Growing Up Biden

A Memoir

By: Valerie Biden Owens

Narrated by: Valerie Biden Owens

This program is read by the author.

A memoir from Valerie Biden Owens, Joe Biden’s younger sister, trusted confidante and lifelong campaign manager. Valerie, one of the first female campaign managers in United States history, writes of the role of family, faith, and fate in shaping her life, and the power of empathy and kindness in the face of turmoil and division.

Growing Up Biden details Valerie’s decades-long professional career in politics, and the central role she played in her brother’s life as an insightful adviser, an ever-loyal advocate and best friend.

This memoir, full of candor and warmth, brings readers into the Biden home and shares stories from growing up in Delaware as the only daughter of the close-knit Irish Catholic family. Valerie writes in a compelling, relatable way about the challenges she faced breaking through gender barriers, the elusive nature of confidence, and navigating professional responsibilities while raising children.

Biden fans will love it

I really enjoyed this book, having followed Joe Biden since I was a kid. Growing up in Delaware, I campaigned for Joe in 1972, delivering fliers on my bike. It is a heartwarming story of family, love and watching out for one another. There has been a lot of heartache in the family, most of it lived out on the front page of a newspaper. It was great to hear another side from Valerie's point of view as well as her fierce loyalty to Joe and his boys.

Incredible story!

Valerie is so graceful and elegant while sharing her story with us! I admire her courage and the fierce loyalty to her family.

A wonderful read

A really interesting backstory of both the Biden family and Valerie Biden’s contributions to her brother and our country.

Great insights

First as a first generation Irish Catholic, I related to Valerie Biden’s stories. I don’t agree with all of Valerie or President Biden’s views, but feel he is an honest, caring man of integrity. Thanks for sharing this Valerie.

A profound story of a loving American family

What a treat to hear the sister’s take on all that is happening. It is inspiring and what we need just now. Honor, compassion, loyalty do exist.