Review: Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose



Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose
by Joe Biden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Promise Me, Dad is Joe Biden's memoir of his son Beau's cancer diagnosis and death, the impact on the family, and on Joe's decision not to enter the 2016 race for US President. As you read this story you can "hear" Joe's voice - his phrasing and manner of speaking clearly comes through. This is an honest, moving and personal story and is unlike any other book I can think of written by a politician. At under 300 pages it's a pretty quick read.

NOTE: In the Acknowledgements at the end of the book Joe thanks author Mark Zwonitzer for his "extraordinary talent, patience and hard work". Some have taken this to mean that he was the ghostwriter for this book. I infer from the Acknowledgements that Zwonitzer likely provided editing and assistance with the book's structure at a minimum, and perhaps more. Regardless, as I read the book, as I said above, it was Joe's voice I heard.

Promise Me, Dad links

Borrow it: Find out if your library has the ebook or audiobook available
Buy it New:  Buy this book new on AmazonBarnes & Noble or  Books-A-Million 
Buy it Used: Buy this book used on AbeBooksBetter World BooksPowells or ThriftBooks 
Support Indie Bookstores:  Buy this book directly from Bookshop.org or find an Independent Bookstore near you.