A review by lisabage
Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis by Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., Robert F. Kennedy

informative reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

The actual book is under 100 pages. The rest is a foreword (worth reading) and an afterword (meh). 

The book itself is a fascinating insiders account of the Cuban Missile crisis. A definite recommendation for negotiation training. I especially enjoyed the way three alternatives were prepared to help Kennedy make the decision of how to respond. The original position papers are available on line and make for additional fascinating reading. 
 

Lessons learned (my words): 
 
If you have the benefit of time, use it. Don’t rush to action. 
 
Build friends & bridges so you’ll have support when you need it. 
 
Seek out differing opinions, from all positions, sides, & ranks. 
 
Don’t just focus on how to execute, but on what the response of the other side will be and where it will lead - understand the potential consequences. 
 
And allow the other side to back down gracefully. Throughout, Kennedys biggest concern was whether his action would force Khrushchev to escalate in order to save face with the world and with his own people. 

Personalities change when the President is present, and frequently even strong men make recommendations on the basis of what they believe the President wishes to hear.