The unique, gripping account of the perilous showdown between the United States and the Soviet Union. During the thirteen days in October 1962 when the United States confronted the Soviet Union over its installation of missiles in Cuba, few people shared the behind-the-scenes story as it is told here by the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy. In a clear and simple record, he describes the personalities involved in the crisis, with particular attention to the actions and attitudes of his brother, President John F. Kennedy. He describes the daily, even hourly, exchanges between Russian representatives and American. In firsthand immediacy we see the frightening responsibility of two great nations holding the fate of the world in their hands.
Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis
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First Sentence
ON TUESDAY MORNING, October 1962, shortly after 9:00, President Kennedy called and asked me to come to the White House. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
ON TUESDAY MORNING, October 1962, shortly after 9:00, President Kennedy called and asked me to come to the White House. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
In these troublesome days, it is hard to remember that this country and all that it stands for have faced down considerable danger before. Gen Washington stared down the mightiest army in the world at the time. Mr. Lincoln only had to handle the Civil War. A wheelchair bound FDR had to fight WWII only after witnessing the most devastating attack on US citizens ever. President Eisenhower was literally in the trenches at Normandy. Mr. Kennedy had to stare down the most powerful foe the US has ever seen a mere 90miles from our coast. All this is hard to remember in the days following Sept 11, 2001. Certainly the attacks on US soil at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon are strikes designed to instill terror and fright in the American people. But though I am a devout Republican, I can honestly say that after reading this book, with its insightful analysis of what amounts to courage under fire, I feel comfortable. In these days of fighting an enemy with no face, I feel comfort in knowing that the men and women occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Ave use careful thought and weigh their decisions before making them. Sure, they all have flaws ... who doesn't? What this particular book makes you realize is that both the author and his brother knew that they had flaws and fears just like the rest of us. But that human beings are capable of this level of courage and can make decisions this intelligent while under great pressure should certainly come as a relief to all of us citizens of the free world.
By Blitz Krieg
Format:Paperback
This is a great book for its simplicity and historical value, but it depicts only one side of the story. At the time I read it, the available literature from "the other side" was Nikita Krushchev's "Krushchev Remembers" and Anatoly Dobrynin's "In Confidence", both biased to the other side, of course. Many other books on the Cuban Missile Crisis have been released since. Nonetheless, this is a book worth reading and it can be read in parallel with the transcription of the tapes which recorded the presidential meetings during that period, to make the accounts even more exciting.
By The archduke
Format:Paperback
I was surprised at how simply this book was written, and it was not bogged down at all by political mumbo-jumbo that most politicians write with. This becomes a compelling read, because it is accesible to everyone, and the account is obviously first-person, the only book of this nature. The Cuban Missile Crisis was the most important two weeks in our history, and it is the closest the world has come to nuclear war, and inevitable destruction. It seems that many people are forgetting how close the US and USSR came to pushing the button here.
I like the way RFK writes, and it is unfortunate that this book is unfinished, but this is an interesting read for anybody who is interested in the magnetic Kennedy family and the history of the Cold War.
I will also reccomend the movie entitled "Thirteen Days", which is a great adaptation of this book and is gripping from beginning to end, Kevin Costner's laughable New England accent aside.
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4.2 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A worthwhile purchase
While this brief account of the Cuban Missile Crisis, written by Robert Kennedy in 1967, can not be called the most thorough recounting of events between October 16 and October 29,... Read more
Published on Jun 18 2003 by "mwalden13"
5.0 out of 5 stars
very interessing!
rfk tells us about how jfk and him rescued the world, it's exciting.
this is the best book of the cuban missile crisis.
i advise you to read it. Read more
this is the best book of the cuban missile crisis.
i advise you to read it. Read more
Published on Jun 13 2003 by H. Georges
5.0 out of 5 stars
It is only because of great and humble men we are here today
While I was not yet born when RFK and JFK were alive, I would have to say they are two of the greatest men in American history. Read more
Published on Jan 7 2003 by Courtney
5.0 out of 5 stars
First Draft History
Bobby's first hand account of the Cuban missile crisis was obviously written with an eye toward his 1968 presidential bid. Read more
Published on July 23 2002 by The Orange Duke
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thirteen Days: A Memoir Of The Cuban Missile Crisis
During the thirteen days in October 1962 when the United States confronted the Soviet Union over its installation of missiles in Cuba, few people shared the behind - the - scenes... Read more
Published on April 6 2002 by "reviewer17"
2.0 out of 5 stars
More Detail Please
Maybe I missed something in my copy of this book, but I was disappointed in the level of detail. I was expecting a blow by blow account Bob Woodward style and I got what I viewed... Read more
Published on April 5 2002 by John G. Hilliard
1.0 out of 5 stars
Let's include the truth in the revised edition
If you want some truthful insight into the Betrayal at the Bay of Pigs which Kennedy totally mishandled thus leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis then read Grayston L. Read more
Published on Dec 28 2001
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Piece of History
RFK tells the story of the Cuban Missile Crisis in clear concise language. He honestly relates the events of those tense thirteen days as he remembers them. Read more
Published on Sep 4 2001 by "sheryden"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bobby Kennedy's notes on the Cuban Missile crisis
I came to this book via the Costner film of the same title - I'd had the book in my to-be-read pile, but the film spurred me to finally crack it open. Read more
Published on Aug 13 2001 by thecastlebookroom
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good book
It's a good book, it taught me a lot about the Cuban Missile Crisis. It's excitement level is moderate. It's really only for educational purposes.
Published on July 5 2001 by "prestond"
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