Biden's memoir sells for significantly less than Obama's and Clinton's, resulting in an awkward setback
In a notable move, former President Joe Biden has secured a deal for his presidential memoir with Hachette Book Group. The book, which does not yet have a title or a confirmed publication date, is expected to follow in the footsteps of some of the best-selling presidential memoirs in history.
Biden's memoir is set to provide insights into his four years as president, potentially shedding light on his experiences and decisions during his tenure. The exact content of the book remains undisclosed at this time.
Interestingly, Biden's memoir deal is less lucrative compared to the record-breaking $60 million deal the Obamas secured for their memoirs in 2017. Former President Bill Clinton, too, pocketed $15 million for his 2004 memoir 'My Life'.
Biden's health, particularly his aggressive form of prostate cancer, could impact the timeline of the memoir's release. The former vice president, who served eight years under President Barack Obama, has been open about his health challenges.
In contrast, Obama's memoir, 'A Promised Land', sold an impressive 890,000 copies in its first 24 hours in the US and Canada. Within a month of its release in 2020, sales had surpassed 3.3 million copies.
Meanwhile, President Trump did not publish a presidential memoir after his first term. Biden, on the other hand, has hinted that he is 'working his tail off' to write his own memoir.
The agency representing Biden for his 2017 memoir, 'Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship and Purpose', is Creative Artists Agency. The same agency has been involved in the sale of his current memoir.
In 'Promise Me, Dad', Biden chronicled his last year with his oldest son, Beau, who tragically passed away from brain cancer in 2015. The book offered a poignant and personal account of Biden's struggles during that difficult time.
As for the German version of Biden's upcoming memoir, it will be published by Kiepenheuer & Witsch under the title 'Versprich es mir', translated from English by Henning Dedekind and Friedrich Pflüger.
