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Bobby Kennedy : a raging spirit /

By: Material type: TextTextPublisher: New York : Simon & Schuster, 2017Edition: First Simon & Schuster hardcover editionDescription: 396 pages : illustrations ; 25 cmContent type:
  • text
Media type:
  • unmediated
Carrier type:
  • volume
ISBN:
  • 9781501111860
  • 1501111868
Subject(s): DDC classification:
  • 973.922092 B 23
LOC classification:
  • E840.8.K4 M38 2017
Contents:
Altar boy -- Ambassador's son -- Honor thy father -- Rites of passage -- Commitment -- Brother -- The Kennedy party -- Clan -- Hail Mary -- Irish cop -- Enforcer -- The enemy within -- Victory -- Freedom fighter -- General -- Two great men -- Civil rights -- Relic -- Brave heart -- Affirmation -- The movement -- Vigil -- Defiance -- Sacrifice -- Salute.
Summary: "A revealing new portrait of Robert F. Kennedy that gets closer to the man than any book before, by bestselling author Chris Matthews, an esteemed Kennedy expert and anchor of MSNBC's Hardball. With his bestselling biography Jack Kennedy, Chris Matthews shared a new look of one of America's most beloved Presidents and the patriotic spirit that defined him. Now, with Bobby, Matthews returns with a gripping, in-depth, behind-the-scenes portrait of one of the great figures of the American twentieth century. Overlooked by his father, and overshadowed by his war-hero brother, Bobby Kennedy was the perpetual underdog. When he had the chance to become a naval officer like Jack, Bobby turned it down, choosing instead to join the Navy as a common sailor. It was a life changing experience that led him to connect with voters from all walks of life: young or old, black or white, rich or poor. They were the people who turned out for him in his 1968 campaign. RFK would prove himself to be the rarest of politicians--both a pragmatist who knew how to get the job done and an unwavering idealist who could inspire millions. Drawing on extensive research and interviews, Matthews pulls back the curtain on the public and private worlds of Robert Francis Kennedy. He shines a light on all the important moments of his life, from his early years and his start in politics to his crucial role as attorney general in his brother's administration and his tragic run for president. This definitive book brings Bobby Kennedy to life like never before and is destined to become a political classic."--
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Holdings
Item type Current library Home library Collection Call number Copy number Status Date due Barcode Item holds
Standard Loan Coeur d'Alene Library Adult Biography Coeur d'Alene Library Book B KENNEDY MATTHEW (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 Available 50610020888389
Standard Loan Mullan Library Adult Nonfiction Mullan Library Book 973.9/KENNEDY-MATTHEW (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 Available 50610019639884
Standard Loan Rathdrum Library Adult Biography Rathdrum Library Book KENNEDY-MATTHEW (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 Available 50610020936253
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

New York Times Bestseller

A revealing new portrait of Robert F. Kennedy that gets closer to the man than any book before, by bestselling author Chris Matthews, an esteemed Kennedy expert and anchor of MSNBC's Hardball .

With his bestselling biography Jack Kennedy , Chris Matthews shared a new look of one of America's most beloved Presidents and the patriotic spirit that defined him. Now, with Bobby Kennedy , Matthews returns with a gripping, in-depth, behind-the-scenes portrait of one of the great figures of the American twentieth century.

Overlooked by his father, and overshadowed by his war-hero brother, Bobby Kennedy was the perpetual underdog. When he had the chance to become a naval officer like Jack, Bobby turned it down, choosing instead to join the Navy as a common sailor. It was a life changing experience that led him to connect with voters from all walks of life: young or old, black or white, rich or poor. They were the people who turned out for him in his 1968 campaign. RFK would prove himself to be the rarest of politicians--both a pragmatist who knew how to get the job done and an unwavering idealist who could inspire millions.

Drawing on extensive research and interviews, Matthews pulls back the curtain on the public and private worlds of Robert Francis Kennedy. He shines a light on all the important moments of his life, from his early years and his start in politics to his crucial role as attorney general in his brother's administration and his tragic run for president. This definitive book brings Bobby Kennedy to life like never before and is destined to become a political classic.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 347-382) and index.

Altar boy -- Ambassador's son -- Honor thy father -- Rites of passage -- Commitment -- Brother -- The Kennedy party -- Clan -- Hail Mary -- Irish cop -- Enforcer -- The enemy within -- Victory -- Freedom fighter -- General -- Two great men -- Civil rights -- Relic -- Brave heart -- Affirmation -- The movement -- Vigil -- Defiance -- Sacrifice -- Salute.

"A revealing new portrait of Robert F. Kennedy that gets closer to the man than any book before, by bestselling author Chris Matthews, an esteemed Kennedy expert and anchor of MSNBC's Hardball. With his bestselling biography Jack Kennedy, Chris Matthews shared a new look of one of America's most beloved Presidents and the patriotic spirit that defined him. Now, with Bobby, Matthews returns with a gripping, in-depth, behind-the-scenes portrait of one of the great figures of the American twentieth century. Overlooked by his father, and overshadowed by his war-hero brother, Bobby Kennedy was the perpetual underdog. When he had the chance to become a naval officer like Jack, Bobby turned it down, choosing instead to join the Navy as a common sailor. It was a life changing experience that led him to connect with voters from all walks of life: young or old, black or white, rich or poor. They were the people who turned out for him in his 1968 campaign. RFK would prove himself to be the rarest of politicians--both a pragmatist who knew how to get the job done and an unwavering idealist who could inspire millions. Drawing on extensive research and interviews, Matthews pulls back the curtain on the public and private worlds of Robert Francis Kennedy. He shines a light on all the important moments of his life, from his early years and his start in politics to his crucial role as attorney general in his brother's administration and his tragic run for president. This definitive book brings Bobby Kennedy to life like never before and is destined to become a political classic."--

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

  • Prologue (p. 1)
  • Chapter 1 Altar Boy (p. 15)
  • Chapter 2 Ambassador's Son (p. 27)
  • Chapter 3 Honor Thy Father (p. 37)
  • Chapter 4 Rites of Passage (p. 51)
  • Chapter 5 Commitment (p. 71)
  • Chapter 6 Brother (p. 85)
  • Chapter 7 The Kennedy Party (p. 95)
  • Chapter 8 Clan (p. 107)
  • Chapter 9 Hail Mary (p. 131)
  • Chapter 10 Irish Cop (p. 145)
  • Chapter 11 Enforcer (p. 161)
  • Chapter 12 The Enemy Within (p. 175)
  • Chapter 13 Victory (p. 185)
  • Chapter 14 Freedom Fighter (p. 199)
  • Chapter 15 General (p. 211)
  • Chapter 16 Two Great Men (p. 225)
  • Chapter 17 Civil Rights (p. 235)
  • Chapter 18 Relic (p. 253)
  • Chapter 19 Brave Heart (p. 271)
  • Chapter 20 Affirmation (p. 289)
  • Chapter 21 The Movement (p. 299)
  • Chapter 22 Vigil (p. 309)
  • Chapter 23 Defiance (p. 317)
  • Chapter 24 Sacrifice (p. 331)
  • Chapter 25 Salute (p. 339)
  • Acknowledgments (p. 343)
  • Notes (p. 347)
  • Bibliography (p. 379)
  • Index (p. 383)

Excerpt provided by Syndetics

Bobby Kennedy Bobby, 12, with younger brother Teddy. Excerpted from Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit by Chris Matthews All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Matthews (Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero), the host of MSNBC's Hardball, offers an anecdotal and engaging biography of Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy (1925-68), emphasizing his broad public appeal during the 1960s, when the then-junior senator was revered by the working and middle classes and minorities. The author challenges the conventional view that Kennedy was largely unaware of poverty and discrimination until he suffered the death of his brother John F. Kennedy. Rather, Matthews says, Bobby developed empathy for these groups while serving as an enlisted seaman. As a child, Kennedy sought but did not win his father's approval, giving him an appreciation for the underdog. This book offers a sketchy recounting of Kennedy's life, from his troubled youth, through his years working for Sen. Joe McCarthy and running John's successful 1960 presidential campaign to his own fatal campaign for the 1968 Democratic presidential nomination. Matthews includes interesting stories about his own years as a graduate student and participant in antiwar rallies, and what Kennedy meant to him during that time. VERDICT Both Evan Thomas's Robert Kennedy, and Larry Tye's Bobby Kennedy are deeply researched, comprehensive biographies. Matthews's less substantial but more personal work will appeal to general readers who want to understand the spirit of the times.-Karl Helicher, formerly with Upper Merion Twp. Lib., King of Prussia, PA © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly Review

Matthews, author and host of MSNBC's Hardball, capably narrates the audio edition of his biography of Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy, published 50 years after R.F.K.'s assassination. Matthews reveals the young R.F.K. as a man caught in the shadows of his two older brothers. Joe Kennedy Jr., the favored son of his father, who was killed during WWII, and John F. Kennedy, who was a decorated war hero and president of the United States. Matthews does an excellent job of showing the evolution of R.F.K as an up-and-coming politician from a prominent family who manages, through family tragedies and political tribulations, to mature into a man with deep convictions. Those unfamiliar with Matthews's television persona may find his hoarse voice and fast, clipped pacing off-putting, and the occasional oddly placed pause in the middle of a sentence gives his reading an unusual cadence, but his enthusiasm and admiration for his subject easily grab the attention of listeners. Matthews's presentation is clear enough to satisfy his fans, as well as listeners looking for a general R.F.K. biography. A Simon & Schuster hardcover. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Booklist Review

With the fiftieth anniversary of Robert Kennedy's assassination approaching in June 2018, Matthews (Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked, 2013) reflects on the familial, personal, professional, and political dynamics that transformed Bobby Kennedy from a loyal, if underappreciated, son and brother into an ambitious yet humane civic leader. Having grown up in the shadow of his revered older brothers Joe Jr. and Jack, Bobby struggled to find his own place in the world. Catapulted into the political arena through Jack's runs for office, Bobby was a reluctant soldier in those campaigns, yet his influence and wisdom were essential during critical times: the Cuban missile crisis, civil-rights uprisings, the Vietnam War protests, and the aftermath of his brother Jack's assassination. Through it all, Bobby discovered a passion for righting injustices and fighting for basic human decency that would compel him to launch his own presidential bid. A child of that era himself, best-selling Matthews, host of MSNBC's Hardball, regards RFK's legacy through personal recollections and cogently illustrates leadership qualities Kennedy possessed that are sorely lacking in today's divisive culture.--Haggas, Carol Copyright 2017 Booklist

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Chris Matthews is a visiting professor at Fulbright University, Vietnam. He is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit ; Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero ; Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked ; Kennedy & Nixon ; and Hardball . For twenty years he anchored Hardball with Chris Matthews on MSNBC.

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