Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History - Ted Sorensen

82 & Counting

This is the most moving, realistic depiction of JFK I have ever seen. Many will forever rant and rave over his personal peccadillos, but this man was a leader. His speech at American University, which was his way of dealing with Soviet & American feelings about nuclear war included the following. "For in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet; we all breathe the same air; we all cherish our children's future; and we are all mortal." I heard that speech as a young man. I am now 82 and it still rings in my ears. I was raised an avid republican, but I am proud to have helped vote him into office. His like hasn't been seen since.

Best Political Memoir of Our Time

Ted Sorensen subtitles his memoir Counselor as "A Life at the Edge of History." It is, in fact, a rarely candid and insightful account of a life at the very center of history.

Sorensen is widely known as JKF's speechwriter, but he was much more. He was JFK's liberal conscience and go-to-guy for everything from the handling of the "Catholic issue" in Kennedy's run for the White House to the writing of the letter to Khrushchev during the Cuban missile crisis. The combination of keen intellect and inspiring idealism that anchored Sorensen at the center of JFK's political life is crystallized on the pages of a retrospective clearly aimed at bringing both the author and his country closure on the shattering of that brief window of greatness.

Don't come expecting a tell-all from this member of the Kennedy inner-circle (not just JFK, but Robert and Teddy, as well). Surely Sorensen is the faithful keeper of many secrets. He traveled with JFK throughout his campaigns, competed with RFK in the White House, enjoyed a close friendship with Jackie, and jeopardized his own political future by helping the family "handle" Chappaquiddick; but beyond the general and widely known stories, you'll get nothing new from Sorensen. He remains, as he has always been, the loyal keeper of the flame. What Sorensen does provide is a clear-eyed and frank view of his own life and its sizeable impact on political history of our times.

For anyone who still remembers where he or she was when the gunshots rang out in Dallas, this book is a behind-the-scenes revelation of a history we lived, but never really knew. For those too young to remember, the book is, as JFK himself would have wanted, a torch of liberal idealism passed to a new generation. To that end, Sorensen has accomplished with book the goal he set. He has completed his service to the President he loved.

More Than Kennedy's Speechwriter

Sorenson

Ted Sorenson's autobiography is told in three parts: his early life, his years with JFK, and his post-November 1963 experiences. Within the three parts, the book deals with episodes or themes of Sorenson's life rather than a chronological, day in and day out retelling of his experiences.

Sorenson's early years are interesting, but the book really takes off when he moves to Washington, DC. His rise is quick, as within a short time of his arrival in DC he is already the confidante and a top aide to a rising star in the Senate. It is in the chapters on JFK's Senate career and presidency that most readers will be most focused. While interesting, there are not too many new insights on the major events here that cannot be found in other works on Kennedy, including Sorenson's own book, Kennedy. What was enlightening for me was the extent of Sorenson's work and relationship with Kennedy. I knew they were close and that Sorenson wrote his speeches, but had no idea that Sorenson was basically Kennedy's Chief of Staff and a top advisor on every major issue. I imagined the Kennedy/Sorenson relationship, from what I had learned, as one where JFK turned to Sorenson at the end of the day to ask his opinion, not one where Sorenson had such a formal, central role.

I also did not realize the extent of Sorenson's career after his departure from the Johnson Administration. Until picking up the book, I did not realize his extensive involvement in RFK's 1968 campaign, his own 1970 race for the Senate, or his brief nomination to be CIA Director (I was born after the Carter Administration). These sections of the book, and many others about his involvement in Democratic politics, demonstrate a continued involvement and impact that was far greater than just his years in the Kennedy White House.

The book makes me nostalgic for a time I never experienced. Intelligent, hardworking people engaging in serious issues and trying to do their jobs well and make the country better, with politics not the driving force. Perhaps it was never as good as Sorenson makes it seem, but it sure looks better than today.

Up Close And Historical!

John Kennedy was a great man and would have been a transformer of Washington politics. That's why they killed him!!! Ted Sorenson tells the up close and personal story of why we no longer have Jack kennedy among us.

Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History

This is a very readable and enoyable book by a man who was involved at the core of JFK's decision-making process. Starting with a history of his family's background and proceeding through his life with Kennedy from his election as Senator till his death and beyond Kennedy, Sorensen weaves a story of being involved at many levels of recent American history. It is a treasure trove for students of recent American history as well as a great source of information for the everyday American.