The memoir offers an insider's perspective from John F. Kennedy's closest advisor, detailing his pivotal role in guiding the president during critical moments in American history. It provides illuminating insights into the dynamics of the Kennedy administration, revealing the complexities of leadership and the shaping of a significant legacy. With a gripping narrative, the author shares personal experiences and reflections that highlight the profound impact of Kennedy's presidency on the nation.
Offering an insider's perspective, this memoir reveals the profound experiences of John F. Kennedy's closest advisor as he navigates pivotal moments in American history. The author shares intimate insights and reflections on his role in shaping Kennedy's decisions during times of crisis, providing a unique look at the challenges and triumphs faced by the administration. This account not only highlights the personal relationship between the advisor and Kennedy but also captures the intensity of historical events that defined a nation.
Ted Sorensen knew Kennedy the man, the senator, the candidate, and the president as no other associate did. From his hiring as a legislative assistant to Kennedy's death in 1963, Sorensen was with him during the key crises and turning points—including the spectacular race for the vice presidency at the 1956 convention, the launching of Kennedy's presidential candidacy, the TV debates with Nixon, and election night at Hyannis Port. The first appointment made by the new president was to name Ted Sorensen his Special Counsel. In Kennedy, Sorensen recounts failures as well as successes with surprising candor and objectivity. He reveals Kennedy's errors on the Bay of Pigs, and his attitudes toward the press, Congress, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Sorensen saw firsthand Kennedy's actions in the Cuban missile crises, and the evolution of his beliefs on civil rights and arms control. First published in 1965 and reissued here with a new preface, Kennedy is an intimate biography of an extraordinary man, and one of the most important historical accounts of the twentieth century.
