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

Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History | Ted Sorensen | First rate in every way!

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Counselor: A Life ...

	Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History Ted Sorensen Harper, 2008 - 576 pages average customer review:based on 34 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A profound, timeless memoir

Some of the criticism leveled against Theodore Sorensen's new book, "Counselor", has to do with his close relationship to President Kennedy, thereby suggesting a literary hagiography. These sentiments could not be farther from the truth. In "Counselor", Sorensen offers up the good and the bad, the wise and the mediocre and provides what must be the definitive accounting of the Kennedy years. It's a fair and moving tribute to our thirty-fifth president and a terrific look at the man who spent so many years with him.

Sorensen's background, a Danish, Unitarian-Jewish kid from Nebraska, couldn't have been more than the oddest of pairings to John F. Kennedy. But they complemented each other in ways that both men found remarkable. Sorensen was, in many ways, Kennedy's eyes and ears for the eleven years in which they worked together and the author's eyewitness to history is a welcome addition to anyone who remembers that time. Describing in detail the Cuban Missile Crisis, Sorensen is at his best and this chapter is, indeed, the best of the book. He's also candid about what his service to the president meant to his own life....the break-up of his first marriage, his absence from his sons and countless numbers of sleepless nights. Along the way, Sorensen reminds the reader of his liberal roots and his continuing liberalism to this day. It's refreshing to know that one of the last surviving members of the Kennedy inner circle, while recently losing most of his eyesight, has not lost his fervor and passion.

Sorensen saves up some of his harshest comments for the end....a ringing indictment of the Bush administration and it comes precisely at a time when the country is in desperate need of new leadership. It doesn't go unnoticed that the final photo in the book is one of Sorensen and Barack Obama, taken last October. The spark of imagination that President Kennedy left seems to be in the air today.

"Counselor" is a deeply moving and personal work and every page is to be savored. It is particularly reflective for those of us old enough to remember President Kennedy and his times, but also a wonderful introduction to those young enough who might have felt a loss of inspiration because of the past eight years in Washington. I highly recommend "Counselor" for Theodore Sorensen's detailed remembrances of his role in American history and I mirror his hopes that life in America can be so much better.

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First rate in every way!

I had the distinct pleasure to meet Mr. Sorensen 19 years ago when he very graciously gave me an hour of his time to talk about JFK. I knew that night that I was in the presence of a special person. I loved this compelling book. Get it now!

Counselor is a winner

Ted Sorensen has once again written a memoir filled with insight. His has been a remarkable life, and he has been able to bring so many historical figures to life - the Kennedy brothers, LBJ, etc.

This is a do not miss read for those who remember the magic of the Kennedy years and what could have been.

VALUABLE

Sorensen has made a valuable contribution to understanding JFK's presidency. His prose of course are outstanding, a rare experience in this type of literature.
His ability to explain complicated issues in terse but eloquent terms adds reams to understanding the president's positions on so many things: Cuba, Berlin, Civil Rights and Vietnam to name a few of many.
I hope he continues with more efforts on this subject.

Robert Dorff
Palm Springs, CA.

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A Pleasant Read

An interesting mix of the author's own autobiographical details and his personal and historical insights into John Kennedy's presidency. Lacks the flair and fascination factor of Arthur Schlesinger Jr.'s recent memoirs, but should be of reasonable interest to students of recent American history

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, page 6, 7

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