The Shadow President

Although the book does contain some factual errors, overall it is nicely written and well researched. Love him or hate him, the senior senator from Massachusetts HAS and CONTINUES to wield signifigant influence over domestic and international affairs.At this point, Kennedy wields more self earned power and influence than anybody could have imagined when he used to be compared to Jack and Bobby. Kennedy would not be as influential as a president.

Too many Kennedy books either laud or trash the family. Some nitpick over voting records, while many focus entirely on their personal lives. In this book, author Hersh, gives us a balanced and fair look at Ted Kennedy's long and distinguished senate career, without ignoring Kennedy's flaws that have kept him from moving down to the other end of Pennsylvania Ave. Hersh has been following Kennedy for years, and is trusted enough by the senator to have rare access, but a good enough journalist and author to not be compromised by friendship. The book contains lots of inside analysis of Kennedy's realtionship with his large family and even larger staff, his 1980 presidential run which failed but reinforced Kennedy's role as a liberal leader, and his continued effort to shape national policy while trying to overcome his image problems. For those who have followed Teddy Kennedy's career over the years, this book does a good job of putting it all together.

As a lifelong democrat and resident of Massachusetts, I am liberal but not 100%. I usually agree with Ted's issues, but not always. Found in this book a fuller understanding of what he has accomplished and am grateful to have him as a Senator. The book points out some of his proven and alleged failings as a human being, but I don't judge politicians by their private lives. What's more important to me is the way in which we care for one another, and I feel we are lucky to have Ted as our watchdog.