Eight years apart in age, John F. and Robert F. Kennedy were wildly different in temperament and sensibility. Jack was the leadercharismatic, ironic, capable of extraordinary growth and reach, yet also reckless. Bobby was the fearless, hardworking Boy Scoutunafraid of dirty work and ruthless about protecting his brother and destroying their enemies. Jack, it was said, was the first Irish … Brahman, Bobby the last Irish Puritan.
As Richard D. Mahoney demonstrates with brilliant clarity in this impeccably documented, magisterial book, the Kennedys lived their days of power in dangerous, trackless territory. Mahoney gives us the Kennedy days and years as we have never before seen them. Here are Jack and Bobby in all their hubris and humanity, youthfulness and fatalism. Here, also, is American history as it unfolds. With a new foreword by David Talbot, The Kennedy Brothers is a masterful account of two men whose legacy continues to hold the American imagination.
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I only knew surface things about the Kennedy brothers going into this book. It truly opened up the various levels of intrigue and controversy behind the scenes of our government. If this is what it was like in the late 50s and 60s, what was it like since then and I really can’t imagine what is going on today that we don’t see. Wow!!
If you love history, matured to adulthood in the 60’s this book answers a lot of questions. Firmly and clearly exposes all the players involved in the assassinations of the Kennedy brothers. A must read!
Always interested in learning about this dynamic family.
The interaction & inter-dependency of the Kennedy brothers was intriguing to me as I certainly remember them both. While I was aware of many of John Kennedy’s faults, I was disheartened to learn of his inability to make decisions (except where it concerned his womanizing) and how oblivious he truly was to others’ needs or feelings. Frankly, he …
Reads like a novel, except it is tragically true. From Joe Kennedy’s involvement with the Mafia and labor union manipulation to elect John, to Hoover’s blackmailing of John and Robert Kennedy, it is easy to see how the assassination was carefully planned and carried out with impunity. A fascinating book.
Could not believe how naive many of us have been…wow
Interesting how Bobby was the forgotten brother.
John Kennedy spoke to our higher angels. This book has many examples of that . It made me remember how proud I was of my country, our president, and the freedom we cherish. Today we need books like this to remind us what our country can be if we all look to the ideals our country was founded on.
Even though I lived through the Kennedy years, I learned a great deal. Now I know why Marilyn Monroe died, and who killed JFK. Beautifully written, and well documented. A pleasure to read.
Incredible coverage of the era of the two Kennedy brothers and their father. Gives insight into the pressures of campaigning and governing. More significantly it alludes to the web of threats to both the brothers’ lives. And the failure of the Warren Commission.
Marguerite Quinn
I reccomend this Historic book with well known characters. Why this happen and such things still goes on.
I did not give it five stars – I gave it three stars! Too much about Chris Matthew’s opinion.
Truly an enjoyable peek at history
Inside look at the two brothers and their relationship. Particularly interesting on RFK and his at time contradictory personality.
Book was very informative. I highly recommend this book.
Does a good job of exploring the relationship between the brothers, less useful when it tries to explain the assassinations as conspiracies. There are only threads with which the reader is left to decide.