Chappaquiddick: The Real Story [Hardcover]

James E. T. Lange (Author), Katherine, Jr. Dewitt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1993

A new investigation into the controversy surrounding the Chappaquiddick case concludes that, for the most part, Senator Ted Kennedy was telling the truth about what happened that fateful summer night in 1969.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Declaring Sen. Edward Kennedy "the living victim of Chappaquiddick," the authors present an interesting, if slight, analysis of the many interpretations of the 1969 automobile accident that resulted in the drowning of Kennedy's passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne. Washington, D.C., lawyer Lange and copywriter DeWitt first present, in telegraphic prose, mini-biographies of Kennedy and Kopechne. Following these is an unsourced chronology of the complex skein of events surrounding the July 18-19 incident, including Kennedy's failure to report the accident until the following day, and his plea of guilty to leaving the scene of an accident. Then, more valuably, the authors criticize conspiracy-theorists who claim, for example, that the accident was engineered to keep Kennedy out of the White House or that Kopechne was already dead when Kennedy drove off the bridge. They suggest that Kennedy's version was basically true, and that he and his aides delayed reporting the accident mainly to protect him from appearing emotionally rattled in public. They acknowledge that certain public officials--i.e., police investigators, a judge--behaved unprofessionally in order to help Kennedy, but argue that none did so in return for favors. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Intriguing if not wholly convincing reconsideration of the July 1969 car crash that killed Mary Jo Kopechne and effectively ended Senator Edward Kennedy's presidential aspirations. Lange (an attorney) and DeWitt (a copywriter) begin with perfunctory tabloid-like sketches of Kopechne and the Kennedys that telegraph more of an interest in detective work than in the people involved. We're told that Joseph Kennedy, Jr., ``was the one Mother loved best'' and, half a page later, that Kathleen Kennedy ``was Rose's favorite child.'' Things make more sense as the authors trace the events leading up to the accident; examine testimony on what may have happened afterward; and outline various theories about what actually did happen. The details are endless and the reasoning intricate as the authors find every past theory inadequate to explain certain actions and events. And so Lange and DeWitt offer ``One More Theory'': ``that the senator was largely telling the truth.'' In doing so, they tackle the big mysteries of the case: Kennedy's failure to report the crash for many hours, and his bizarre swim to a neighboring island after the accident. The authors point out that his original statements to police and his later courtroom testimony agree substantively, except about that swim, and they indicate that any discrepancies are due to Kennedy having been ``non compos mentis,'' probably in ``traumatic amnesia'' marked by ``befuddlement'': Although there was, they say, ``no proper medical assessment'' of the senator at the time, witnesses described actions consistent with amnesiac behavior. The research here is remorseless, but the simplistic psychology of the early pages undermines confidence. (Eight pages of photographs, two maps) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 286 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; First Edition edition (March 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312087497
• ISBN-13: 978-0312087494
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,399,026 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wrong Turn Leads to a Dead End, June 27, 2003

By 

Acute Observer (N. Jersey Shore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chappaquiddick: The Real Story (Hardcover)

James Lange is a practicing lawyer (drunk driving and accident cases) and a former investigator. Katherine DeWitt is a writer and editor. They claim other writers on this topic lacked legal knowledge and knew nothing of forensic science (p.ix). The writers were jurors who applied common sense and general knowledge to a problem. The authors research led them to a theory previously buried.

Joe Kennedy Sr. was not a common bootlegger during Prohibition (p.3); he made another fortune by holding import licenses for Scotch whiskies. He had made several fortunes in banking, shipbuilding, and stock brokering earlier. Like some other bankers, he supported FDR in 1932 and was given the Ambassadorship to Great Britain. Kennedy's defeatist attitude killed his political career, but his sons were ready to be all they could be. Pages 6-8 summarize Ted Kennedy's life. Ted did well as a Senator; he was a team player. Like most Senators and Congressmen, he worked in his car while someone else drove. Ted relied on other people's talents (p.10). Chapter 2 tells of Mary Jo Kopechne. No one has ever proven any irregularities in her life (p.18). The July 1969 party was at Chappaquiddick so Teddy couldn't miss it (p.20). Mary Jo didn't feel well and asked Ted to drive her to her motel. Ted made a wrong turn and ended up on the wooden bridge.

After Ted returned to Hyannis Port he was examined by a doctor (p.47). The retrograde amnesia and current confusion was diagnosed as a concussion, acute cervical strain. Ted still walked around in a daze on Monday (p.51). Ted and Joan attended Mary Jo's funeral on Tuesday. On Friday Ted plead guilty to leaving the scene of an accident. Ted's candidacy for a higher office was the other victim of this accident.

Chapter 5 discusses various theories about this event. Retrograde amnesia always occurs with a concussion, and explains anyone's loss of memory (p.73). Page 117 suggests they did not report the accident immediately because of Ted's confused mental state. A tearful, emotional Ted would have ended his career. This is as good a theory as any (p.123), and avoids multiplying suppositions. Chapter 7 discusses the rumors of Ted's guilt. There was nothing wrong with a closed inquest because Mass. always did it that way (p.159). This can prevent prejudicial pre-trial publicity. Pages 160-2 explain why Ted Kennedy did NOT "get away with it".

Ted Kennedy has continued to get re-elected Senator, but has no chance for higher office. This is described as due to a "flaw in judgment". Would a drunkard and adulterer make a good President? The authors imply "no" but the history books (or the present?) suggest at least a "maybe". They ask if Nixon deserved to be hounded out of office for a "third-rate burglary" (p.166)? Yes, if "Watergate" was a cover story for the attempted assassination of George Wallace.

Edgartown was the locale for filming "Jaws" in 1974. Did the Dyke Bridge appear in a background shot of the pond? Martha's Vineyard was in the news again in 1999 when JFK Jr, his wife, and sister-in-law perished in a plane crash. We later found out JFK Jr intended to get elected Senator of NY.