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Profiles in Courage  By  cover art

Profiles in Courage

By: John F. Kennedy
Narrated by: John F. Kennedy Jr., Caroline Kennedy
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Publisher's summary

"This is a book about that most admirable of human virtues - courage. 'Grace under pressure', Ernest Hemingway defined it. And these are the stories of the pressures experienced by eight United States senators and the grace with which they endured them." (John F. Kennedy)

During 1954-1955, John F. Kennedy, then a US senator, chose eight of his historical colleagues to profile for their acts of astounding integrity in the face of overwhelming opposition. These heroes include John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Thomas Hart Benton, and Robert A. Taft.

Awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1957, Profiles in Courage - now reissued, featuring a new introduction by Caroline Kennedy as well as Robert Kennedy's foreword written for the memorial edition of the volume in 1964 - resounds with timeless lessons on the most cherished of virtues and is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit. It is, as Robert Kennedy states in the foreword, "not just stories of the past but a hook of hope and confidence for the future. What happens to the country, to the world, depends on what we do with what others have left us".

©1955, 1956 John F. Kennedy; copyright 1984 renewed by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Foreword copyright 1964 by Robert F. Kennedy. Introduction copyright 2003 by Caroline Kennedy. (P)2003, 2016 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about Profiles in Courage

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Pretty boring

What did you like best about Profiles in Courage? What did you like least?

The early accounts were details and interesting.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

A good night's sleep.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Pretty monotone and trying to over sell the story.

Could you see Profiles in Courage being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No.

Any additional comments?

Novice work.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not really my kind of style

A lot more history then I anticipated. Some interesting some not. If iwould have read I would never have finished and.i had a hard time with this. First few were the most interesting. Kept listening because the kid# read but like I said nit my style.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

completely different than what I thout it would be, 5 stars.. great book, must read

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Meaning to read this for years and never had

I had been meaning to read this for years and never had. Technically still haven't, since I listened to it. What drew me to this book was learning more about one of the courageous, Senator Edmund Ross of Kansas, who cast the deciding vote allowing President Johnson to remain in office, He was expected to vote against Johnson up until the night before the final roll call. These are the people in history that are remembered and written about. Good job JFK.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

just ok

I'm a good admirer of John F Kennedy but this book left me wanting sorry to say

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Worth Reading

I wanted to like this more than I actually did (more like a 3.5 than a true 4). Still worth reading, especially at this time of year (between Memorial Day and Independence Day).

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Profiles in Courage

Finally!! read this. Wonderful discussion regarding the will of the person and the support of the UNITED States of America, rather than public/political opinion.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

HEARTFELT

You will want to listen over and over again. Wash, rinse, REPEAT. I mean it...

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Severely Abridged❗️!

I was very disturbed by the extensive abridgment. I was disturbed by the removal of key sections and key phrases. It appears to me that rhe abridgment greatly reduced the value of this wonderful book.
Bob Bolin
Emeritus Professor Emeritus
UNL

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Astonishing

This book is very compelling it was nice to hear jlk voice again and I think every member of The u s Congress should read this book they can learn something

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