Table of Contents
Authors' Note xii
Introduction 3
Chapter 1 Free Spirit 7
Chapter 2 Childhood in Hammonton 9
Chapter 3 Double-Dinner Sundays 16
Chapter 4 Leader of the Pack 19
Chapter 5 Classes, Marriage, and Rock 'n' Roll 24
Chapter 6 Senator of a New Generation 28
Chapter 7 A Date with the Young Senator 33
Chapter 8 "Groundedness" Paired with Charisma 37
Chapter 9 Tying the Knot 43
Chapter 10 Becoming a Mom 47
Chapter 11 Into the Public Arena 50
Chapter 12 Ashley 56
Chapter 13 First Run 61
Chapter 14 Learning the Campaign Trail 65
Chapter 15 Career, Goals, and Pranks 72
Chapter 16 "You've Got to Quit" 76
Chapter 17 Bork Hearings 81
Chapter 18 Holding Hands Through All 84
Chapter 19 A Second Chance 89
Chapter 20 Like Mother, Like Daughter 92
Chapter 21 Intensity of the Time 97
Chapter 22 Running Ahead 100
Chapter 23 Fateful Day 105
Chapter 24 Lightning Strike 107
Chapter 25 Right for the Time 111
Chapter 26 Dr. Biden 114
Chapter 27 Boots on the Ground 116
Chapter 28 2008 120
Chapter 29 Instant Connection 125
Chapter 30 Compartmentalizing 129
Chapter 31 Election Day 134
Chapter 32 Second Lady Puts Education First 138
Chapter 33 The American Creed 142
Chapter 34 Blue Star Mom 144
Chapter 35 Integrity and Honor 146
Chapter 36 Lighting of a Fire 150
Chapter 37 Joining Forces 153
Chapter 38 Global Issues 157
Chapter 39 National Tragedies 159
Chapter 40 Battle Together 164
Chapter 41 Worsening Conditions 166
Chapter 42 Hope 171
Chapter 43 The Last Light 174
Chapter 44 Peanuts 175
Chapter 45 Potential Candidate 179
Chapter 46 Give It One Hundred Percent 182
Chapter 47 Knowing the Time 185
Chapter 48 The Couple's Farewell 187
Chapter 49 Inauguration 2017 189
Chapter 50 Highest Honor 193
Chapter 51 Post-Vice-Presidential Life 195
Chapter 52 The Loud Roar 199
Chapter 53 Going for It 201
Chapter 54 New Campaign 206
Chapter 55 State by State 210
Chapter 56 A Good Philly Girl 213
Chapter 57 The Start of a Pandemic 215
Chapter 58 Going Virtual 218
Chapter 59 Accusations and Investigations 221
Chapter 60 Election Day 226
Chapter 61 "Her Name Is Dr. Jill Biden" 229
Chapter 62 Historic Day 233
Chapter 63 Unity, Hope, and Love on the North Lawn 236
Chapter 64 Life Is Calling 239
Chapter 65 Vaccines, Vaccines, Vaccines 243
Chapter 66 Sense of Unity 249
Chapter 67 Public Mourning 254
Chapter 68 Under Scrutiny 258
Chapter 69 Just Round One 260
Conclusion 263
Acknowledgments 265
Source Notes 268
Index 299
