Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis
by Robert F. Kennedy
|
|
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
discuss this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
This book is not in any lists. Go add it to a list.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 220)
Read in March, 2008
Robert Kennedy, as both brother and Attorney General to President John Kennedy, does a masterful job of explaining the US Administration’s internal deliberations and decisions during the Cuban missile crisis. Many members of my generation do not, perhaps, understand the gravity of the situation, and how a 45 year old president was able to calmly deliberate on the facts, assemble an Executive Committee full of experience, ability and deliberative dissent, and make a decision that protected the...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
In the 45 years since the Cuban Missile Crisis, we've witnessed America's involvement in the Vietnam War, the first Gulf War and the current Iraq War, not to mention the hijackings of September 11, 2001. It may be difficult now to realize how close America and Russia came to total destruction in October 1962, but Robert Kennedy's book, written from the perspective of one who was there, manages to capture much of that feeling. Of course, both the author and the reader knew how the crisis was reso...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2002
recommended to Charles by:
Me
Thank God the republican and military generals screwed JFK over the Bay of Pigs debacle six months in office. If they hadn’t Kennedy might have believed those crazy fools who wanted to attack Cuba and expected Russia to do nothing about it. Great book for those who lived through it. I helped my mother fill jars of water to place in the Northwest corner of our basement to save them from the blast coming from Seattle. The book demonstrates just how close we came to having a dead earth. Read...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2007
I read this book while studying the 1960's with my children last spring. I was a toddler during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and my parents have told me about making plans to evacuate my mother and me in case Cuba set off missiles. The book gives a fascinating glimpse at the decision making process during the 13 days of the Cuban Missile Crisis. While reading the book I thought a lot foreign policy, and how necessary it is that policy and people remain flexible in a national crisis.
Like this review?
yes
2 comments
Read in May, 2008
Great book on the Cuban missile crisis that gives us a better understanding of JFK and his brother (who authored the book). It is a shame the world did not have JFK as the PoTUS for two full terms.
It is amazing how a person of strength and character will power through a crisis with sound judgement and a desire for peace without resorting to violence when war seemed inevitable. Lesser men, on the other hand, opt for war when there is no need to wage one.
It is amazing how a person of strength and character will power through a crisis with sound judgement and a desire for peace without resorting to violence when war seemed inevitable. Lesser men, on the other hand, opt for war when there is no need to wage one.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2006
There are some events in history (such as the Cuban Missile Crisis) that I always hear about, but don't understand the full scope. The situation of the Cuban Missile Crisis is actually quite simple. There's not much to tell about that, but it was the way Kennedy dealt with the situation that is so intriguing- and very relevant to the way things are handled in goverment today.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2004
RFK's fantastic account of the Cuban Missile Crisis. A simply, directly told story of the defining moment of the Cold War, that presents the events without romance and insightfully deals with the various nuances of the crisis. Reads like a modern political-suspense novel, but with the accuracy of a history book.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2007
I recommend this face paced first hand account of the cuban missile crisis especially to others like myself who were born after the events. The wisdom of the Kennedy administration and the lessons learned are almost zen-like and a good source of reference.
Let me know if you want to borrow my copy.
Let me know if you want to borrow my copy.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
This was a very detailed book of the Cuban Missile Crisis, I am not sure why I decided to read it, but it was really interesting. It is written by JFK's brother, who was the attorney general at the time, so he seemed to be in the middle of things.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2007
Everyone needs a little history in their life.:) One of my last papers in college was a critique of this book. Granted, I am not a Kennedy fan but I found the events detailed in this book fascinating. It's a pretty fast read too.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2007
This book gives some interesting insights into human nature and what makes a good leader.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
kind of clear that it's a younger brother writing about his older brother, not bad.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
