Robert Kennedy: His Life

Robert F. Kennedy was a compelling figure, and like too many others, struck down in the prime of his life. Like most who suffer a tragic end early, his life is filled with "What ifs?"His life was paradoxical. He was hated by some, being a staffer for the Red-baiter, Joseph McCarthy, and so-called liberals would not let his work for McCarthy be forgotten. "Ruthless" was the adjective given early on, as his bigger brother's hatchet man during the 1960 Presidential campaign and during the 1,000 days of Camelot. But during this time, his association with McCarthy was forgiven as Kennedy's compassion for those less fortunate than him came to the forefront. Biographer Thomas has written engaging and readable biographies of D.C legendary attorney, Edward Bennett Williams and some of the shapers of the post war world (The Wise Men). His style is very readable, with sufficient detail to give texture to the story without being too bogged down in detail as to make the book move too slowly.Some reviewers criticize this work for not being able to explain away all of the paradoxical inconsistencies of Robert Kennedy. I think this expects too much of anyone. How can any person know all that makes a person tick? Any thoughtful individual should be expected to grow and to evolve (God help us all if this were not so). Contradictions abound in him, like in most of us.By book's end, I did not have answers to all of the questions about Robert Kennedy. I did, however have a better feel for his years in power as well as a bit better understanding of the turbulent first two-thirds of the 1960's. As another reviewer noted, Robert Kennedy had a significant role to play in the seminal events experienced in the United States during this era. His fingerprints were to be found on decisions related to the Bay of Pigs, the zenith of the Civil Rights Movement, the Red Scare, labor relations and organized crime. He was there and impacting each of these. This balanced assessment of his role in these events is certainly enough for me to find this worthwhile.

I just finished Robert Kennedy a few minutes ago and I had to write a review while it was still fresh in my mind. I cried throughout the last five pages or so. I am a 19-year-old male college freshman and I am very interested in politics. I first became interested in RFK a year or so ago. I read Schlesinger's biography of Kennedy and loved it. But I believe that Thomas' was better. Much better. It was more succinct and not as drawn out, just like Bobby and was more up to date. Thomas' writing was superb and while reading, I didn't necessarily love the book, I could not put it down. RFK stood for many of the things that I stand for and I have considered him my hero or idol for the past year but I now know that he is my hero. I implore everyone to read Thomas' book so that you can get a glimpse on the complex loving man who has over the past 32 years became a myth, an equal to his slain brother. The last line moved me and brought tears to my eyes and hope to my heart. I'll let you read it.

Evan Thomas successfully catches the complexity of Robert Kennedy. Thomas' book enables the reader to understand the myriad of different influences which resulted in the RFK who so captivated this country for a short period of time in the 1960s. Thirty-two years after his death at age 42 it is often forgotten that for every American who saw RFK as a hero, there was another American who saw a demon. In an America where politicians struggle to avoid powerful emotions and controversial positions Robert Kennedy embraced them. What Thomas captures is that the embrace was not always intentional. Robert Kennedy's very nature compelled him to be a lightning rod for emotion.Thomas' picture of RFK during the Cuban Missile Crisis is perhaps the most compelling part of the book. More so than any other Kennedy biography this book displays a man, not yet 37 years old, dealing with the possiblity that his own actions might bring about the deaths of millions. Thomas effectively shows how amazing it was that Kennedy was not frozen into indecision or bullied into a military response by others with more credentials. Thomas captures a man driven to his limits and functioning effectively.Thomas, although apparently an admirer of Kennedy, effectively protrays the darker side of his life. However, what comes out of this biography that is missing in others is the context of Kennedy's actions which are so criticized today. For example, Thomas does not excuse the recklessness of the early days of the Kennedy administration that resulted in the clandestine attempts on Fidel Castro's life. Unlike other biographys, written by Kennedy admirers, Thomas shows that RFK probably was aware that others were actively seeking this result rather than simply stating that no direct evidence of his knowledge or involvement in these plots has ever been produced. However, Thomas doesn't stop there, as other more critical biographys have done. Instead Thomas looks at the forces at play which resulted in RFK's involvement in the plots. This is done not to excuse Kennedy's conduct but to explain it.At the end the reader is left to wonder what Robert Kennedy, who almost certainly would not have even gotten the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968, would have done with the rest of his life. You don't have to admire or hate Robert Kennedy to recognize what a fascinating story that might have been.

Luckily for me, my neighborhood bookstore had this book by September 5, 2000. I read it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Mr. Thomas gives a very credible, in-depth analysis of Robert Kennedy and, to his credit, treats him with respect. One thing that I neglected to mention in my first review is Mr. Thomas' trenchant view on Robert Kennedy's pursuit of mafiosi. The late Senator's father was reported to have had mafia sympathies. Whether or not he did, Joe Sr.'s third son was the only one determined to quell the mafia. Suggesting that Robert Kennedy, then a man in his 30s was showing an albeit delayed rebellious side to the old patriach was indeed thought provoking. Most accounts of the late Senator's life describe him as being a "dutiful" son, an "obedient" and even "deferential." It is a refreshing viewpoint on the part of Mr. Thomas and certainly a valid one.