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justmevictoria's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.5
A first-hand look at the thirteen days when the world stood on the brink of total armageddon.
On Thursday 16 October 1962, President Kennedy was presented with aerial images of Cuba showing the installation of surface-to-surface missiles at the hands of the Soviet Union. What followed was an intense thirteen days as Kennedy and his advisory committee ExComm tried to figure out the best way to get the missiles removed without starting an all-out nuclear war with the Soviet Union. Those thirteen days became the one point during the Cold War when the world stood on the brink of armageddon and total nuclear annihilation. Bobby Kennedy, President Kennedy’s brother and the United States Attorney General, recounts the events of those thirteen days with the unique perspective as the person closest to the President.
From his own diaries and recollections, RFK offers up a unique insight into the Cuban Missile Crisis as only someone so closely connected with those involved could. His day-by-day and almost hour-by-hour breakdown of events provides a really insightful and interesting account of those intense thirteen days, and at times you can definitely feel that tension rise off the page. There’s a reason this book is so heavily recommended to anyone studying or interested in Cold War politics.
Although packed with details, Bobby’s writing flows easily, ensuring we as the reader aren’t getting bogged down in the information, negotiations and personalities. Obviously, it is helpful to have some knowledge of Cold War politics, Kennedy’s term as President, or the Cuban Missile Crisis. This definitely isn’t a book to dive into completely blind to the general history of the era.
While others have pointed out that Bobby may not have been so open, truthful or correct about what went on behind closed doors, such a view is to be expected from someone in his position. As Ted Sorensen notes, RFK wrote the book on the basis of his personal diaries and recollections in the US summer and autumn of 1967, and never had the opportunity to rewrite or complete the book as he was assassinated twelve months later. No doubt the book would be written and compiled differently had he been given the chance the complete it on his own terms. Having not yet read any other major works about the Missile Crisis, I cannot comment on how Bobby’s account compares to others. But given that he was JFK’s brother and part of ExComm, his account is a unique one, regardless of what details are lacking, altered or different.
Arthur Schlesinger Jr.’S foreword, written 37 years after the Crisis, provides a really insightful introduction to Bobby’s work. Meanwhile Richard E. Neustadt and Graham T. Allison’s afterword delves into the ethical question that Bobby had wanted to, but never had the chance to discuss: ‘what, if any, circumstance or justification fives the government or any government the moral right to bring its people and possibly all people under the shadow of nuclear destruction?’. It’s an extremely interesting discussion and made for an insightful read. Also included is a collection of documents, such as addresses, statements and letters sent and publicised during the Crisis and in the weeks following. These additions add a lot of context, insight and added information to Bobby’s memoir, which would probably feel a little short or incomplete if it still sat on its own.
This is definitely one to read if you’ve got an interest in Cold War Politics or Kennedy’s presidency.
On Thursday 16 October 1962, President Kennedy was presented with aerial images of Cuba showing the installation of surface-to-surface missiles at the hands of the Soviet Union. What followed was an intense thirteen days as Kennedy and his advisory committee ExComm tried to figure out the best way to get the missiles removed without starting an all-out nuclear war with the Soviet Union. Those thirteen days became the one point during the Cold War when the world stood on the brink of armageddon and total nuclear annihilation. Bobby Kennedy, President Kennedy’s brother and the United States Attorney General, recounts the events of those thirteen days with the unique perspective as the person closest to the President.
From his own diaries and recollections, RFK offers up a unique insight into the Cuban Missile Crisis as only someone so closely connected with those involved could. His day-by-day and almost hour-by-hour breakdown of events provides a really insightful and interesting account of those intense thirteen days, and at times you can definitely feel that tension rise off the page. There’s a reason this book is so heavily recommended to anyone studying or interested in Cold War politics.
Although packed with details, Bobby’s writing flows easily, ensuring we as the reader aren’t getting bogged down in the information, negotiations and personalities. Obviously, it is helpful to have some knowledge of Cold War politics, Kennedy’s term as President, or the Cuban Missile Crisis. This definitely isn’t a book to dive into completely blind to the general history of the era.
While others have pointed out that Bobby may not have been so open, truthful or correct about what went on behind closed doors, such a view is to be expected from someone in his position. As Ted Sorensen notes, RFK wrote the book on the basis of his personal diaries and recollections in the US summer and autumn of 1967, and never had the opportunity to rewrite or complete the book as he was assassinated twelve months later. No doubt the book would be written and compiled differently had he been given the chance the complete it on his own terms. Having not yet read any other major works about the Missile Crisis, I cannot comment on how Bobby’s account compares to others. But given that he was JFK’s brother and part of ExComm, his account is a unique one, regardless of what details are lacking, altered or different.
Arthur Schlesinger Jr.’S foreword, written 37 years after the Crisis, provides a really insightful introduction to Bobby’s work. Meanwhile Richard E. Neustadt and Graham T. Allison’s afterword delves into the ethical question that Bobby had wanted to, but never had the chance to discuss: ‘what, if any, circumstance or justification fives the government or any government the moral right to bring its people and possibly all people under the shadow of nuclear destruction?’. It’s an extremely interesting discussion and made for an insightful read. Also included is a collection of documents, such as addresses, statements and letters sent and publicised during the Crisis and in the weeks following. These additions add a lot of context, insight and added information to Bobby’s memoir, which would probably feel a little short or incomplete if it still sat on its own.
This is definitely one to read if you’ve got an interest in Cold War Politics or Kennedy’s presidency.
rjermann's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely did not know as much about the Cuban missile crisis as I thought I did. This was a very interesting perspective to read. I also found the follow up explaining "what could have happened." Good nonfiction read.
mbesq's review against another edition
3.0
An early and incomplete draft of Robert Kennedy's memoir regarding the Cuban missile crisis. Historically interesting because it is written by the President's brother, and closeset advisor. But read 60 years after the event, the book provides no new insight or surprising information about the Cuban missile crisis.
spiffysarahruby's review against another edition
5.0
I'll admit, the movie "Thirteen Days" has been a favorite of mine for a long time, and a big reason why I picked up this book, was to see just how historically accurate the film really was. I was pleasantly surprised!
One reason why I changed my review from 4 stars to 5 stars is, when I was thinking of what to write in my review, I realized just how truly insightful the book was. If you've seen the film adaptation (or even, you know, LIVED through the Cuban Missile Crisis), then you know what happens in the book. What you don't get in the film is all of the in depth political theory and philosophy. Reading about the political process, public and private, as both cases were necessary during the Cuban Missile Crisis, compared to politics today... I'm amazed at what politicians were able to accomplish just a few decades ago, and am embarrassed by how blatantly partisan our politicians are today. Sure, there were disagreements with the blockade etc. but the book is clear that JFK and RFK welcomed and ENCOURAGED opposing viewpoints as checks against popular opinions that might lead them astray. They were so methodical about their decision making throughout the entire 13 days, and minds changed back and forth almost the whole time--but that didn't bring everything to a grinding halt. They still managed to put a stop to a very scary situation. I can't help but wonder how a situation like that would be handled today (the thought actually scares me)...
If you want to feel good about politics and have a renewed sense in the potential capabilities of politicians, then read this book. Good things can happen. People can work together.
One reason why I changed my review from 4 stars to 5 stars is, when I was thinking of what to write in my review, I realized just how truly insightful the book was. If you've seen the film adaptation (or even, you know, LIVED through the Cuban Missile Crisis), then you know what happens in the book. What you don't get in the film is all of the in depth political theory and philosophy. Reading about the political process, public and private, as both cases were necessary during the Cuban Missile Crisis, compared to politics today... I'm amazed at what politicians were able to accomplish just a few decades ago, and am embarrassed by how blatantly partisan our politicians are today. Sure, there were disagreements with the blockade etc. but the book is clear that JFK and RFK welcomed and ENCOURAGED opposing viewpoints as checks against popular opinions that might lead them astray. They were so methodical about their decision making throughout the entire 13 days, and minds changed back and forth almost the whole time--but that didn't bring everything to a grinding halt. They still managed to put a stop to a very scary situation. I can't help but wonder how a situation like that would be handled today (the thought actually scares me)...
If you want to feel good about politics and have a renewed sense in the potential capabilities of politicians, then read this book. Good things can happen. People can work together.
rcthomas's review against another edition
3.0
Extremely short account of RFK's experience during the Cuban Missile Crisis that sheds a good amount of insight into his thoughts and concerns during those tense weeks. The book also provides a number of documents that those interested in the subject would enjoy reading. Sadly, the second part of the book where RFK meant to expound upon some of the moral questions of the Crisis was unable to be realized due to his assassination in 1968. Instead the "afterword" is written by Richard E. Neustadt and Graham T. Allison and focuses on the way the crisis was influenced by various historical factors, personal beliefs and emotions, and also the constitutionality of "Excomm." Its an extremely short read for those interested in the subject and provides some insight into what went on.
aliibriz's review against another edition
4.0
Four stars for the memoire, but I didn’t care much for the afterword.