Bobby Kennedy: The Making of a Folk Hero

"Bobby Kennedy The Making of a Folk Hero" is a very well-written biography on RFK. Endless speculation abounds over what might have happened during the 1960s-1970s had he been elected. We may never know, but the reader can know more about his life in this great biography. Among the points covered include: 1. Early life and relationship with father, mother, brothers, and other family members (he was obviously very loyal to them). 2. Search for meaning in life and aimlessness of his early years. 3. Experiences as Attorney General, Attorney, Presidential Candidate, and other roles. 4. Involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, especially when James Meredith was the first black student accepted at the University of Mississippi. 5. Campaigning for President. The narrative flows freely and you can really get a sense of what Bobby was feeling in certain events (JFK's assassination, Martin Luther King, James Meredith, Bay of Pigs, JFK's campaigns, etc.). A great read on a person who could have really been used to change America (some say for the better, others say for the worse). Highly recommended.

Robert Kennedy was my very first hero as a child. He was certainly the man for everyone; he was the voice of many.This delightful book provides some personal insights regarding the man's character and political make up. Personal quotes from letters, documents and people who knew him create a strong sense of the man he was. It is a shame this book is out of print because it would be such a welcome addition to any library of Robert Kennedy. The author not only treats him with respect; he views him with an affectionate eye and an almost sympathetic awe. Robert Kennedy was indeed an awe-inspiring person. Diligence was a trait that marked him his entire life. Mildly dyslexic as a boy, he would, by adult life become well versed in classic literature. Acrophobic his entire life, he would, in 1965 climb a previously unscaled mountain in Canada with two professional climbers out of love for his slain brother, the late President. This single act is very inspirational because he tabled his biggest fear and was able to act out of love. From all accounts, this man felt displaced among his older, more outgoing siblings. His was the classic "shouting to be heard" story. In adult life, his voice would become the voice of many; his voice would be one readily and eagerly listened to and taken very seriously.His untimely death in 1968 leaves a painful void in history; one can never help wondering what this at core good, committed and compassionate and very driven man would have accomplished had he won the 1968 Presidential Election.

I have read many books about Robert Kennedy in the past 20+ years and found this book to be one of the most personal and enjoyable biographies of Bobby. The author has access to many papers and people not previously quoted. While other books take more of a historical look at Bobby, this book is more personal. The reader will feel as if they know Bobby, which makes the ending all the more painful. It was a fairly quick read because I could hardly put the book down.