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

A Walk through the 20th Century

The story of Ted Kennedy's life is, in so many ways, the story of us all. Not in the details and personal reflections but in the ways in which his family and his personality shaped and was shaped by the critical events of the last century.

When I began "True Compass" I knew I would enjoy it but I had no idea how compelling a story it would be. At nineteen hours the unabridged version still seems short!

Kennedy told his story in a simple, accessible style that was clearly from his heart. He didn't try to psychoanalyze himself or his family, it's wasn't his style. Instead he simply related the amazing accounts of his life in a way that invites the reader to listen and understand. His story allows us to not only understand more fully the makeup of the Kennedy Clan and the dynamics which shaped their activities in both the civic arena and their private lives, we see through his own eyes the struggles that came with the Kennedy legacy.

Reading Ted Kennedy's story provides a new layer of understanding about many of the critical events of the 20th century. It is a story that reveals the way human agency is always at work to shape the world around us. Ultimately, then, with this new understanding, the astute reader should be inspired with a deeper understanding of the difference each of us can make in our world today.

Of course this is an audiobook and regardless of the quality of the story, the reader must communicate with humanity and clarity, and in this task John Lloyd excels. There are times when I had to remind myself that this wasn't HIS story, the expressiveness of his narration was so powerful.

This is a story that definitely deserves the time to be read, cover to cover. But it is also a story that takes on a new life when you HEAR it read and experience the richness of who Ted Kennedy was in this intimate, personal way.

A wonderful book about a life full of wonders...

A wonderful book about a life full of the wonders of our history; a life that was fully dedicated to the most wonderful country God could imagine. I had the privilege of working with him and Ted Jr. as we sought to secure equal access to the American dream or all Americans. Then and now and always, I will count him amongst the greatest of America's sons.

all in a life time

Would you consider the audio edition of True Compass to be better than the print version?

yes i think it comes alive to hear page after page as there life unfolds in ears.

What other book might you compare True Compass to and why?

i don t think this can be held to compare to another

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

a bit slow in some places but not bad

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

a true compass of a life time

Any additional comments?

this was a eye opener to see a man in a new way

True Compass

A great listen. The reader's voice almost sounds like Kennedy himself (without the accent). An interesting insight into the life of a fascinating family, and a man who made his share of mistakes and accomplished more than his share of great things.

The Man behind the Senator

There was so much I did not know about Ted Kennedy. His public persona as detailed in the press is very different from his very private personal life. I enjoyed every word and did not want this book to end.

Exceptional Story

From start to finish, Senator Kennedy's life story was a real page turner. You can tell he's writing from the heart... You can feel the laughter.... And you can feel the pain. He was definitely the people's Senator. And I love the way he cared about people.

I loved this book.

SHOULD BE LISTED UNDER FICTION - Waste of Time

This is the most self-serving memoir I have ever listen to on Audible.
Joe Kennedy sounded like a Saint.
Why wasn't his rum running mentioned.

The account of the cheating at Harvard was amazing. While saying he accepted responsibility, he goes on to point out how others were the reason it happened.

Private planes, trains, & Limos does not show me concern for the poor.

Most American should not expect to experience anything near comparable to Kennedy Family Health Care.

I would suggest you not waste your time or money on this book.

Revisionist History

Obviously, Sen. Kennedy wanted to pesent himself and his family in the best possible light. Unfortunately, he did such a fantastic job doing this that he casts the veracity of the entire book in doubt. I don't blame him for wanting to look good, but when bad and/or seamy incidents were concurrently recorded in the press, Kennedy's attempt to make them seem other than what they were does nothing but make him sound self serving. This book would have been better if there had been any honest soul searching or even explanation of events that he was involved in that also impacted American life and history.

Very Disappointed!

What disappointed you about True Compass?

Being a Kennedy fan, I had great expectations for this book but I was so disappointed. I found it to be self-serving. I didn't come out of it a Teddy fan. Yuck.