R F K: A Candid Biography of Robert F. Kennedy

"RFK" is subtitled "A candid biography of Robert F. Kennedy," and if nothing else, it certainly lives up to the term "Candid!" This is a "warts an' all" telling of the Kennedy tale, and paints a searingly unflattering picture of the Kennedy clan, plus the assorted hangers-on, and the extended family.The book starts with a potted history of how the two families, the Kennedy's and the Skakels, Bobbie's in-laws, came to the USA, then kicks into high gear with a thorough character assassination of the family patriarch, Joe Kennedy. Joe was a man of monstrous, and shameless, sexual appetites, and his sons certainly followed the old man when it came to womanizing their way through a plethora of Hollywood starlets, secretaries, and assorted Kennedy "groupies." It tells the tale of how Joe built up the family fortunes with ruthless efficiency, taking full advantage of the prohibition era, and dealings with less than upright businessmen. He seemed to be motivated by the acquisition of power, not simply money; the money itself was just a means to an end, and that was to ultimately put the first Catholic President into the Whitehouse! There is one famous remark from Joe that he wasn't going to buy one more vote than was necessary to get JFK into the Whitehouse... he wasn't going to pay for a landslide!But it is the picture of Bobbie that truly fascinates. A mercurial character of opposites, complex and controversial, neither saint nor sinner, he could be anything the moment demanded. A brutal and relentless interrogator in pursuit of organized crime, a loving family man who could barely control his own children, an obsessive compulsive who fixated on people or events - Castro and the "Bay of Pigs" for instance - with an all consuming mania, a sleazy womanizer who's first question on landing in a city while on the campaign trail was "Where're the women?!" He was a frighteningly brilliant political tactician; he practically invented the modern political process of targeting specific groups of voters. It is true to say that even with all of Joe's fortune behind him, JFK wouldn't have reached the Whitehouse without the brilliant mind of his kid brother guiding and directing the campaign. He could be an obnoxious brat of a rich-kid, sailing through life expecting others to "do" for him, simply because he was a Kennedy, but he could also display a self depreciating wit such as when an aid asked him how he should be addressed once he'd been appointed Attorney General by his big brother; "Call me a "Son-of-a...," everyone else will!" was his reply! His commitment to the poor and indigent was also at odds with the "Kennedy" outlook on life, but apparently was heartfelt and sincere, even if it came to him late in life.For me, the most illuminating section of the book dealt with events after the death of JFK. This showed a Bobby Kennedy cast adrift in life, blaming himself for the death of his brother. After all, practically all the high-powered enemies the Kennedy's

If you are interested in human nature, you will love this book. It is insightful and provides you with a complete look at RFK's life. You will love and hate him at once, but always feel he is alive as you read the book.The book is amazingly well researched and well written. It is an egrossing and fascinating read.

Heymann blows the cover off of the Kennedy mystique, while at the same time exposing the human side of the family. Their very deep flaws as well as the more admirable qualities of RFK, (the true leader of the family) and his slow, painful and heroic evolution into a populist. Heymann unblinkingly provides inside dirt on the more evil aspects of the JFK administration, including connections to the mob, dirty power politics, and flagrant sexual adventuring. Assassination buffs should find ample material to back up conspiracies behind both JFK and RFK executions. One gripe: this book completely glosses over the RFK assassination, which was even more obviously a conspiracy.

Although this much talked about book is supposedly full of RFK's sexual antics, it is most wonderful because of its historic and political content. A must read for both admirers and detractors of the Kennedys. Kudos to C. David Heymann!

This is a provocative book that gets behind the public facade of one of our most beloved fallen heros. Those who want their heros to be fault free and with none of the common human frailties that plague the rest of us should look elsewhere. The book contains an excellent index, copious source notes, and a wealth of revealing anecdotes and rememberences that enriched my perspective of a man I have long admired.