Rating: 
Summary: A Historical Lesson about Human Nature and our own Mortality
Review: "Thirteen Days", a memoir by Robert Kennedy has become one of the most insightful and behind-the-scenes accounts of one of the most studied military confrontations in history. It was a time in which the world looked nuclear annihilation directly in the eyes over the course of 13 dramatic days in October of 1962. RFK, an intricate player throughout the process, lays out in chilling recollection the Cuban Missile Crisis and how close we actually came to that fateful day when the world's superpowers would square off with nuclear weapons. RFK's first-hand account articulately provides a perspective on what was going on in the minds of the players involved. It allows the reader to understand the enormous weight their decisions carried, as well as all of the pressures that affected each of them. While a generation remembers a stoic President Kennedy giving his on-air address condemning the soviet supply of offensive weapons into Cuba, "13 Days" brings into account all of the human factors that affected these men as they sought to do what they felt was right. This was a time in our nation's history when leadership was most needed. With the encouragement of the President, these individuals sought to learn from the mistakes of the past while also sympathizing with the Soviets who were also thrust into this position. The Soviets would not let a military attack go unwarranted, but at the same time had families of their own and ultimately wanted the same outcome from this standoff; a peaceful conclusion. The decisions that were made by the ExComm would impact the history of the world and all of its inhabitants. It was a trying time that tested the souls of the leaders of the world and proved to be a turning point in world events. As JFK security advisor McGeorge Bundy aptly put it, "Having come so close to the edge, we must make it our business not to pass this way again." President Kennedy did his best to put it all in perspective; "For in the final analysis, our most basic link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal." "13 Days" lays out the sequence of events that brought us all to this realization. It is a historical account that also touches upon the fragility of human nature and teaches us all a valuable lesson about our own mortality.
Rating:
Summary: A Historical Lesson about Human Nature and our own Mortality
Review: "Thirteen Days", a memoir by Robert Kennedy has become one of the most insightful and behind-the-scenes accounts of one of the most studied military confrontations in history. It was a time in which the world looked nuclear annihilation directly in the eyes over the course of 13 dramatic days in October of 1962. RFK, an intricate player throughout the process, lays out in chilling recollection the Cuban Missile Crisis and how close we actually came to that fateful day when the world's superpowers would square off with nuclear weapons. RFK's first-hand account articulately provides a perspective on what was going on in the minds of the players involved. It allows the reader to understand the enormous weight their decisions carried, as well as all of the pressures that affected each of them. While a generation remembers a stoic President Kennedy giving his on-air address condemning the soviet supply of offensive weapons into Cuba, "13 Days" brings into account all of the human factors that affected these men as they sought to do what they felt was right. This was a time in our nation's history when leadership was most needed. With the encouragement of the President, these individuals sought to learn from the mistakes of the past while also sympathizing with the Soviets who were also thrust into this position. The Soviets would not let a military attack go unwarranted, but at the same time had families of their own and ultimately wanted the same outcome from this standoff; a peaceful conclusion. The decisions that were made by the ExComm would impact the history of the world and all of its inhabitants. It was a trying time that tested the souls of the leaders of the world and proved to be a turning point in world events. As JFK security advisor McGeorge Bundy aptly put it, "Having come so close to the edge, we must make it our business not to pass this way again." President Kennedy did his best to put it all in perspective; "For in the final analysis, our most basic link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal." "13 Days" lays out the sequence of events that brought us all to this realization. It is a historical account that also touches upon the fragility of human nature and teaches us all a valuable lesson about our own mortality.
Rating:
Summary: First Draft History
Review: Bobby's first hand account of the Cuban missile crisis was obviously written with an eye toward his 1968 presidential bid. In fact he was assassinated before compelling it, although the complete story is told. Not surprisingly he pays tribute to his mattered brother and if anything downplays his own role. Quite an interesting device, presenting the author as humble as well as battle hardened. The interpretation it presents, with both Khrushchev and JFK portrayed as being eager for a face saving piece is quite familiar (an easy position to take since Khrushchev was out of power and thus not a potential threat). It is other unnamed powers in Russia that are blamed for the hard line position of the USSR. Interesting to note the demand of the Russians that the US remove the missiles in Turkey and Kennedy's claim that his brother had already ordered it and the order was not carried out to a bureaucratic snafu Well written and easy reading, 13 Days is a quickie, a bit of historical candy for junkies. Highly recommended for its insight into the events, as well as the intentions of one of America's best-loved martyrs.
Rating:
Summary: Thirteen Days: A Memoir Of The Cuban Missile Crisis
Review: During the thirteen days in October 1962 when the United States confronted the Soviet Union over its installation of missiles in Cuba, few people shared the behind - the - scenes story as it is told here by the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy. In this unique account, he describes each of the participants during the sometimes hour - to - hour negotiations, with particular attention to the actions and views of his brother, President John F. Kennedy. In a new foreword for this edition, the distinguished historian and Kennedy adviser Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., discusses the book's enduring importance and the significance of new information about the crisis that has come to light, especially from the Soviet Union. As a principle figure in resolving the crisis Robert Kennedy brings to it extraordinary authority, with his own insights, perspectives and very important revelations of the decision - making process at the highest level, on the brink of nuclear holocaust.
Rating: 
Summary: Not quite the "insiders" tale that we all thought...
Review: Excellent account of the Crisis, but, with the publication of "The Kennedy Tapes", it shows that this account was written more from RFK's memory than any extensive research. That being said, this was the definitive account of the Crisis for years and was the basis for the excellent ABC television theatre "The Missiles of October" (1974) with Wiiliam Devane as JFK and a young Martin Sheen as RFK (he must be typcast as a Whitehouse actor). Anyone interested at all with the events of October 1962 must read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Inside View of Debate & Deliberations of the Missile Crisis
Review: Fabulous book. I've seen numerous documentaries on the Cuban Missile Crisis, but reading the memoirs of someone who was there is irreplaceable. Even though we might all know the ending to this story, Robert Kennedy documents the crisis in such a way that you almost feel the tension and anxiety that the President and others must have experienced. While the book did not reveal any new public facts of the incident, it did provide enlightenment on the behind-the-scene struggles and deliberations that were essential to the outcome. One can only wonder what the world would be like now if the Kennedys of this crisis had not not been assassinated. I imagine it would be a different place.
Rating:
Summary: Bobby Kennedy's notes on the Cuban Missile crisis
Review: I came to this book via the Costner film of the same title - I'd had the book in my to-be-read pile, but the film spurred me to finally crack it open. The film, of course, is not based on this book, but on the lengthier THE KENNEDY TAPES, transcripts of secret tape recordings made by JFK and only recently made available to the public. Still, the book and the film correlate nicely, and complement one another. The book is not a finished product, in that we find that RFK was assassinated before completing his work on the memoirs; we also find that he did not speak as openly as one might after the key players had left the stage - his comments reflect a certain guarded caution. The edition which I read contained an introduction by Bob McNamera, which was written shortly after Bobby's assassination, and was very poignant and touching, if somewhat emotional. The book is too brief, just touching the rough outline of events and feelings as recalled by Bobby Kennedy, one of the key players himself. I gave this book 5-stars for being a valuable contribution to our understanding of events that were largely hidden from the American public at the time of their transpiring. But for a more in-depth look at the clash of ideologies and the ensuing power struggles during this crisis, one has to consult other sources. I'm well into the Kennedy Tapes book, and will review it upon completion.
Rating: 
Summary: Leave the Cubans alone
Review: I read this to study history of American propaganda, and I watch new Kevin Costner film. It is shameful that the attack on Cuban sovreignity is called heroism by the Kennedy clan. Robert Kennedy and his brother 'Jack' are both good friends of Marilyn Monroe and they shared a belief in the Monroe Doctrine that both America's - North and South - belong to the USA sphere of influence, but Latin American peoples are not slaves of America. If they wish to invite Soviet friends to place missiles in Cuba this is their freedom. Robert writes like a politician. He doesn't break the truth or tell lies, but he bends the truth so much it cries to be broken. These guys make your President Nixon look good. Kennedy was stupid to challenge Russians for a few missiles. Only a few years later intercontinental missiles could reach America from Kazakstan. What a foolish gambler, this Las Vegas Disneyland President was!
Rating:
Summary: Critical moment in history
Review: I was surprised at how simply this book was written, and it was not bogged down at all by political mumbo-jumbo that most politicians write with. This becomes a compelling read, because it is accesible to everyone, and the account is obviously first-person, the only book of this nature. The Cuban Missile Crisis was the most important two weeks in our history, and it is the closest the world has come to nuclear war, and inevitable destruction. It seems that many people are forgetting how close the US and USSR came to pushing the button here. I like the way RFK writes, and it is unfortunate that this book is unfinished, but this is an interesting read for anybody who is interested in the magnetic Kennedy family and the history of the Cold War. I will also reccomend the movie entitled "Thirteen Days", which is a great adaptation of this book and is gripping from beginning to end, Kevin Costner's laughable New England accent aside.
Rating:
Summary: Let's include the truth in the revised edition
Review: If you want some truthful insight into the Betrayal at the Bay of Pigs which Kennedy totally mishandled thus leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis then read Grayston L. Lynch's book "Decision for Disaster: betrayal at the bay of pigs: A CIA Participant Challenges the Historical Record." My father personally lived through these very difficult times and can tell you the other side of the story that US history books neglect to even tough upon. Lynch's book can be obtained through Brassey's, 22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166 Enjoy reading a very compelling factual book that the Kennedy Adminstration never wanted anyone to know about.
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