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teadrinkingrev's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.5
rnshack's review
2.0
2 stars
I was really looking forward to reading this, before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20th, but was really disappointed in this book.
This book is based on a series of The New Yorker articles and this is glaringly obvious. It is disjointed and unorganized. It jumps back and forth in the timeline of President-elect Joe Biden’s life but in a way that I struggled to keep straight. There were multiple times that I felt the author jumped into a story right in the middle and I found myself wondering what he was talking about and what the beginning of the story was. What was even more frustrating to me was, after reading the notes about sources at the end of the book, that most of the stories and quotes came from someone else’s work. And what is worse is that’s exactly how this book read. I would have been better off reading those books and articles and would have probably enjoyed them more.
I love memoirs and biographies, especially political ones, but this book was really hard to read and I walked away not knowing what, if anything, new I learned about President-elect Biden.
I was really looking forward to reading this, before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20th, but was really disappointed in this book.
This book is based on a series of The New Yorker articles and this is glaringly obvious. It is disjointed and unorganized. It jumps back and forth in the timeline of President-elect Joe Biden’s life but in a way that I struggled to keep straight. There were multiple times that I felt the author jumped into a story right in the middle and I found myself wondering what he was talking about and what the beginning of the story was. What was even more frustrating to me was, after reading the notes about sources at the end of the book, that most of the stories and quotes came from someone else’s work. And what is worse is that’s exactly how this book read. I would have been better off reading those books and articles and would have probably enjoyed them more.
I love memoirs and biographies, especially political ones, but this book was really hard to read and I walked away not knowing what, if anything, new I learned about President-elect Biden.
joeynedland's review
4.0
Love presidential biographies. This is an interesting book for a few reasons: first, it’s short. Osnos ends his book pre-election, making this more of a long form article diving into Biden the person and the candidate vis a vis this moment. Not a bad thing, just not a true presidential bio. Second, Biden is a fascinating President to assess. Whereas others like Obama are viewed as singular political persons, whose ideas led waves of ideology and represented broad coalition views, Biden is positioned as a direct foil to Trump whose ideological through lines are still being defined. Finally, it ends on a big TBD. I wonder how well this book will age, but I appreciate Osnos succinctness in describing Biden’s motivation. Looking forward to other biographers diving deep into Biden’s background after 4 years.
usfsigepjoe's review
5.0
Interesting look at who the Future 46th is and what he hopes to achieve in his administration
thelabreadors's review
3.0
This was a quick one. Osnos illustrates someone that is not perfect (e.g. made mistakes as Senator, talks too much, at times optimistic heavy) but is also someone with experience, capacity to grow, empathy, and desire for unity. All which feel right for #46. Its not a biography and is very much a long profile that felt hurried, matter of fact, brushing from one topic/life event to the next. I wish there was more personal reflection or analysis from Biden or the author, especially on his past and future setbacks/obstacles. I received this book from Goodreads Giveaway.
nickmasters's review
3.0
Not sure how to rate this. Was looking to get some more information on a prominent world leader, whilst acknowledging that my familiarity (and interest), with American politics (or any politics) is very much on the low side.
Sure, I did get a lot more insight into Biden (some of which was definitely interesting), but a lot of the book was not very engaging, and the flow (particularly in the 1st chapter, but elsewhere as well) just wasn’t the greatest. For a chronologically based book, there was a lot of jumping around unnecessarily.
Thanks NetGalley and Bloombury for a review copy.
Sure, I did get a lot more insight into Biden (some of which was definitely interesting), but a lot of the book was not very engaging, and the flow (particularly in the 1st chapter, but elsewhere as well) just wasn’t the greatest. For a chronologically based book, there was a lot of jumping around unnecessarily.
Thanks NetGalley and Bloombury for a review copy.
kevenwang's review
2.0
I would refer you guys to Evan Osnos appearance on the Ezra Klein Show before reading this book.
I felt l learned more about Biden from that podcast
I felt l learned more about Biden from that podcast