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Last Lion (Abridged): The Fall and Rise of Ted Kennedy Audiobook
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(3.03) - 575 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Peter S. Canellos and his team of Boston Globe reporters magnificently capture the life, historic achievements and personal redemption of Ted Kennedy
No figure in American public life has had such great expectations thrust upon him, or has responded so poorly. At the age of 36, Ted Kennedy found himself the last brother, the champion of a generation's dreams and ambitions. He would be expected to give the nation the confidence to confront its problems and to build a fairer society, at home and abroad.
He quickly failed in spectacular fashion. On the basis of his family name he was elected to the U.S. Senate while barely old enough to serve. Then, late one night in the summer of 1969, he left the scene of a fatal automobile accident in Chappaquiddick Island. The death there of a young woman would haunt and ultimately doom his presidential ambitions. Republicans turned his all-too-human failings -- drinking, divorce, and philandering -- into a condemnation of his liberal politics.
But as the presidency eluded his grasp, Kennedy was finally liberated from the expectations of others and transformed himself into a symbol of wisdom and perseverance. He built a deeply loving marriage with his second wife, Vicki Reggie. He embraced his role as the family patriarch. And as his health failed, he anointed presidential candidate Barack Obama, whom many commentators compared to his brother Jack. The Kennedy brand of liberalism was rediscovered by a new generation of Americans.
Drawing heavily from candid interviews with the Kennedy family and inner circle, Last Lion captures magnificently the life and historic achievements of Ted Kennedy.
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"I feel this book was a very honest accounting of the life of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who died on August 25, 2009. His parents come across as aloof and distant, constantly putting enormous pressure on their children to push themselves to succeed. Teddy was farmed out to various boarding schools from an early age to his parents could travel and so Rose could go off to Paris to purchase the latest designer clothes. Joseph forces Rosemary to have a lobotomy, which resulted in permanent brain damage, because he felt she was too moody and "slow". Teddy's marriage to Joan was forced. She was a good Catholic girl who had gone to Manhattanville College, where she was taught by nuns. Joan had second thoughts about the marriage, but was forced into it. The Kennedy family was very intimidating to Joan. Senator Kennedy always showed resilience but deep down there was so much sadness, and so much fear. The sadness of deaths and assassinations in the family, his son's cancer, his failed marriage. There was always the fear of his own assassination. He was very courageous and always very forthcoming, despite all of the obstacles and his own shortcomings."
— Linda (4 out of 5 stars)
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“It’s the personal dramas that prove the most enthralling…Skipp Sudduth imbues his narration with feeling, recounting the numerous tragedies…with quiet dignity. Despite the countless trials, this is anything but depressing listening; the resilience and indomitable optimism of the subject himself is well-conveyed by this enjoyable recording.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“The book offers a solid one-volume biography that shows how his place as the youngest in a high-powered family shaped his political and social life. Skipp Sudduth’s narration style exactly matches the book’s tone. He’s easy to listen to as he varies his tone, inflection, and pace with the gravity of the material. His diction is clear and easy on the ears. A first-rate job all around.”
— AudioFile -
“Insightful and informative…Skipp Sudduth engagingly relays both the personal and professional milestones of the senator’s life; strongly recommended.”
— Library Journal
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award
Last Lion Listener Reviews
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" I enjoyed reading this book. It was really amazing how he was able to overcome all those things that he went through in his life. "
— Lorenz, 2/16/2014 -
" Doesn't really bring anything new to the table. "
— Jayson, 2/13/2014 -
" Well written summation of Kennedy's long political and personal life, stresses the warm personal connection to family and especially the influence of his second marriage. "
— Janet, 2/8/2014 -
" This is a long read but if you love the Kennedy's like I do you won't be able to put it down (and will constantly tell random Kennedy family stories in daily conversation). "
— Dena, 2/7/2014 -
" I'm really enjoying this book--it has lots of stuff I didn't know. "
— Barbara, 2/4/2014 -
" While the assessment of Ted Kennedy leans toward the positive in this well-researched book, the authors are thorough in their coverage of his many weaknesses. As his personal life was in turmoil from one bad decision after another and one family tragedy after another, Kennedy became a Senate workhorse, focusing on the needs of the less fortunate and becoming one of the Senate's longest-serving and most-respected members. Nobody could make up a Kennedy story--who would believe it?--but the reporters and editors from the Boston Globe do a great job of presenting us with a detailed assessment of Ted's life. The book could have used better editing, as it was often repetitious, but overall it was a highly satisfying read. "
— Patricia, 2/1/2014 -
" EXCELLENT BIO! I didn't realize how HARD he has worked to keep liberalism alive in this country. "
— Martha, 1/18/2014 -
" A well-written account of Ted Kennedy's life, especially considering that it was done by a team of reporters. I'm by no means a fan of JFK or RFK, but the youngest Kennedy son grew to become an impressive figure in the Senate, especially once he gave up on his hopes to become president. This book inevitably became eulogistic by the end, but it gave fair attention to Kennedy's many shortcomings, as well. It also made me re-appreciate just how much tragedy surrounded him and his family. "
— Riley, 1/13/2014 -
" Being too young to know too much Kennedy history, this book was well written and very informative. It left you thinking that Ted kennedy should be given another chance. Certainly not a quick and easy read, especially if you are unfamiliar with the Kennedy legacy, but certainly worth the effort "
— Marianne, 1/11/2014 -
" Ted Kennedy was a man full of flaws and weaknesses. Yet he worked hard and was able to do more for this country than either of his two famous brothers. This book details all of this and more, and does it very well. "
— Rick, 1/8/2014 -
" An admiring biography, but hardly balanced. "
— Ronald, 12/25/2013 -
" It may have been written by a committee, but it was lived by a lord. "
— Doug, 12/9/2013 -
" Fanatical Democrat though I am, I've never been a huge fan of the Kennedys, but I was won over to Teddy by his decades of service to the Senate and commitment to traditional liberalism. I found Last Lion to be a thoroughly entertaining and enlightening read about a surprisingly complex individual. "
— Carolyn, 12/7/2013 -
" I have never been a fan of Ted Kennedy,I think I read this more out of curiosity after he died . The author does a pretty good job balancing out his personal life vs. his Political life & the book does tell of the many scandals & tragedies he goes through being a member of this most famous family! "
— Elizabeth, 12/5/2013 -
" Winston Churchill was "the last lion." Hardly a comparison "
— Alison, 12/4/2013 -
" Even if you are not a Kennedy fan, the book is very insightful regarding how the Kennedy's were raised and it also gives us an overall view of how dedicated and tireless was Ted Kennedy to the congress.....partisanship aside ! "
— Diana, 6/6/2013 -
" I listened to this book on CD and I really loved it. It gives great insight into the Kennedy family and includes much information about Ted Kennedy's accomplishments in the Senate and in life. "
— Christy, 11/18/2012 -
" Author in love with the Kennedy family... "
— Amy, 6/15/2012 -
" It was good. Nothing was "sugar coated", although you got the idea that the writers had a lot of respect for the man. (And, I do, too) Having met his nephew, William Kennedy Smith, and having watched the whole rape trial, I felt they covered that situation well. "
— Debra, 12/10/2011 -
" Excellent!!!! As a future policy analyst I welcome the rich historical example of governing this country. "
— Lisa, 3/17/2011 -
" Very interesting read. Author added in lots of new information about this American citizen. "
— Diane, 8/25/2010 -
" Well written biography of Ted Kennedy...his good, his bad, his development into our best legislator and his family's "Grand Fromage". "
— J., 6/13/2010 -
" Read more like a soap opera than an authentic account. I DID learn a lot of dirt AND some very admirable accomplishments. "
— Karima, 5/21/2010
About Peter S. Canellos
Peter S. Canellos is the Washington bureau chief and oversees all national coverage for the Boston Globe, where he has worked since 1988 covering local, state, and national politics.