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Make Gentle the Life of This World: The Vision of Robert F. Kennedy
A powerful memoir, compiled by Robert Kennedy's youngest son, contains stirring and compassionate writings recorded in the slain politician's personal journals throughout the 1960s. Reprint.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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About the author
Robert F. Kennedy
100 books172 followersRobert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy, also called RFK, was the United States Attorney General from 1961 to 1964 and a US Senator from New York from 1965 until his assassination in 1968. He was one of US President John F. Kennedy's younger brothers, and also one of his most trusted advisors and worked closely with the president during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He also made a significant contribution to the African-American Civil Rights Movement.
After his brother's assassination in late 1963, Kennedy continued as Attorney General under President Johnson for nine months. He resigned in September 1964 and was elected to the United States Senate from New York that November. He broke with Johnson over the Vietnam War, among other issues.
After Eugene McCarthy nearly defeated Johnson in the New Hampshire Primary in early 1968, Kennedy announced his own campaign for president, seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party. Kennedy defeated McCarthy in the critical California primary but was shot shortly after midnight on June 5, 1968, dying on June 6. On June 9, President Johnson declared an official day of national mourning in response to the public grief following Kennedy's death.
His son is Robert F. Kennedy Jr..
After his brother's assassination in late 1963, Kennedy continued as Attorney General under President Johnson for nine months. He resigned in September 1964 and was elected to the United States Senate from New York that November. He broke with Johnson over the Vietnam War, among other issues.
After Eugene McCarthy nearly defeated Johnson in the New Hampshire Primary in early 1968, Kennedy announced his own campaign for president, seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party. Kennedy defeated McCarthy in the critical California primary but was shot shortly after midnight on June 5, 1968, dying on June 6. On June 9, President Johnson declared an official day of national mourning in response to the public grief following Kennedy's death.
His son is Robert F. Kennedy Jr..
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 25, 2011
Robert Kennedy's son tells us that Bobby and Jack (JFK) were both in the habit of collecting favourite quotes and writing down their thoughts/ideas - using them as inspiration for future writings and speeches. Max Kennedy is Bobby's ninth child and he has compiled some of his father's collection. He also went through all of RFK's speeches and writings and pulled some additional material. I am a huge fan of Robert Kennedy. I was too young when he died to appreciate the scope of what Americans lost with his death, although I have a clear memory watching TV seeing the coverage of his final journey by train, hundreds of people lining the track in silence. This book is a moving tribute and reminder of what slipped through their fingers. Wise and gentle words that even now can make us better.
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June 30, 2008"Let us dedicate ourselves to
what the Greeks wrote so many years ago
to tame the savageness of man
and make gentle the life of this world."
Robert F Kennedy
( Speaking in Indianapolis, April 4th, 1968,
after the assasination of Dr. Martin Luther King
what the Greeks wrote so many years ago
to tame the savageness of man
and make gentle the life of this world."
Robert F Kennedy
( Speaking in Indianapolis, April 4th, 1968,
after the assasination of Dr. Martin Luther King
October 29, 2016
As a 14 year old in 1968 I saw Bobby Kennedy speak in front of the Loews American movie theatre in the Bronx. My family was not particularly political and my mother was not going. Somehow I found out about his appearance and decided to walk the mile to the movie house. Of course later that year I was watching TV and his speech after the California primary and his assassination by Sirhan Sirhan. I have never had that feeling again for any political figure in American history. Perhaps it was the combination of killings, MLK and Bobby, perhaps a hangover from his brother's death just 5 years earlier. I just felt a connection to this relatively young man, who as I later grew up and read his history, had as many faults as any other being. But to this day, I remember him and his memory with pride, sadness and optimism. What might have been. I saved and watch his impromptu speech in front of an audience of African Americans announcing the death of MLK, quoting Aeschylus while speaking plainly of the need for all Americans to join together in fighting the madness. I have witnessed no other politician or speaker equal Bobby's achievement that night.
This volume, written and edited by his youngest son, encapsulated all of this history for me. It includes pieces of speeches Bobby made (including the MLK announcement speech), as well as quotations from writers and leaders he admired, including said Aeschylus but also Albert Camus, Tennyson and others. I discovered once again Bobby's genius , his passionate connection to ordinary Americans he met on his campaigns and his intellectual honesty. He was a visionary, a social progressive in the best context of that crazy word, but at the same time a realist, a pragmatic leader Amanda social commentator who understood, and was not afraid to express his belief in the limitations of government. There is no doubt he would be branded a DINO (Democrat in name on,y) by the progressive establishment today. But Sanders, et al cannot hold a candle to him, they are but dim, dimwitted shadows of his brilliance. May his memory live forever.
This volume, written and edited by his youngest son, encapsulated all of this history for me. It includes pieces of speeches Bobby made (including the MLK announcement speech), as well as quotations from writers and leaders he admired, including said Aeschylus but also Albert Camus, Tennyson and others. I discovered once again Bobby's genius , his passionate connection to ordinary Americans he met on his campaigns and his intellectual honesty. He was a visionary, a social progressive in the best context of that crazy word, but at the same time a realist, a pragmatic leader Amanda social commentator who understood, and was not afraid to express his belief in the limitations of government. There is no doubt he would be branded a DINO (Democrat in name on,y) by the progressive establishment today. But Sanders, et al cannot hold a candle to him, they are but dim, dimwitted shadows of his brilliance. May his memory live forever.
January 7, 2015
Hard to rate this one. I liked it a great deal. The photographs were five stars for sure. It was organized well enough.
I wish a bit more background was given in relation to some of the more famous quotes and speeches and thoughts of RFK -- quite a few of them I remember from watching the random Kennedy family documentary here and there on PBS, but the book didn't explain their surrounding circumstances with any detail.
Regardless, what a wonderful and idealistic man, RFK, and one who possessed the power to force that idealism into reality. He stood for civil rights. For the rights of the poor. For the underdog. The common man. The right to excel and accomplish, for all.
My favorite quotes: "to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world." -- RFK, speaking after the assassination of MLK.
-- "... when he shall die,
Take him out and cut him in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
and pay no worship to the garish sun." -- RFK, from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", speaking about JFK, after his death.
I wish a bit more background was given in relation to some of the more famous quotes and speeches and thoughts of RFK -- quite a few of them I remember from watching the random Kennedy family documentary here and there on PBS, but the book didn't explain their surrounding circumstances with any detail.
Regardless, what a wonderful and idealistic man, RFK, and one who possessed the power to force that idealism into reality. He stood for civil rights. For the rights of the poor. For the underdog. The common man. The right to excel and accomplish, for all.
My favorite quotes: "to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world." -- RFK, speaking after the assassination of MLK.
-- "... when he shall die,
Take him out and cut him in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
and pay no worship to the garish sun." -- RFK, from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", speaking about JFK, after his death.
February 9, 2010
I learned how much this nation, and the world, lost when we lost Robert F. Kennedy. But more than that, I learned that we can still gain so much by studying his words and actions, and that his legacy will continue to give us hope.
November 29, 2017
A beautiful, thought provoking look at the words and quotes that defined one of the greatest men of the 1900's. I saw many quotes from Robert Kennedy in this book that apply to the events of today. One wonders what would have happened had he lived. I wish he had.
March 31, 2008
I still pick this book up from time to time. It is a wonderful tool for self reflection. You can find a lot of personal credos in this book.
November 9, 2025
Beautiful collection of quotes from Robert Kennedy (Sr.), covers a wide variety of topics and all are insightful. I now keep it next to me on my desk for constant inspiration!
September 16, 2007
I beautiful and powerful collection of quotes full of wisdom and history. This book started as JFK's notes and quotes that he liked that he wrote in his day planner. When he was assassinated in 1963 he brother, Bobbby was the one to clean out the oval office. He took the book and began to add to it until his own assassination in 1968. It saw among thousands of papers until own of his youngest sons Maxwell, only five when his Dad was taken from him, began to read it. As he says, "In search of my father."
A quick read, but full of emotion and history.
A quick read, but full of emotion and history.
November 20, 2014
An amazing collection of thoughts that I like to come back to as a reminder that every once in a while, history throws us a figure who felt truth love and empathy for his fellow man and fought to do what he could with the power in his life. Light and inspirational. I don't keep many books on my shelf for fear that they will sit there and never be picked up again, but this one is worth having around.
February 12, 2008
Those that don't agree with me on the political scene might want to skip this review...the book is a compilation drawn from Robert Kennedy's journal and his speeches. I reread it last week in the furor of the Obama campaign. I can't help but think it is possible for this country to be the place RFK envisioned. It is "too soon" to say much else.
October 24, 2011
It took me a long time to read this very short book, because I insisted on reading it very slowly. Since it was all quotations - often very powerful ones - it was a lot to take in at once, and I wanted to make sure I absorbed it all. But it was perfect for inspiring myself before starting graduate school. I won't say more, at the risk of sounding cheesy.
November 19, 2017
Reading this book makes me wonder if a time and a man like Robert Kennedy will ever be seen a gain. Can America rally around a person who wants to do good for all or have we become to cynical because of the abusive people that have been put into office. Did America really lower the bar so low we will never come back?
June 6, 2007
This is a collection of sayings and quotes from Bobby Kennedy; and some that he had found important himself. The collection is wonderful and inspirational. It sits next to my copy of Paul Wellstone's Conscience of a Liberal.
September 20, 2010
His thoughts and words of wisdom apply today has we face the same challenges of social justice,and loss of community. A discussion of his vision of America and true leadership can guide a new generation as we face such a perilous time in our history.
July 26, 2018
I so love this collection of Bobby's most beloved quotations, poetry and texts that I do try to carry it around in a cargo pocket any time I'm traveling and not driving.
I will be reading it until my last breath.
I will be reading it until my last breath.
January 15, 2011
not a biography, but a collection of words Kennedy used to "challenge and inspire us, and also words he read that inspired and challenged him."
March 13, 2009
Good selection of his quotes and writings - looking for wedding readings and found a few that might work, but maybe not.
April 1, 2009
A collective story of RFK through his son's heart. Max used a nice selection of his famous father's memoirs, Kennedy family photos, and stories he remembered as told by his Uncle Teddy.
August 9, 2011
A wonderful insight into the thoughts and life of Robert F Kennedy. A truly inspirational collection of quotes and ideas that have relevance today as much as when they were written.
March 11, 2012
Inspiring. Would that more modern-day public servants were this literate.
February 2, 2016
5 stars for the beautiful cover.
February 22, 2013
"And let's dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world." - Robert F. Kennedy
December 17, 2013
Great collection of notes and quotes from RFK and a multitude of thinkers and writers who influenced RFK's thoughts and views.
January 12, 2014
Reminds us yet again of the true depth of RFK's absence.
May 31, 2014
excellent! thought provoking
May 10, 2018
A beautifully put together little book.
February 7, 2021
If you ever just want to collect RFKisms to live by, here is a good digest.
October 14, 2025
we lost a true diva here :(
[sadder thought that i'm trying to avoid, cause we're cooked, and i love not waking up sad, but, oh what could've been ...]
[sorry one more thought, but the title does slap (shoutout greeks i guess) and lowkey “when they found a better planet, only the gentle survived" coded]
[jk one more. sorry i get restless, but i am also believing in my heart that if robert lived on through today he would be a feminist, (i am aware the feminist movement was begining to expand during this time, but i am choosing grace [no pun intended]. wait! new thought, any one know how he felt about his sister's labotomy? and like his brother was kind of [understatement] disgusting [i am still obsessed with the lore sadly, i have tried to deny and that is against my truth]. so maybe i should not believe that he would be a feminist and lean into his words in 1968? idk man. this is envoking me to google his stance on women. ok, google said his wife was bangin' and he had hella women staffers, so we still are giving him grace?) but basically i wanted to include how much i hated the women in the home language but, as always, women must persevere ig. "justice too long delayed is justice denied...]
[sadder thought that i'm trying to avoid, cause we're cooked, and i love not waking up sad, but, oh what could've been ...]
[sorry one more thought, but the title does slap (shoutout greeks i guess) and lowkey “when they found a better planet, only the gentle survived" coded]
[jk one more. sorry i get restless, but i am also believing in my heart that if robert lived on through today he would be a feminist, (i am aware the feminist movement was begining to expand during this time, but i am choosing grace [no pun intended]. wait! new thought, any one know how he felt about his sister's labotomy? and like his brother was kind of [understatement] disgusting [i am still obsessed with the lore sadly, i have tried to deny and that is against my truth]. so maybe i should not believe that he would be a feminist and lean into his words in 1968? idk man. this is envoking me to google his stance on women. ok, google said his wife was bangin' and he had hella women staffers, so we still are giving him grace?) but basically i wanted to include how much i hated the women in the home language but, as always, women must persevere ig. "justice too long delayed is justice denied...]
August 14, 2025
a beautiful and thoughtful mind
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews