The New York Times today offered the first peek at Edward Kennedy's memoir, "True Compass," which goes on sale to the public Sept. 14. Among the highlights noted by the Times:

-- Kennedy called his behavior after the 1969 car accident that killed Mary Jo Kopechne “inexcusable” and said the events might have shortened the life of his ailing father, Joseph P. Kennedy.

-- He said his father had encouraged intensive competition among his children, especially his sons, which fed his recurrent feelings of inadequacy after the death of his three brothers, all of them older.

Overall, the Times story indicates that he did not open up dramatically about the Chappaquiddick incident or his general reputation for carousing. But he does provide a lot of behind-the-scenes action from Washington, including his relationships with presidents over nearly a half-century as a senator.