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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I am really glad that I read this book, if also a bit happy to be done. The stories of courageous Senators who chose private principle over the urges of their party and constituents was fascinating, and getting such an inside look into the mind and interpretations of these events of John F. Kennedy is priceless. I knew of John Quincy Adams' and Sam Houston's brave stands, and I was aware of Daniel Webster by reputation, but I immensely enjoyed learning the stories of Thomas Hart Benton, Edmund Ross, Lucius Lamar, George W. Norris, and Robert A. Taft. I will doubtlessly reference this book again when I read about these figures more in-depth.
As a whole though, I didn't find the actual reading experience to be exceptional. JFK (or, more accurately, Ted Sorensen) has a penchant for run-on sentences at times. Granted, so do I. Nevertheless, the writing style often caused me to skim, and I felt like they spent too much time bringing in too much detail about the individual's wholesale lives rather than just the context needed to understand their acts of courage. Additionally, Kennedy's attempt to be impartial on whether he believed the Senators' actions were actually right or wrong is laudable, but some of the statements he makes, and the way he talks about different view points, has me questioning how much I actually agree with Kennedy politically. I remain anxious to read his biography and research him more, with some fresh skepticism beside me.
Overall, certainly an excellent book for anyone interested in the history of the Senate to use as a launching point or as merely an interesting, short read about political courage.
As a whole though, I didn't find the actual reading experience to be exceptional. JFK (or, more accurately, Ted Sorensen) has a penchant for run-on sentences at times. Granted, so do I. Nevertheless, the writing style often caused me to skim, and I felt like they spent too much time bringing in too much detail about the individual's wholesale lives rather than just the context needed to understand their acts of courage. Additionally, Kennedy's attempt to be impartial on whether he believed the Senators' actions were actually right or wrong is laudable, but some of the statements he makes, and the way he talks about different view points, has me questioning how much I actually agree with Kennedy politically. I remain anxious to read his biography and research him more, with some fresh skepticism beside me.
Overall, certainly an excellent book for anyone interested in the history of the Senate to use as a launching point or as merely an interesting, short read about political courage.
Profiles were of senators who exhibited courage under fire. Most of them went against their party - Republican & Democrat. It's nice to read about Senators who stood up for what they believed was right even though their constituents/party may have disagreed w/ them. Senators have a special role in the country. The represent the state to the country's best interests. The state's and federal interests do not always mesh.
I have finished reading the book, but I did not finish the book. Don't get me wrong, JFK is a good writer and the premise of the book is excellent - the opening and closing chapters were great. The middle chapters, however, are a series of case studies based on people in history, and they are all US politicians, and all white men. This is not to say that they did not demonstrate courage in some important way, or that the chapters were not written well. It is more that I have reached my threshold for reading about that demographic.
It was somewhat comforting to read this book this week, to be reminded that our nation has struggled with all kinds of issues throughout our entire history and that good people have always stood up for what they believed in to make it a better place.
I need to read some more background information to understand what he’s talking about.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
During JFK's first Senate term, he had surgery on his back. During his recovery, he researched and wrote Profiles in Courage.
This book takes a look at several Senators who showed courage despite adversity from friends, constituents, and political parties. These men put their own convictions, what they thought was best for the country ahead of political parties and even the will of the people. This is not a book about who is right or if these Senators. Without his study into courage, could Kennedy have accomplished some of the things he did. How he accepted blame of the Bay of Pigs fiasco, handled the Cuban Missile Crisis, Civil Rights and other issues.
There is a forward by Robert F. Kennedy and an Introduction by Caroline Kennedy.
I loved before each Profile of Courage, Kennedy had a chapter entitled Time and Place which outlined the time period and the circumstances and political debates going on at the time as well as key players.
I did feel there were to many quotes and, loving history, I wanted more detail and more back story.
Along with courage, the book also outlines the struggles Senators or any politician has to deal with when taking a stand on an issue which I also found interesting.
This book takes a look at several Senators who showed courage despite adversity from friends, constituents, and political parties. These men put their own convictions, what they thought was best for the country ahead of political parties and even the will of the people. This is not a book about who is right or if these Senators. Without his study into courage, could Kennedy have accomplished some of the things he did. How he accepted blame of the Bay of Pigs fiasco, handled the Cuban Missile Crisis, Civil Rights and other issues.
There is a forward by Robert F. Kennedy and an Introduction by Caroline Kennedy.
I loved before each Profile of Courage, Kennedy had a chapter entitled Time and Place which outlined the time period and the circumstances and political debates going on at the time as well as key players.
I did feel there were to many quotes and, loving history, I wanted more detail and more back story.
Along with courage, the book also outlines the struggles Senators or any politician has to deal with when taking a stand on an issue which I also found interesting.
challenging
slow-paced
informative
reflective