This was an excellent read!!

Having already read several biographies about the Kennedy family—Bobby Kennedy in particular—I really appreciated the opportunity to engage with his political beliefs directly through his own words.

The book traces the evolution of his views throughout the 1950s and 1960s, from the beginning of his public life after law school to his tenure as Attorney General in his brother’s administration, his time in the Senate, and ultimately his presidential campaign and tragic assassination.

Even though I was familiar with his life, this collection provided deeper insight into his involvement with causes such as migrant farm workers’ unions (including his work with César Chávez), his visit to South Africa during apartheid, and his commitment to the Bedford-Stuyvesant project. 

One of the most compelling aspects of Bobby Kennedy’s speeches is his ability to balance both logic and emotion in his responses to the injustices felt by minority groups and those living in poverty. He understood the power of moral outrage—not just as a personal reaction, but as a tool to inspire action in others. His speeches emphasise that while logic and policy are essential, meaningful change also requires deep empathy and a willingness to feel anger at injustice. This blend of reason and passion made him an extraordinary leader and a politician who truly connected with the people. 

I read a quote somewhere once about how the Kennedy brothers were so popular and their deaths so tragic because, in spite of the violence and turbulence of their times, they saw the citizens of America at their best and spoke to the people's better angels. After reading this book, I get it!