Senator Kennedy’s Memoir to be Published in September

By The New York Times

The long-awaited memoir by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who died Tuesday night at the age of 77, will be released next month.

Titled “True Compass,” the 532-page book will go on sale Sept. 14, according to the publisher, Twelve, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing.

Originally scheduled for release in 2010, and then advanced to October, the publisher said last week that it had moved the release to September. A spokesman said “the production process moved faster than expected, so we were able to shave off some time.”

Motoko Rich of The New York Times reported last month that the publisher plans to issue 1,000 copies of a leather-bound, electronically signed edition of “True Compass” that will cost $1,000.

Mr. Kennedy reportedly received an $8 million advance for the memoir, which he wrote in collaboration with Ron Powers, an author of “Flags of Our Fathers” and other biographies.

The autobiography, “five years in the making” according to the publisher, will recount fifty years of political and personal history.

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Evans Obino August 26, 2009 · 3:42 am

R.I.P Senator Kennedy.He lived and dedicated his life to public service without wavering or quitting.His focus on poverty elimination and service delivery truly buttressed the reciprocal and mutual legislative landmarks he achieved across party lines.Gone is a uniquely and persistently gifted champion of the masses.

Gerald A. Ledbetter August 26, 2009 · 4:18 am

“I can’t believe it!”

Most people won’t believe it, but the NY Times is the paper of record, and a very good example of journalism.

An expert and the only author on death and dying was Dr. Elizabeth Coubler Ross who wrote on the very subject called thonotology the study of death and dying in the 1970’s found a pattern of behavior in bereavement.

When most people bereave denial is the first response. “I can’t believe it” would be fit for someone aknowledging a death for the first time.

Anger becomes a second stage, because some people make it a personal burden of how they might of prevented it, but can’t reverse the event. Perhaps self pity for not spending more time with the deceased before it happened.

Borrowing of time is a stage Dr. Ross isolated that people seek religion to explain the after life and prepare for it one day as well.

Depression becomes automatic during the breavement process.

And, finaly the last stage in the death and dying process is acceptance.

Thank you for your wonderful service to this country Mr. Kennedy and you’ll truly be missed.

I’m an aspiring jounalist.

Patricia Michael August 26, 2009 · 12:15 pm

RIP, Senator Kennedy: G.B. Shaw might have written this about you: “This is the true joy of life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I love. Life is no “brief candle” to me. It is a sort of splendid torch, which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generation.”

Alfred T.M. Kader August 26, 2009 · 12:25 pm

The last of the American greats – Edward Kennedy has been an American Icon and truly a champion of the American people at large. We shall miss him. Warm farewell my friend.

Claudia, Tucson AZ August 26, 2009 · 2:46 pm

A truly compassionate man for the American people. I am anxious to read the book. claudiatucsonaz

Sister Anitra Hansen SSJD August 26, 2009 · 2:54 pm

Thank you, Patricia Michael! the G.B. Shaw quote resonates for me whenever I think of JFK, his brother Bobby and now Senator Kennedy- all part of a time in not only USA history but in world history ,of an effort , in whatever way possible ,to live lives dedicated to the good and welfare of the “underdog”. I am saddned by the sneers of those who see the Kennedys simply as rich politicians and turn a blind eye to what was accomplished by them in the public arena for less fortunate citizens and immigrants.
Together with Martin Luther king, Rosa Parks, and so many others, their effect on history cannot be denied.
As a Candian Anglican, I know I speak for many Canadians, who like myself watched history unfolding from JFK’s “Camelot” to the present time. Yes, they all made mistakes- some incredibly wrong mistakes, but they accepted their guilt, accepted forgiveness and moved on even more determined to serve the country they loved. Senator Kennedy, may you rest in peace and rise in glory.
Sister Anitra SSJD

Gerard Harbison August 26, 2009 · 3:02 pm

I’m curious if, in a post-mortem memoir, he will come clean about Chappaquiddick. While it’s clear that Kennedy’s version of events was pretty much entirely fictitious, it would be fascinating to know what actually happened. Was there some other explanation, beyond the obvious, for why he and Kopechne were parked on Cemetery Road? When he was approached by Deputy Sheriff Look, why did he speed off, and why down Dyke Road, a sand road on which he could not safely drive 20 mph, and which, as one familiar with the island, he must have known was a dead end. Was he simply too drunk to think straight? And how did he get to Edgartown? Does anyone really buy the story that he swam the channel, on the opposite side of the island from Poucha Pond where Mary Jo died, at 2 a.m., in a probably state of drunkenness, and in a neck brace?

Jeff in Atlanta August 26, 2009 · 4:33 pm

Senator Kennedy made a very bad decision one night 40 years ago. He spent the next 40 years of his life making very good decisions for the American people and especially for the less privileged and most disadvantaged members of our society. Which should weigh more heavily in the judgment of history? It’s plain his detractors could care less about MJK; anything to smear an opponent, even on the day of his death. Mr. Harbison, “have you at long last, sir, no sense of shame?”

Rosemarie McMichael August 26, 2009 · 6:27 pm

No Child Left Behind, OSHA, S-CHIP, forceful oppostion to the misguided Iraq war, support for and mentoring of President Obama, all of this is Senator Kennedy’s legacy, not one terrible mistake made in 1969.