To Seek a Newer World

by Robert F. Kennedy

1975: by Robert F. Kennedy- Material taken from the public speeches of Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics, Memoir, International Relations, The United States Of America, American History

233 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1967

About the author

Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy, also called RFK, was the United States Attorney General from 1961 to 1964 and a US Senator from New York from 1965 until his assassination in 1968. He was one of US President John F. Kennedy's younger brothers, and also one of his most trusted advisors and worked closely with the president during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He also made a significant contribution to the African-American Civil Rights Movement.

After his brother's assassination in late 1963, Kennedy continued as Attorney General under President Johnson for nine months. He resigned in September 1964 and was elected to the United States Senate from New York that November. He broke with Johnson over the Vietnam War, among other issues.

After Eugene McCarthy nearly defeated Johnson in the New Hampshire Primary in early 1968, Kennedy announced his own campaign for president, seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party. Kennedy defeated McCarthy in the critical California primary but was shot shortly after midnight on June 5, 1968, dying on June 6. On June 9, President Johnson declared an official day of national mourning in response to the public grief following Kennedy's death.

His son is Robert F. Kennedy Jr..

Reviews

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bobby Kennedy's views changed dramatically over the course of his political career. This book, published shortly before his death, might represent a lifetime of lessons learned by one of this country's most able and sincere politicians.

This book is as intelligent as it is eloquent, beautifully concrete and unwaveringly pragmatic. Some may find his left-leaning views a bit difficult, but regardless of your political sway it is undeniable that Kennedy had rare sight into the issues of his day.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a skimmer. RFK is a profound thinker, and his writing, particularly about youth and their role in the country is powerful. However, this is a collection that come mainly from his speeches, and many of the topics - Latin America, China, Vietnam - are a bit dated. Still, they provide historical perspective for those that wish to learn RFK's view of life. I would compare this to a shorter version of Obama's "The Audacity of Hope" for those that may be interested.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was on the bookshelves at my parents' house when I was a kid and ended up moving with me when I left home. I've always been inspired by it. Whether RFK's ideals would have made great policy is irrelevant to me; that he had them has always meant--and will always mean-- the world.

[Alfonso · Rating 5 out of 5]

i ganked this from a bookshelf in SSR class junior year. as i read it, i found a new hero to be inspired by, and a new martyr to mourn. unfortunately, my copy was water damaged and had to be thrown away. why isn't this book back in print?

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired to reread this on the campaign trail this fall. Though it may seem a little, Bobby's logic regarding inner-city poverty and redefining American foreign policy can still be applied today. A great read for anyone who is looking to learn more about public policy without having to get bogged down in terminology, numbers, budgets or excuses. RFK does not come across as the bleeding liberal one would assume; rather, his arguments are from a realist, and sometimes, capitalist perspective.

[IRD Delgado · Rating 3 out of 5]

I now understand why RFK is one of the most loved political figures of the past few decaddes. I decided to read this book after watching a documentary on PBS about his role in the Anti-Aparthied movement in South Africa.

Overall a pretty good read, not as inspiring as it may have been years ago, but the underlying messages still very much apply. I especially enjoyed the section on Vietnam and his comments related to the "other war".

[Cassidy]

DEUTSCH !!!!

[Matthew Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of course some of the issues were different, but the answers are still relevant. The world would have been a better place if Bobby had become president.

[Danny Tejada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspirational. Still relatable to today.

[Kevin Hawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected Kennedy to be a better writer.

[sugarplumfairy · Rating 5 out of 5]

although short, this was incredibly impactful. and although written in 1967 by Robert kennedy himself, you will find that a lot of the problems he speaks on are still very relevant today. this was a deep insight into Robert Kennedy’s views and morals, and his views on events at the time.
i found this so interesting, it really portrayed the struggles of america during this period, and also some of the struggles of the world. the true compassion and strong sense of justice in RFK is what makes me admire him most, choose love - not hate, choose peace - not violence. he had a very caring soul for those who were poor, struggling, and oppressed and i truly believe he could’ve made a huge difference to the lives of americans in this time period - and also the lives of others all over the world, especially with his ideals of peace and ideas of international cooperation. and that’s what makes it so tragic, the ones with the purest intentions are always killed.

what i found most emotional was his ability to connect with the youths of the time, the way he just understood them and what they wanted and the reasons for their protests, it was quite emotional to read, because as someone in their youth today it’s clear that we are still fighting for the same things - no war, no violence, equal rights for all people. and the way robert kennedy understood this and made it clear that we young people aren’t hard to understand if you ACTUALLY listen, it just made me feel understood, and this is the year 2025. this young generation, millennials, gen z, and younger, we are still fighting for the same things the young generations fought for in THE 60s!!!!!! our world needs change, but we are too used to living in comfort to fight for the change we need - even if it’s positive.

if there’s one thing to take away from this incredible book, it’s that we should never lose hope, and we need to keep fighting. fight for peace, fight for equality, fight for human rights for all humans. we need to stay kind, stay compassionate, help others, advocate for those who don’t have voices, and we need to be the revolution we wish to see. we are the future now, and i felt that this book really shouted that at me. i mourn not just for the america but for the world we could’ve had if robert kennedy had made it to president.
but to keep his legacy alive, we need to keep his ideals and morals alive. stay political, fight for your country, be compassionate, fight for equality, advocate for peace

[Jelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

very much of its time (1967), but Robert was full of ideas, some still relevant. When reading this book, it's easy to imagine what we could have had in a president instead of the awful Richard Nixon.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

He covers five topics:
1. Youth -- Robert talks a lot about the dissatisfaction of the youth in the 60s with authority, with capitalism, with war -- hey, seems like people of today still have a lot of those same issues.

2. Race and the city -- Written just a year after the Civil Rights Act of 1966, he gives what he believes are solutions for "city slums" and the riots and violence happening during the fight for civil rights. Though poverty was and still is a major issue for our nation, he sort of misses that equality was still not within reach. He does critique police involvement, he advocates for more education and better housing. But I mean, here we are 57 years later and we're still fighting for better housing in lower income neighborhoods, we're still fighting for equal pay, we're still fighting against police brutality.

3. Alliance for Progress - The Alliance of Progress was created to help advance Latin American countries, and though it had high aspirations, it largely failed due to neglect and lack of funding. But what I find interesting about the premise, is that if it had succeeded in building supportive relationships amongst nations, maybe many of the countries would not be struggling today. But we failed our neighbors to the south. We took advantage of their goods and then encouraged and helped dictators take over. We messed it up, and when migrants come to us seeking better opportunities, we have people who want to turn them away and refuse any responsibility.

4. Nuclear control - Ah, the Cold War! Robert was for disarmament. So am I! But alas, we're way too past that now.

5. Vietnam -- Robert was calling for negotiations to help end the war in 1967, about two years into our involvement. Imagine if US involvement didn't continue until 1973. But he's also way more hopeful for people to do the right thing. Unfortunately, humans don't.

[Tom Houlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful, intelligent and inspirational look at the political events of the 60's. However, this book also seeks a more universal and timeless scope. Robert finds this structure through his uncompromising attention to detail and engaging explanations of hard-hitting politics.
The early chapters on 'Youth' & 'Race and The City' are enlightening and still very relevant to today's societies. In the chapter on 'Vietnam', Robert delivers some fascinating insights into how the war could have been concluded much earlier and makes clear that he deserved, and should have been, back in office to deal with it.
All politicians should be made to read this book.
Robert F. Kennedy was a fascinating man, with immeasurable world knowledge who used it for the greater good; making great political and sociological strives.
He was stolen from us before his time...

'Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events... Our future may lie beyond our vision, but it is not completely beyond our control'

[Mark Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about youth, race and the city, the alliance for progress, nuclear control, China policy and the Vietnam war. This is a product of 1967 so it’s interesting to read the thoughts of the time. Many of the countries he mentions ended up with nuclear weapons. Vietnam was a mistake that MacArthur warned to not go past being advisors.

[Arturo Gómez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buena recopilación del pensamiento de Bobby. No comparto sus ideas, pero es interesante leerlas.

[Martin Swoboda · Rating 5 out of 5]

pour one out for the OG

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book written by who would’ve been a fantastic President. Unfortunately many of the problems Kennedy writes about we still suffer from today.

[Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the '68 campaign trail Kennedy came to Elhart, Indiana. He asked if the crowd was ready to go knock on doors, contribute, etc., and with every question he asked the roar of affirmation got louder and louder. "And have you read my book 'To Seek a Newer World'?"
"Yes!" yelled the crowd.
"You lie in Elkhart, Indiana!" Kennedy retorted.
It is a thoughtful book. In retrospect, Kennedy's record of progressivism had been less than the book's promise. But in it he mapped out a vision of America far better and more optimistic than that of Humphrey, Nixon, or Eugene McCarthy. One of the great, tragically lost promises of America.