About this title: In this landmark autobiography, five years in the making, Senator Edward M. Kennedy tells his extraordinary personal story--of his legendary family, politics, and 50 years at the center of national events.
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Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Date Published: September 2009
ISBN-13:9780446539258ISBN:0446539252
Description: 0-446-53925-2 The Barnes & Noble Review You might have expected Ted Kennedy's memoir to be about his life and times, or about his many campaigns, or about his legislative victories and his unconsummated causes. But it's not. This is, instead, a book about Kennedy's family. "From my vantage point as the youngest of the nine Kennedy children, " writes Kennedy, "my family did not so much live in the world as comprise the world. Though I have long since outgrown that simplistic view, I have never ... read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Twelve
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780446539258ISBN:0446539252
Description: New in new dust jacket. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 544 p. Audience: General/trade. 100% BRAND NEW! IOWA BOOKS ETC IS A FIVE STAR SELLER! Quick Shipping in Bubble Wrap Protected Mailer. Ships (Domestically) with USPS Tracking Number--a FREE $.80 value for your peace of mind. read more
Binding: Hardback
Publisher: Grand Central Pub
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780446539258ISBN:0446539252
Description: New. In this landmark autobiography, five years in the making, Senator Edward M. Kennedy tells his extraordinary personal story--of his legendary family, politics, and 50 years at the center of national events. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Twelve
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9780446539258ISBN:0446539252
Description: New in very good dust jacket. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 544 p. Audience: General/trade. This title will be released on September 14, 2009 read more
"I enjoyed the audio version of True Compass. I found Kennedy's observations from over 40 years in the senate especially interesting. I was also surprised by how much he loved his father. It was also obvious how much he loved his second wife."
"From the moment this book was published, it was inevitable that I would buy it. Eventually, armed with a 30% off coupon from Borders, I did just that. And I'm glad I did.
Anyone interested in the political process would probably enjoy this book, because there is plenty of that included. But Kennedy's poignant reminiscences of his family are both touching and revealing, and make up one of the best parts of this book.
The best part, though, the thing that sets this book apart from other memoirs, is Kennedy's reflections on his faith. The true compass of the title isn't liberal politics or wealth or family connections, although all of these abound in this book. Kennedy was guided throughout his life by his faith.
That is not to say that he was without his flaws, as he had them aplenty. He deals with them in a straightforward manner here, without descending into a gushing confessional.
I think the thing I admire most about Kennedy, though, is something he shared with many members of his family. When Kennedy's son was battling cancer at the age of 12, Kennedy took him to Boston every three weeks for treatment. There, while his son was undergoing treatment or sleeping, the father prowled the corridors, getting to know other parents in the same situation and listening to the fears they expressed--of how they were going to pay for the expensive care that was keeping their kids alive. Kennedy took that experience and made the fight for adequate health care in this country the cause of his life. It's tragic that he didn't live to see it, but even more tragic for the country that we don't have it.
This is a trait that many people have--the abilitly to take a personal sorror or tragedy and use it as a force for good for others. The Kennedys certainly aren't the first to do so, and I hope they won't be the last. But compare Kennedy's reaction to his son's illnesses to the recent comment by a male Senator, during a debate on health care, that maternity care really isn't necessary. I guess he forget that he had been born.
The ability to understand the pain of others, and to take action on their behalf, is part of what made Kennedy a great man."
"Like him or not, Ted Kennedy spent a life in the center of American history. His reflections and memories are captivating, educational and insightful. As someone who considered him a good friend, I found the book to be so very much like the man I knew. His personality, beliefs, sorrows and joys all jump off the page. I hated for it to end becuase I felt like I was saying goodbye to him all over again.
Interesting, he has such detailed memories except for the most traumatic moments of his life -- the deaths of his two brothers and Chappaquidic. his lifelong trauma really shows."
"This book ends up being a personal reflection of Ted Kennedy's life near its end. Indeed, Kennedy says (Page 13): ". . .I think of them often: my parents and my brothers and sisters all departed now save for Jean and myself. . .My story is their story, and theirs mine, and so it shall be in these pages." Thus, more personal reflections than discussion of issues and people in historical context. It is unfair for me to ask that he write a book that I would have wanted him to write, but. . . .
The book is filled with discussion of Kennedy and his family, from his early youth onwards. Much of such discussion, of course, is poignant, given the losses of brothers in war and to assassination. The part of the book where he discussed family and friends has a nice tonality to it, as we come to learn about the inner aspects of the Kennedy family (from his parents and brothers, to nieces and nephews, to. . .). His discussion of the brain tumor, how to attack it, and how to persevere in the face of its almost inevitable conquest of him is powerful.
On the other hand, the discussion of historical events has a superficial quality to it. Brief discussion and then moving on to the next highlight. For instance, "No Child Left Behind." He worked with others, Republicans and Democrats to help this law, championed by President George W. Bush, become enacted. However, I would have found it very important for him to discuss more of the interactions among the variety of players, how they hammered the legislation out, and what they did to pass it. Such coverage was rather superficial.
And, of course, some of the tough moments in his life, such as the death of Mary Jo Kopechne at Chappaquiddick. If my memory is accurate, his version in this book is pretty much what he said at the time of this incident. People who have doubts about this episode will not have their minds changed; those willing to accept his version of events will accept the description.
So, as a personal reflection, this works fairly well. However, the opportunity for us to learn from the author about events leading to important public actions such as legislation tends to be rather superficial. This was not his intent, of course, but I regret that we will almost surely never have his perspective on such events appear.
For what this book intends, it does pretty well. But it could have been much more. . . ."
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