Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History by Ted Sorensen
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Book Reviews of Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History
Book Review: In Praise of Camelot
Summary: 4 Stars
Few would disagree that John F. Kennedy was one of our most inspirational presidents and that it was a tragedy that he was assassinated. Since the 1950s, it was well known that some of the most memorable words that Kennedy inspired us with were drafted if not written in total by Ted Sorensen, Kennedy's dedicated staffer who played many roles in addition to helping write speeches, books, and articles. Speculation about Sorensen's role was fed by Mr. Sorensen's humble deflection of praise that others aimed in his direction.
Imagine what it would have been like to talk to JFK every day and to see him most days. Imagine, even more, if you were walking on history's stage in your role: You weren't just pouring him coffee.
You could re-title this book as "Dream Job" and you wouldn't be far off.
In Counselor, Mr. Sorensen reveals more than in the past about his personal relationship with President Kennedy, who did what and when, his views about Kennedy's decisions and legacy, and what the lessons for historians are from that era. In letting down his hair, Mr. Sorensen is a loyal heir to the Kennedy legend: He doesn't criticize more than an independent observer would who knew the surface facts. Naturally, he also defends where many would not (he's gentle on Kennedy for increasing the number of military advisors in South Vietnam and letting the military leaders there murder the country's political leader). Further, he seems to have amnesia about what any president did before Kennedy who was not a Democrat (he writes as though there was no space program before Kennedy took office).
One of the most interesting episodes in the book comes long after President Kennedy was killed in the description of Mr. Sorensen's nomination to be CIA head by President Carter. The contrast between Kennedy and Carter could not be clearer in reading how this was handled.
I think we should be generous with Mr. Sorensen. It's been many years. He's almost the last of those who served in those years who knows the inside stories. He also suffered a substantial stroke that affected his vision and made writing this book extremely difficult. I commend Mr. Sorensen for making the effort. There are many lessons here that new administrations can learn from.
I also honor him for his service to the nation, to John F. Kennedy, and to my youthful idealistic dreams by inspiring them with his timeless words. Many will always remember him as a speech writer, but he was truly more . . . especially during those potentially deadly days during the Cuban missile crisis.
Thank you, Mr. Sorensen.
Book Review: A very good book
Summary: 4 Stars
I had a hard time getting used to Sorensen's life being discussed by theme (how he joined Senator Kennedy, his evolving role on the staff, speechwriting, the issue of religion, etc) rather than chronologically. I couldn't help but think that this made his recollections seem a bit shallow, since we are deprived from the moment-to-moment aspect of presidential decision-making and have to rely instead on what are just recollections decades earlier.
But the book provides a fascinating account of the Kennedy years and it is a good way to check the record on specific issues, such as Kennedy's civil rights initiative, without having to hop from one place to another seventy pages later, as would be the case for more traditional biographies. Sorensen was obviously devoted to JFK and feels immense pride and nostalgia at having been his special counsel. He doesn't pretend he was making the decisions for JFK, or anything remotely close to that - he has far too much respect for Kennedy's intelligence to suggest such a thing. Of course, one reason Sorensen was so attached to Kennedy was that he (Sorensen) advised him on far-ranging policies; he liked very much the behind-the-scenes impact he was having on critical issues. (We all would, if we were in his situation.)
The most beautiful chapter by far is the account of Kennedy's assassination and its aftermath. There is a beautiful sentence in that chapter where Sorensen explains that Kennedy's death robbed him (Sorensen) of his future, and later, when he considers other jobs, he quotes his brother as saying (I paraphrase) that the only job Ted Sorensen ever wanted was special counsel to President John F Kennedy, and that job wasn't available any more.
Sorensen makes no mysteries of his dislike of the current Bush administration and his strong support of Obama's campaign for President. The memo for all "presidential hopefuls" on pp.480-484 seems intended for Obama, although Sorensen is probably only repeating ideas he has already shared with the presidential candidate in person. (The last picture in the photo insert is a picture of him with Obama.)
This book will be most appreciated by people who have already read about the Kennedy administration, or just want to focus on a few issues and skip the other chapters.
Book Review: More Than Kennedy's Speechwriter
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
Book Review: A Great Storyteller at his Best
Summary: 4 Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed Counselor and especially appreciate the way Mr. Sorensen chose to organize his storytelling in a topical way (e.g., My Perspective of JFK's Personal Life, President Johnson's 1963 Transition, etc.). The author's prose is tight and well turned, as anyone familiar with his writing would expect, but at over 500 pages this is rather like the magnum opus of his life. I have a first edition of his excellent 1965 book on Kennedy but, for the most part, this latest and perhaps final work is much more candid. There are some exceptions such as his very touch and go treatment of Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick. He well describes the consequences of the incident but then takes the opportunity to sing the praises of the younger Kennedy's political skills, calling him "the most relaxed campaigner of the three..."
Mr. Sorensen has lived an interesting life apart from his work with the Kennedys and inclusion of that material is a plus. The space he devotes to it is about right; the book remains primarily focused on his long association with JFK and that is what the typical reader wants and expects. Of particular interest to me was how Kennedy reached out to Republicans -- described in a Chapter called "President Kennedy's Ministry of Talent." I knew it to be true (he appointed my uncle to the federal bench upon the recommendation of then Deputy Attorney General Byron "Whizzer" White) but didn't realize the full scope.
It would be easy to give this book the five stars it probably deserves but I went with four only because, from my perspective, the loyalty muzzle is still a little too evident. While I can come up with a few other petty critiques there is just much too much to like about this book to make that worthwhile. Some readers may disagree with Sorensen's politics but it would be the rare iconoclast who cannot appreciate his insights and wonderful storytelling.
Book Review: A look at and into the history of the man
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is 100% Ted, i say that because he is the same in this book as he appears on tv as well as elsewhere. In this book just as he has on other occasions stated what he thinks or views about himself as well as JFK who you can trueflully tell he admired and loved. Along with some new stuff about who he found out didn't like him as much as some had thought including himself and then some suprising ones t hat developed into admirations and close friendships such as RFK. The book like his tv appearances usually go with saying one thing and then going to the complete opposite way in the next page or chapter, but with the text you get glimpses at the underlined message of where his true thoughts lie in specific areas and subjects. But his closest and truest feelings will go to the grave with him as they should. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone and am very glad that Ted wrote this book for himself, for us and the Kennedys.