My copy of "True Compass" arrived yesterday

[Zomby Woof]

Got started last night. Very moving right out of the gate. I've read a lot of bios/memoirs of prominent Democratic leaders, but this may be the volume of the decade.

If anyone else is reading it, let me know what you think. If any of you are planning on reading it - I hope you are able to do so.

[Diane R]

1. I'm reading it, and it's excellent. I would highly recommend purchasing a copy.

[Hekate]

2. Advance reviews welcome. I plan to buy a copy when it comes to Costco. nt

[Staph]

3. I finished it over the weekend.

I thought it was well written, thoughtful, and for me, very emotional. The Kennedy family has been a part of my life forever. JFK is the first president that I remember, and like every one else alive at the time, I have haunting memories of November 22, 1963, as well as June 5, 1968. To hear the story from inside the family is moving.

[democrat2thecore]

4. I had pre-ordered from Amazon. Here's My Review - as requested. Hope it helps.

I read the thing in 4 nights. I thought it was excellent and highly recommend it.

Some thoughts....

I was struck by so many things, but the one thing I had no idea about was that Teddy truly thought 1984 was his year to run for president. He wanted to run so badly. He felt he had waited too late in '80 to campaign on the traditional liberal economic issues he cared so much about. He was determined to do that from the start in 1984. But, Patrick (15 at the time) was very much against it, Ted Jr. was against it, Kara was on the fence. They all worried about his safety and time away from them after the divorce from their mom. He asked for them to take time to reconsider but told them if they felt the same way by Thanksgiving 1983 - he wouldn't run. They were dead set against it. He understood and it was the only factor that kept him from running. He announced 2 days later he would not be a candidate for president. The Senate was his future. It was clear he wanted that race though.

His recollections of his brothers and his whole family was touching and more intimate than you might guess from a politician. He wrote of the privilege he knew was his because of the family he was born into. He never forgot that most people didn't have anywhere close to his wealth and his time in hospitals gave him plenty of time to talk to average people - and he heard so many horror stories. He realized how truly lucky he was. This was especially true, he wrote, during his time at the hospital for Teddy, Jr. when he rarely left the hospital.

One thing he didn't spend much time on and I think the lack of time spent on the subject was testament to just how much it hurt: the loss of John, Jr. in the plane crash of 1999. We've all heard how that one almost broke him. And the short time he spent on the subject probably proves this to be the case. He had such hopes for John, who had been like a 3rd son.

He wrote a lot about those he didn't always agree with, but was able to get along with. There were many - Democrats AND Republicans. Except for Jimmy Carter. If he really lowers the boom on anybody in the book it's Carter. He just didn't see him as up to the job and it's clear he still, at the time of his writing, thought very little of Jimmy Carter. He loved Reagan's optimism and his larger-than-life way of captivating the people of the country. He even said he thought he deserves that "special" spot as a revered president for his optimism that the country clearly needed after Carter. Though, he thought he was more interested in swapping stories than in governance and opposed Reagan on almost everything. He wrote of his developing a deep friendship with Nancy Reagan and how they had worked together on several issues since President Reagan's death.

Of course, probably the most difficult portions to read were of his having to deal with so much tragedy and reading his words about the JFK/RFK assassinations were tough. He clearly thought Bobby would have been a GREAT president, thought Jack was a good president, but thought LBJ was the best president in his lifetime.

I could go on and on, but I encourage everyone to read this. Pick it up at the bookstore, online or remember that good old library card. Great book from a great United States Senator. How I miss him.

[Hekate]

5. Thanks for that! I look forward to reading it all the more!

:hi:

Hekate