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 - Preliminary ReviewI am currently reading the book, which I found to be enjoyable and mesmerizing from the first word. The author's use of the English language is superb and I enjoy the beauty of his prose as much as I enjoy his content. Rating: - A very good bookI had a hard time getting used to Sorensen's life being discussed by theme (how he joined Senator Kennedy, his evolving role on the staff, speechwriting, the issue of religion, etc) rather than chronologically. I couldn't help but think that this made his recollections seem a bit shallow, since we are deprived from the moment-to-moment aspect of presidential decision-making and have to rely instead on what are just recollections decades earlier. But the book provides a fascinating account of the Kennedy years and it is a good way to check the record on specific issues, such as Kennedy's civil rights initiative, without having to hop from one place to another seventy pages later, as would be the case for more traditional biographies. Sorensen was obviously devoted to JFK and feels immense pride and nostalgia at having been his special counsel. He doesn't pretend he was making the decisions for JFK, or anything remotely close to that - he has far too much respect for Kennedy's intelligence to suggest such a thing. Of course, one reason Sorensen was so attached to Kennedy was that he (Sorensen) advised him on far-ranging policies; he liked very much the behind-the-scenes impact he was having on critical issues. (We all would, if we were in his situation.) The most beautiful chapter by far is the account of Kennedy's assassination and its aftermath. There is a beautiful sentence in that chapter where Sorensen explains that Kennedy's death robbed him (Sorensen) of his future, and later, when he considers other jobs, he quotes his brother as saying (I paraphrase) that the only job Ted Sorensen ever wanted was special counsel to President John F Kennedy, and that job wasn't available any more. Sorensen makes no mysteries of his dislike of the current Bush administration and his strong support of Obama's campaign for President. The memo for all "presidential hopefuls" on pp.480-484 seems intended for Obama, although Sorensen is probably only repeating ideas he has already shared with the presidential candidate in person. (The last picture in the photo insert is a picture of him with Obama.) This book will be most appreciated by people who have already read about the Kennedy administration, or just want to focus on a few issues and skip the other chapters. Rating:  - A fascinating, boring readThe 50's and 60's certainly were fascinating times in American politics, and I can't seem to put books like this down. There is no question that it delivers insight into this era (and of course later years)from a unique point of view. However, it is very difficult to digest the heavy doses of egotism mingled with the "I'm just a lucky everyman from Nebraska" stuff. If you can get past that, the parts about the JFK years are interesting. The rest is mostly intolerable. Part 1 of the book, dealing with his upbringing in Nebraska, is really meant to establish his liberal pedigree. But anyone with the mildest knowledge of Mr. Sorensen would already know this, and the point of all this seems to be to say, lest there be any doubt, that he is most emphatically NOT a conservative. Very trendy. Skip this part unless you really are interested in the family history. Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.'s recently published journals (great reading but very snobby) provide an interesting anecdote which I'll paraphrase. There was a meeting of Schlesinger and other writers (perhaps their first meeting; I can't recall) with Sorensen about a JFK speech. As they all waited to start the meeting, Sorensen put on an "important phone call act", then wheeled around and said, "JFK is very difficult to write for". Hilarious. Interesting tidbits here and there, interesting on the JFK years, but Sorensen, and this book, are otherwise just too much to take. Rating: - Magnificent ReadThis is a book written by the author as a full review of a life lived in service of ideals. From his early life, through his years with JFK, and after . Mr. Sorenson has lived a life worthy of praise, and his book makes for an engrossing and captivating read. Very enjoyable and captivating book. Rating: - On the 8th Day Sorensen Created GodWhat a disappointment. There is lots of interesting material here but it is so saturated with Sorenson's towering ego that I found it hard to finish. He takes credit for nearly everything and blame for very little. At one point he describes one of his adversaries as not liking him much - and I remember thinking at the time it's because you're an arrogant, self centered person and I wouldn't want to work with you either. Surprisingly - he takes on a new skin at the end of the book when he discusses his personal health issues and his aspirations and expectations for America as a country. That part was a good read.
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