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78th out of 263 books
—
203 voters
Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History
In this gripping memoir, John F. Kennedy's closest advisor recounts in full for the first time his experience counseling Kennedy through the most dramatic moments in American history.
Sorensen returns to January 1953, when he and the freshman senator from Massachusetts began their extraordinary professional and personal relationship. Rising from legislative assistant to spe...more
Sorensen returns to January 1953, when he and the freshman senator from Massachusetts began their extraordinary professional and personal relationship. Rising from legislative assistant to spe...more
Hardcover, 576 pages
Published
May 6th 2008
by Harper
(first published May 1st 2008)
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This work, by trusted JFK aide Ted Sorenson, provides an interesting perspective of mid-century progressive thought. With fascinating recounts of the Cuban Missile Crisis, work in West Berlin, and the JFK White House, this memoir rarely flags. Yet, I thought that the best parts of this autobiography concerned the crafting of policy through language. The thought, care, humor, subtlety, and deftness that the president and his staff applied to JFK's speeches gives us a window into a better time for...more
This book seemed a little disjointed, especially the section covering the post-JFK years. It seemed more like a mix of recollections with little connection between them. I wasn't sure why the author wrote it.
However, near the end I realized the impetus for this book: Sorensen's stroke six years ago put an end to his legal career and most of his normal actitivites. This book provided a useful focus for him as part of his rehabilitation.
There are some tidbits in this book that shed new light on va...more
However, near the end I realized the impetus for this book: Sorensen's stroke six years ago put an end to his legal career and most of his normal actitivites. This book provided a useful focus for him as part of his rehabilitation.
There are some tidbits in this book that shed new light on va...more
Dec 01, 2008
Susan
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
JFK fans who want to move out to the advisors' memoirs about their own lives
Shelves:
personal-story,
political-history
At over 500 pages this memoir was far too long by far and gave even a 60s democrat like me an opportunity to see Ted Sorensen, even tempered by age, as far too critical of anyone any everyone who was not John Kennedy. There's a mean-spirited undercurrent to much of what he writes here, though if you're looking for minuscule details that are probably not important to many others besides Sorensen, you'll find them here.
A memoir is usually written to serve its author's interest; but this one by Ted Sorensen is different because a great bulk of it is about another man, his hero, his President, JFK.
Ted Sorensen considered his eleven years with JFK his most fulfilling and most memorable. Their collaboration, effective and brought results.
JFK's untimely death devastated him, but the former's memory inspired him to go on with life and pursue the ideals that they shared.
In writing his book, despite a handicap caused...more
Ted Sorensen considered his eleven years with JFK his most fulfilling and most memorable. Their collaboration, effective and brought results.
JFK's untimely death devastated him, but the former's memory inspired him to go on with life and pursue the ideals that they shared.
In writing his book, despite a handicap caused...more
Feb 05, 2009
Bookmarks Magazine
added it
Another book about JFK? While much has been written about our 35th president, Sorensen offers fresh perspective on his experiences in that administration and his lifetime of public service ever since. Counselor provides a rich context for the JFK years, including new details that escaped attention (or were too sensitive to publish with some of the principals still living). With poignant good humor, Sorensen wears his erudition and access to the Kennedy administration lightly. Yet there is nothin
...more
I don't read a lot of autobiographies or history, but I really enjoyed this historical account of Mr. Sorenson, especially the chapters about his friendship with John Kennedy. It is well written and captures the events as well as the emotions of the writer.
All things Kennedy--
"Few could realize,then or now,that beneath the glitter of his life and office, beneath the cool exterior of the ambitious politician, was a good a decent man with a conscience that told him what was right and a heart that...more
All things Kennedy--
"Few could realize,then or now,that beneath the glitter of his life and office, beneath the cool exterior of the ambitious politician, was a good a decent man with a conscience that told him what was right and a heart that...more
The one thing that comes across mostly clearly in this autobiography is Sorensen's deep and abiding love for John F. Kennedy. He describes him at numerous times as his mentor and best friend, and you really feel Sorensen's sense of loss on every page, even after nigh on fifty years. For a book about Sorensen himself, this is really about JFK and his impact and influence on Sorensen - and about Sorensen's influence on JFK.
As JFK's main policy adviser and the man who wrote many of JFK's most famou...more
As JFK's main policy adviser and the man who wrote many of JFK's most famou...more
The current generation of American Decision makers is the first to break the tradition of leaving to its heirs a better society than it had inherited. It will be delivering to the next a country, once almost universally respected, that is now deeply resented and feared; a country weakened by a widening gap between rich and poor; a world of growing terrorist violence, proliferating weapons of mass destruction, and increasing environmental degradation. Our current executive branch is dominated by...more
I thought that it was time for a serious book and at over 550 pages, this was one serious book. Also a fascinating one. Ted Sorensen devotes over a hundred pages to his childhood and young adult years in Nebraska to allow the reader to understand the family and culture in which he grew up. Sorensen moved to Washington, D.C. shortly after graduating from law school and accepted a position in newly elected John F. Kennedy's Senate office. The rest is, as they say, history. Sorensen details his rel...more
Perhaps the best book I've listened to all year. Read by the author. I guess you would have to say that he was one of the guys they were talking about when they talked about "the best and the brightest". The most surprising thing? He was from the University of Nebraska ! No wonder I found this in the Omaha Public Library.
He tells what is was like inside the Kennedy White House - Cuban missile crisis, his assassination and the day to day. some very candid opinions on all the famous political lead...more
He tells what is was like inside the Kennedy White House - Cuban missile crisis, his assassination and the day to day. some very candid opinions on all the famous political lead...more
I have a completely new respect for the President of the United States after reading this. A look inside the White House by Kennedy's closest adviser. What he stood for, how he thought, the counsel he sought, the decision-making process, it was just amazing.
Ted wrote this with the blessings of the Kennedy family, no gossip or hypothesizing included. It's a heart-felt depiction of not only Kennedy's life, but also his own as it wrapped around the President. Descriptions of growing up in the upper...more
Ted wrote this with the blessings of the Kennedy family, no gossip or hypothesizing included. It's a heart-felt depiction of not only Kennedy's life, but also his own as it wrapped around the President. Descriptions of growing up in the upper...more
I appreciated Sorensen's astute appraisal of JFK, especially of his leadership during the Cuban missile crisis and his of giftedness as President. And Sorensen deserves credit for writing this at all, having suffered a stroke that left him with very poor eyesight. However, I got the sense of him "patting himself on the back" too much, and there was too much repetition. I was disappointed that he backed away from commenting on the assassination and its "investigation" so much. In addition to my g...more
Much to like in this book, a quote I picked up on was one by the author, a friend and advisor to JFK when he says that a lesson he learned and held to in his business career was, ‘To listen and learn from leaders of other countries, be cautious in matters of war and peace until I knew the case for each side and all the facts and alternatives to recognize that cultural difference can lie at the heart of political, policy and even legal disagreements to be flexible, curious and friendly with all a...more
This account by one of JFK's right-hand men, was both eye opening and at times exasperating. I never knew much about Sorensen and the role he played in JFK's presidency, so each page revealed another historical fact I was unaware of. I've often heard the term Camelot in reference to the Kennedy family, but now I know much more about the events and people that changed US history in the 60's. I found Sorensen a stimulating writer and can now understand why Kennedy's speeches are still quoted today...more
I have read many books about JFK including Sorensen's 1965 book "Kennedy". I enjoyed learning more about Sorensen and believe he knew President Kennedy better than most. Being a native Nebraskan and also a graduate of Nebraska College of Law, I liked that Sorensen spent several chapters on this childhood and young adulthood in Lincoln, Nebraska. Following him to Washington and reading about his eleven years with JFK was very interesting. I like reading about the discussions behind the policy dec...more
Overall a pretty enjoyable read for history buffs. It's a close personal account from someone who was at the core of American political life with the Kennedy administration. As one of JFKs closest friends and advisors you really get a sense for who JFK was as a person. Mr. Sorensen is unabashed in his hero worship of the man to whom he devoted more than a decade of his life serving, and his remaining life remembering and honoring. His humble beginnings are, well, humbling. That said his overly c...more
Some observations, with no particular method or organization. (Which, to be candid, is actually a good summary of the text itself. It tries but it jumps around--a lot.)
1) This was the first book I have read about Kennedy's Presidency where I suddenly felt the loss of JFK. It is easy and obvious enough to romanticize the period, but there was something in the part of the book where Sorensen really begins discussing JFK, his candidacy, some of his initiatives, that simply forced the wind out of me...more
1) This was the first book I have read about Kennedy's Presidency where I suddenly felt the loss of JFK. It is easy and obvious enough to romanticize the period, but there was something in the part of the book where Sorensen really begins discussing JFK, his candidacy, some of his initiatives, that simply forced the wind out of me...more
It's funny, but I am learning that if I don't absolutely LOVE a book, I can eventually stop reading it! There are simply too manybooks to read and too little time. It used to be inconceivable to me to quit a book, but now I'm loving the decision! I ended this book after reading 75% of it.
I started reading the book because I wanted to learn more about history, such as JFK's presidency, Bay of Pigs and Cuban Missile Crisis. I was also intrigued by how decisions are made behind closed doors. I did...more
I started reading the book because I wanted to learn more about history, such as JFK's presidency, Bay of Pigs and Cuban Missile Crisis. I was also intrigued by how decisions are made behind closed doors. I did...more
I FINALLY finished this. I'm such a slow reader, plus life keeps getting in the way.
This is a book to savor.
Sorensen, of course, is best known for penning JFK's immortal phrase, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." The memoir is written just as simply and elegantly as the words Sorensen crafted for Kennedy.
True, the book is unabashed hero worship, but I appreciated Sorensen's style and insights. I was 13 when Kennedy was assassinated and have vivid...more
This is a book to savor.
Sorensen, of course, is best known for penning JFK's immortal phrase, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." The memoir is written just as simply and elegantly as the words Sorensen crafted for Kennedy.
True, the book is unabashed hero worship, but I appreciated Sorensen's style and insights. I was 13 when Kennedy was assassinated and have vivid...more
I was disappointed that Ted Sorensen had no comment about the controversies over The Warren Report concerning the assassination of John F. Kennedy. It certainly was his perogative not to talk about it since recalling the death of JFK still seemed very painful to him. Ted Sorensen was one of Kennedy's closest advisors from the very beginning. Sorensen was part of John Kennedy's team during the late 1950's when Kennedy planned to run as the Democratic Nominee in the 1960 presidential race.
I also...more
I also...more
Jul 06, 2008
Jennifer
added it
I once had a brief conversation with Ted Sorensen in a swimming pool where we were both doing laps and realized I had almost no idea who he was. This recent memoir explained it all, focusing on his years as JFK's top aide but also his work in international law for several decades after. He's an extremely clear, thoughtful and sharp-witted writer, and I learned a lot about the Kennedy administration as well as general behind-the-scenes of federal politics. This was especially interesting to read...more
Jul 15, 2008
Bill
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in politics or public speaking.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Interesting and enjoyable. Definitely a man looking back on his life, and saying it had meaning. And proving it. A lot of quotes of people saying how brilliant he is. And he certainly does show that. Again and again. I liked seeing how his white house worked. I was glad he (finally) gave opinions on some more current events. The JFK years, and RFK years, are fascinating. Recommended for those interested In history and how it is made, and what idealisism can look like.
This is a warm book, a very human book. At turns it is amusing. It is frank. It seems important to say this because - decades gone by - JFK's "deputy president," TS,wrote,"Kennedy," which is factual and historically valuable but filled with two-dimensional characters (as with a host of histories and memoirs). I never have heard much talk of, "Counselor," but I can attest it is an enjoyable read and re-read. I know it will be a treasure for historians in times to come.
I started reading this book in my last year of college. There is a poem at the beginning that I absolutely love called "Say Not the Struggle Naught Availeth." (Kennedy books always start with a great poem) I have it posted on my wall here in Indonesia as I serve out my Peace Corps term. One interesting tidbit of information you learn from the book is that Ted Sorensen's daughter was a Peace Corps Volunteer.
I walked in to The Bookworm for my Book Club and there was quite a commotion going on. The author is Ted Soresen who is from Lincoln, NE. Oh I said a local author and then realized how famous this person is for writing speeches for John Kennendy. Ted lives in NY now (I did previously) and now I live in his state where he was born. A brilliant man and I got to meet him personally, how lucky can one get.
Now unlike the Scott McClellan book "What Happened", this insider portrait of life in the Kennedy White House has a high degree of credibility. The rise of JFK, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Bay of Pigs. Put this all together and you have wonderful narrative about the presidency beset by one crisis after another and the strange thing..... Adults running the affairs of state!
It started out slow but became more fascinating as I read further in the book. Ted Sorenson was a remarkable individual. He writes about his close working relationship with JFK in the Senate and the White House. You also learn about what went on behind the scenes politically during the Kennedy adminstration. Sorenson also writes about his life outside of Washington D.C. after he left government but never away from politics.
A candid and deeply personal autobiography of the recently deceased Ted Sorensen, revealing both the amazing and ugly sides of life in public service. Sorensen a man who stuck to his principles, and never wavered despite being around some of the biggest names in Washington DC at the time. An inspiring book for those who are pursuing a career in government.
One of the most complete books written on the Kennedy administration by his chief adviser and speech writer. Most of Jfk's famous words emanated from his typewriter. An exhaustive book which at times may be a bit plodding. His memory is encyclopedic. Well worth your time.
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Sorensen is best known as President John F. Kennedy's special counsel, advisor, and speechwriter.
More about Theodore C. Sorensen...
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Dec 02, 2008 06:42am