Former President Joe Biden will publish a memoir titled Promise Me, America this fall, his publisher Little, Brown and Company announced. The book, scheduled for release on November 17, will cover topics ranging from the economy to his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. The timing, just two weeks after the midterm elections, may raise concerns among Democrats who remain divided on Biden's legacy and his failed re-election bid.
Biden's Announcement and Book Details
In a video statement accompanying the announcement, Biden said: '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.' The book has been anticipated for over a year, with Biden referencing it in public remarks. It arrives amid declining nonfiction sales and few political bestsellers, though recent hits include JD Vance's Communion and Regime Change by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan.
Context of Biden's Presidency
Biden, who turns 84 three days after the book's release, took office during the COVID-19 pandemic and after the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. His term was marked by achievements like infrastructure and economic aid bills, as well as handling wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. However, much reader interest will focus on his health, including the disastrous June 2024 debate against Donald Trump that led to his re-election exit. Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced him, lost decisively to Trump.
Health and Controversy
Former First Lady Jill Biden, in her own memoir View from the East Wing, wrote that during the debate she feared her husband was having a stroke, noting the White House initially attributed his condition to a cold. 'There was never a satisfying enough explanation offered for Joe's debate performance, and a lot of people never got over it,' she wrote. Biden, the oldest U.S. president, faced criticism for allegedly concealing his health issues. In 2025, he announced a prostate cancer diagnosis, which he said is responding well to treatment.
Previous Books and Promotion
Biden's earlier works include Promises to Keep (2008) and Promise Me, Dad (2017), which focused on his son Beau's death. A Little, Brown spokesperson confirmed Biden will tour and give interviews for the new book. In his announcement, Biden thanked supporters for their prayers, saying his cancer treatment 'is going really well.'
