RFK: A Photographer's Journal

by Harry Benson (Photographer), Gigi Benson (Editor), Manuela Soares (Editor)

"I do not run for the presidency merely to oppose any man but to propose new policies. I run because I am convinced that this country is on a perilous course and because I have such strong feelings about what must be done that I feel I am obliged to do all I can."
-Robert F. Kennedy

A world-renowned photojournalist and chronicler of the twentieth century's most historic events,Harry Bensonprovides an eyewitness account of Robert F. Kennedy's campaign for the presidential nomination A Photographer's Journal.

As a friend, advisor, and attorney general to his brother, John F. Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy stood at the heart of Washington politics. He is remembered today as a compassionate, articulate, and optimistic man-a friend to the poor, an avid civil rights advocate, a champion for peace. Harry Benson's images capture unprecedented intimate family outings and outdoor adventures with friends alongside every moment of Kennedy's brief but unforgettable presidential run, from his announcement of his candidacy on St. Patrick's Day, 1968, and the fervor and excitement of his days on the campaign trail, all the way through his shocking assassination in Los Angeles and the long, sweltering funeral procession to Arlington Cemetery.

Here in elegant photographs are glimpses of the exhilarating successes and challenging setbacks of R.F.K.'s campaign, the chaos of that fateful night in L.A., and the mourning of hundreds of thousands after their hero was struck down. Released in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Kennedy's death, and supplemented with excerpts from his speeches and from Benson's own journals, A Photographer's Journal is a fitting tribute to an extraordinary man and the legacy he left behind.

Genres: History, Photography, Nonfiction, Politics

144 pages, Hardcover

First published May 20, 2008

Reviews

[Kristen Dutkiewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs and well selected quotes from one of my favorite Kennedy’s. Bobby surely made a difference while our world was lucky enough to have him, and one can only wonder what else he could have accomplished.

Like most members of the Kennedy family, Bobby met an underserved and untimely fate, and Harry Benson was one of the many there to witness it. Up close photos from his private collection relive the horror of that evening.

What I enjoyed the most was seeing Bobby beside his children. This is what truly speaks to his character. This was Bobby.

[Olivia Plasencia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really a read as much as an experience for your eyes. This book is full of historic images from a very tragic time in US history. A photographer's images from the days of Robert Kennedy. The book starts by covering a carefree Bobby vacationing with family, and a ton of photographers. It was hard for Benson to get a shot of anyone without another person holding a camera in the frame. As a photographer I found the images both insightful and also well done. Harry Benson also used a journal he kept to help aid him in reporting on some of the images he took. But if you are looking for reading a complete story it's not there, not in written form, but honestly a full tale is not needed. His pictures are full of so many raw emotions. I do wish there had been more to read. Maybe even more on how the photographer felt, but when your that close to a tragic event, talking and writing about the moment almost seems pointless once it has been written and spoken about so much. Perhaps he felt there was no more to be said on a day that was a black mark on American history.

As a history lover and photographer I found this book beautiful, poignant and deeply sad.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published 40 years after the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, Benson captures in pictures and journal entries the days of Kennedy's run for the presidential nomination--from the day he announced his candidacy to that fateful day in June of 1968 when a man with a gun in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel cut that run short. The photography is excellent--beautiful, touching, and haunting--capturing RFK in private moments with his family and public moments when he made connections with those of all races and all backgrounds. Benson also captures the horror and tragedy of Kennedy's final moments and the outpouring of grief in the faces of those who lined the railroad tracks as his body made its way to Arlington. Robert Kennedy is one of those "what ifs" of history--what if he hadn't been taken through the kitchen that night? What if he had lived and become president? What kind of president would he have made and how might we as a nation be different?

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.

[Sarah T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The images within this book are wonderful and capure Bobby Kennedy's hopeful spirit, and the intense love his supporters around the country felt for him.

I was very happy that the book also included some R.F.K. quotes, and smatterings of some of his speeches, because not only was he an eloquent public speaker, but a collector of quotes too, and I always enjoyed that about him. He just always radiated intelligence but also so much compassion.

I wish there were more photographs in this book, but it is the compilation of only one man's collection of photographs, and he only photographed R.F.K. once in 1966, and the began to follow him again with his press corps during his presidential bid in 1968. This was a good book, I just wish there was a little more to it...

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing and heart-wrenching look at the short period just before Senator Kennedy announced he was running for president up to his assassination. The images will make you cry throughout; from joy; from sadness; from anger; from hope.

I highly recommend this personal look at the man by one of the photographers that followed him through journal entries, images and reflection.

[Kelley Tackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

my favorite photos were the ones of the family camping in Idaho with John Glenn and Claudine Longet. So sad.