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marieshan4321 's review for:
Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis
by Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., Robert F. Kennedy
informative
medium-paced
If it was a triumph, it was a triumph for the next generation and not for any particular government or its people.
When it comes to an insider account of the Cuban Missile Crisis, there wasn't much more of an insider than Robert Kennedy. His perspective on the Cuban Missile Crisis offers an intimate insight into discussions going on behind the scenes during the events of that period.
'13 Days' was an excellent account, underscoring the necessity of maintaining common sense and a cool head during times of crisis, a quality that both JFK and Khrushchev ultimately exhibited, to the benefit of global stability.
It also highlighted the critical role of debate and discourse and the value of incorporating diverse viewpoints in decision-making processes, seen through the efficacy of Ex Comm meetings and the Kennedys' decision ''not to be insulated from individuals or points of view because of rank or position". Furthermore, it illustrated the significance of allowing political adversaries the space and opportunity necessary to express their positions and the imperative of exploring all potential avenues for peaceful resolution prior to contemplating military action.
Unfortunately, everything expressed by RFK in this is every bit as relevant now as it was in 1962.
This experience pointed out to all of us the importance of civilian direction and control and the importance of raising probing questions to military recommendations
The thought that made the prospect of war much more fearful than it would otherwise have been, was the specter of the death of the children of this country and all the world—the young people who had no role, who had no say, who knew nothing even of the confrontation, but whose lives would be snuffed out like everyone else’s...The great tragedy was that, if we erred, we erred not only for ourselves, our futures, our hopes, and our country, but for the lives, futures, hopes, and countries of those who had never been given an opportunity to play a role, to vote aye or nay, to make themselves felt.