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Product Description
“Nearly forty years after I first got involved, I remain captivated by the possibilities of politics and public service. In fact, I believe that my chosen profession is a noble calling. That’s why I wanted to be a part of it.”
–Joe Biden
As a United States senator from Delaware since 1973, Joe Biden has been an intimate witness to the major events of the past four decades and a relentless actor in trying to shape recent American history. He has seen up close the tragic mistake of the Vietnam War, the Watergate and Iran-contra scandals, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the reunification of Germany, the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, a presidential impeachment, a presidential resignation, and a presidential election decided by the Supreme Court. He’s observed Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Clinton, and two Bushes wrestling with the presidency; he’s traveled to war zones in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa and seen firsthand the devastation of genocide. He played a vital role by standing up to Ronald Reagan’s effort to seat Judge Robert Bork on the Supreme Court, fighting for legislation that protects women against domestic violence, and galvanizing America’s response (and the world’s) to Slobodan Milosevic’s genocidal march in the Balkans. In Promises to Keep, Biden reveals what these experiences taught him about himself, his colleagues, and the institutions of government.
With his customary candor, Biden movingly recounts growing up in a staunchly Catholic multigenerational household in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware; overcoming a demoralizing stutter; marriage, fatherhood, and the tragic death of his wife Neilia and infant daughter Naomi; remarriage and re-forming a family with his second wife, Jill; success and failure in the Senate and on the campaign trail; two life-threatening aneurysms; his relations with fellow lawmakers on both sides of the aisle; and his leadership of powerful Senate committees.
Through these and other recollections, Biden shows us how the guiding principles he learned early in life–the obligation to work to make people’s lives better, to honor family and faith, to get up and do the right thing no matter how hard you’ve been knocked down, to be honest and straightforward, and, above all, to keep your promises–are the foundations on which he has based his life’s work as husband, father, and public servant.
Promises to Keep is the story of a man who faced down personal challenges and tragedy to become one of our most effective leaders. It is also an intimate series of reflections from a public servant who refuses to be cynical about political leadership, and a testament to the promise of the United States.
From the Hardcover edition.
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Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Promises to Keep, 2008-12-12
I have just started to read "Promies to Keep"This book promises to be straight forward regarding this man who apparently lives as taught by his parents - "no one is better than you and you are no better than others". That would be a great character strength for someone 1 step away from being president of the United States. I believe the facts and thoughts he intends to put forth are honest.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Good book, too long., 2008-12-02
I like Sen Biden. Always have. I voted for him for the democratic presidential nominee, but I guess I was the only one. Oh well.
The book however is way too long. It is written like he talks, it just goes on forever. I read the first few chapters then started skipping pages. He was generally still talking about the same thing several pages away so I am not sure that I missed anything. Eventually I got to the end and thought 'wow that was a good, touching, evocative story that could have been told in a long magazine article.' So that was a few nights of my life I will never get back, but all in all I feel like it was at least a good story and worth knowing.
Now that he is going to be VP I am glad I know a bit more about him. It gives me a bit more understanding. That is good.
As for how it reads or how well it was written as far as political autobiographies go, that I cannot say. This is the only one I have read, and I think I will keep it like that. If the rest are this long and tedious (and this is from someone who is used to reading training manuals and guides) then I think perhaps I will stick with more interesting subjects and leave my biographies to A&E and wikipedia.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
 What class/candor/strength our VP-elect has,, 2008-11-12
Read it in one night. Joe is a fascinating study on American politics and deserves any and all credit that comes his way. His intelligence, ability to become a Democratic Senator in a solidly red country at the age of 29, his strength to overcome awful tragedy of losing his wife Neilia and newborn, his health problems, to his failed Presidental bid in the 80's, to his triumph in the Senate.
Joe, if you read this, I'm looking forward to Promises to Keep part II: Promises Kept as the Vice President.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
. I Could Not Put This Down, 2008-11-03
Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. It is the story of someone from an average family who goes on to become chairman of the senate foreign relations committee. Joe tells the story of his childhood, getting through college and meeting his wives and how his first wife and daughter died in an auto accident. How after this great tragedy he did not want to go on. It is a very compelling human story of a very human being who goes on to become on of the greats of our time.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
WONDERFUL reading...you feel like Joe is right in the room with you having a conversation, 2008-10-24
Great book, well written in typical "Joe Biden" fashion...which is FROM THE HEART. A "must read" if you want to really know Joe Biden's life and value system. He is an amazing, ethical and moral individual. One I will be PROUD to have as a VP and after 8 years I am praying he will be feeling great and will run for President himself. He will make a GREAT VP and an even BETTER President.
I do not believe his being in his 70s in 8 years will have any effect on his intellect. Age is an asset (assuming one has intellect).
Get the book...it was absolutely beautiful. Some tearful (REALLY tearful) moments of reading...but also some fun and laughable moments. Of course, there are LOADS of facts and most I lived through, but it was nice to read about the history again.
You will be happy when you read this great, thoughtful book. You will know Joe Biden...and you will ADMIRE this man. Great citizen...great man.
Diane Offutt
Woodstock, GA. 30189
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