Joe Biden's new memoir, titled Promise Me, America, is set to hit shelves on November 17, just two weeks after pivotal midterm elections. This release could rattle nerves among Democrats as they strive to reclaim congressional power.
The memoir will tackle Biden's presidency head-on, including his controversial decision to withdraw from the re-election race. Many within the party remain split on his legacy, with some leaders eager to shift focus onto Donald Trump's record instead.
Biden claims the book will cover "everything from the economy to his decision to drop his bid for reelection." In a video announcement, he stated, "Promise Me, America is about the challenges we faced as a nation. It’s about the decisions I made and why I made them. Most of all, it’s about my faith in the promise of America."
At 84 years old, Biden continues a long-standing tradition of presidents publishing memoirs. Since Harry Truman, most modern presidents have documented their time in office. While financial terms remain undisclosed, such deals typically exceed seven figures. The title mirrors his 2017 memoir, Promise Me, Dad, which centered on the death of his son Beau Biden.
Biden's presidency commenced during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the wake of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack by Trump supporters. His term has been marked by international conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, alongside significant infrastructure legislation. However, readers will likely be most interested in his health issues, particularly surrounding the June 2024 debate against Trump that led to his withdrawal from the re-election bid. Kamala Harris took over but lost decisively to Trump.
Jill Biden's book, View from the East Wing, described her husband's performance during that debate as "so weak and disoriented" that she feared he was having a stroke. She criticized the White House's initial explanation of a cold, stating, "The biggest lesson for us, I think, was that if you don’t explain something well enough then the question won’t go away. There was never a satisfying enough explanation offered for Joe’s debate performance, and a lot of people never got over it."
As the oldest president in U.S. history, Biden's health has been a focal point for speculation. Both Democrats and Republicans have accused him and his team of hiding health issues. This scrutiny intensified with the release of Original Sin by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, which discusses Biden’s decline and his decision to run again. In 2025, Biden announced a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Biden's literary history includes Promises to Keep, a campaign book aimed at boosting his 2008 presidential run when Barack Obama emerged as the nominee with Biden as his running mate.
Promise Me, America enters a tough market where nonfiction sales are declining and few political books are making waves. Recent bestsellers include Vice President JD Vance's Communion and an insider account of Trump's second term by New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan titled Regime Change.
A spokesperson from Little, Brown confirmed that Biden plans to promote the book through a tour and interviews. In his video announcement, he acknowledged public concern about his health.
Biden addressed these worries directly: "I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family. I’m dealing with a cancer diagnosis, been getting treatment, and it’s going really well. I want to thank all those who have offered their prayers and support and well-wishes. It’s meant the world to me and to Jill."
