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The Kennedy Men (Abridged): 1901–1963 Audiobook
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(3.03) - 220 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In this triumphant new work already hailed as a powerful American epic, Laurence Leamer chronicles the Kennedy men and their struggle to become the most powerful family in the United States. The Kennedy Men brings to life five bold, ambitious men. The Kennedy patriarch, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., was one of the richest, strongest men in America's history. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. was a handsome, gregarious youth who died a hero's death. John F. Kennedy picked up his brother's fallen mantle and carried it all the way to the White House. Robert F. Kennedy was an attorney general of unprecedented power. Edward M. Kennedy was a fun-loving athlete who reluctantly headed up the hard road to power.
Combining powerful dramatic narrative with impeccably researched detail, The Kennedy Men illuminates their aspirations and love of family, their accomplishments and failures, their heroism and frailty, their loves and passions, and their patriotism and selfishness. Filled with startling revelations, it is a spellbinding personal history of individuals and a journey of character through time.
Audio includes excerpts from President Kennedy's secret White House recordings of phone conversations and private meetings.
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"I am reading this book right now. If I didn't have to feed my husband and clean, I probably would be finished with it by now. Very interesting and insightful. I have learned many thing so far, not just about the Kennedy men. I would recommend this to someone who is interested in Kennedy history."
— Terri (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“This book is full of extraordinary revelations…this is serious history written by a masterful storyteller.”
— Dan Moldea, New York Times bestselling author of Evidence Dismissed -
“Fast-paced…High heroic narrative…Leamer is well versed in the vast literature on the Kennedys.”
— Washington Post -
“Leamer has a real gift for writing popular, accessible history that incorporates new research, interviews, psychological insights, and an evenhanded approach.”
— USA Today -
“Fascinating…Absorbing…With the dramatic and powerful style of a master storyteller.”
— Boston Herald -
“One of the most valuable accounts of a family that vowed to help shape it’s country, then did.”
— Newark Star-Ledger -
“[An] epic look at the male side of the quintessential American political family…Leamer’s encyclopedic effort is sure to be considered one of the must-have books on this legendary clan.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review -
“The Kennedy Men should be considered the last word on America’s greatest political dynasty…An effortless read that draws the reader into the mind of the Kennedys as no book before, or likely will again. Bravo.”
— Gus Russo, author of Live by the Sword: The Secret War against Castro and the Death of JFK -
“Leamer is a great writer and storyteller…An honest account of a remarkable, perhaps unique, American political family.”
— Sheldon M. Stern -
“A stirring narrative of the Kennedy men…A good read.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“This is no dry, by-the-numbers biography…Leamer’s writing is impressive throughout, regularly catching the reader up with a felicitous phrase or a surprising insight.”
— Booklist -
“I know of nothing that approaches this book, not only for it’s richness of detail but even more for the coordinated presentation of all these lives, generation after generation. Leamer has pushed further, dug deeper, and taken more chances than any other serious writer in the field…Lively, affectionate, and unsparing…This is a breakthrough.”
— Burton Hersh, author of The Education of Edward Kennedy and The Shadow President
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
The Kennedy Men Listener Reviews
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" Very long. Lots of information and names to remember. All in all worth reading but sometimes tedious. "
— Althea, 4/11/2013 -
" The book focuses mainly on Joseph Kennedy and his two eldest sons, and serves as a nice brief overview of the three and the events that shaped them. "
— Yichen, 1/29/2013 -
" Took me forever to finish, but I did enjoy it. Tons of information but the most fascinating sections were those that stripped away the veneer of respectability and exposed the ruthlessness of all the Kennedy's. "
— Eileen, 3/21/2012 -
" A helluva read -- I definitely recommend it. It was eye-opening for me and I learned a great deal about these great men. "
— Michael, 3/20/2011 -
" A helluva read -- I definitely recommend it. It was eye-opening for me and I learned a great deal about these great men. "
— Michael, 12/6/2010
About Laurence Leamer
Laurence Leamer is the author of over a dozen books, including biography and fiction, with three books making the New York Times bestsellers list. He has been on the staff at Newsweek and has written for the New York Times Magazine, Harper’s, Playboy, and many other publications.