Edward M. Kennedy - by Adam Clymer (Paperback)

About the Book

"The book is more than a portrait of one of the most fascinating political characters of our time. It is also a history of the U.S. Senate and the Democratic Party in the final third of the 20th century".--"Chicago Sun-Times". The author is a Washington correspondent for the "New York Times". 16-page photo insert.

Book Synopsis

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.

From the Back Cover

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.

Review Quotes

"Clymer says Kennedy is one of the most effective senators in American history. By the end of the book, most readers--even devoted Republicans and not-so liberal Democrats ought to be convinced that Clymer has made his case. . . . This is an old-fashioned, evenhanded, well-organized biography of interest to anybody who cares about post World War II politics." - Seattle Times
"Clymer . . . gives us a readable and worthy account of a flawed and fascinating politician." - People
"The best researched and most comprehensive biography yet of Senator Kennedy." - Baltimore Sun
"Better than any of many previous efforts, Clymer's book fleshes out Edward Kennedy in his Senate years. . . . [T]his is a senatorial biography of record, well-researched, well-annotated, and sure the definitive source for years to come." - Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"Edward M. Kennedy is a thorough, careful account of a passionately interesting man and politician." - New York Times Book Review