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Bad Blood: Lyndon B. Johnson, Robert F. Kennedy, and the Tumultuous 1960s
The tumultuous decade of the 1960s began with promise and hope, when John F. Kennedy became the youngest elected President of the United States. Kennedy promised youthful, energetic leadership, as the country headed into the latter half of the 20th century, and christened his presidencey as the "New Frontier." After a thousand days, an assassin's bullets shattered the dreams of an idealisitic generation.
Following JFK's assassination, an intense personal and poltical feud between the new President, Lyndon B. Johnson, and deceased former President's younger brother, Robert F. Kennedy, dominated much of the tumultuous decade of the 1960s. Against the backdrop of assassinations, civil rights protests, the Cold War, the Space Race, and the Vietnam War, the epic duel between LBJ and RFK signficantly influenced the course of history.
Following JFK's assassination, an intense personal and poltical feud between the new President, Lyndon B. Johnson, and deceased former President's younger brother, Robert F. Kennedy, dominated much of the tumultuous decade of the 1960s. Against the backdrop of assassinations, civil rights protests, the Cold War, the Space Race, and the Vietnam War, the epic duel between LBJ and RFK signficantly influenced the course of history.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 24, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 18, 2025
This book was very hard to put down. I learned more about Robert F Kennedy Senior in this book than I imagined was possible. The only drawback was that I couldn’t find any information about the author, who has written a large number of books. I’ve seen some reviews that say these weren’t well researched, but much of the material was quoted from other sources, so if quoted properly, I’m sure it’s accurate. I lived during these times and it was really interesting to see this perspective. I remember riding my bicycle to a local shopping center to see Bobby Kennedy when he spoke in our town. I was enthralled.
January 27, 2023
Outstanding
A very well written story about the politics of the '60's, and probably one of our least recognized Presidents, Lyndon Baines Johnson. I was in 3rd grade when JFK was killed, remember it vividly. But goo young to know or understand the backstory of LBJ and RFK following John Kennedy's death. Jeffery Smith does a terrific job in detailing the inherent tensions between LBJ and RFK. A great book to read to better understand all that transpired following JFK' s assination.
A very well written story about the politics of the '60's, and probably one of our least recognized Presidents, Lyndon Baines Johnson. I was in 3rd grade when JFK was killed, remember it vividly. But goo young to know or understand the backstory of LBJ and RFK following John Kennedy's death. Jeffery Smith does a terrific job in detailing the inherent tensions between LBJ and RFK. A great book to read to better understand all that transpired following JFK' s assination.
June 20, 2022
Crazy times
Like so many, I abhorred RFK, admired JFK, and unlike many, thought LBJ was a great, vastly under-appreciated American president. This excellent book has not changed that judgement in any fundamental or substantive way, but has, importantly, deepened and enriched my understanding of these two unique political leaders. I enthusiastically recommend this book to anyone with an interest in contemporary America. Five stars!
Like so many, I abhorred RFK, admired JFK, and unlike many, thought LBJ was a great, vastly under-appreciated American president. This excellent book has not changed that judgement in any fundamental or substantive way, but has, importantly, deepened and enriched my understanding of these two unique political leaders. I enthusiastically recommend this book to anyone with an interest in contemporary America. Five stars!
November 12, 2022
Very good history of two complicated men
This book does remarkable job of covering both Lyndon Johnson and Bobby Kennedy, both of whom were talented but very complicated human beings. It also covers the time from the election of John Kennedy to the death of Lyndon Johnson. It is a very good history of that time and I would recommend it to any Reeder interested in our history
This book does remarkable job of covering both Lyndon Johnson and Bobby Kennedy, both of whom were talented but very complicated human beings. It also covers the time from the election of John Kennedy to the death of Lyndon Johnson. It is a very good history of that time and I would recommend it to any Reeder interested in our history
January 31, 2022
Succeeded in Making Me Dislike Both Men
an alternative title here might have been “2 Scumbags”. not that I came into the reading as the biggest fan of either, but I left with a comprehensive disregard.
an alternative title here might have been “2 Scumbags”. not that I came into the reading as the biggest fan of either, but I left with a comprehensive disregard.
February 15, 2022
Learned quite a lot about the political world during the mid to late '60s. Good read!
July 27, 2024
Awesome details about mythic American leaders
October 24, 2022
I found this book fascinating, remembering the events vaguely from my youth. While much revealed was not complimentary, the presentation seemed fair and balanced, not so common these days.
I think the humanity of both parties was presented strengths and weaknesses. It challenges us to wrestle with the question of whether flawed leaders can do great things. One correction to a prior attitude was the number of positive programs effected by LBJ, when all I remember were his efforts to send me to Vietnam.
I read this book because a favorite singer Nanci Griffirh often performed wearing an LBJ pin. I wondered why?
I think the humanity of both parties was presented strengths and weaknesses. It challenges us to wrestle with the question of whether flawed leaders can do great things. One correction to a prior attitude was the number of positive programs effected by LBJ, when all I remember were his efforts to send me to Vietnam.
I read this book because a favorite singer Nanci Griffirh often performed wearing an LBJ pin. I wondered why?
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews