mrssloan's review against another edition
5.0
I have been reading this book since August. I loved it. Bobby was such an interesting contradiction, and such an 8. I identified with him a lot. I enjoyed learning more about this period of history, as well as learning about why Bobby's politics changed so much over time. The book was well-written and kept a clear focus which I imagine is hard to do when writing a biography. Made me love Bobby more, but was also honest about his flaws. Excellent book.
socraticgadfly's review against another edition
5.0
Simply a very good book.
Tye doesn't throw Bobby under the bus; he's not Victor Navasky or worse.
But, even more, he in no way buys into Camelot legend.
He notes that Bobby was slow and late, in Jack's name as AG, to civil rights and that both brothers wanted it that way. He cites the May 1963 meeting with black civil rights artists, and his not wanting to listen, as a point in detail. (So does Michael Eric Dyson in his new book, so, Camelot mythicists, drop it.)
He notes that, although repudiating Roy Cohn, he remained on friendly terms with Joe McCarthy until the tail-gunner's death.
He notes that even in the 1968 primaries, he could still play the race card, telling Orange County voters that Gene McCarthy wanted to move a bunch of black folks out there from L.A.
But, he does note that Bobby evolved on both civil rights and poverty, among other things. And he details how.
Tye doesn't throw Bobby under the bus; he's not Victor Navasky or worse.
But, even more, he in no way buys into Camelot legend.
He notes that Bobby was slow and late, in Jack's name as AG, to civil rights and that both brothers wanted it that way. He cites the May 1963 meeting with black civil rights artists, and his not wanting to listen, as a point in detail. (So does Michael Eric Dyson in his new book, so, Camelot mythicists, drop it.)
He notes that, although repudiating Roy Cohn, he remained on friendly terms with Joe McCarthy until the tail-gunner's death.
He notes that even in the 1968 primaries, he could still play the race card, telling Orange County voters that Gene McCarthy wanted to move a bunch of black folks out there from L.A.
But, he does note that Bobby evolved on both civil rights and poverty, among other things. And he details how.
heathdwilliams's review against another edition
5.0
When Ethel Kennedy agrees to be interviewed for a biography of her husband, you read it. It so happens that this one is also probably the best RFK biography since Schlesinger's in 1978.
wfire's review
5.0
One of the best biographies I have ever read. A masterful blend of narrative pose and meticulous research.
piecesofgold's review
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
i mean. yeah. bobby kennedy man. to think it could have been him instead of nixon Hurts.
and holy fuck how many airplane accidents can one family ENDURE if i was a kennedy i would simply never leave the house. m
and holy fuck how many airplane accidents can one family ENDURE if i was a kennedy i would simply never leave the house. m
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Antisemitism, and Police brutality
dtpsweeney's review
4.0
It is a testament to the short life of Bobby Kennedy that a ~450 page biography feels like a light treatment of his story. This biography is split into 10 chapters, each of which could have easily been expanded to stand alone as separate books. Nonetheless, this is a well written and researched account of the man -- not merely the politician -- that Bobby Kennedy was. It is expansive and revealing, though not exactly even-handed as it, like so many other Kennedy appraisals, tends to glow rather forgiving. I'd still recommend it to any who would like more than a cursory familiarity with this profound and promising figure from our past whose personal transformation and last messages are sorely missed today.
I will caution that this biography does not seem to offer any particularly new material, interpretation, or contextualization when compared to past treatments of RFK's life (with the exception of some interesting and new, if not essential, interviews with Ethel Kennedy about her husband). It does not argue anything about RFK outside of mainstream understanding, and it is therefore more well-suited as a comprehensive biography for those who are new to detailed accounts of his life.
I will caution that this biography does not seem to offer any particularly new material, interpretation, or contextualization when compared to past treatments of RFK's life (with the exception of some interesting and new, if not essential, interviews with Ethel Kennedy about her husband). It does not argue anything about RFK outside of mainstream understanding, and it is therefore more well-suited as a comprehensive biography for those who are new to detailed accounts of his life.
quintusmarcus's review
5.0
Superb and utterly heartbreaking biography. Highly recommended to any decent human being.