jeremyanderberg's review
5.0
Started a touch slow, but then picked up steam and never relented. In a life marked by tragedy and overshadowed by the family name, Ted Kennedy ended up shaping a unique and formidable legacy of his own — and worked his way to being "the leading exponent of liberal causes in American politics."
Though there are some particulars left out (much of his early life, his divorce from Joan, etc.), I quickly realized that, given the long arc of Kennedy's life and career, certain things had to be glossed over in order to even keep it under 600 pages. (Neil Gabler's ~2,000-page two-volume treatment does no glossing over.)
In many ways, his life is the most complex and intriguing of all the Kennedys. He ended up being an incredible politician through sheer grit and championed causes for decades on end (especially health care). But his personal life was hellish and marred by an endless cascade of bad decisions.
Marked by intense, almost unimaginable trauma and a seemingly genuine urge to better the human condition, Kennedy encapsulated the extreme ends of our dichotomies as a species.
His life and work are worth knowing about. What one Washington Post reporter wrote decades ago still applies today: "While it is impossible for any Kennedy to be overlooked, this one has surely been underestimated."
"Ted Kennedy" is a fantastic, readable, utterly absorbing biography. Farrell strikes again.
Though there are some particulars left out (much of his early life, his divorce from Joan, etc.), I quickly realized that, given the long arc of Kennedy's life and career, certain things had to be glossed over in order to even keep it under 600 pages. (Neil Gabler's ~2,000-page two-volume treatment does no glossing over.)
In many ways, his life is the most complex and intriguing of all the Kennedys. He ended up being an incredible politician through sheer grit and championed causes for decades on end (especially health care). But his personal life was hellish and marred by an endless cascade of bad decisions.
Marked by intense, almost unimaginable trauma and a seemingly genuine urge to better the human condition, Kennedy encapsulated the extreme ends of our dichotomies as a species.
His life and work are worth knowing about. What one Washington Post reporter wrote decades ago still applies today: "While it is impossible for any Kennedy to be overlooked, this one has surely been underestimated."
"Ted Kennedy" is a fantastic, readable, utterly absorbing biography. Farrell strikes again.
dan4241's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.75
A lengthy (thanks to Ted Kennedy's many years in service) recap of the Liberal Lion. The book is well written with interesting quotes and perspectives on the man's many years of personal issues and political efforts -- a must read for both liberal admirers and conservative skeptics that are interested in what drives the different perspective.
mogar_pogar's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
This book focusses more on Kennedy's decade career. Beginning from graduating Harvard and onwards from there entering politics, a deep dive into Ted Kennedy's career.
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