"I have always believed that there are three stages of enjoying life: looking forward to something; experience it; and then having the memory of it." - Ted KennedyReading True Compass by Ted is like having a cup tea along with a homemade cupcake with a dear friend. It gave me that warm fuzzy feeling that made me reminisce with every page.My favorite chapter was number 13 "Bobby", my heart was breaking reading every page. I am a huge admirer of Robert and reading Ted talking about him made me ache a little bit."Any euphoria my brother may have felt was tempered by his lingering grief over Jack. In a meeting with reporters in his office shortly after he was sworn in, one of them asked him how he felt now as a member of the Senate. Bobby replied quietly, "I regret the circumstances that led to my being here."Something about Bobby that always inspire me, excite me, his charm, his bluntness and his morals. He's the only politician I actually ever believed.65% of the book is highly interesting but the rest is kinda lost it charm. Is it cause that it revolved about Ted? and to be honest I'm not so fond of him .. NOT that in a bad way but something about him doesn't spark. I only feel him because he went through a lot of tragic and I respect that he didn't lose his common sense nor that he made a deal with the devil ... he just stayed neutral. I also admire his views toward the Iraq invasion. Overall, the book is a great add to the books I've read about the Kennedys. It's very simple, no dirt whatsoever, no drama, just a positive view of a tragic life. Worth reading, though it could've been richer and deeper but I understand that he wanted a good view over his life not a scandalous book. "True Compass: A Memoir" is a biography that is both fascinating and flawed . Sadly it is only the first part of the book--Kennedy's childhood and youth--that I enjoyed when he talked about his life from childhood to college. His experiences in boarding school as a little boy were frightening. After reading those episodes, it cemented my opinion that Rose Kennedy would never have been voted Mother of the Year. The phrase "I've made mistakes" about his "indiscretions" is almost ludicrous. Even though a memoir is not a confession I did not expect such a white wash. Chappaquiddick was not his fault!Also there is another question: where are the women? Until the final several chapters of the book (when Kennedy marries Vicki and starts saying about how happy he is), all women except Rose are reduced essentially to faceless figures. His first wife Joan is especially neglected even though they were married for more than twenty years, she supported him when he almost became paralyzed in the plane crash and through the debacle of Chappaquiddick. He talks in length about his two sons but not Kara.A self serving book - I should have put it down when the book got to 1980.
What do You think about True Compass: A Memoir (2009)?
The best part of this book is gaining an insider's perspective to some of the most salient events of the 20th century. While I admired Ted Kennedy before I read the book, I think reading it gave me a greater appreciation for the events that he witnessed and took part in. It generally reads well, although at times I wondered why his editors didn't regroup some of the anecdotes. Overall, an easy read that those interested in politics and historical events will appreciate.
—linda
I am not sure this book needed to be 500 pages, but it was an easy read. In parts, I wished it was more of a personal memoir than an accounting down to the detail of many of his senatorial votes. However, I felt it was good for me to learn more about topics in more recent history (at least according to Ted Kennedy). Like them or not, the Kennedys are a pretty fascinating family and this did give me more insight into the whole family. I enjoyed it.
—HannahRainxx
"can't get into the life of privilege, even if i agree with his politics"
—ReadySetEm
