More...
The tone is very readable. It is clear th More...
Dec 12, 2008
Anne
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In general, I'm not a fan of politics or politicians. But, with all the excitement over Obama going to the White House (and I did enjoy his memoir Dreams From My Father), it only seemed fair that I would make equal effort to get to know his vice-presidential running mate. Obviously, I knew Biden was a life-long politician, and I learned during the DNC that he had lost his first wife and daughter in a car accident. And, I did know that foreign policy is his forte. But, I didn't know much else ab
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Oct 14, 2008
I just finished this book. It really delves into the soul of Joe Biden, written by himself. You really get to know him and what is important to him. He is a remarkable man who has overcome much sadness and many challenges in his life -- both personal and professional. With his heart and genuine propensity to serve, I think he is a credit to the Senate and to our country. A must read if you are voting this November.
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Feb 03, 2009
Judith
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I wanted to know who Joe Biden is and what he stands for. I had heard bits and pieces since he just became the Vice President.
While I liked the book and I really like the man he's no author.
I'm not trying to be morbid but the way he told about his aneurysm left much to be desired. He got into it deeply and then left me hanging for a long while telling about important facts but I couldn't help wondering how he could accomplish these things and ignore what he began about the horrendo More...
While I liked the book and I really like the man he's no author.
I'm not trying to be morbid but the way he told about his aneurysm left much to be desired. He got into it deeply and then left me hanging for a long while telling about important facts but I couldn't help wondering how he could accomplish these things and ignore what he began about the horrendo More...
Dec 02, 2008
Mary
rated it:
VP-elect Joe Biden is refreshingly candid reflecting on his life in and out of politics: unbreakable faith and famiy ties; a crippling stutter(Impedimenta); the loss of his late wife Neila and daughter Naomi in a tragic car crash; finding love again with Jill Jacobs, and his own brush with mortality following a disastrous presidential campaign in 1987. Biden's coloful narrative is so engaging that you feel as though he is right there with you, sharing his story. He also shares his vast knowled
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Apr 07, 2010
Libby
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I'd heard about Vice President Biden that his wife and kids died in a car crash just before he took office, but didn't know the details. Wanted to learn, not so much how did he deal with adversity, but how did he present how he dealt with adversity. Was satisfied. Some of the later stuff was good context for a reader who has minimal understanding of American politics up to 2002.
I liked this piece:
p177
"Robert Bork was a man of capacious and sharp intelligence, but I w More...
I liked this piece:
p177
"Robert Bork was a man of capacious and sharp intelligence, but I w More...
Feb 16, 2009
Strongly recommended. Book gives a great perspective on Biden's rise to his current vice-presidency. Interestingly, it concludes with him still in the race so it gives some insight into what he had hoped to achieve as commander. If you're looking for inspiration, think about his ability to "get up" as his father often said when he was challenged after his 1st wife and child tragically died and when he fought through his brain trauma. As with all political autobiographys, I'm guess
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Jan 20, 2009
Deirdre
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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, tell
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Mar 10, 2009
Jake
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Biden travels to grandpa's, his grandpa means something speical to him. Biden is irish catholic. attendance to mass is not optional.
senator from elware for more then half my life. Biden did two great acts. End genocide in Balkans; and he was involved in securing the passage of the violence against woman act. "The greatest resource in the country is the grit, resolve, courage, basic decency and stubborn pride of it's citizens."
Challenges with stuttering.
Learning at a More...
senator from elware for more then half my life. Biden did two great acts. End genocide in Balkans; and he was involved in securing the passage of the violence against woman act. "The greatest resource in the country is the grit, resolve, courage, basic decency and stubborn pride of it's citizens."
Challenges with stuttering.
Learning at a More...
Feb 10, 2010
Sam
rated it:
I liked this book. It wasn't a page turner but the contents did interest me and also the fact that he is our Vice President made me want to learn more of him. Overall the book was good but I enjoyed the second half better than the first.
The first quarter of the book took us from Biden the young school boy to Biden getting married. From the stories, he recounted in the first part of the book didn't impress me much. He told of stories of when he quit when things didn't go his way ( More...
The first quarter of the book took us from Biden the young school boy to Biden getting married. From the stories, he recounted in the first part of the book didn't impress me much. He told of stories of when he quit when things didn't go his way ( More...
Mar 19, 2009
Alexis
rated it:
In his typical candor, Joe Biden delivers a glipmse into his life as a husband, father and U.S. Senator in Promises to Keep.
Biden begins the book with a great history of his parents and family life, his days in college, meeting his wife, losing his wife, and finding love again. He takes the reader along his journey to the U.S. Senate and touches on the struggles of juggling private and public life.
About midway through the book, Biden shifts focus to touch on his experi More...
Biden begins the book with a great history of his parents and family life, his days in college, meeting his wife, losing his wife, and finding love again. He takes the reader along his journey to the U.S. Senate and touches on the struggles of juggling private and public life.
About midway through the book, Biden shifts focus to touch on his experi More...
Oct 18, 2008
Julie
rated it:
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.
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Sep 03, 2007
Linda
rated it: 
As a long-time fan of the politics and foreign policy expertise of Joe Biden, I expected this to be an informative book. And it was.
He tells his life story, including the tragic death of his wife and daughter just after he was elected to the United States Senate at age 29. He began a habit that continues today of taking the train daily to Washington and making it home to Delaware most nights to be with his children and, later, his second wife.
His stories of policy stands are More...
He tells his life story, including the tragic death of his wife and daughter just after he was elected to the United States Senate at age 29. He began a habit that continues today of taking the train daily to Washington and making it home to Delaware most nights to be with his children and, later, his second wife.
His stories of policy stands are More...
Oct 28, 2008
Meryl
rated it:
The problem with autobiographies of people who are still in the thick of their political careers is that I always question whether the author is being one hundred percent honest.
In the best parts of this book--the stories about Biden's family and tragedies and "getting back up"--I believe it is very honest. I particularly enjoyed his story about his wife Jill's response to his concerns for her safety during the time he was sponsoring prevention of violence against women. More...
In the best parts of this book--the stories about Biden's family and tragedies and "getting back up"--I believe it is very honest. I particularly enjoyed his story about his wife Jill's response to his concerns for her safety during the time he was sponsoring prevention of violence against women. More...
Aug 07, 2010
Wow so I got this book on paperbackswap.com and after just reading the introduction to get a taste of what the book would be like, I could hardly put it down. Biden is a good writer, and it was interesting reading about how he overcame various adversities in life.
from the book:
".....The civil rights movement did more to free the white man than the black man" Senator Stennis to then Senator Biden.
from the book:
".....The civil rights movement did more to free the white man than the black man" Senator Stennis to then Senator Biden.
Jul 28, 2011
Rahadyan
rated it:
I very much enjoyed reading about Biden's growth as an individual and as a public servant. I was inspired by how he lived his philosophy of how a man is not measured by how many times he is knocked down, but how many times he gets up from being knocked down. As well, his observations of, and involvement with, recent history are a compelling read. Highly recommended.
Jan 19, 2009
Sharon
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First person narrative on standing down Milosevic; conversation with newly-elected GW Bush where he said his first presidential European tour was his first time ever to Europe (we elected him??); how Biden came to practice law, then politics; prices he's paid to overcome obstacles--disability, tragedy, health...outstanding read. Biden can write.
Dec 10, 2010
Jeanette
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With every politician autobiography I read, I have about the same reaction. I love the early parts of the books where they tell about their upbringing and life before they got elected. After that I lose a little interest and scan a lot. They always want to give way more detail about politics than I want to read. That said, I have a lot of respect for Joe Biden. Wish he could have been prez instead of just veep. He's far more qualified than Obama.
One good quote, describing an att More...
One good quote, describing an att More...
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Dec 08, 2009
Kate
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VP Biden, no matter what you think of his politics, is a character and storyteller, and he's on the vanguard of American politics for nearly four decades. This is an enlightening read. I can't think of many who would possess the gumption to call Radovan Karadzic a "blow-dried chucklehead" to his face.
Apr 28, 2011
Deb
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Good read.. the beginning, early years are especially interesting and a bit faster moving. I have alwasy been a fan of Joe Biden and enjoyed reading this immensely. He is a very interesting man with a great, interesting and at times sad background.
Dec 06, 2008
Ellen
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Interesting insight into the new VP. It's a pretty good political autobiography. Biden is much more self-aware than I would have expected, and I liked the stories about his family.
Jan 16, 2012
Zoe
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I really enjoyed the chapters on passing VAWA, the Violence Against Women Act and on the Anita Hill testimony at the Clarence Thomas SCOTUS hearing.
Mar 09, 2009
Ryanjuliep
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I didn't know a lot about him. This was a very interesting book. He had some real struggles and came out on top!
Oct 22, 2009
Uncleg
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Autobiography from birth to his deciding to run for president a second time in 2008. Midwest Tape, LLC.
Feb 09, 2008
Cathy
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I admire Joe Biden and share his political views for the most part. He is a principled man, who always put his family first.....He has never lived in Washington DC. although he has served DE as senator for the last 30 years. His autobiography is interesting. He doesn't sugarcoat the "plagarism" incident that spoiled his first bid for the presidency. He is an expert on foreign policy. I know him personally, as well. And I thought he did a good job, telling his story.
