Eileen McNamara

This was the very interesting life story of perhaps the most underrated of the members of the famous Kennedy clan: Eunice Kennedy Shriver. She had a drive that was unmatched and relentlessly pursued the cause of the mentally challenged. Because her own family was touched by this, Eunice had an inside look at a highly controversial subject at the time of her initial involvement.

Eunice may have achieved great things, such as helping to bring about the Special Olympics, but she was a deeply flawed individual. They way she went through personal assistants was just staggering. Her inability and her unwillingness to talk about any personal tragedy had a profound effect on her family and the people in her employ. I know that we couldn't have been friends, despite the fact that I admire her greatly for the work she did.

A fascinating and well-balanced account of a previously uncovered, crucial piece of the Kennedy family puzzle.… (meer)

Inspiring life story

Some people will find in this book a disgusting story of wealth and privilege. I find it inspiring. It is the story of a bygone era where political strength was built on service; a time when wealth brought with it public responsibility.

The Kennedy family, all of them, were competitors, and Joe and Rose never let them slide. The kids were well trained in history, debate, rhetoric, expository writing, and sports. Once upon a time, these were the tools of statesmen. Family wealth provided tutors and coaches, and the family work and play ethic is to strive to be the best you can be. I was particularly charmed by the intra-family mini-grant program that funded public service projects the college-age grandchildren thought up. Only the good ideas got funded.

Be the best you can be was the motto and with it the corollaries: Surround yourself with advisors who are the best you can find, and be sure that within your circle of advisors are people who do not agree with you but are still the best in their field. Contrast that with today when barely-educated, unread people, who happen to be rich or celebrities, surround themselves with people just like themselves forming a homogeneous mass of people who know no history and then pronounce that their truth is the only truth.

Eunice's lifetime of hard work for the mentally and physically handicapped, and the birth of the Special Olympics is fully described in the book. Her and Sargent Shriver's work with Peace Corps and related youth jobs programs is less thoroughly presented but still adequate.

I received a review copy of "Eunice: The Kennedy Who Changed the World" by Eileen McNamara (Simon & Schuster) through NetGalley.com.… (meer)