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Edward M. Kennedy : A Biography
Edward M. Kennedy is one of the most influential senators in Congress. For the last 35 years, he′s played a major role in events ranging from the Vietnam War to Supreme Court confirmations. He′s also been closely associated with issues such as health care, civil rights and campaign finance reform. More than the foremost lawmaker and best orator in the Senate, he′s enthralled (and disappointed) a generation who saw him as the keeper of his famous brothers′ flame. He′s seen America -- and her politics -- change in drastic ways. In this definitive biography, New York Times Washington Editor Adam Clymer draws an in-depth portrait of this complex man. Through interviews with Kennedy, and the people close to him, he places Kennedy′s career in a historical perspective, and observes how Kennedy′s personal life has affected his political performance. The Senator has dealt with his infamous legacy, struggled to overcome the Chappaquiddick incident, and handled spectacular failures as well as many truimphs. He′s one of the few old-fashioned liberals who has held the Democratic Party to its principles, and is a hero to many. This is a unique, enormously readable chronicle of one of the most fascinating political figures of our time.
692 pages, Hardcover
First published November 17, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 30, 2015
In this book, Adam Clymer offers us a well-written, detailed portrait of the life and career of Edward Kennedy, a man who has long labored under the shadows cast by his ambitious family. Burdened by the expectations the came with the family name and tarnished by the self-inflicted wounds of scandal, he nonetheless persevered to become a force in the United States Senate, one whose career the author ranks as one of the greatest in the history of the institution.
Such a judgment certainly reflects Clymer's bias for his subject. But he does make a convincing case for the influential role that Kennedy has played in the Senate over the past three decades. Clymer conveys Kennedy's love for the Senate, which he argues was reflected in his half-hearted attempts for the White House in the 1970s and 1980s. While some may argue that his failure to win the nomination makes any effort to minimize his presidential campaigns a case of sour grapes, Clymer demonstrates how Kennedy thrived in the Senate in a way his brothers - who seemed to treat their careers there as little more than platforms from which to launch their bids for the White House - never did.
Yet Clymer's biography is not without its flaws. As some reviewers have noted, the book occasionally bogs down in the minutiae of legislative maneuvering, the deals and rules that play such an important role of Kennedy's career (and his mastery of which is one of the keys to his influence). Even more troubling, though, is Clymer's inability to reconcile successfully the powerful senator with the dissolute personal character. He acknowledges Kennedy's personal problems but refers to most of them in passing only, which has the effect of reducing Chappaquiddick to an isolated incident rather than the most tragic example of the personal conduct which has defined the man in the minds of many Americans.
In spite of this, Clymer's book stands as an excellent biography of Edward Kennedy. Detailed, insightful, and well-argued, it will remain for some time the best book about the Kennedy brother who might turn out to have been the most important and influential one of them all.
Such a judgment certainly reflects Clymer's bias for his subject. But he does make a convincing case for the influential role that Kennedy has played in the Senate over the past three decades. Clymer conveys Kennedy's love for the Senate, which he argues was reflected in his half-hearted attempts for the White House in the 1970s and 1980s. While some may argue that his failure to win the nomination makes any effort to minimize his presidential campaigns a case of sour grapes, Clymer demonstrates how Kennedy thrived in the Senate in a way his brothers - who seemed to treat their careers there as little more than platforms from which to launch their bids for the White House - never did.
Yet Clymer's biography is not without its flaws. As some reviewers have noted, the book occasionally bogs down in the minutiae of legislative maneuvering, the deals and rules that play such an important role of Kennedy's career (and his mastery of which is one of the keys to his influence). Even more troubling, though, is Clymer's inability to reconcile successfully the powerful senator with the dissolute personal character. He acknowledges Kennedy's personal problems but refers to most of them in passing only, which has the effect of reducing Chappaquiddick to an isolated incident rather than the most tragic example of the personal conduct which has defined the man in the minds of many Americans.
In spite of this, Clymer's book stands as an excellent biography of Edward Kennedy. Detailed, insightful, and well-argued, it will remain for some time the best book about the Kennedy brother who might turn out to have been the most important and influential one of them all.
August 9, 2024
This sat on my shelf for year before I finally got around to reading, and I'm glad I finally did. At times, Clymer tries to cover too many legislative details, but that's a double-edged sword because I learned a ton about Congressional maneuvering from this book. Clymer keeps a balanced perspective on Ted, not holding back from criticism of his drinking, philandering, etc but also recognizing the immense good he did for America.
Kennedy was decidedly liberal, but effectively worked across the aisle. In many instances, he helped pass (or at least defend) progressive policies on issues like civil rights by garnering GOP support. In others, however, Kennedy actually spearheaded more conservative initiatives like airline deregulation. Kennedy worked through friendships with people like Orrin Hatch and Jim Jeffords. Clymer makes very apparent why he was such a respected figure. Kennedy was also a consistent voice for human rights around the world, a part of his record that isn't discussed super often. But despite these successes, he also had his legislative difficulties, never being able to get universal healthcare done--Teddy died just before the passage of the ACA. Clymer's book is a great look at Teddy Kennedy's career through the 1990s.
Kennedy was decidedly liberal, but effectively worked across the aisle. In many instances, he helped pass (or at least defend) progressive policies on issues like civil rights by garnering GOP support. In others, however, Kennedy actually spearheaded more conservative initiatives like airline deregulation. Kennedy worked through friendships with people like Orrin Hatch and Jim Jeffords. Clymer makes very apparent why he was such a respected figure. Kennedy was also a consistent voice for human rights around the world, a part of his record that isn't discussed super often. But despite these successes, he also had his legislative difficulties, never being able to get universal healthcare done--Teddy died just before the passage of the ACA. Clymer's book is a great look at Teddy Kennedy's career through the 1990s.
March 21, 2022
Lady Eloise Surrey was a chaperone to Lady Lydia Rowbotham who was being corted by lord Robert Ashton. By day Lord Robert was a second son by night he's Robbie Green, who owns half a Campion's Gentleman's Emporium, a notorious gaming hell, who helps people. When Lady Eloise's bother who we all find out is actually her son goes missing she finds Robbie Green with help of a friend of her's who runs a dress shop. Eloise and Robert go under ground together to find her son. I just reviewed A Rogue Like You by Abigail Bridges. #ARogueLikeYou #NetGalley
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September 14, 2022
Stellar political biography, as rich in detail as the genre gets. Clymer wastes almost no time with pontificating; when he briefly compares the hubris of the 1970s health care campaign to the failure of the same campaign in the 1990s, it stands out, because he hasn't been holding your hand. Kennedy emerges as a flawed but talented man, aware of his limitations, and with willpower and a capacity for risk that occasionally broke when tested. But who was ever tested like he was? Lots of concise, compelling stories about the inner workings of the Last Great Senate, too.
October 26, 2022
Take an aged spinster firmly on the shelf, throw in a Lord on the cusp of an auspicious betrothal, add a little intrigue and top it off with explosive chemistry and you have a bang-up great read! Loved the characters and the well-written story. Highly recommended!
Thank you Abigail Bridges, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.
Thank you Abigail Bridges, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.
December 28, 2021
The author bogged me down with too much detail.
September 7, 2015
I have read several books about the Kennedy family. Edward M. Kennedy by Adam Clymer is an excellent biography for those readers who want to know more about him, personally and professionally.
Some biographies concentrate more on one aspect of someone's life, but the author strikes a good balance between the triumphs and tragedies in Edward M. Kennedy's personal life and his accomplishments in the United States Senate. I learned so much more about this extraordinary man and his enormous contribution to the American people through his years of public service. Somehow, he is much more real to me after reading this book.
If you're looking for a "short and sweet" presentation, this is not the book for you. This biography is informative, lengthy, detailed and well researched.
Some biographies concentrate more on one aspect of someone's life, but the author strikes a good balance between the triumphs and tragedies in Edward M. Kennedy's personal life and his accomplishments in the United States Senate. I learned so much more about this extraordinary man and his enormous contribution to the American people through his years of public service. Somehow, he is much more real to me after reading this book.
If you're looking for a "short and sweet" presentation, this is not the book for you. This biography is informative, lengthy, detailed and well researched.
January 12, 2015
Having read a few biographies on Ted Kennedy and the Kennedy brothers, I found Clymer's edition to be the most well balanced. For a subject that has supporters and detractors of equal strength, Clymer covers Ted Kennedy without glossing over the controversial areas or puffing up the successes of his life. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a fair review of Ted Kennedy.
January 27, 2011
I really am enjoying this book - but when I read it on the weekends or before going to bed, it makes me feel like I'm at work... :(
March 1, 2011
Can't help but be fascinated by this family.
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August 17, 2011A man of real wealth living a life in high society, but dedicating his political life to the welfare of average America. We need more of his ilk in this testing time.
April 22, 2021
ESKIMO POWER!
October 17, 2014
Good serious look at a fascinating historical figure
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews