Sarge: The Life and Times of Sargent Shriver

Rating:
Summary: The Best and the Brightest
Review: Don't miss this beautifully crafted biography of a man everyone has heard of but few know that much about, other than his connection to the Kennedys and now Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneger, his son-in-law.

Shriver's story is fascinating on its own. His championing of the Peace Corps, Johnson's War on Poverty, and the Special Olympics is amazing and remarkable. What a difference he made in the world, and how much more he might have been able to do had he only had his family's support for the presidency.

Scott Stossel is a biographer to watch. His easy-flowing style, coupled with his strong sense of history and way with words, make this a biography not to miss -- even if you're a conservative, anti-political, rabble-rousing atheist. You won't be able to put it down.

Rating:
Summary: Poignant history of an altruistic leader!
Review: I wish that there more of a discussion of the importance of Executive Order 11063. Also, did Shriver have the opportunity to visit some of Peace Corps Volunteers in Iran's shahrestan?, viz., in Aliabad, Bidokht or Birjand?

Rating:
Summary: Reminds you of how real leaders welcome diverse viewpoints
Review: Read this book not only for its historical value. Read it also for a contrast to the current Bush administration and the kinds of leaders currently recruited to public service. Bush seems to punish diversity of opinion within his circle, and he promotes less competent folks while rooting out those who get "off message." When a problem comes up, Bush instantly wants to zero in on one single solution.

In contrast, Sargent Shriver, as this biography shows, was someone who gathered the best minds about him. They would openly and heatedly debate each other about not only the problem, but also about various solutions (rather than one alone). What kept them from all hating each other? For one thing, they knew that Sargent Shriver valued each of their varied contributions; for another, they also knew that they were serving the greater good, not just their boss, Shriver, or the president (JFK or LBJ).

This book will impress you with how much good was accomplished by one man. But it will also impress upon you the fact that the good things Sarge accomplished were the product of a man who had a largeness of mind, an openness to different ideas, an intellectual curiosity that always sought out the wisdom of others.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Biography of an Inspiring Man
Review: Sarge is without a doubt a long overdue and first-rate biography of a great American. Most seem to have forgotten what an inspiring man Sargent Shriver has been. The way in which Stossel records the war on poverty is second only to the many facits of the Shriver-Kennedy connection. Don't be turned off by the length. Historians must read this; book lovers will enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: The Overlooked Superstar
Review: Sargent Shriver may have first entered public eye as the brother-in-law of John F. Kennedy and he may and leave it as father-in-law of Arnold Schwarzenegger. But in reality Shriver, in is own right, is an overlooked superstar. He embodies the energy and vision of the New Frontier and the Great Society and his legacies are the most successful programs of each: Peace Corps, Head Start, Legal Services and, while not a government program, the Special Olympics.

Scott Stossel's rich biography deserves five stars on two accounts. It is an accurate, compelling story of a great man and humanitarian. In addition it is remarkably well written and cohesive book. As I read it, I kept thinking this is Pulitzer Prize quality writing

Rating:
Summary: AN ECELLENT BIO AND A WARM VIEW OF HISTORY
Review: This book appeals to such a wide spectrum of people. If you grew up in the 60's and watched the mystique of "Camelot" unfold this book will reveal many of the behind the scenes events that took place. If you were a Peace Corps Volunteer, this story will show you where it all began. If you are an interested student of Modern History this is a detailed view of the times. If you are a patriot looking for an inspirational tale that will inspire you this is your text! Sarge Shriver's life and times is a wonderfully written, interesting account of a man who gave of himself and set aside many personal goals for the greater goals of a bigger picture. His passion, love of life, romantic zeal, and love for his country are qualities we need so depserately today. This is one excellent biography.

Rating:
Summary: AN ECELLENT BIO AND A WARM VIEW OF HISTORY
Review: This book appeals to such a wide spectrum of people. If you grew up in the 60's and watched the mystique of "Camelot" unfold this book will reveal many of the behind the scenes events that took place. If you were a Peace Corps Volunteer, this story will show you where it all began. If you are an interested student of Modern History this is a detailed view of the times. If you are a patriot looking for an inspirational tale that will inspire you this is your text! Sarge Shriver's life and times is a wonderfully written, interesting account of a man who gave of himself and set aside many personal goals for the greater goals of a bigger picture. His passion, love of life, romantic zeal, and love for his country are qualities we need so depserately today. This is one excellent biography.

Rating:
Summary: The image of the liberal spirit
Review: To be called a "liberal" is often considered a bad word. We hunt for terms like "progressive" or anything that will not associate us with the "free-spending" myth of the Democratic politician. But if to be liberal, means to care for the poor, the disabled, the diverse in color and opportunity, then we will all find ourselves walking in the footprints of Sargent Shriver. Scott Stossel has caught the essence of a man who is guided by compassion and justice. What a legacy for us and his children! What an example. "Sarge" is a must read for every historian and every social justice activist in the world.

Rating:
Summary: The image of the liberal spirit
Review: To be called a "liberal" is often considered a bad word. We hunt for terms like "progressive" or anything that will not associate us with the "free-spending" myth of the Democratic politician. But if to be liberal, means to care for the poor, the disabled, the diverse in color and opportunity, then we will all find ourselves walking in the footprints of Sargent Shriver. Scott Stossel has caught the essence of a man who is guided by compassion and justice. What a legacy for us and his children! What an example. "Sarge" is a must read for every historian and every social justice activist in the world.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful biography
Review: When I first heard about this book, my reaction was, "Why do we need a 700-page book about this guy?" But after I read some of the reviews of it (which made it sound interesting), I took the plunge. Now I understand why we needed a big biography of this guy--and I'm amazed that there hasn't been one before. This is not the genre of book one associates with "page turners" but I devoured this book over one long weekend. I read lots of literary biographies but not many political biographies, because they're usually stutifyingly dull. Not this one: it's right up there with the top two or three biographies I've ever read.