bedsitter23

Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit by Chris Matthews

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a gift. Now, most of my gifts are based on what's hot on the Nonfiction charts, and that's been generally books by Fox News Talking Heads lately. So, this is undoubtedly, down my alley. I am a big fan of Matthews and read him before.

That said, I don't think I would have picked this up. Talking Head books generally are lightweight, and hasn't everything been said about the Kennedys?

I would have missed this, though. Matthews's book is quite good. He has an unique perspective which he filters the RFK biography through. For starters, he was as a young Catholic boy who watched and adored the Kennedys. He would work in Massachusetts politics with Tip O'Neil, so he knows the state politics and players from being in that next generation. Lastly, over the years, he has become close to the Kennedys. So, while this won't be the definitive word on RFK, it is quite worthy.

You likely know the story of the Kennedys, but JFK's success was precipitated by RFK doing all the grunt work (and being the bad guy), and JFK avoiding the fray. RFK sets on his own course, wanting to take down the mob and fight corruption; haunted a bit by a family alliance with Joe McCarty; and ultimately, near the end of his life, truly someone who sought to understand the struggles of the downtrodden and worked for noble causes.

Timing plays a big part in the RFK story (and ultimately his life). He is under his brother's shadow. LBJ and him are never friends, and RFK has to decide whether it is in his best interest to wait to run in 1972. When LBJ does not run in 1968, RFK has seen some liberal support be usurped by Eugene McCarthy. He gets in the race and it is a question who the young Democrats will support.

RFK would be a true hero of the left, friend of MLK and Cesar Chavez, and working to carry on the Kennedy legacy. He was betrayed by what was a life of wealth and prestige. We will forever contemplate what could have been.

This book covers all that and is easy to read, but succeeds in leaving the reader feeling like they know everything they need to know about RFK.

View all my reviews