Joe Biden’s memoir, Promise Me, Dad is nothing short of a love story. The love of a man for his son, his family, his country.

Joe Biden was Vice President of the United States when his son, Beau, was diagnosed with a brain tumor that would eventually take his life. As the Bidens rallied to support Beau while he sought treatment, Biden was also dealing with job pressures few of us can appreciate- including rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia. It doesn’t matter that you are the Vice President of the US when illness hits- with all the organizations and people you have access to, none of it matters if you can’t make things better for your loved one.

Promise Me, Dad is a sedate read. Really a grieving father telling his story.  Still, it is tinged with hope and the sincere desire of Mr. Biden to do everything he can for his family and his country.

The book gives a fascinating glimpse into the role of the Vice President in a job where you really never get a day off despite grave illness.  We’ve had some good Presidential/VP teams in my lifetime, but few I think have had the authentic friendship that exists between Barack Obama and Joe Biden.  Their genuine affection and respect for each other comes through in the book.

So, too, does Biden’s sense of duty to his country.  I think even people who do not agree with Biden politically will agree he is doing what he sincerely believes is best for the country. Selflessly.

But the most touching part of the read is Biden’s love for his family and the closeness of the Biden clan. Despite some of the stories that have come out since Beau’s death, during his illness, his family rallied around him and supported each other. Too many of us are unsure that we would have that same support.

As I mentioned, this is a sedate read. It’s not a page turner, but I enjoyed reading it. Biden exhibits a level of vulnerability we rarely see from people in the public eye. His recounting of comforting a grieving father is heartbreaking- it made my heart hurt for both of them.

If you want a read about sheer good humanity, this is one I heartily recommend.