A View from the Left: Three Democratic Memoirs

There is a mixture of fascination and skepticism by United States' citizens of their political leaders. They wonder about the true agendas and the real stories behind the rhetoric. Here are three memoirs that promise to provide insight into the personal and professional lives of the person behind the red, white and blue podium of the politician.

Edward Kennedy - True Compass: a Memoir
Published by Twelve, September 14, 2009 rated 4.5 of 5 Stars by Amazon readers

Senator Kennedy spent five years gathering the material to tell his fifty year story of public service, personal tragedy and love of family revealed in this book. Teddy Kennedy wrapped it all up during the last months of his battle against brain cancer.

As the ninth and youngest child born to Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, Teddy was deeply involved in his older brothers' political careers and after their assassinations, participated in his nieces and nephew's lives trying to fill the void of losing their fathers. Teddy Kennedy has been a respected political figure, acknowledged by both parties to have crossed partisan lines to legislate, steadfastly fighting for the issues close to his heart. He servived public scandal over the 1969 Chappaquiddick Island tragedy and death of Mary Jo Kepechne, to become the Kennedy to serve his country the longest as a political figure. It is a true tragedy that he will not be able to witness healthcare reform, which he has fought for his entire political career.

New York Times, Michiki Kaktuni says, "Mr. Kennedy's conversational gifts as a storyteller and his sense of humor -- so often remarked on by colleagues and friends -- shine through here, as does his old-school sense of public service and his hard-won knowledge, in his son Teddy Jr.'s words, that 'even our most profound losses are survivable.'"

The book has received reader reviews that tells us the book is packed with wonderful photos probably never seen before, doesn't disappoint and doesn't shy away from addressing his most painful episodes, reads like a conversation with Senator Kennedy and demonstrates Teddy's ability to tell an amusing anecdote.

Bill Clinton - The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History with the President
Published by Simon and Schuster to be released September 29, 2009

Can't get enough of politics? Ever want to get inside the closed doors of the White House and the head of a President?

The editor gives us insight as to the material used in this candid accounting of Clinton's time in office. They say, "This book rests upon a secret project, initiated by Clinton, to preserve for future historians an unfiltered record of presidential experience. During his eight years in office, between 1993 and 2001, Clinton answered questions and told stories in the White House, usually late at night."

The book is written by his friend and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Taylor Branch who was privy to seventy-nine of these dialogues, which became the book. Branch explains that these Dialogues with President Clinton disclosed major events during his two terms, including the wars in Bosnia and Kosovo, his efforts and failure to enact health care reform, Whitewater, his impeachment trial, and "colorful portraits of countless political figures and world leaders".

Elizabeth Edwards: Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities
Published by Broadway (May 8, 2009) rated 4 of 5 stars by Amazon Readers

Elizabeth Edwards has become somewhat of a poster wife for wives with cheating spouses everywhere. Her public humiliation by her political husband, John Edwards, while she simultaneously was dealing with breast cancer is a parallel universe many women find themselves lost in minus the media coverage. The classy way she has maintained dignity in the firestorm speaks volumes for this woman's character.

Her strength of character and ability to draw from within is reflected in this book of inspiration. Readers praise her for not writing juicy gossip, or preaching about the right thing to do. They say that is is just a woman's story about putting one foot in front of the other, and taking one day at a time. They revealed that there are stories about the death of her father and son, and the fact that her own mother had suspicions of John's infidelity.

These three memoirs will make the reader privvy to the inner workings of a Democratic politician's mind. In fact, they just might prove interesting for readers of any political affiliation, by just putting on their non-partisan hats for a weekend!

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"Five Celebrity Memoirs to Curl up With This Fall"
"Biographies and Memoirs about Michael Jackson"
"Four Female Celebrity Memoirs the Ladies Can Relate To"

Resources:
Amazon.com