True Compass

A Memoir

By: Edward M. Kennedy

Narrated by: John Bedford Lloyd

Length: 18 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

The youngest of nine children born to Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, he came of age among siblings from whom much was expected. As a young man, he played a key role in the presidential campaign of his brother John F. Kennedy, recounted here in loving detail. In 1962 he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he began a fascinating political education and became a legislator.

In this historic memoir, the late Ted Kennedy takes us inside his family, re-creating life with his parents and brothers and explaining their profound impact on him. For the first time, he describes his heartbreak and years of struggle in the wake of their deaths. Through it all, he describes his work in the Senate on the major issues of our time - civil rights, Vietnam, Watergate, the quest for peace in Northern Ireland - and the cause of his life: improved health care for all Americans, a fight influenced by his own experiences in hospitals.

His life was marked by tragedy and perseverance, a love of family, and an abiding faith. There have been controversies, too, and Kennedy addresses them with unprecedented candor.

At midlife, embattled and uncertain if he would ever fall in love again, he met the woman who changed his life, Victoria Reggie Kennedy. Facing a tough reelection campaign against an aggressive challenger named Mitt Romney, Kennedy found a new voice and began one of the great third acts in American politics, sponsoring major legislation, standing up for liberal principles, and making the pivotal endorsement of Barack Obama for president.

Hundreds of books have been written about the Kennedys. True Compass will endure as the definitive account from a member of America's most heralded family, an inspiring legacy to listeners and to history, and a deeply moving story of a life like no other.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2009 Edward M. Kennedy (P)2009 Hachette Audio

Starts off good, but loses steam.

Starts off really good, but loses steam. The first section of the book sounds a lot like your grandfather telling you stories of his life that carry lifelong lessons.

Much of the rest of the book is about his political career. While I understand that he was a politician and thus politics played a large role in his life, it read more like an encyclopedic recounting of his career and lacked much of the insight to his inner struggles and family life that I was expecting to find.

Also, the latter chapters of the book suffer because he rushed to complete the book as his health declined, so everything from 1998 onward is set in a rough sketch (he covered the death of 4 important people, including Jackie O, in about 3 pages). All in all, I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars but would still give it a spot on my "recommended" list.

Excellent

I was brought up with a Mother who was a Democrat and had respect for the Kennedys, which she passed down to me. I had met Ted Kennedy at Beverly City Hall in the 70's. I am so happy I decided to read this story. It was enlightening and humble and truthful. Senator Kennedy did a wonderful job and I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to know what true Servant to the people means.

Passionate politician

You get a true understanding of the wealth in which Kennedy was born which helps one to understand why he feels the upper 1/3 needs to provide for the lower 2/3's. The book gives you an understanding of how hard he worked for national health insurance and why, and how sad for him that he did not see it achieved, but probably better for the country. I can only say there must be a good reason that in his lifetime he could not obtain a national health insurance program. I am glad I read the book and think everyone, regardless of political persuasion will find it interesting.

Engaging

I found this audio book truly engaging. It is narrated beautifully with humor and warmth throughout. I recommend this book, not only as a good, entertaining read, but also as an entertaining perspective and glimpse into US politics.

A simply fascinating true story...

This book reveals the Kennedy family as an all-American "family" involved in the political history of the world for once, and not as they have always been portrayed, "politicians" that happened to be family. Incredible story that will make you laugh and cry, feel proud and angry, sad and inspired, all at the same time. All Americans should be proud of having such a family as part of our culture and their legacy as part of our history.

What an awesome book.

This is truly one of the best books I have heard in years! Senator Kennedy's story shows what a humble man he was. You will get answers to questions that you may have had, for years.

Fantastic

I loved the story. What a great perspective on government, power and the growth of our country. I found the narrator distracting and the editing of chapters was at times very different in terms of sound, but overall, a great book.

Truly enjoyed!

This was a great insite into the Kennedy family. I enjoyed this book. I believe that he speaks from the heart about very personal family things. I was surprised that he speaks to the car incident out on the Cape. I felt that he was being very true ...different hearing about it from him than what was in the news. I believe that this is a wonderful read. Hope that all will enjoy as much as I have.

An illuminating glimpse at our history

An illuminating look at the last fifty years of our history.
Not as insightful as it might be.
Not great literature.

Senator Kennedy Went Out In Style

I can’t say that I've ever been a huge Sen. Edward Kennedy fan, but in reading this memoir, True Compass, I was able to get a much more in-depth look behind not only the image, but also the man, Sen. Edward Kennedy.

I followed the Kennedy clan throughout much of my adult life, so I’m very familiar with the various personalities and achievements of the Kennedy family going back nearly 100 years. Sen. Edward Kennedy was always perceived as the “rascal” of the group, who, probably because of his being the baby of the bunch, seemed to be riding on his family’s coattails for the most part.

Kennedy does a good job of peeling back some of the “layers of the onion” and letting us get an up close and personal look at some of his own personal demons, challenges, addictions and rivalries (both political and non-political) that he dealt with sometimes “oh so publically” (the Kennedy’s had a family oath to try their best to deal with issues in private as much as possible).

I learned so much more about him and gain a new level of respect for not only him, but his many accomplishments, especially later in his life when he spent his “political capital” on new up and comer, Barrack Obama, instead of on the Clintons (Hillary and Bill) in 2008 for the Presidential Election.

Of course, there’s still a lot of suspicion and mystery surrounding him and the whole Chappaquiddick thing, but I guess there’s always going to be a “certain amount of intrigue with the Kennedy’s”.

The book flows nice and easy, so even though it’s lengthy, it’s easy to comprehend and go with the flow.