The Senator: My Ten Years With Ted Kennedy

by Richard E. Burke, William Hoffer, Marilyn Hoffer

Provides a provocative portrait of the life and career of Massachusetts senator Ted Kennedy, revealing the dark secrets, behind-the-scenes machinations, and other intimate details of one of America's most powerful senators. 250,000 first printing. $100,000 ad/promo.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Biography, Memoir

328 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1992

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this book five stars for being so entertaining, but I still don't understand why the author wrote it. I was waiting for him to describe a fallout with Ted Kennedy, or to provide some justification for the tell-all besides getting paid. The closest he came was in the afterword when he said something about wanting to tell his story and provide an explanation to all the people he wronged. But still, Ted Kennedy trusted him with all his secrets, and I never got an explanation of why the writer would betray the trust.

[Dana Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was impossible to put this book down, beginning one evening and finishing it into the earlier hours of the morning.

[Gabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

For 10 years Richard E Burke served as an aide to Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts. Burke's duties included literally running the Senator's life for him both professionally and personally. That makes this book a highly subjective biography of Kennedy since Burke reports that among other things he and The Senator shared were drug use and some of the same women. Given the level of drug use to which both men subjected themselves, there is often good reason to question the accuracy of what Burke reports. The chapter on the Kennedy visit to Russia in 1978 is a good example of this; it reads more like an episode from Get Smart than it does like a Senator's state visit to a foreign country. However, much of what Burke writes about is a matter of public record; all he's done is flesh out more details.

Burke reports that one of Kennedy's female acquaintances defines the Senator as a pig. After applying the standards for defining a pig (if it looks like a pig, sounds like a pig, and exhibits frequent piggish behavior, you've got yourself a pig), there is no reason to find fault with this evaluation of Kennedy's behavior with this particular acquaintance. Given the fact that his behavior with other women was similar to this one experience, it is only logical to accept this definition of his private behavior as accurate.

Given the recent death of Ted Kennedy, there is so much material being aired in the media to suggest he was some larger than life character who exhibited nothing but bravery, intelligence, and respect for his country, his family, and his constituents. In fact, quite the opposite is true. The Senator, My Ten Years With Ted Kennedy is one place to get a more realistic picture of this controversial figure in American history.

[Jazzy Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating book about the life of Ted Kennedy as a Senator but also a person living in excess of drugs and infidelities. All said by his closest right hand who unveiled all of the Senator’s secrets in order to publish this book.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sex, drugs, and politics. Nothing more to see here, folks; move along.

[Rachel Carlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a book to read if you’re interested in the policy aspect of Ted Kennedy’s senatorial career. If you’re looking for the tantalizing scandals, and the cocaine, this is the book for you.

[Hannah Sendelbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, well written and intriguing! However, maybe not worth the time unless you have particular interest in Ted Kennedy or the Kennedy family, which I do not.

[Tammi]

None of the revelations in this book surprised me.

[Sher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Wow! This is a real eye-opener. This book simultaneously gave me a renewed respect for Ted Kennedy, and increased my revulsion for him. Even though I don't share his political views, it is easy to see that he could have been such a fantastic person, and actually was in many ways. But his fatal flaws were over the moon. Richard Burke spent 10 years as close to Kennedy as just about anyone. He wasn't working with Kennedy from a distance, but rather, knew him up-close and personal. He was the one designated to cover up Kennedy's, shall we say, indiscretions. He even opened Kennedy's personal mail, by the Senator's request. Ted trusted him implicitly. Burke was very young when he first went to work with Kennedy, and it was because of Kennedy that Burke began drinking, womanizing and using cocaine. When Burke finally realized that he was destroying his own life, he knew he had to get away from the Senator. It took courage, because he really loved Ted (in a platonic way). Kennedy's use of drugs, alcohol and women became worse and worse as the years passed, until those close to him knew he must not run for president of the USA again, or, should he be elected, the country would end up with that highest official making decisions while strung out on drugs and alcohol. A sad, sad story that could have been a happy one.

[Amy Plitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very eye-opening book written by Ted's right-hand man. The drugs, drinking, and sex (with countless women in his office, at a restaurant, at home while his wife was in the house!)!!! I'm sure most of this goes on all through Washington, but I'd like to think we do have respectable representatives SOMEwhere! I was disappointed to see young Rick (Burke) fall into his boss's lifestyle, but I was proud of him for recognizing the distructive nature of his environment, getting out, and confessing via writing this book. (He grew up Catholic, but I obviously don't know where his heart is now...)

[Lauren Shoaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me preface this by saying my knowledge of the Kennedy Family is slim, but they fascinate me. This book was very eye-opening and I found myself wondering how I would have responded to Ted Kennedy had I met him. The other part of me was appalled Richard Burke would disclose all of this information and betray someone that obviously trusted him greatly, but at the same time I kept reading. After finishing the book I had mixed feelings and wished they'd addressed the Chappaquiddick incident a bit more.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revealing. What happens to people with power. My friend Peter Longmore, a media type, worked briefly on his presidential campaign (he also worked on Robert Kennedy's campaign until his assassination). Peter bailed out in Michigan and called him not worthy of the job. His record of fighting for the less fortunate in society is lost in his debauchery and corruption. Sad.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ole Teddy is an incredible contradiction!

If you believe in the vision, and your support for our leadership is unfailing, DON'T READ THIS BOOK! For the people who believe One's private life doesn't affect their public life, this book's for you!

[Jeannie Scheirman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this, and found our things I wish I hadn't. I suppose the author was telling the truth b/c he told much about himself that wasn't favorable. Although I didn't like what I was reading, I wanted to find out all.

[Sebastian Cosgrove · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK telling of his early years from an insider.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enlightening book; if one-half is true what he writes. WOW.....

[RK Byers · Rating 3 out of 5]

the best part was that the kids were growing pot on the front lawn.

[Sotaing]

I love Ted - his Office ALWAYS replies your Q/A, but is this his true story?

[Geoffrey Macharia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book, very eye-opening. It's like that Michel de Montaigne quote, "Every man bears the whole stamp of the human condition." Very revealing...

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My only problem is I don't know what's true and what's not...

[Kevin Hawkins]

I am still on the fence as to how to rate this book. My whole life I have been facinated by the Kennedy's. While this book went much deeper into detail about the sordid lives that they lead. I guess I did get some kind of learnings. As disfunctional as our government is, other governments are more so.