Reviews

Profiles in Courage by Caroline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy

imrogers's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

I bought a copy of this book after visiting the JFK Presidential Museum in Boston, and am incredibly glad I did.  Kennedy's testament to courage -- in this case, what it means to speak out for what's right regardless of what the people around you think -- is incredibly well articulated in the context of American politics, and the opening chapter thoroughly unpacks the myriad of forces that vie for every senator and representative's attention.  I knew very little about the eight senators portrayed here before reading this book, and learned a lot as a result, particularly about the pre-Civil War era (in the Daniel Webster, Thomas Hart Benton, and Sam Houston chapters) and the impeachment of Andrew Johnson (in the Edmund G. Ross chapter).  

Aside from all this, I would argue that Kennedy's exploration of courage and taking action for what's right is more relevant today than ever before in our own age of tribalism and party loyalty -- a reminder that things could be done differently, and that many courageous officials have done them differently in the past.  The HarperCollins "PS" edition also includes a biography of Kennedy and speeches from John Lewis on the Freedom Riders movement and Georgia state representative Dan Ponder on anti-hate crime legislation, powerful additions I wouldn't have stumbled across otherwise.

astratton1027's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

waynediane's review against another edition

4.0

8 great stories of politicians not well known for demonstrating courage and voting with a soul and not for their own political lifeline. 535 copies Should be handed out to Congress and ask them to read it and be tested on it. Would be a good read for a filibuster.

dale_kooyenga's review against another edition

4.0

I assumed the book was famous because JFK was famous, but the book is good even if JFK never went on to be President in the turbulent 60's and then assassinated. The photos and video of JFK depict a youthful and healthy young war hero, with power and money. The reality is the book was written when JFK was struggling with his health and also contemplating next political steps. With those distractions the narratives are compelling and we could use more Profiles in Courage elected officials today. Each chapter stands alone and it's best read a chapter a day so one can really appreciate how elected officials have risen about populism since they realized the long game, even at the expense of their popularity and position.

munocr's review against another edition

3.0

I listened to this through audible Narrated by JFK Jr absolutely a great listen!

clairence's review against another edition

fast-paced

5.0

swfountaine's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

rheren's review against another edition

4.0

I saw this recommended somewhere, and had the chance to get the book for free from a library book sale, so I thought I'd give it a try. It was pretty interesting, had an interesting angle and talked about some parts of American history that I really didn't know much about. JFK's perspective on courage and reflections on it were a little all over the place, confusing even at times, but I think I see what he was going for. Courage means different things at different times in different situations. Most of these men showed courage by not doing what their constituency wanted them to do, which is an intriguing position for a politician to take, but I can respect it.

jeremyforr's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

2.75

abeckstrom's review against another edition

4.0

I wanted to like this more than I actually did (more like a 3.5 than a true 4). Still worth reading, especially at this time of year.