Former President Joe Biden will publish a memoir titled Promise Me, America this fall, his publisher Little, Brown and Company announced. The book is scheduled for release on November 17, two weeks after the midterm elections.
Book Details and Timing
Biden said the book will cover everything from the economy to his decision to drop his bid for re-election. In a video statement, 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."
The timing has raised concerns among Democrats, who hope to keep the fall campaign focused on Donald Trump's record rather than Biden's legacy. Biden, who will turn 84 three days after publication, has long presented himself as an upholder of traditions, with presidential memoirs being one of them.
Content and Context
Biden was sworn into office during the Covid-19 pandemic and after the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. His term was defined by conflicts and achievements, including handling wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and passing infrastructure and economic aid bills. Many readers will likely seek details about his health, including the disastrous June 2024 debate against Trump that led to his withdrawal from the race. Then-Vice President Kamala Harris lost decisively to Trump.
Former first lady Jill Biden wrote in her own book that she feared her husband was having a stroke during the debate. She noted the White House initially said he had a cold, adding: "The biggest lesson for us, I think, was that if you don't explain something well enough then the question won't go away."
Health and Legacy
Biden was the oldest president in US history, and his health was a source of speculation. He faced criticism for allegedly concealing his problems. In 2025, he announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. In his video announcement, Biden said: "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."
Biden's previous books include Promise Me, Dad (2017) about his son Beau's death, and Promises to Keep (2008) for his presidential campaign. Little, Brown declined to release financial details, but presidential memoirs typically command seven-figure deals.
Market and Tour
The book arrives during a year of declining nonfiction sales, though recent bestsellers include Vice-President JD Vance's Communion and Regime Change by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan. A Little, Brown spokesperson said Biden plans to tour and give interviews.
