The Road Taken

A Memoir

By: Patrick Leahy, Patrick Leahy - introduction

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

A historic, sweeping memoir from United States Senator Patrick Leahy, currently the chamber’s longest-serving senator and President Pro Tempore.

In his landmark memoir The Road Taken, Patrick Leahy looks back on a life lived on the front lines of American politics. As the senior-most member and de facto dean of the chamber, Senator Leahy has been a key author of the American story. Leahy established himself as a moral leader and liberal pioneer over four decades spanning nine presidential administrations.

American history comes alive in this gripping story of a master political leader and consummate legislator. Leahy takes you inside the room as pivotal moments in our nation’s history play out, from the post-Watergate reform era to path breaking Supreme Court confirmations to stress tests like the impeachment of President Clinton, 9/11 and Congress’s role in greenlighting a disastrous war in Iraq, the January 6th Capitol insurrection, and both impeachment trials of Donald Trump—one of which Senator Leahy presided over, a historic first.

Beautifully written and filled with wonderful stories, Leahy’s memoir is populated by a larger-than-life cast of characters. We meet the major players who would shape the course of American politics, including every President from Ford onward, a fresh-faced Ted Kennedy, a dying Hubert Humphrey, a thirty-three-year-old son of Scranton named Joe Biden, a quick-witted Barry Goldwater, a freshman Senator and trash-talking gym-mate named Barack Obama, and a scrappy newcomer by the name of Bernie Sanders. Through these characters and many more, we see the rise, gradual decline, and push for redemption of a United States Senate that Leahy learns at an early age can be the “nation’s conscience.”

The Road Taken is also a moving personal portrait. Born in Vermont in 1940, Leahy got his first taste of politics at age six after riding his tricycle into the Governor’s office. Twenty-eight years later he became the first Democrat and youngest person ever elected to the United States Senate from Vermont. He writes movingly of his wife of nearly sixty years, Marcelle, his family life, his beloved home state of Vermont, and his unexpected life as an actor with cameos in five Batman movies. Despite being born legally blind in one eye, Leahy became an accomplished photographer, shooting history as he witnessed it. His intimate portraits illustrate the book, showcasing history through the lens of his life.

Full of wisdom and insight, The Road Taken ranks among the greatest political memoirs, revealing a momentous life marked by hard decisions made without regret.

Pat Leahy's Stories Are Entertaining

Vermont's Senator Pat Leahy talks about his career, including over 40 years in the Senate. It's an inside look at how the Senate works.

A life well lived

While Leahy makes himself a hero in many situations, his look at the change in senate comity over the years is sharply drawn and unrelenting. An historical must read.

From a Fellow Vermonter... Thank you

Halfway through and digesting information.. remarkable read for anyone who wants to debate politics. Epic.

A man who has high values and morals

A man who has high values and morals for this country! He will be missed in the Senate but knows when to step aside and let a new generation take lead. Well done sir!!

Thank You Sen. Leahy

I found this book encouraging and uplifting not only on what congress used to be but what I pray it will again become - a place where there is debate but respect and compromise possible no matter what side of the aisle you sit. Senator Leahy restores my faith in political possibility and throughout the book demonstrates too what a special relationship he has shared with his wife on his life’s journey. Wonderful book beginning to end.