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Lessons from Bobby: Ten Reasons Robert F. Kennedy Still Matters
Not yet published
Expected 11 Nov 25From the former host of MSNBC’s Hardball and acclaimed Kennedy biographer Chris Matthews comes a centennial tribute about why Robert F. Kennedy's revolutionary vision offers the roadmap America needs today.
Bobby Kennedy exemplified moral leadership and political bravery. He led us in pursuit of ideals. He took risks for peace and united us. Look at our country now, with its wide and deepening divisions. 100 years after his birth, RFK matters more than ever. On Bobby’s centennial, Chris Matthews, one of America’s foremost political commentators and Kennedy biographers, gives us ten electrifying lessons for today taken from Bobby’s life. Take them as a roadmap. America is great when it tries, at its best, to be good. This special anniversary book also includes a selection of Bobby Kennedy’s greatest speeches.
Bobby Kennedy exemplified moral leadership and political bravery. He led us in pursuit of ideals. He took risks for peace and united us. Look at our country now, with its wide and deepening divisions. 100 years after his birth, RFK matters more than ever. On Bobby’s centennial, Chris Matthews, one of America’s foremost political commentators and Kennedy biographers, gives us ten electrifying lessons for today taken from Bobby’s life. Take them as a roadmap. America is great when it tries, at its best, to be good. This special anniversary book also includes a selection of Bobby Kennedy’s greatest speeches.
176 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication November 11, 2025
8 people want to read
About the author
Chris Matthews
55 books159 followersChristopher John “Chris” Matthews is widely respected for his in-depth knowledge of politics. Now retired, he was a nightly host, news anchor and political commentator on MSNBC (1997-2020), a Washington, D.C. bureau chief for the newspaper, San Francisco Examiner (1987–2000), a Chief of Staff to long-time Speaker of the House of Representatives Tip O'Neill, a Carter era presidential speech writer, and penned a number of bestselling books, to name a small part of his impressive resume. Chris has been married to Kathleen (née Cunningham) since 1980 and they share three children and several grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 1, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster and of course Chris Matthews for the the advance ARC in return for an honest review.
This wonderful little book ( a mere 176 pages ) is full of inspiring anecdotes and historical tid bits involving the evolution of Robert F Kennedy from DOJ lawyer, to the campaign manager for JFK, the Attorney General of the United States, US Senator. and ultimately the populist Democratic candidate for the presidency in 1968.
Having met Chris Matthews while giving interviews regarding Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero ( another wonderful read ) and having read his previous RFK book, Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit ( also a great read ) this is a little short on details but full of the hope and aspirations RFK had for this wonderful country despite the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Jim Crow policies of the South, and the continued racial unrest resulting in the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
The lessons referenced in the Title include:
Heal the Divide
Have Some Guts
Admit Your Mistakes
Pursue Ideals
Uphold Human Rights
Seek Peace
Enforce the Law
Be Tough
Know When to Concede
Sacrifice.
With each lesson, Matthews points out where we are currently ( with many references to Trump and his sycophants in Congress and the Senate ) and how we, as Americans, and especially Democrats, can learn, as RFK did, on how to handle these problems with dignity and grace, and a hope for a better tomorrow. I would have liked to have seen a little more depth about RFK and his journey related to each of these lessons, as they are only 5-10 pages at most. Nonetheless, these lessons are reminders of what once was and what could hopefully be again in 4 years ( if not after the midterms next year ).
As an added bonus, Matthews includes several famous Speeches of RFK including his speech in South Africa, on the night of MLK's assassination and his victory speech on the night he too was assassinated after winning the California and SD primaries.
There are more in depth looks at RFK's life ( including Matthew's earlier works ) but this little reminder of the hope for America that RFK argued for in 1968 might be just what we need today.
This wonderful little book ( a mere 176 pages ) is full of inspiring anecdotes and historical tid bits involving the evolution of Robert F Kennedy from DOJ lawyer, to the campaign manager for JFK, the Attorney General of the United States, US Senator. and ultimately the populist Democratic candidate for the presidency in 1968.
Having met Chris Matthews while giving interviews regarding Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero ( another wonderful read ) and having read his previous RFK book, Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit ( also a great read ) this is a little short on details but full of the hope and aspirations RFK had for this wonderful country despite the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Jim Crow policies of the South, and the continued racial unrest resulting in the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
The lessons referenced in the Title include:
Heal the Divide
Have Some Guts
Admit Your Mistakes
Pursue Ideals
Uphold Human Rights
Seek Peace
Enforce the Law
Be Tough
Know When to Concede
Sacrifice.
With each lesson, Matthews points out where we are currently ( with many references to Trump and his sycophants in Congress and the Senate ) and how we, as Americans, and especially Democrats, can learn, as RFK did, on how to handle these problems with dignity and grace, and a hope for a better tomorrow. I would have liked to have seen a little more depth about RFK and his journey related to each of these lessons, as they are only 5-10 pages at most. Nonetheless, these lessons are reminders of what once was and what could hopefully be again in 4 years ( if not after the midterms next year ).
As an added bonus, Matthews includes several famous Speeches of RFK including his speech in South Africa, on the night of MLK's assassination and his victory speech on the night he too was assassinated after winning the California and SD primaries.
There are more in depth looks at RFK's life ( including Matthew's earlier works ) but this little reminder of the hope for America that RFK argued for in 1968 might be just what we need today.
October 20, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Fun fact: when I found out I was having a boy, the leading contenders for names were Robert and John for the Kennedy brothers. My husband was fully on board. That one of the names was my mother’s family name was secondary. That is how powerful my admiration for what the men did with their political power held me.
It seems Chris Matthews is equally enamored with Bobby Kennedy; he’s written several books about RFK. This short book is not a comprehensive biography. It contains just the basics of Kennedy’s life, and how he evolved as a person to be filled with empathy for the less fortunate, more marginalized communities across the United States.
The ten lessons included in the book are:
Heal the Divide
Have Some Guts
Admit Your Mistakes
Pursue Ideals
Uphold Human Rights
Seek Peace
Enforce the Law
Be Tough
Know When to Concede
Sacrifice
Each lesson gives examples of How Bobby Kennedy handled certain things, from his growing concern over civil rights to the abject poverty of portions of the country. Matthews also points the finger at the current regime and how they have been systematically removing protections for the most vulnerable people in our society. The fact that the United States is now on the WHO’s Human Rights Watchlist is telling.
What’s also telling is that most of the book espouses Kennedy’s compassion and empathy, something that is wholly missing from his namesake, currently holding the Cabinet position of Secretary of Health and Human Services. The book emphasizes moral courage, social‑justice activism, and a hopeful vision for America, something Junior is severely lacking.
Another bonus of this book is that most of Robert Kennedy’s most famous speeches are included at the end of the book. They’re full of hope for our country.
Fun fact: when I found out I was having a boy, the leading contenders for names were Robert and John for the Kennedy brothers. My husband was fully on board. That one of the names was my mother’s family name was secondary. That is how powerful my admiration for what the men did with their political power held me.
It seems Chris Matthews is equally enamored with Bobby Kennedy; he’s written several books about RFK. This short book is not a comprehensive biography. It contains just the basics of Kennedy’s life, and how he evolved as a person to be filled with empathy for the less fortunate, more marginalized communities across the United States.
The ten lessons included in the book are:
Heal the Divide
Have Some Guts
Admit Your Mistakes
Pursue Ideals
Uphold Human Rights
Seek Peace
Enforce the Law
Be Tough
Know When to Concede
Sacrifice
Each lesson gives examples of How Bobby Kennedy handled certain things, from his growing concern over civil rights to the abject poverty of portions of the country. Matthews also points the finger at the current regime and how they have been systematically removing protections for the most vulnerable people in our society. The fact that the United States is now on the WHO’s Human Rights Watchlist is telling.
What’s also telling is that most of the book espouses Kennedy’s compassion and empathy, something that is wholly missing from his namesake, currently holding the Cabinet position of Secretary of Health and Human Services. The book emphasizes moral courage, social‑justice activism, and a hopeful vision for America, something Junior is severely lacking.
Another bonus of this book is that most of Robert Kennedy’s most famous speeches are included at the end of the book. They’re full of hope for our country.
October 26, 2025
Grateful to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.
This book is a short reflection of some of the key themes that can be taken from Bobby Kennedy's life along with contrasts to our present political climate. Many of Kennedy's major speeches are included as appendices.
This book is a short reflection piece and so readers shouldn't expect to see new information about Kennedy - the incidents discussed in each of the lessons will be largely familiar to anyone with an interest in that era of US history. It is still worth reading, if only for the reminder of what genuine public servants used to look like. Matthews is clearly knowledgeable about RFK and his legacy.
This book is a short reflection of some of the key themes that can be taken from Bobby Kennedy's life along with contrasts to our present political climate. Many of Kennedy's major speeches are included as appendices.
This book is a short reflection piece and so readers shouldn't expect to see new information about Kennedy - the incidents discussed in each of the lessons will be largely familiar to anyone with an interest in that era of US history. It is still worth reading, if only for the reminder of what genuine public servants used to look like. Matthews is clearly knowledgeable about RFK and his legacy.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews