AUDIO BOOK: The Kennedys: America's Emerald Kings
Written by Thomas Maier; Read by Alan Sklar (The Audio Partners)
Reviewed by Erick Mertz

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There is little evidence to contradict the argument that the Kennedy family is America's claim to some domestic royalty. Their presidency was a Camelot, their compound in Hyannisport Massachusetts a castle, and their empire of five generations is unquestionable. Every move made by one of their clan is topic of discussion for decades.

That status is only further enforced with The Kennedys: America's Emerald Kings, a new audio novel by famed biographer Thomas Maier. While their exploits may be tabloid at times, there is nothing seedy about the presentation here. Maier focuses on the family's Irish heritage, and Catholic faith and spans back to Patrick's arrival in Boston over 150 years ago.

The writing - or reading, as it is in this case - is well researched and informative. Maier is focused on taking into account the many convergent factors that have formed and prolonged the family's legacy. It is a story of nearly Shakespearean proportions, and were the Bard alive today and living in Boston it is reasonable to assume that his new histories would include a trilogy of Kennedy plays. While Maier is no Shakespeare, his assessment and study in The Kennedys is wonderfully informative and entertaining.

© 2003 - Erick Mertz