The Unfinished Odyssey Of Robert Kennedy: A Biography

Robert Kennedy was a charismatic and influential figure in American politics. He served as Attorney General under his brother, President John F. Kennedy, and later as a U.S. Senator from New York. Kennedy was a leading advocate for social justice and civil rights, and he was widely seen as a potential future president. However, his life and career were cut short when he was assassinated in 1968.

The Unfinished Odyssey of Robert Kennedy: A Biography

by David Halberstam

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7085 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	252 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Early Life and Education

Robert Francis Kennedy was born on November 20, 1925, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was the seventh of nine children born to Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., a wealthy businessman and diplomat, and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, the daughter of former Boston Mayor John F. "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald. Kennedy grew up in a privileged environment, but he was also exposed to the harsh realities of poverty and injustice.

Kennedy attended Milton Academy, a prestigious prep school, and then Harvard College. After graduating from Harvard in 1948, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. After his discharge from the Navy, Kennedy returned to Harvard and earned a law degree in 1951.

Political Career

Kennedy began his political career in 1952, when he worked as a campaign manager for his brother, John, who was running for the U.S. Senate. After John's successful election, Kennedy served as his administrative assistant from 1953 to 1957.

In 1960, Kennedy was elected Attorney General of the United States. As Attorney General, Kennedy played a leading role in the civil rights movement. He prosecuted numerous cases of racial discrimination, and he helped to enforce the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which desegregated the nation's public schools.

In 1964, Kennedy was elected to the U.S. Senate from New York. As a Senator, Kennedy continued to be a strong advocate for social justice. He worked to pass legislation to expand voting rights, provide healthcare for the poor, and improve the lives of migrant workers.

Presidential Ambitions

Kennedy was a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968. He was seen as a charismatic and electable candidate, and he had the support of many of the party's leaders. However, Kennedy's presidential ambitions were cut short when he was assassinated on June 6, 1968, in Los Angeles, California.

Assassination

Kennedy was shot and killed by Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian immigrant, as he was leaving a campaign rally at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Sirhan was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. The assassination of Robert Kennedy was a major turning point in American history. It marked the end of an era of hope and optimism, and it helped to usher in a period of cynicism and despair.

Legacy

Robert Kennedy was a charismatic and influential figure in American politics. He was a leading advocate for social justice and civil rights, and he was widely seen as a potential future president. However, his life and career were cut short when he was assassinated in 1968.

Kennedy's legacy is complex and multifaceted. He was a man of great talent and potential, but he was also flawed and imperfect. He was a man of contradictions, capable of both great good and great evil. However, his commitment to social justice and his willingness to fight for what he believed in remain an inspiration to many.

Robert Kennedy was a complex and fascinating figure who left a lasting legacy on American politics. His life and career were cut short by tragedy, but his work continues to inspire and motivate people around the world.

Source: JFK Library

The Unfinished Odyssey of Robert Kennedy: A Biography

by David Halberstam

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7085 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	252 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE