The Long Alliance: The Imperfect Union of Joe Biden and Barack Obama

by Gabriel Debenedetti

New York Magazine national correspondent Gabriel Debenedetti reveals an inside look at the historically close, complicated, occasionally co-dependent, and at-times uncertain relationship between Joe Biden and Barack Obama.

Delving far deeper than the simplistic “bromance” narrative that’s long held the public eye, The Long Alliance reveals the past, present, and future of the unusual partnership, detailing its development, its twists and turns, its ruptures and reunions, and its path to this pivotal moment for each man’s legacy.

The true story of this relationship, from 2003 into 2022, is significantly more layered and consequential than is widely understood. The original mismatch between the veteran Washington traditionalist and the once-in-a-generation outsider has transformed repeatedly in ways that have molded not just four different presidential campaigns and two different political parties, but also wars, a devastating near-depression, movements for social equality, and the fight for the future of American democracy. The bond between them has been, at various times over the past two decades, tense, affectionate, nonexistent, and ironclad ― but it has always been surprising. Now it is shaping a second presidential administration, and the future of the world as we know it.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Biography, Presidents, American History, Audiobook

432 pages, Hardcover

First published September 13, 2022

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The genesis of Obama/Biden came about as a matter of political strategy. In 2007, presidential candidate Barack Obama had a short list of potential running mates. Even though Biden seemed to have a proclivity for embarrassing faux pas, he was still the most logical choice…

“Obama and Biden may not have been close at all, but he didn’t know many of the possible picks all that well. Biden had been good and disciplined—if not a headline grabber—in the primary debates, and he also had decades of Washington experience that Obama lacked and could use at his side as he dealt with Capital Hill… Plus he seemed to appeal to white ethnic voters who’d so far been wary of Obama.” (pg 63)

You would be hard pressed to find a political pairing in American history that has generated more buzz (both positive and negative) than these guys. The Long Alliance is an illuminating, behind-the-scenes narrative of the complicated relationship between two political allies who, eventually, became the closest of friends. I haven’t been this engaged with a political biography since Jon Lee Anderson’s Che: A Revolutionary Life. Painstakingly researched and well written—4 Stars.

“The story is both longer and far more complicated than widely appreciated, starting in 2003 with a pair of men in a hurry who at first could hardly have seemed more different and continuing deep into 2022, with the former partners considering their joint place in history and their individual positions on either side of an antidemocratic abyss.” (preface)

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Long Alliance is a well-written book about the relationship between Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Democrats will love the book. Republicans will not; however, everyone can agree that relationships are complicated and the relationship between Obama and Biden certainly has its ups and downs. It is a great book that will keep the reader engaged, no matter their political party preference. Highly recommend.

[Keith LaFountaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since President Obama was elected, back when I was entering high school, the perception of the Obama/Biden relationship has been that of something bordering on brotherhood. It was interesting to read here, then, that their relationship was not always a confident and close one, particularly in the first couple years of the Obama administration.

It was also interesting to read how Obama has acted behind the scenes, following his departure in 2017. Particularly, he arguably ensured Biden easily won the 2020 primaries by making phone calls and lobbying for other candidates to drop out and endorse Biden ahead of Super Tuesday.

This book works both as insight into Obama's political mindset, Biden's approach to both the Vice Presidency and the Presidency, and how their brotherhood, as Obama calls it, has deepened with time.

[WM D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Long Alliance was a good book. It examines the relationship between former president Barack Obama and his vice president Joseph Biden.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt that the majority of this insightful book was from Biden's perspective rather than Obama's. It gave me a healthier view of the dynamics of inside the White House between Presidents and Vice Presidents and their staff members. Ergo, I have a better 'inside' understanding of the relationship between President Biden and VP Harris at this time. Joe and Barack did not quite have the bromance that the media and especially the social media has portrayed. Although probably closer than previous P/VPs, they were not always of like minds. However, they each had a great respect of the other's current position and discussed without meddling. Not just about the relationship between Biden and Obama, this book also takes a closer look at the roles played by a multitude of other government officials and staff, about how they handled crises and potential crises, and how the strain affected them. Every day seemed to be filled with a plethora of worries, timelines, trying to work across the aisle (that surely was a one-way street), and successes that sadly were not touted the the American public. This book may not appeal to someone who doesn't care about politics, but I cannot fathom that with tomorrow being Election Day.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of what was described here I already knew from other work, such as Biden's autobiography, but a lot of what's covered here is great. Though the author's prose is occasionally not quite as smooth as I would like, the insight that is being provided into Obama and Biden's elections and governments are always fascinating.

Debenedetti essentially tries to dispel the marketing idea that the two Presidents are the bestest of friends, but neither are they cynical. Their relationship is more complex and, yes, close, and this book does a good job detailing it.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enlightening look at the relationship between two of the most important figures of our time, with plenty of new information in it.

[Duzclues · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written, well reported, extremely engaging look not just at the personal relationship between Joe Biden and Barack Obama, but the presidency itself.

I came away from this book feeling that Obama and Biden’s personal relationship on the whole was/is stronger than I knew, and yet the conflict which has arisen from the staff that surrounded the two of them adds a complicated dynamic to their relationship. As that staff are now the people running the Democratic Party, that conflict is critical to understanding the current state of the Democratic Party. Debenedetti does an exceptional job in describing that.

I would highly recommend this book, it is very important to understanding current politics, and politics at any time. A great synthesis of personalities this is. Two thumbs up.

[Peter Ackerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Long Alliance: The Imperfect Union of Joe Biden and Barack Obama by Gabriel Debenedetti, offers an in depth look between the relationship of the two men who worked together as President and VP, the experience helping the Vice President to shape an image which helped elevate him to the Presidency.

Readers who consider this book best ask themselves what are they looking for. Where there are plenty of Washington gossip books available, and though this volume has elements of those, this book is a depth study of the subjects. I found the work, in one word, voluminous.

For instance, at times I wanted to move forward on the time line, and yet I felt stuck in a period of Obama’s presidency as it seemed that every piece of history was mined, analyzed and shared.

This work is an important one for history, and I loved the behind the scenes look at campaigns, which here includes anecdotes that I had not previously heard. However, this book is not for the reader who wants a quick perusal of Washington gossip.

The Long Alliance is well worth the read for those who want an in depth look at this presidential history from our current times.

The publisher made an advanced copy of this book available, inviting me to leave an honest review which I have done so here.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Long Alliance looks at the relationship between Barack Obama and Joe Biden from when they first met in Congress in 2003 until the book was written in 2022. I had not really given much thought into their relationship, and this was insightful book into they get along and worked together. I like how it focused on their relationship over their jobs. The most interesting part to me was seeing how Obama has continued to influence politics behind the scenes since leaving the presidency. Those with an open mind will enjoy this book; people giving it a 1 star rating just because it’s a book about Obama and Biden are showing their ignorance. Will Damron did an excellent job narrating the audiobook. I recommend checking this book out!

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many events and circumstances in this book were known to me, but not all....There were a number of stories highlighting difficult moments and irritations and disagreements between these two men, and I appreciated the honest portrait. These two were not, and are not, always best bros who agree about everything. It also felt unusual to read about events in Biden's life and career in which Obama played some small background role, because I'm accustomed to reading books in which the spotlight is on Obama. I enjoyed this book.

[Quanita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obama, like other politicians, worries about his legacy. Biden saw (sees) himself as the better choice for president because he viewed (views) himself as charismatic, handsome, and serious. Somehow the American public are only there to cast votes, their needs be damned. Legacy and appearance are all that matter.

[Marty Doskins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the different focus in this book. It was not focused on a history of the actual presidencies. Rather the book was focused on the Obama/Biden relationship. Other prominent administration people were also included in the relationship theme. If you have read presidency books, this is a different twist for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Jonathan Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book with an interesting perspective on the Obama, Trump and Biden presidencies and interactions that made history. Less biography than character studies of three very different men whose paths crossed at the highest level of the American government.

[Jeremy Anderberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stuff. Fascinating look at the two-decade-long relationship between Obama and Biden, on both a political and relational level. Loved the behind-the-scenes stuff on their relationship and work together.

[Katie Avalos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive and utterly readable. This is a fascinating retelling of the relationship between two of the most fascinating political figures of the modern era. This could have been a boring slog, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it entertaining and engaging as well as educational.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks for the advance copy.

[Peter Z. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Obama: "I'll be so bad they'll question openly whether Carter still holds the record for worst president"

Biden: "Hold my beer"

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I belong to NO political party and found the book outlined the relationship, like all relationships, changing and evolving with time.

I won a copy of this book on Goodreads.

[Thomas Terence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debenedetti has written a good book about an important political partnership - not too much new information but there were some good synthesis.

[Elizabeth Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this thru Good Reads. Found it interesting get a close up look at the complicated and sometimes close relationship between Joe Biden and Barack Obama. Well written and interesting.

[Barbara White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading The Long Alliance is being a fly on the wall in the world of Joe Biden and Barack Obama. It provides the opportunity of learning about political relationships. It is a good read. Thanks.

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to half of this on audio and couldn’t finish. Felt too detailed / repetitive and I mainly wanted to hear about the relationships so I decided to stop listening

[Kim Freitas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn’t waste my time on more than the first 29 pages and that’s only because I was stuck on a bus.

[Jim Blessing · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-written, interesting book.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging look at recent history and adds context to previous reports, but tells like a story. Recommend.

[Paul Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read The Long Alliance: The Imperfect Union of Joe Biden and Barack Obama by Gabriel Debenedetti. While I very much enjoyed the book, I found the title, more specifically, the subtitle rather odd. The subtitle implied some type of dysfunction between the two men. While not a perfect union, it was probably one of the best political partnerships between a Vice President and President in quite some period of time. Barack Obama has even said choosing Biden as his VP had been his best decision ever. Not only did this become a successful partnership, but it also become a very strong personal friendship. Mr. Debenedetti traces the beginning of this friendship when Obama delivered a powerful speech at the 2004 Democratic convention. It ends sometime in 2022 when Biden is halfway through his term. While the two men did not appear to have a lot in common, there was also no sense of animosity. It took a while for any friendship to develop, as in most friendships. Were there bumps along the way? Of course. Biden had, and still has, a reputation for misspeaking. Not a secret. While he would explain or apologize for his comment, most people, including Obama, knew Biden's gaffes did not come from a bad place. Nor was it a reflection of his intelligence. Quite the opposite, while Obama did not always share the same opinion, he did Biden's perspective. Mr. Debenedetti has not uncovered any new revelations. He has, however, shown that the friendship between the two men is real, based on trust, respect and affection. Michelle Obama has likened Joe Biden to a big brother her husband never had. There are many touching and poignant moments contained in the book. One moment that stands out is when Vice President Joe Biden returned from seeing his son, Beau, who was dying of cancer. Obama waited for Biden and gave his Vice President a hug. I recommend this book. For those who are into politics, it's an interesting read. For those who want to see the development of a friendship, this book captures some wonderfully poignant moments. This book is available in accessible formats from the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) in Canada and Bookshare in the United States.