A 40-page USA TODAY special edition provides an in-depth look at the legacy of the Kennedy family and its impact on American history. The issue also offers a tribute to the charmed and tragic life of a public servant whose career spanned five decades.

Though Edward Kennedy will be remembered most for his ability to champion the causes of liberals, he also was capable of reaching across the aisle to get what he wanted. His passing will leave a gaping hole in the Senate, where bridge-builders are already in short supply.