True Compass – A Memoir by Edward M. Kennedy

Book Review – Historical Autobiography of Senator Ted Kennedy

Oct 21, 2009

In his autobiography, True Compass, Edward Kennedy takes readers deep into his life and career.

True Compass – A Memoir is not a tell-all book about the Kennedy family. It is mainly a remembrance by Senator Kennedy about his life’s experiences and about his work in the senate.

The book begins with Kennedy's childhood and his fond memories of his family and not-so-fond memories of times at boarding school. He divulges some secrets about his past that have never been told before. For instance, at one of his many boarding schools the boys experienced sexual humiliation and abuse. This is a shocking revelation for those who have studied the Kennedy family.

Edward Kennedy talks at length about his relationship with his older brothers and how he felt he was always trying to “catch up” to them, in many ways. Being the youngest of nine children he had the benefit of a closer relationship with his father and mother than most of his siblings, however he also had their reputations to live up to.

Edward Kennedy’s Triumphs and Humiliations

While the book delves into his triumphs and humiliations, Senator Kennedy takes full responsibility for his much-publicized faults, although he does not go into detail about them. He does tell readers about how he got into his Harvard Spanish test disaster which led to his expulsion from the school. After having a friend take his test for him, because Kennedy was worried about failing, Ted joined the Army to redeem himself and mature. He was later readmitted to Harvard where he finished out his college career before going on to the University of Virginia Law School.

In law school he competed in an intense “moot court” challenge that lasted most of his years there. His partner, John Tunney, later became a fellow colleague in the Senate. The two won the contest, which is something his older brother Bobby, who also attended the same law school, had not achieved.

The book goes into detail about Ted’s involvement in President Kennedy’s 1960 campaign where he was put in charge of the western states. He felt a great burden to deliver the states to his brother, whom he revered. John Kennedy was his godfather and the two had a special relationship.

During the campaign Kennedy took on challenges he would have never imagined. He rode in a rodeo and tried a ski jump, both firsts for the man. He would do anything to get to the voters and win them over. And when John Kennedy won the presidency, Ted was proud to have been a big part of his effort.

The Parts of the Book

The first deals with his younger years and the family’s move to England when his father was appointed Ambassador. It also covers World War II, the deaths of his oldest brother and his sister, and his relationship with his parents and siblings.

The second part covers the 1960s and the presidential campaign, the presidential years, his race for the Senate, the assassination, his plane crash, his work in the Senate with Bobby, and the death of RFK. Through all of this time, Edward Kennedy was doing everything he could to surround himself with the leading experts in all fields to educate him and help him in his senate career.

The third part delves into his life as the only surviving brother in the family, his deep sense of being the head of the family, his responsibilities to his nieces and nephews as well as his own children, and the trouble with his first marriage. During this time he had the difficult situation of his son’s cancer to deal with. And also during this time was the accident at Chappaquiddick, which Kennedy explains for the readers. He also describes his own presidential campaign.

And the fourth section is about his finding the “love of his life,” Victoria Reggie, whom he married and with whom he enjoyed the last decades of his life. He credits her with renewing his zest for life and giving him a second chance. He says she is the reason he cleaned up his act and settled into being the best senator he could be as well as the best father to his children and her two kids.

Ted Kennedy Finds Solace in Sailing

In True Compass Ted Kennedy continually refers to the sea. It is the one place where he felt truly at ease and is the place where he went after the deaths of his brothers. Sailing was his escape from the emotional anguish that just about overtook him.

Edward Kennedy explains his mistakes and takes responsibility for them. It is almost like he was trying to clear his soul as he prepared for his death, which he knew was coming. Unlike many people, Edward Kennedy knew his months on earth were limited and this book is his farewell to the people, his thank you to those who supported him, and a historical account of his work in the Senate. He goes into detail about many of the bills that were addressed while he was a Senator, making this a good history lesson for anyone interested in the history of the United States.

It’s not a quick read. At 507 reading pages, True Compass is a time consuming yet informative narrative that covers over seventy years. It is well worth reading. It is more than an autobiography, it is a history book.

The copyright of the article True Compass – A Memoir by Edward M. Kennedy in Political Biographies is owned by Francine Brokaw. Permission to republish True Compass – A Memoir by Edward M. Kennedy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.