American Values: Lessons I Learned from My Family

RFK Jr. writes about his life growing up Kennedy in a tumultuous time in history, combining memoir and political history. He describes the power struggles with the Kennedys, the Cuban Missile Crisis, civil rights battles, and the assassination of JFK. The book provides insight, hope, and wisdom for Americans as they wrestle with questions about America's role in history and the world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 23 November 2023
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing

RFK Jr. vividly recounts his upbringing as a Kennedy in a turbulent era that bears uncanny similarities to the challenges we face today, encompassing nuclear confrontation, religion, race, and inequality. This captivating book seamlessly blends memoir and political history, offering an intimate glimpse into the life of the third child of Attorney General Robert Kennedy and nephew of JFK.

The narrative unfolds through a series of pivotal moments in American history, beginning with the stories of RFK Jr.'s grandparents, Joseph and Rose, who raised nine remarkable children, including three US senators, one of whom became attorney general, and the other, the president of the United States.

As RFK Jr. delves into his own life, he introduces us to influential figures such as Allen Dulles and J. Edgar Hoover, whose agencies posed significant threats to American democracy and values. Their power struggles with the Kennedys played a pivotal role in shaping the defining conflicts of the era.

We witness the Cuban Missile Crisis, a moment of global tension when insubordinate spies and aggressive generals in the Pentagon and Moscow brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. The book takes us to Hickory Hill, Virginia, where RFK Jr. grew up, and explores the celebrities who gathered at the second most famous address in Washington, known as Americas Camelot.

Through his father's role as attorney general, RFK Jr. provides an insider's perspective on the escalating tensions over civil rights, leading to violent clashes in the streets and the deployment of 16,000 federal troops to enforce desegregation at Ole Miss. The book also sheds light on the growing pressure to engage in wars in Southeast Asia to combat communism.

RFK Jr. relives the tragic assassination of JFK, his own presidential campaign cut short by his own death, and the profound impact of those murders on the Kennedy family. He explores the ongoing investigations, the conspiracy theories, and the lasting legacy of JFK's assassination, which continues to captivate the public.

In conclusion, RFK Jr.'s book is a powerful and compelling exploration of his life, family, and the historical events that shaped the world he grew up in. With rich detail, compelling honesty, and a storyteller's gift, he takes readers on an intimate journey through a tumultuous time in history that eerily echoes the issues we confront today. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in politics, history, and the Kennedy family.

Weight: 680g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 41 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781648210297