In Chris Matthews’s New York Times bestselling portrait of Robert F. Kennedy, “Readers witness the evolution of Kennedy’s soul. Through tragedy after tragedy we find the man humanized” (Associated Press). With his bestselling biography Jack Kennedy, Chris Matthews profiled of one of America’s most beloved Presidents and the patriotic spirit that defined him. Now, with Bobby Kennedy, Matthews … with Bobby Kennedy, Matthews provides “insight into [Bobby’s] spirit and what drove him to greatness” (New York Journal of Books) in his gripping, in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at one of the great figures of the American twentieth century.
Overlooked by his father, and overshadowed by his war-hero brother, Bobby Kennedy was a perpetual underdog. When he had the chance to become a naval officer like his older brother, Bobby turned it down, choosing instead to join the Navy as a common sailor. It was a life-changing experience that led him to connect with voters from all walks of life: young and old, black and white, rich and poor. They were the people who turned out for him in his 1968 campaign. RFK would prove himself to be the rarest of politicians–both a pragmatist who knew how to get the job done and an unwavering idealist who could inspire millions.
Drawing on extensive research and interviews, Matthews pulls back the curtain on the private world of Robert Francis Kennedy. Matthew illuminates the important moments of his life: from his early years and his start in politics, to his crucial role as attorney general in his brother’s administration and, finally, his tragic run for president. This definitive book brings Bobby Kennedy to life like never before.
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I highly recommend MSNBC commentator Chris Matthews’ book “Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit.”
Excellent expose of Kennedy family focusing on Bobby Kennedy. Bobby not his dad’s favorite because smaller and the one of the babies of the boys. Thus, Bobby was nurtured by his mother learning religion, empathy, and strength because efforts to please his father he had to become tough and a winner. His bigger brothers Joe and Jack ignored him due to the large age difference.
Jack had the charisma and was a charmer both with men and women! Jack had a secret illness that was a family secret but in spite of that he excelled on athletic activities and was academically and socially active. Jack had assumed that he would be backing Joe politically and not the lead. After Joe’ demise, Daddy Kennedy expected Jack to pick up the baton and head to make an impact in politics and, hopefully, reach a point where the presidency would be a possibility, However, Jack had to settle down, not advertise his womanizing, and find the perfect wife. Jackie filled the requirements and they married even though the normal deep love pictured in the tabloids and on television was not exactly the state of affairs.
Bobby picked up a lot of the duties in comforting Jackie when she lost a child and Jack stayed in Europe, it was Bobby who emphasized and brought Jackie home.
The situation was the same in many of Jack’s responsibilities in politics giving advice, watching his brother ‘s back, and developing strategy – often making the difficult decisions for Jack and advising him of the political and legal issues that required addressing. Jack depended on Bobby who appeared to be the tougherband harder person of the two when actually it was the opposite!
Bobby was aware of the middle issues and details required for analytical decisions. Bobby was aware of the racial tensions, against the Mafia who catered to Jack and provided cover for Jacj’s womanizing as well as the entertainers who also were great friends of Jack but Bobby doing the work of both Jack and him was viewed as a dedicated nerd and someone to be afraid of because Bobby was tenacious and has spies in all areas to protect his brother and inform Jack of the state of affairs. It was rare, when Jack did not take Bobby ‘s advice or made any substantive decision without consulting with Bobby.
Bobby was not liked by competitors of Jack like the Vice President Johnson. Bobby demanded that Jack cut off his friendship withnSinatra who had worked very hard to get Jack elected and was elated witb being accepted by the Washington elite. Bobby also demanded that Jack’s relationship with certain women bevterminated for the sake of political reasons.
Bobby was actually the brother who cared about the poor, ill, and helping in to minimize racial relationship issues and pushing civil equality! Jack had the charisma and appeared to make the hard decisions but actually it was Bobby who loved the country and became more of a civil rights empathize and advocate to push for equality for women, the disabled, and all people of a different color or creed requiring an advocate and protection- pushing President Johnson tonstop lying to the people regarding the Vietnam War, laws equalizing the rights of black or brown Americans, the equality of women, and pushing legislation for the disabled and our global and environmental issues that were far more liberal than his brother. He grew more empathetic towards those who could not help themselves as time went on advocating for the underdogs – poor, racially discriminated, funding for education and disabled and transperancy regarding the issues and state of the war in South East Asia. Unfortunately, our country never had a chance to see what he could accomplish if he became President. The country missed out but his intimidation of President Johnson andbwork for those who needed an equality advocate in the small time Bobby advised Jack, took care of his family and Jackie and her children backing Jackie ‘s desire to her story and perspective as well as directing the manner in which her husband was to be buried- protecting her from the voices of the numerous Kennedy’s and the political forces lead by the new President who was upset because the attention was on Jack and then Bobby who put pressure to do the right thing. Johnson never ran for a second term.
The book explains the reasons that our country lost a great amount of magnificent leadership when we lost Bobby Kennedy a worker, a person not afraid to say the truth, who worked for the people who needed help the most and not afraid to advocate for the perspective of living up close to see the political process of hiding the truth in Vietnam, letting people know that we were not winning the war, the political lies, and about equality for all! We certainly missed an interesting presidential campaign and an unusual President and being able to see the affects that a Bobby Kennedy presidency woulnhave had on our country. Certainly, whether one agrees or disagrees with the ideas and perspective of Bobby Kennedy, we all have to admit it would have been Interesting and, hopefully, savedvthe life’s if our soldiers and numerous young men provided a different perspective regarding race, creed, disabled, mentally ill, and the criminal system. I, personally, feel sad that we didn’t get a chance to see the Presedency of Bobby Kennedy promoting truth being told to the American people, advocating for those who could not fight for themselves as numerous disabled had all of their constitutional rights removed due to the hiding of the disabled. A president who would have politically advocated for equality for women, people of different color or race than from the white Eastern Europeans, or people of a different creed!!!!
The book relates secrets of a family, of brothers, of politics that are just now becoming aware of a Camelot that was not Camelot, how money influenced elections, how Americans were innocent of situations in their own country and around the world and far more likely to not question until it almost became too late!! We have lived through interesting times and are now in a similar situation except we question and information travels far more quickly in our cosmopolitan world!
Bobby Kennedy was one of my heroes. I was devastated when he was murdered. Chris Matthews’ book describes Bobby’s devotion to his brother Jack, doing the “hard stuff” to get JFK elected, as well as being the president’s top adviser and confidant. The author describes RFK’s transition from one who had no interest in civil rights and the plight of African-Americans to becoming their biggest champion once he was exposed to their suffering in the 1960s. Matthews also exposes a bit of the dark side of Bobby, as he discusses his support of the demagogue and Trump predecessor, Joe McCarthy. For anyone interested in the Kennedy legacy, this is a must read.
Sad but moving. Leaves you yearning for such a man to appear and lead this nation to great heights with intelligence and concern for all citizens unlike today.
Chris Mathews brings us back to the 1960’s and reminds us of the struggles we encountered and there is hope for us to come together once again for what is right.