Member Reviews
This book provided us with an intimate view of the relationship between President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. The respect and admiration they both have for each other came off the page. It was a delightful read that I would recommend.
I work in Democratic politics, Joe Biden is my hero – I'm basically the target audience for this book. It was fine.
The book didn't feel particularly well-researched – like Levingston had pulled bits and pieces from previously written articles and loosely tied it all together to form the basis of this book. I didn't feel like I knew either Obama or Biden better after reading this book, but maybe that's just because I already knew so much about them. And it's not like this book purports to be a true biography. I felt like Biden was more fully sketched out in the book than Obama was.
I would have really enjoyed reading more about the post-presidency relationship between the Obama and Biden, but Levingston barely dances around that subject at the end of the book. Maybe because he wanted to tell a fairly straight-forward and uplifting story and continuing it beyond the end of their second term would have ruined that narrative.
That said, I'd still recommend this book to people who are desperate to revisit the Obama/Biden fairytale. After four years of Donald Trump, it is a feel good story that takes one back to better days.
Such a wonderful account of a unique friendship! Levingston is a beautiful storyteller and detailed their lives and friendship without it feeling too boring or preachy. I enjoyed hearing about the highs and lows and all they navigated as friends, senators and as President/Vice President. It's hard to believe Obama's Presidency was so recent but it was a nice look back!
Thoughtfully written and fascinating exploration of this friendship. I enjoyed this behind the scenes look.
I am a huge fan of Obama's books and loved Biden's last book. This take on the two men just didn't grab my attention. It was slow going, and I had to put it down several times. Did not finish.
This is a exquisite book detailing the wonderful respect and friendship between our great President Obama and Vice President Biden that grew from their patriotism and love of country. Both men had a deep respect for each other and this chronicles their road to friendship and how they shared the same patriotism morals (and beliefs) to serve our country. It is a wonderful read of a great time in our history of our greatest President in 50 years and his working relationship with a equally great Vice President. I highly recommend this book. This is a wonderful book to give as gifts and to have as a hard cover for one's own library. Very well done to the author. .
Thank you for the ARC. My opinion is my own.
I didn't get commissioned to write about this but I had a look anyway at a hard copy. Levingston digs up some great anecdotes about Obama and Biden and there was enough there to keep me entertained.
The political bromance, Barack and Joe's friendship, and collaboration will forever leave its footprint in American history.
Starting from political rivals, the two managed to build a strong foundation of the phenomenal President & Vice President team. This book tells the story of two democratic US senators who came from two completely opposite backgrounds but shared an important mission. This is not a biography of either man, this is a story of their bond, the way they were able to look past their differences, listened and accepted each other's objectives, and most importantly - held one another's back. An author made an excellent note regarding the two: The Barack-and-Joe friendship did something else: it stirred the imagination. It gave Americans hope that the nation could work together harmoniously. Barack and Joe looked beyond color and age and personal quirks to the importance of shared values.
This book is an easy read. I didn't find any new information in it, however, it is a perfect guide for any political enthusiast that contains all the facts of Barack and Joe's friendship and partnership during their time in The Office.
I really enjoyed reading about the dynamic between Obama and Biden. I loved them when they were in office and this is a nice reminder of what a great leader and partner look like.
This was a wonderful look inside the relationship between our recent president and his VP. Mr. Levingston did a great job of highlighting what went into making this bond, the good and the bad, and what made it so unique. I revisited cherished moments of their administration and learned some news things about each man. And, I'll tell you, if you don't cry at Mr. Levington's description of Beau's funeral or Joe's Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony, something might be wrong with you. My appreciation for and understanding of both men, and their families, increased quite a bit. I really enjoyed the unique perspective in what is basically a history of the Obama-Biden presidency.
When I saw the cover of Barack and Joe my heart warmed. I loved watching these two durning the 8 amazing years they were in office. Steve Levingston does a great job documenting their friendship through out this book. It was refreshing to read about two men in office who totally respected each other and our country.
If you are missing Barack and Joe pick up this book and it will take you back to the good old days!
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Books for an eARC of this book for an honest review.
I loved watching the friendship between Obama and Biden over the eight years they shared as President and Vice President. This book does a really great job of chronicling their friendship along the way. It follows their professional and personal journeys. I have always been a big fan of these two and this book solidified my appreciation for them. If you're a fan of these two, pick this book up and you will not be disappointed.
Barack and Joe is an intimate look at the making of the powerful partnership between Barack Obama and Joe Biden. It shares both the professional and personal journey these two went on as they navigated a campaign, a presidency, family loss, and day to day life challenges.
I appreciated that it looked at both the highs and lows and enjoyed that at first, they weren't quite sure of one another as they were both eyeing a run at the presidency. Watching their connection unfold as Barack eventually chooses Biden as his running mate was so interesting to see and just like any relationship, it didn't all happen perfectly.
I loved reading this and it was a wonderful reminder of two men that are honest, fair and just good people during their time in office and beyond. It was a bit bittersweet as it made me miss parts of our country that feel so different just a few years later. If you are also looking for a reminder of the good, this is a great place to start.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books for an advanced copy.
"Barack and Joe" is a great refresher about the real life bond between the former president and vice-president. Levingston's book chronicles the relationship by highlighting important events from their days in the Senate to the more current moment of Biden deciding to run for President in the 2020 cycle. The author does a great job recounting the veepstakes process of Obama picking Biden to be his running mate. I believe it was the first detailed account that I have read of the negotiations between the two as well as the debates between campaign staff.
It is impossible not to read this book in the context of the 2020 election. This is not a biased book for or against Biden as a presidential candidate. I commend the author for being fair, it covers the positive aspects of Biden while also reminding the reader of the many gaffes he has said in the past that people may have forgotten. As the author mentions in the book, this is definitely a first draft of the relationship between the two individuals. I look forward to reading a larger book that focused on additional events in detail such as their discussions/debates during the Bin Laden raid, the Libya intervention, the BP oil spill and other major events, more along the lines of Peter Baker's "Days of Fire: Bush and Cheney in the White House", which recounts the Bush-Cheney years and their relationship. Overall, if you are looking for an enjoyable and nostalgic book about the interracial Batman and Robin then look look no further than Levingston's work.
I'd read an except of this book in the Washington Post and was fascinated. How did two men, so dissimilar, forge an instantaneous bond that would last throughout the White House years and beyond. Obama, cerebral and thoughtful, and Joe Biden, warm, impulsive and speaking from the heart, managed to forge a strong friendship through their weekly meetings in the Oval. Their families were intertwined as their political bond grew, an amazing look at the lives of these two fascinating men. They had more in common than either man realized.
Enjoyed this book. Having read a few other books about Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, I enjoyed reading about how Joe Biden and Barack became such pals. I also enjoyed reading about how they had a few bumps in the road until they understood how each other worked. They didn't try and change each other just work to understand each other. Thank you for the opportunity to review.
If you have, or have ever had, a special friendship whether traditional or work friendship, you'll love this partnership on the backdrop of the political playing field. I really enjoyed reading this.
I love this book so much! I respect these two men completely. You
will be so happy at their amazing friendship! This book does
not disappoint explaining how their close friendship just kept
growing. I deeply enjoyed reading about them again as I have
missed them so much!
Thank you so much, the writer, NetGalley and the Publisher for
giving me the opportunity to read about these men again!
A so loved watching the Obama Biden bromance two men who reached the heights of their careers & yet maintained a decency compassion and warmth.Reading about how their friendship respect for each other their families closeness made this a wonderful read and made me nostalgic for the class dignity they brought our country.#hatchette #netgalley.
Note: I received this book complimentary from Hatchett through Netgalley. This is my honest review.
Imagine getting to work with your closest friend? One that becomes more like a brother after being your political rival? I’m sure it was challenging in the beginning and over time became a relationship of trust. It must feel good to have someone you trust being able to watch your back, in what is the most stressful role. This is a book that I have been looking forward to after watching and reading about their blossoming friendship/brotherhood. The memes also kept us craving to understand more of their relationship. This book did not disappoint. It left me missing “Barack and Joe” more than I thought was possible. I walked away knowing more about them and their values. This book made me feel like I was wrapped up in a hug. The author did a really good job of portraying Barack and Joe’s relationship.