RFK: His Words for Our Times – The Fiftieth Anniversary Collection on Civil Rights and America's Legacy with Commentary from Presidents and Historians

RFK: His Words for Our Times – The Fiftieth Anniversary Collection on Civil Rights and America's Legacy with Commentary from Presidents and Historians

In honor of the fiftieth anniversary of Robert Francis Kennedy’s death, an inspiring collection of his most famous speeches accompanied by commentary from notable historians and public figures. Twenty-five years after Bobby Kennedy was assassinated, RFK: His Words for Our Times, a celebration of Kennedy’s life and legacy, was published to enormous acclaim. Now, a quarter century later, this classic volume has been thoroughly edited and updated. Through his own words we get a direct and intimate perspective on Kennedy’s views on civil rights, social justice, the war in Vietnam, foreign policy, the desirability of peace, the need to eliminate poverty, and the role of hope in American politics. Here, too, is evidence of the impact of those he knew and worked with, including his brother John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Cesar Chavez, among others. The tightly curated collection also includes commentary about RFK’s legacy from major historians and public figures, among them Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Eric Garcetti, William Manchester, Elie Wiesel, and Desmond Tutu. Assembled with the full cooperation of the Kennedy family, RFK: His Words for Our Times is a potent reminder of Robert Kennedy’s ability to imagine a greater America—a faith and vision we could use today. “This…perfectly timed [book]...will be for many readers like the welcome, delicious equivalent of a large pitcher of iced water during a long, smoggy summer heat wave…[it] should not be approached as a eulogy for a fallen statesman…[but]...better read...as a blueprint for the future.” - Vital Speeches “Rich background information on policy and historical context introduces each chapter and frames each speech, which reveal Kennedy’s appeal to Democrats and Republicans, minorities and the middle class.” - Library Journal “Words matter--especially the words of our leaders, whose can inspire good or evil. During a time of great division, Robert Kennedy proved that courage and intelligence need to be brought back to politics…and that we should never retreat from justice. Read Robert Kennedy’s words today. We need them more than ever.” - Brad Meltzer, New York Times bestselling author “Remarkable...a book worth getting and reading as well as passing down from one generation to another.” - Family Choice Award In honor of the fiftieth anniversary of Robert Kennedy’s death, an inspiring collection of his most famous speeches accompanied by commentary from notable historians and public figures Robert Kennedy was a beacon of hope in the midst of a divided nation and globe. His words speak to our times as strongly as they did to his own and act as a reminder of the common aspirations that unify us across the divides of race, gender, age, and circumstance. Placed in the context of Kennedy’s life and times, accompanied by a rich selection of photographs (some never before published), and assembled with the cooperation of the Kennedy family,  RFK: His Words for Our Times  summons Robert Kennedy’s vision of a truly greater America, as compelling now and for our future as it was in his lifetime. Robert F. Kennedy was one of the best-known political figures during the 1960’s, globally admired for his personal toughness, and passionate advocacy on behalf of civil rights, economic opportunity, and peace.  He ran his brother John’s successful campaign for the US Presidency in 1960, and then became the nation’s second-youngest Attorney General.  After a successful New York run for the US Senate, he pursued the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968. He was assassinated in June of that year, at age 42. Rick Allen is a media and technology executive and has been a speechwriter, fundraiser, and state campaign manager for several presidential and Senate candidates. He also served as Deputy Assistant to President Clinton, helping to create AmeriCorps. Ed Guthman, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, was Robert Kennedy's Press Secretary at the Department of Justice and the Senate, and a close personal friend. Co-editor of the original edition, he passed away in 2008.