The Senator: My Ten Years with Ted Kennedy Paperback – December 31, 2003

First of all, I had some bias prior to reading this book. I knew of many of the antics of the Kennedy family through acquaintances and visiting the compound once but with the accolades that were surrounding his death, I decided to read something from someone close to him. I did not really know what the book was about but that it was written by a close personal assistant/friend.The thing that impresses me most about the book is the endless frustration the author imparts to the reader about what a waste Ted's life was. The press continue to ignore the Emperor has no clothes with the President claiming he was the greatest senator in living memory or something along those lines. Cocaine dealing, woman demeaning, principals of a snake are the least of what I read.Well, if Ted Kennedy was the greatest senator, then my total disgust with our congress has reached a new high.Everyone should read this book who is interested in the 7th grade antics of power hungry better than thou politicians, actors, CEO's etc. It is a great example of how the world really works and the power of marketing and branding. Also, it is about us and what we continue to elect into office. That is the most scary thing. Look what we the people put into office year after year and then glorified him.Dead or alive, truth is truth.

Being deeply interested in the political life of late sixties and seventies of the last century(mainly because I was in the age of 18-30 at that time) I find this book very inspiring.The Kennedy family of John, Robert and Edward represented a great hope for us, people living behind the"iron curtain" at that time.The story itself is written in a interesting way coming gradually from the ideal view into the reality, exatly as ourgeneration did.

What can I say? Read the book - and understand Congress!

Reads like an expose'. Details of Senator Kennedy's life as a romancer of women, drug use and political deals. Author was very close to EMK for many years, obviously felt let down by the experience and lets it all go. No one emerges from this recounting without more than some tarnish on their shield.

Hard to read and it was strictly dialogue

fast shipper. As advertised

I am a die hard Kennedy fan and this is one of my favorite Kennedy books to date; however, you will appreciate it more if you have a background in "Kennedy history" which helps put some of the Senator's personal problems in perspective. For this purpose, I highly recommend Laurence Leamer's books The Kennedy Men and the Kennedy Women both of which I have also read.This is a very human story where no details are spared. If you want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly you will definitely enjoy it, but don't pick it up if you can't handle reading about drugs, sex, and extramarital affairs.Burke is brutally honest about the highs and lows of being the right hand man to arguably the most powerful person in Washington at the time, and the personal sacrifices he had to make in order to perform his job. As Kennedy's Administrative Assistant (Chief of Staff), Burke tucked him into bed at night and woke him up in the morning. He was intimately involved in major family decisions and knew the Senator and his family better than almost anyone else. His book serves as a wise word of caution to anyone who aspires to work on Capitol Hill. Being "in" and having access to the rich and powerful doesn't guarantee happiness and in Burke's case led to self destruction.After reading Burke's book, I now understand why when I interned in Kennedy's DC office we (the interns) were not allowed to speak to the Senator unless he addressed us first. And because Kennedy would never recognize the vast majority of the 100+ interns working in his offices at any given time, he never said hi to us either. We were told that the Senator's high profile was the reason for this restriction, but after reading Burke's book I'm willing to bet anything that the real reason was that his staff was trying to protect him from his own impulses (i.e. not get near too many attractive women).I noticed several readers commented that the book didn't focus enough on the Senator's legislative accomplishments and rated it lower because of this. How ridiculous! Burke clearly states that his purpose is not to give a comprehensive chronology of Kennedy's record, but rather to shed light on those aspects of the Senator's life which he was most intimately involved in.I respect Burke for having the courage to come out with this story. His readiness to own up to his own faults is admirable and as he says at the end of his book, it's important for voters to know just who they are electing. This book has not changed my favorable opinion of the Senator, but it has helped me understand him better.

Despite this book's title "The Senator", for me it was more a portrait of how author Richard Burke endured myriad life changes resulting from close proximity to a major celebrity/politician. From humble beginnings in the mail room, Richard became a confidant & vital part of Senator Ted Kennedy's life, aiding/enabling both business & pleasure. The insider's look at the machinations of a political/public life were another eye-opener.Surely it's no surprise to those in the know that the Senator enjoyed an active "social life", but watching Richard Burke's life become more Kennedy-centric as the pages turn was the riveting part. His writing style is very easy to read, never boring, & the stories move thru a nicely progressive timeline. Very good book!