'Promise Me, America': Joe Biden to release new memoir on November 17 after US midterm polls

Former US President Joe Biden announced that he will publish a new memoir titled ‘Promise Me, America’, which will be released on November 17, shortly after the US midterm elections.Announcing the book in a video message and a post on X, Biden said the memoir reflects on his presidency, his decision to seek re-election and why he later withdrew from the race.“‘Promise Me, America’ is about the challenges we faced as a nation. It’s about the decisions I made and why I made them. It’s about why I chose to run for reelection and why I chose to step aside,” Biden said.In a post on X, he wrote: “I’ve written a book about my time as President. It’s called PROMISE ME, AMERICA. It’s coming out November 17th and is available for preorder now.”The memoir, to be published by Little, Brown and Company, is scheduled for release two weeks after the November midterm elections, in which Democrats are hoping to regain control of Congress.The timing of the book has drawn attention as many Democrats remain divided over Biden’s political legacy, with some blaming his decision to seek a second term before eventually stepping aside for Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Party leaders are expected to focus their campaign on Trump’s record and any publicity surrounding the memoir before the elections could become a political issue.The book is expected to cover key moments of Biden’s presidency, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, major infrastructure and economic legislation and his decision to end his 2024 re-election campaign after a widely criticised debate performance against Trump.Biden, who will turn 84 three days after the book’s release, also spoke about his health in the announcement.“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. I want to thank all those who have offered their prayers and support and well-wishes. It’s meant the world to me and to Jill,” he said.The memoir’s title echoes Biden’s 2017 book ‘Promise Me, Dad’, which focused on the death of his son, Beau Biden. Modern US presidents have traditionally published memoirs about their time in office and Biden’s latest book continues that practice.