Against the Wind

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From the author of Catching the Wind, acclaimed as one of the great biographies of our time, comes the second volume of the definitive biography of Ted Kennedy. In this installment, Kennedy emerges in 1975 as a powerful voice advocating for the poor and working-class amidst America's shift toward conservatism. No longer overshadowed by his brothers, he embraces his role as a leading liberal, propelled by the progressive ideals they championed. However, as the decade progresses, he faces challenges from the moderate Jimmy Carter, who prioritizes budget-balancing, and later from Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, who harness the discontent of the white working and middle classes, reshaping American politics for decades. Kennedy's mission to support the vulnerable becomes increasingly difficult as the notion of individual responsibility overshadows communal responsibility. This volume chronicles how he navigated these turbulent times, using his legislative skills to combat threats to the nation's most disadvantaged. While grappling with personal and political challenges during a conservative rise, Kennedy ultimately reestablishes his influence, becoming the "Lion of the Senate" and earning respect from both parties as an extraordinary legislator. Neal Gabler offers profound insights into Kennedy's fight to sustain liberalism in an era determined to quash it, illuminating the complexities of the great American century and one of