Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Giveaway and Review: True Compass by Edward M. Kennedy (Audio)

No matter what your political persuasion is, you have to admit that Ted Kennedy lived a fascinating life. I wasn’t sure what to expect of this memoir. I had attempted at one point to read each of the Clinton’s respective biographies only to toss them aside once I determined they were mostly political pandering. True Compass is not a “political” memoir per say, instead it is an engrossing story of a man at the end of his life who is looking back on the events that shaped him for the good and the bad. I found the book to be many things, but what surprised me most is that is there were several excellent sections and chapters (such as “The Living Rose”) where Kennedy has some really deep, well-written thoughts on life that brought a tear to my eye.

True Compass is a long audiobook (17 CDs), but I found myself deeply interested and engrossed as if it were a non-fiction novel. John Bedford Lloyd read the novel. While he lacks Kennedy’s distinctive Boston accent, his voice for me became Ted Kennedy’s. He did an excellent job.

My husband is not a fan of the Kennedys, but while I was listening to this novel, he would often stop and listen to the sections too as he found them interesting. I must admit thought, that some of the interest was because Kennedy’s life is so very different from our own. Descriptions of sailing yachts, taking first communion from the Pope, etc. shows as Fitzgerald once said, “Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me.”

That aside, I found the description of the historical events of Kennedy’s life, especially the turbulent 1960’s, to be riveting. This novel is the modern history of the United States, as seen through one very prominent man’s eyes. In interest of full disclosure, I was a tad bit bored of the 1970’s and 1980’s political discussion.

My favorite parts of the book were when Kennedy not only described a historical event or piece of legislation, but talked about his feelings on it personally. The highlights of the book were these personal touches and moments of great prose and deep thought.

I admire that although Kennedy did live a life of privilege; he was deeply thoughtful and concerned about the common man and took this concern to the Senate. I also greatly admire how he took care of the fatherless nieces and nephews and really made family a priority.

He does talk about Chappaquiddick in this novel, but only briefly. He has brutally honest thoughts about it and one great line that was something along the line of “Atonement is an act that never ends.”

Kennedy a very spiritual man and as a Catholic myself, I enjoyed his thoughts on faith. I also liked the love story between his second wife Victoria and himself. She sounds like a great woman, and the perfect one for him. I also liked how he talked about his first wife Joan, but never in a negative light.

Overall, this book is a fascinating look at Ted Kennedy’s life and the modern history of the United States. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

Audiobook Source: Review Copy from Hachette Book Group. Thank-you!

Giveaway Details
Now for the details you are really looking for . . .Anna of the Hachette Book Group has been kind enough to offer three audiobook copies of True Compass for this giveaway.

If you would like to enter this contest do any of the following:

1. Leave a comment on this post. You must include an email address. If I can't find a way to contact you I will draw another winner. (1 entry)

2. Blog about this giveaway or post about it on your sidebar. (1 entry)

3. Become a follower or leave a comment that you already are a follower of this blog. (1 entry)

There are three ways to enter, but you can put all three entries as one comment. I will be using random.org to pick the winners from the comments.

This contest is only open to US and Canadian residents (Sorry!).

No P.O. Boxes.

The deadline for entry is midnight, Monday January 4th. Good luck!

24 comments:

  1. I am a long-term admirer of Edw Kennedy and would love to read/listen to this book.

    I will follow you too.

    jagreensmith@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a great review. I had wondered about the book and now you have my interest. Please count me in. Thanks for the review.

    mcbookshelf@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wonderful review. I'd love to listen to this memoir. Please enter me in the giveaway.

    I will post about this in my blog's sidebar.

    I'm a follower. :)

    Thanks!

    Suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sounds fascinating. Thanks for the review, and the opportunity.

    I follow.

    myshelfrunnethover@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. The book sounds very interesting. Please enter me
    melissa(at)gingerhigh(dot)com


    I am a follower

    ReplyDelete
  7. Missing the Kennedy Clan here. I would LOVE to listen to this audio. I saw his son on an interview and was fascinated. I AM a follower; thanks so much

    bibliophilebythesea AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  8. This sounds very interesting, I would love to listen to it. Please count me in.

    I am a follower

    alongtheway(at)telus(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  9. Please count me in.

    I follow.

    simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. A friend of mine recommended this as well. Hope to win!

    tyule at yuletimereading dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. justpeachy36@yahoo.com

    Please enter me in the giveaway.

    I am a follower.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great review - please include me in the drawing.

    sara
    ihpie at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am very interested in this and love audiobooks! I am sort of a political junkie and am intrigued by the Kennedy's the more I learn of them. My husband and I watched a BookTalk with a panel of writers talking about E.Kennedy and even my husband was really interested and he's not interested in politics at all.
    Please sign me up! stacybooks@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would like to enter.

    Thanks!

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I follow - janetfaye

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Please enter me.
    +1 I am a follower
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is an audiobook that I have really been wanting to hear. I think that he had much to offer even though I did not always agree with his ideas. I would like to hear his side of the story of his life.

    Thank you,

    Christine
    womackcm@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am a follower.

    Thank you,

    Christine
    womackcm@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have read several books on the Kennedy's and this audiobook I'd love to win.
    polo-puppy-fluffy AT hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm a follower.
    polo-puppy-fluffy AT hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you for your blog. My daughter found your website when I asked her to search for Ted K. book as I wanted to get it for my birthday which is tommorrow and since I have become un-employed this would be an extra bonus. Thank you
    helpinne at yahoo dot come

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would love to win this one for my husband. I think I would enjoy it too. Thanks.

    Happy New Year
    gahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I would enjoy listening to this on my long commute to work!

    I'm a follower!

    lahlstedt (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete