James Lange is a practicing lawyer (drunk driving and accident cases) and a former investigator. Katherine DeWitt is a writer and editor. They claim other writers on this topic lacked legal knowledge and knew nothing of forensic science (p.ix). The writers were jurors who applied common sense and general knowledge to a problem. The authors research led them to a theory previously buried.

Joe Kennedy Sr. was not a common bootlegger during Prohibition (p.3); he made another fortune by holding import licenses for Scotch whiskies. He had made several fortunes in banking, shipbuilding, and stock brokering earlier. Like some other bankers, he supported FDR in 1932 and was given the Ambassadorship to Great Britain. Kennedy's defeatist attitude killed his political career, but his sons were ready to be all they could be. Pages 6-8 summarize Ted Kennedy's life. Ted did well as a Senator; he was a team player. Like most Senators and Congressmen, he worked in his car while someone else drove. Ted relied on other people's talents (p.10). Chapter 2 tells of Mary Jo Kopechne. No one has ever proven any irregularities in her life (p.18). The July 1969 party was at Chappaquiddick so Teddy couldn't miss it (p.20). Mary Jo didn't feel well and asked Ted to drive her to her motel. Ted made a wrong turn and ended up on the wooden bridge.

After Ted returned to Hyannis Port he was examined by a doctor (p.47). The retrograde amnesia and current confusion was diagnosed as a concussion, acute cervical strain. Ted still walked around in a daze on Monday (p.51). Ted and Joan attended Mary Jo's funeral on Tuesday. On Friday Ted plead guilty to leaving the scene of an accident. Ted's candidacy for a higher office was the other victim of this accident.

Chapter 5 discusses various theories about this event. Retrograde amnesia always occurs with a concussion, and explains anyone's loss of memory (p.73). Page 117 suggests they did not report the accident immediately because of Ted's confused mental state. A tearful, emotional Ted would have ended his career. This is as good a theory as any (p.123), and avoids multiplying suppositions. Chapter 7 discusses the rumors of Ted's guilt. There was nothing wrong with a closed inquest because Mass. always did it that way (p.159). This can prevent prejudicial pre-trial publicity. Pages 160-2 explain why Ted Kennedy did NOT "get away with it".

Ted Kennedy has continued to get re-elected Senator, but has no chance for higher office. This is described as due to a "flaw in judgment". Would a drunkard and adulterer make a good President? The authors imply "no" but the history books (or the present?) suggest at least a "maybe". They ask if Nixon deserved to be hounded out of office for a "third-rate burglary" (p.166)? Yes, if "Watergate" was a cover story for the attempted assassination of George Wallace.

Edgartown was the locale for filming "Jaws" in 1974. Did the Dyke Bridge appear in a background shot of the pond? Martha's Vineyard was in the news again in 1999 when JFK Jr, his wife, and sister-in-law perished in a plane crash. We later found out JFK Jr intended to get elected Senator of NY.

John Hume is a virtually unknown figure in the United States, but he has been steadily gaining recognition due to his work in the Northern Irish peace agreement. This recognition is overdue and much deserved. This monumental book outlines Hume's political philosophy - a philosophy which seeks to brush aside the vengefulness and intransigence of Northern Ireland's past, searching instead for reconciliation through justice for all. Hume is heavily influenced by Matin Luther King, Jr. and John F. Kennedy, and quotes from these two figures flavor Hume's text. Hume's themes may seem repetitive, and his ideas seem to be based on the shakey foundation of human progress, but this work demonstrates that he is a champion for for a true peace in Northern Ireland - a peace that is just for all.

Book was very factual. I do not recall the road to the "On Time" ferry having a 90 degree turn to the dock. It was more like an arc. The bridge road was at 100-115 degree right turn. The DA, my next door neighbor, needs further examination. The author should not assume she drowned. An autopsy would have painted a far different picture. Money buys many things.

Since the only other review of this book doesn't make any sense, I thought it necessary to write a coherent one. This book is truly incredible. It proves Ted Kennedy's guilt with clarity and integrity. The facts are simply undeniable - if it weren't for Ted, Mary Jo would be alive today. The Kennedy family has long been America's sweethearts. It is high time that they are revealed as murders, philanderers, cheaters, liars and losers. Sorry, but this is coming from an Irish Catholic who is ashamed to admit that the Kennedys claim some ties to the land of her origin! They are all bad but Ted Kennedy is the worst. He should be behind bars- this book will tell you why. Read it - it's a well done piece of detective work and it will hold your interest. It may also make your blood boil - but that's not the authors' fault! DOWN WITH THE KENNEDYS!

When this book was published it was hot stuff. A decade later it seems rather tame. Why did Burke write it? He seems to have no rancor against Kennedy and admits that everything Teddy did, he tried to outdo so the question is never really answered. The portraits of Joan Kennedy and Rose Kennedy are gentle, almost tender ones. The best part of the book is when Burke gets out of Kennedy's bedroom and starts talking about the political goings on behind the scenes. The chapters on the failed 1980 campaign and Kennedy's relations with the Carters are fascinating.

Burke tells an exciting story in a book that is hard to put down. I was unaware of Teddy's sexual and otherwise illegal exploits, so if you were like me, this book will prove to be very informative. Burke reveals much about the character of the man for whom he worked and worshipped.

Richard Burke provides highly personal look into the life of Ted Kennedy during the years he spent as a staffer for him. He describes what it was like to work for Ted Kennedy in their professional and personal relationship. He also talks about the personal side of Kennedy's 1980 primary race against then President Jimmy Carter.

Kennedy was a hero to Burke and although he sees Kennedy for what he really is and at times, at his worse, he still doesn't try discredit the man or put him down for what he's done. Burke sometimes tells about how he tried to save Kennedy from himself in his overindulging in drugs, sex, and drinking.

Sometimes you might wonder if its all true though, but Burke admits that during his years with Kennedy, he was no angel either making it more plausible. Its not really a dirty little kiss and tell book. Its more of a personal look at Ted Kennedy by someone that was close to him and knew him well.

In the end, as Burke says, Kennedy for all his flaws cannot do a lot of harm as the respected Senator that he is now, so long as he doesn't become President, but his chance has already passed.

The author had incredible access, not only to Sen. Kennedy, but to his friends and family. His political career is amazing that is largely overshawdowed by his brothers. The book takes us through the last forty years of American and World History and reminds us how Kennedy has been there through it all. Clymer spends too much time with the detail of Senate work, but overall, it is a compelling read.

Adam Clymer's biography on Edward M. Kennedy is monumental: the result of fastidious research and decades-long stint writing for both the New York Times and Baltimore Sun. What is so skillfully articulated here is a sober account of the Senator's long, strange trip -- from childhood days, under the shadow of older brothers, Jack and Bobby; to the tragedy at Chappaquiddick, effectively incinerating any dreams of securing the Oval Office; to his resurgence as one of the most influential and powerful political leaders in American history.

Edward M. Kennedy: A Biography, is what Mr. Clymer achieves. There are no speculations, conspiracy theories, or interviews with shady "informants"; only an astute biography of a man who is as brilliant and perseverant a leader as he is controversial and complicated a human.

I've often found that biographies are best written after the subject's career has finished. Since Ted Kennedy's career has no end in sight, that poses a problem for anyone wanting to paint this work in progress. Adam Clymer succeeds. First, he focuses on Kennedy's substantive accomplishments rather than the gossip that more interests writers like Joe McGinniss (The Last Brother) or Richard Burke (The Senator). Second, he isolates aspects of Kennedy's legislative style, such as giving credit to others and working across party lines, that serve as generalizable lessons. Third, though the book is fairly long, it moves quickly. Ted Kennedy already has a much longer public life than most, so there is much more to write about. Clymer doesn't make the mistake of wallowing in unnecessary details just to show us all how much research he did. Fourth, although Clymer does not gloss over Kennedy's shortcomings, he is also open in his admiration of Kennedy's accomplishments. The last several pages compare both, and then the whole package against other accomplishments of great senators. The message is clear that Ted Kennedy is a titan. The evidence is hard to refute. Critics of Kennedy differ on issues of fundamental value rather than issues of effectiveness or sheer impact. Ted Kennedy deserves a biography like this, and those of us interested in his long career deserve to read it.

Hersh's 1972 biography "The Education of Edward Kennedy" is still, after nearly three decades, one of the best Kennedy books out there. "The Shadow President," however, fails to live up to the high standards Hersh set in his earlier book. While "The Shadow President" includes a lively account of the 1994 Kennedy-Romney Senate race, the rest of the book is dreadfully dull, containing many well-worn anecdotes and familiar tales that have been better recounted elsewhere. Replete with glaring factual errors (Maryland senator Paul Sarbanes is described as representing Delaware, and more strangely, Wyoming's Alan Simpson is referred to a senator from Nevada) which a self-described "Washington insider" like Hersh should not have made. Hersh offers his own highly-speculative and undocumented "insights" as fact, while blasting other authors like Joe McGinniss who have done the same. His tendency to quote at length anonymous sources identified merely as "a longtime friend" or "an influential senior staffer" is also grating and serves to further degrade a frustratingly slapdash book. Hersh can and has done better, and the sense one gets reading "The Shadow President" is that this book was quickly hobbled together to make a few bucks. All in all, a disappointing sequel to a classic work of political reportage.

Although the book does contain some factual errors, overall it is nicely written and well researched. Love him or hate him, the senior senator from Massachusetts HAS and CONTINUES to wield signifigant influence over domestic and international affairs.

At this point, Kennedy wields more self earned power and influence than anybody could have imagined when he used to be compared to Jack and Bobby. Kennedy would not be as influential as a president.

Too many Kennedy books either laud or trash the family. Some nitpick over voting records, while many focus entirely on their personal lives. In this book, author Hersh, gives us a balanced and fair look at Ted Kennedy's long and distinguished senate career, without ignoring Kennedy's flaws that have kept him from moving down to the other end of Pennsylvania Ave. Hersh has been following Kennedy for years, and is trusted enough by the senator to have rare access, but a good enough journalist and author to not be compromised by friendship. The book contains lots of inside analysis of Kennedy's realtionship with his large family and even larger staff, his 1980 presidential run which failed but reinforced Kennedy's role as a liberal leader, and his continued effort to shape national policy while trying to overcome his image problems. For those who have followed Teddy Kennedy's career over the years, this book does a good job of putting it all together.

I was very disappointed with this book. Let's start with what most know about the Chappaquiddick incident before they read this book: Ted Kennedy was at a regatta near Chappy; he probably had too much to drink; he went to a party with former employees of his brother Bobby; he left with Mary Jo Kopechne; he drove off a bridge; he survived; she died; he delayed reporting the accident; he wasn't forthcoming about what happened; the police and the prosecutors were ineffective; Ted Kennedy's national political aspirations ended. After struggling through approximately four hundred pages of sometimes repetitive reading, that's all I still know. If you want to read a book this long to come away with very little insight into what caused the accident, you've come to the right place.

You can breeze through this book in under an hour -- I just did. While it makes for a suspenseful, albeit entertaining, account of what happened that infamous night, Damore relies too heavily on witnesses' accounts and police remarks (often little more than Kennedy bashing). By now, most of us can accept the facts: that EMK drank way too much and drove off a bridge, subsequently leading to tragedy. DUI accidents happen every day, chillingly often to average people. The fact that this happened to one of the greatest Senators in the history of the United States only reaffirms this. ...

Teddy Kennedy went to a party attended by Mary Jo Kopechne. He got sloshed as usual. He drove off a bridge in bad weather thereby inadvertently causing the death of Ms. Kopechne. Sounds like a good case for involuntary manslaughter - that is, unless you are a Kennedy. This book, while providing nothing new, offers a great overview of the Chappaquiddick tragedy. Those desiring truthful books about the Kennedy scourge should definitely add this one to your burgeoning collection. Intelligent, logical readers will be incredulous that Kennedy escaped prosecution. He delayed reporting the accident for hours - went to his hotel, cleaned up a bit, chatted with confidants about how to handle the matter and THEN called the authorities. It is astounding that, even as Mary Jo Kopechne sat drowning in his car, Kennedy would be bent on protecting his political hide. What is even more disturbing is the number of reviews trying to pan this book as "Kennedy bashing". A few reviews, out of misguided devotion to this errant family, simply absolve Teddy of all guilt. After all, it was JUST a drunk driving accident - one that deprived a family of their daughter forever. But since Teddy was involved, it never happened...right?

The author paints himself in such self righteousness that its hard to take anything he says at face value. He also seems to overplay his importance to Senator Kennedy-I can't believe he was quite the superstar in the organization that he claims to have been.

This book is an entertaining quick easy read. If you like gossip, you'll love the book, its filled with seemy stories, but I'm left with the impression that the author has a hidden agenda that he failed to let us in on. There's probably some truth in this book, but separating it from the authors own self delusions makes for an impossible feat.

I bought this book to get a behind-the-scenes look at Edward Kennedy's career in the Senate, and what I got was a series of sexual and drug-related escapades. I don't doubt that some of this material is true but I do doubt that all of it is. Burke clearly has an axe or two to grind, and the timing of the book's publication is questionable - more than 10 years after Burke left Kennedy's employ, yet only shortly after he was forced to declare personal bankruptcy. Burke claims that Kennedy's friends offered him more money not to publish this book but he went ahead for the principle of it. This I doubt. It's clear that Burke is focusing on personal scandal and I don't think that clearing his conscience after 10 years is is his motivation. The circumstances of Burke's leaving Kennedy's office are also suspicious, involving something of a mental breakdown and the filing of a series of false police reports. Let's just say that Burke doesn't make the most credible of witnesses. The use of aliases and "composites", as well as changing the personal details of most of Kennedy's reported sexual partners, all in the name of anonymity, is another questionable practice in my opinion.

Secondly, for someone who eventually became Kennedy's administrative assistant as well as his personal assistant, Burke has included almost zilch in this book relating to the business of the Senate or the process that Kennedy used in his long career of producing effective legislation. Or for that matter, anything else about Kennedy's professional life, which is what I had hoped to get more information on. I really wonder if Burke was in the high professional capacity that he claims. The photos in the book are another question mark - lots of pictures of Kennedy, but only a couple show Burke in any proximity to him. Yet from Burke's account you would conclude that he was rarely out of Kennedy's presence over a period that lasted many years.

I gave this book 2 stars, even though that's a stretch. The main reason is that it does contain a somewhat interesting account of the 1980 presidential campaign. I must say though that it's amazing that Burke apparently had professional writers working with him on this book. The writing style is so simplistic, merely a chronological account of people and events, it's hard to believe that any real effort went into writing this.

This book provides a behind the scenes look at an individual who by all accounts is an extremely effective legislator. The author does appear credible and does provide a rare glimpse into a very complex personality. What's wrong with seeing the warts -- it certainly doesn't diminish the Senator's accomplishments. It's unfortunate that this book is out of print. It would be interesting to see where the sales of this book went to -- if supporters of Senator Kennedy didn't purchase all available copies to get it quickly out of the marketplace. It's unfortunate that St. Martin's Press -- a very couragous publisher -- didn't do a 2nd printing.

This book is terrible. It is not journalism. It is not fiction. It is the worst of both.

Joe McGinniss once was a good author. At the age of 25, he wrote "The Selling of the President, 1968," which has since become a classic, read in political science classes across the country. Then something happened. He couldn't live up to the expectations others had of him. His next book, "Heroes" parallels the breakdown of his personal life with his growing disenchantment with his heroes from the 60's. He concludes that book with the notion that the only figure he examined who came close to being a genuine "hero" was Ted Kennedy, and that Kennedy would be the subject of his next book. He wasn't. Instead, McGinniss left politics and started writing true crime stories. He was fairly successful in that genre, but returns to politics with "The Last Brother," the long awaited biography of Ted Kennedy. Amazingly, transparently, the whole point of this book is that Kennedy couldn't live up to people's expectations of him and became self-destructive as a result. The book essentially ends with Chappaquiddick, which happened in 1969, the same year "The Selling of the President" was published. But while that book may be been the culmination of its author's life, Chappaquiddick was only one story in Ted Kennedy's. Kennedy has been the most influential senator of the last 100 years and has had his greatest impact on the course of American history in the years since 1969. All that is only touched on by McGinniss, who is more concerned with using Kennedy as a stand-in for himself, and probably his whole generation. "Heroes" does it better, but Adam Clymer's new biography of Kennedy is far superior if you want to read about the senator.

I began my reading of this book with a sense of lessened expectations due to the poor reviews McGinniss had received from its release. While moving on I found myself relating rather easily to the stylistic approach he used. Any frequent reader of the Kennedy's knows how difficult it is for authors to obtain any amount of information concerning the "mythical" family. I would find it hard to believe that Joe McGinnis would be the first Kennedy author to take liberties in interpretation of certain aspects. The book my be an even better read if the authors note is read first, as to create an understanding of the approach McGinniss took in this project. While nowhere near the best of Kennedy books it certainly is one that all Kennedy fans should find interesting and insightful.