Death At Chappaquiddick

by Thomas L. Tedrow

First Published 1976 with Multiple printing dates - "Like a team of relentless courtroom prosecutors, Richard and Thomas Tedrow show that what you've suspected all along about the July 19, 1969 accident at Chappiquiddick is true..."

Genres: Politics, American History, True Crime, History, Crime

Hardcover

First published January 31, 1980

About the author

Thomas Tedrow is a bestselling American author and screenwriter whose books for young readers and young adults have sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide. With more than twenty published titles, he is known for creating emotionally engaging stories and memorable series that have appeared in major Scholastic and Guideposts campaigns. His historical fiction includes The Days of Laura Ingalls Wilder and The Younguns, both set around the turn of the twentieth century and reissued in ebook form for new generations of readers. Tedrow has also produced a range of youth-focused content and has promoted his work through radio, television, print, and online appearances throughout his career.

Reviews

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had this subject on my to read list before Ted Kennedy died. Chappaquiddick happened when I was young, but as the book mentions each year this tragedy is brought up in the media. It’s now 40 years past the death of Mary Jo Kopechne and it’s questionable if the truth has really come to light. This book was written about 10 years past her death, but it gave a good insight into the proceedings and investigation of her “drowning”. Truthfully, I think there is more to this story than what the official record shows and I believe the ethics and politics of the Kennedy family is once again questioned. Maybe now that Ted is gone, someone will tell the real story?

[Mark Singer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this book thirty years ago and getting very angry. Left-right, GOP or Democrat, doesn't matter. If you are wealthy and powerful, you can avoid prosecution. It's that simple. If nothing else, the Chappaquiddick incident prevented Edward Kennedy from getting elected as President.

[Gilles Achache · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book, all the detail is there that you need......I have always felt intrinsically suspicious of this incident......Kennedy got himself out of the car, but not Mary.....I think the recent biog of Mary Jo......omitting this incident, supposedly......well, you just can't.

[William Fricke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sticky Note Factor: 0

I have always been curious about the story of Chappaquiddick ever since I heard about it as a young person. My father always had a distaste for Teddy Kennedy and mentioned the accident every time he was on television. And now I know why.

Even as I read the details and court cases presented here, I wanted somehow for Mary Jo to make it out alive or Teddy Kennedy to save her or call someone to save her. Even in the final chapter as they diagram how Mary Jo clung to the back seat holding her head in air pocket gasping for breath for nearly 3 or more hours, I wanted someone to save her. The whole story makes me sick to my stomach. I have no idea how Teddy Kennedy could live with himself or even orchestrate the whole cover-up.

While the story Kennedy tells and the story of the 2018 film coincide, I can't really believe it 100%. From the facts the Tedrows offer in this book, even though they are biased against Kennedy, I tend to believe more happened than has been disclosed. Regardless, the one important fact remains, Teddy Kennedy left Mary Jo in a car for 9 hours to slowly suffocate, while he tried to figure out how to save his political career.

And because his brother was The President of the United States and his family had money, he was able to get away with vehicular manslaughter, driving recklessly, and driving while under the influence. Could he have gotten off the hook if called the police immediately? Yes. Would Mary Jo still be alive if he worried about her instead of himself? Yes.

I now know why my father always came back to Chappaquiddick when the subject of Teddy Kennedy came up. An incident like this shows a person's true character.

Now, if any other truths came out, we may be able to change our view but since Ted Kennedy has passed away, we will never know.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been on my reading list for years. What a wild story. I’ve always been fascinated by the Kennedy’s but this story just made me mad. Total cover up and lies by Ted Kennedy and those around him. The corruptive power of politics and wealth amazes and sickens me. “Do we all operate under a system of equal justice under the law? Or is there one system for the average citizen and another for the high and mighty?” We are still asking this same question 50 years later.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had little respect for Ted Kennedy before reading this book. After finishing, I have even less respect. It's a good thing that he never became POTUS because it's scary to think what he would have done in a moment of REAL crisis.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess this tragedy doesn't much matter anymore since all parties involved are dead but it just amazes me the corruptive power of politics. It's even more evident today given our current political environment.

[JW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overall coverage of the scandal, told with dry humorous prose.

[Nicole Norton Mueller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh. Nothing like reading a book about an event that happened over 50 years ago... and realizing that not as much has changed in the legal system as you were hoping.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.