http://www.audible.com/pd?asin=B002VA933W
I can’t say that I’ve ever been a huge Sen. Edward Kennedy fan, but in reading this memoir, True Compass, I was able to get a much more in-depth look behind not only the image, but also the man, Sen. Edward Kennedy.
I followed the Kennedy clan throughout much of my adult life, so I’m very familiar with the various personalities and achievements of the Kennedy family going back nearly 100 years. Sen. Edward Kennedy was always perceived as the “rascal” of the group, who, probably because of
his being the baby of the bunch, seemed to be riding on his family’s coattails for the most part.
Kennedy does a good job of peeling back some of the “layers of the onion” and letting us get an up close and personal look at some of his own personal demons, challenges, addictions and rivalries (both political and non-political) that he dealt with sometimes “oh so out in the open and public” (the Kennedy’s had a family oath to try their best to deal with issues in private as much as possible). I learned so much more about him and gain a new level of respect for not only him, but his many accomplishments, especially later in his life when he spent his “political capital” on new up and comer, Barack Obama, instead of on the Clintons in 2008 for the Presidential Election.
Of course, there’s still a lot of suspicion and mystery surrounding him and the whole Chappaquiddick thing, but I guess there’s always going to be a “certain amount of intrigue with the Kennedy’s”.
The book flows nice and easy, so even though it’s lengthy, it’s easy to comprehend and go with the flow.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
