Structure

The book’s structure is essentially chronological, following (as the title suggests) close to a year in the life of former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and his family. More specifically, the narrative begins with a description of events in and around the Biden family’s annual trip to Nantucket, Massachusetts to celebrate American Thanksgiving in November of 2014, and ends with Biden’s announcement, almost exactly a year later, of his decision to not run for President in 2016.

Within that overall framework, that narrative of a year in the life of the author and his family, there are numerous narrative diversions into the past, as Biden explores the histories of his family, of his political career, and of the issues that were his primary focus during his time as Vice President. All these references are made within the context of events during the year in question...