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 enlarge | Author: Ted Sorensen
Publisher: Harper
Category: Book
List Price: $27.95
Buy New: $14.91
You Save: $13.04 (47%)
New (43) Used (12) Collectible (5) from $13.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  30 reviews
Sales Rank: 5081
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 576
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6 x 1.9
ISBN: 0060798718
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.922092
EAN: 9780060798710
ASIN: 0060798718
Publication Date: May 1, 2008
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Condition: NEW: NEVER READ...!!!!.(may have faint shelf wear from bookstore)..ALL ORDERS SHIP SAME OR NEXT BUSINESS DAY, FREE POSTAL DELIVERY CONFIRMATION FOR U.S. ORDERS, TOP CUSTOMER SERVICE !!!!
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| Customer Reviews:
 A fascinating, boring read July 30, 2008
The 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.
Magnificent Read July 27, 2008
This 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.
On the 8th Day Sorensen Created God July 21, 2008
What 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.
 Counselor July 14, 2008
An intriguing insight into the Kennedy presidency. Mr. Sorensen writes a very compelling account of known crisis of that time, and many accounts of happenings only known by one who was there. It is an excellent historical book.
 "Counselor" Could Have Used Some Counseling July 11, 2008
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History I was very disappointed in Sorensen's book, primarily because about the only thing he gives JFK credit for is his hiring him! It is as if he believes he was the president himself. Most offending is that clearly he does not connect his speechwriting rules "less is more" to his biography. After almost every description of a positive development in JFK's, Sorensen adds a paranthetical note crediting himself or noting how he predicted the outcome, making it an aggravating read. Sorensen has forgotten that he was part of a team and should have left the credit with the subject that is interesting; JFK and his administration (and subsequent relationships).
His opening comment is completely disengenous about his being uncomfortable about too many "I's". This is a man that is so full of himself...
Sorensen deserves credit for his service to the country, as I am sure he is a phenominal individual and was instrumental in shaping policies to the benefit of his sponsor and the US. But he is not an individual that one should devote the first 90 pages about his upbringing and background about...he simply is not that interesting...he was not the president of the United States...and this book is not that interesting because of it.
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