Best Books on Senator Ted Kennedy

For almost 50 years, the Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy roared loudly, most effectively and as one of the longest serving Americans in the U.S. Senate. He was colorfully nicknamed by his political peers the "Lion Of The Senate", and both his political allies and staunch opponents marveled at his public bravery, philosophical doggedness and personal endurance through all phases of his private life and political career. No matter your party affiliation or your politics, you must admire Ted Kennedy's 47 years of dedicated public service.

He was also the last remaining of the legendary Kennedy three, comprised of older brothers President John F. Kennedy and Senator Bobby Kennedy. The Kennedy family is well known to have survived much tragedy. Yet, unlike his older siblings, Ted Kennedy enjoyed a long, fruitful life and lived to see much of his family's political legacy fulfilled.

There are many books covering this fascinating political figure's life and times. Here are some of the best.

Ted Kennedy: Scenes From An Epic Life - by Boston Globe

With a foreword by good friend and one time Democratic Presidential hopeful Senator John Kerry, this is a real treasure trove of anecdotes and photos detailing Senator Kennedy's truly epic life. Brought to life by The Boston Globe, here is just one of the many quotes which give a glimpse inside the man himself: "I am reminded of our awesome responsibility each time I gaze from the windows of my office in Boston. I can see the Golden Stairs from Boston Harbor where all eight of my great-grandparents set foot on this great land for the first time. They walked up to Boston's Immigration Hall on their way to a better life for themselves and their families."

Last Lion: The Fall and Rise of Ted Kennedy - by Peter S. Canellos (Boston Globe)

Another book from the Boston Globe team, edited by Peter S Canello, here's a focused look at just how far Ted Kennedy fell (Chappaquiddick/alcohol problems) - to rise again in later years as the roaring jungle cat which prowled the halls of the U.S. Senate. The volume has some great photos of all the Kennedy family - at play in both personal moments and political ones.

Edward M. Kennedy: A Biography - by Adam Clymer

Writer Adam Clymer details the man who could have been an American President, but was denied the office, both because of personal choices and tragedy and his extreme left liberal leanings. Still Clymer makes a convincing case that Ted Kennedy's most powerful and far reaching political legacy is the legislative reform he championed - often with Republicans alongside him - in the U.S. Senate which has impacted all of America.

Black Water - by Joyce Carol Oates

This is fiction by one of America's most respected writers. It's based on the infamous Chappaquiddick incident which saw Ted Kennedy disgraced and young Mary Jo Kopechne taken from this life far too young. The novel has been praised for its insightful narrative and poetic language, and is so powerful it prompted Oates to create an opera around its story. Many books have documented Ted Kennedy's Chappaquiddick incident, but often fiction brings out more in emotion, than dry facts ever do.