Cover of Profiles in Courage

Profiles in Courage

by John F. Kennedy · 1955

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"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

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During 1954-1955, John F. Kennedy, then a U.S. 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 in this handsome hardcover edition, 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."

Introduction / Caroline Kennedy

Foreword / Robert F. Kennedy

Preface : Courage and politics

John Quincy Adams

Daniel Webster

Thomas Hart Benton

Sam Houston

Edmund G. Ross

Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar

George Norris

Robert A. Taft

Other men of political courage

The meaning of courage.

Subject
historyhistoryMore like thisLess of thisbiographybiographyMore like thisLess of thispoliticspoliticsMore like thisLess of thisleadershipleadershipMore like thisLess of thissocial sciencesocial scienceMore like thisLess of this
Genre
historical fictionhistorical fictionMore like thisLess of thiswar and militarywar and militaryMore like thisLess of this
Themes
American historyAmerican historyMore like thisLess of thispoliticspoliticsMore like thisLess of thispresidentspresidentsMore like thisLess of thishistoryhistoryMore like thisLess of this
Setting
USAUSAMore like thisLess of this
Mood
thought provokingthought provokingMore like thisLess of thisfeel goodfeel goodMore like thisLess of thisinspirationalinspirationalMore like thisLess of this
Audience
adult
Length
medium · 245 pages
Form
essaysessaysMore like thisLess of thisshort storiesshort storiesMore like thisLess of this

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