The Kennedy Tapes: Inside the White House during the Cuban Missile Crisis Hardcover – October 12, 1997

Have you ever wondered what is being said behind closed doors, in those places where important decisions are made?. If you have, Ernest R. May and Philip D. Zelikow allow you to learn just that, at least regarding the conversations that took place in the White House during the Cuban Missile Crisis.This book contains the transcriptions of those discussions, and many notes that contribute to clarify certain details that the reader might well not be aware of. The editors of "The Kennedy tapes" are able to offer us this unexpected treat thanks to the fact that an audio tape recorded the conversations of the committee that was formed to deal with the crisis. It is generally thought that only President Kennedy and his secretary knew that their words were being recorded, and we can easily believe that when we realize that the different functionaries said exactly what they thought, without wasting time in order to formulate their ideas in a politically correct way :)It is almost scary to know how little did the persons involved in the decision making process know about what was really happening at that time, and about how would the URSS react to their optional courses of action. But then, I guess that complete information is never available, and less during a crisis of that magnitude... However, after reading these pages, I cannot help but wonder what would have happened if, for example, USA had launched a preventive attack on Cuba. The answers to that question are many, and none of them is good. I suppose we should be grateful to President Kennedy and his advisors, for somehow arriving to a course of action that avoided the real possibility of a nuclear war.I think it is worthwhile to point out that the editors of this book wrote not only an interesting introduction, but also an excellent conclusion to this book. The introduction explains very well the Cold War context in which this crisis developed, and how recent and ongoing events affected the perspective of the decision makers. On the other hand, the conclusion sums up what happened, taking into account "the other side" (URSS), and the peculiarities of the decision-making process in Soviet Russia. The editors also include their own considerations, all of which I consider worthwhile remembering. For example, when they reflect on the kind of lesson they think this book can teach to the reader, they say that "Someone who wants to learn all that can be learned from this extraordinary record of decision-making needs not only to notice how the process stutters and veers amid barrages of detail but also to infer how individuals of different backgrounds and temperaments are sorting the detail, discerning choices, and electing among those choices (...)"."The Kennedy tapes" is a rather impressive book due to the fact that it is quite long. However, it is also very helpful if you want to know more about the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the kind of environment that surrounds difficult decisions in the higher levels of authority. It is certainly more comfortable to believe that those decisions are at all times informed and rational, but unfortunately (as this book shows) that not always happens. May and Zelikow say that "Reconstruction that oversimplifies or ignores the incessant tension between realities and beliefs makes us no wiser. By coming fully to grips with the particulars of past moments of choice, we may become better able to handle our own". We can only hope that is the case...On the whole, I think you will benefit a lot from reading this book. It allows you the opportunity to really "listen" to what happened in the discussions surrounding the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, without intermediaries. Take advantage of the privilege of listening to what happens behind closed doors!.Belen Alcat

To be honest, I bought this book used after seeing the movie "13 Days." In fact, I ordered this book the very night I came home from the movie, wondering if it would be worth the money spent.. Now, having read through it, I must admit that this was a very fascinating and intriguing book.The book is an actual copy (i.e. transcript) of taped conversations that occurred in the Whitehouse during the Cuban Missile crisis. The book was so fascinating for the sole fact that it presents (true to life) all the details which were actually being spoken of, on, about, etc. The reader can actually sense the emotion, tension, anguish, and despair that comes out in some of these conversations. In fact, the intensity in this book puts the movie to shame (which is usually the case with most good books).This book consists of conversation's of the National Security Council, President Kennedy,Robert Kennedy, and the President's advisors. The book is very revealing and honest (since it is true to life) and it paints a very vulnerable picture of just how easy things could fall apart in this 'invincible' place we call home. Fortunately, we as readers today actually know the outcome is positive. However, the terror comes through the pages when, as I read, the realization that these men have no idea what is going to happen as this whole situation unfolds. That was one of the riveting things about this book.Overall, this is a great book for those who are interested in American history, or Presidential history, etc. I recommend it, especially since it is so fascinating and also because it is an actual account word for word accurate. That makes for great objective history.

Pretty happy as the book is like new. And the book was delivered two days early.

why did it not say in the description that the book had creases from shelving until i got it?i cant say watch out for things like this because you won't see them until you get the book, but maybe look for another seller that dont treat books like crap and are honest enough to say that the book doesnt look as new: just because it has never been opened or use doesn't mean it can have outside creases or be damaged, that should be a criteria used to define if a book is new or not

Bought for my father. My father is a Navy Veteran and served during the Cuban Crisis. He loves the book.

Book as described, great condition!

The book is based on recordings of the tapes of the time of handling of three Cuban missile crisis by the Kennedy administration.The book is a delight to pursue and it is absolutely fascinating to follow the discussions and arguments and decisions taken by the President and his team.A complete tour de force.

The Kennedy Tapes: Inside the White House During the Cuban Missile Crisis This volume provides an authoritative narrative of the most dangerous period in modern history. The events which took place in August to late October 1962 are well covered in this transcription of President Kennedy's White House tapes by two conscientious Harvard scholars. Their dedication to accuracy and authenticity is outstanding and they have rendered an outstanding service to their readers understanding of this epoch.What I found especially interesting was the advice given by Dean Rusk and the State Department which proved significant. I found the military advice given to the President about the proposed invasion alarming. They seemed to have no idea of the consequences of invasion; I doubt that it would have satisfied General Eisenhower. The idea that the U.S. invasion force would not meet resistance was absurd bearing in mind what happened at the Bay of Pigs in 1961.I was also surprised at the defeatist tone of Prime Minister Macmillan; I thought he sounded too like the appeasers of the 1930s whom ironically he had opposed at the time of Munich. MacMillian did not acquit himself very well, a touch of Churchill would not have been remiss.I was fascinated by the conversations JFK had with his predecessors, especially Eisenhower. It seemed to me that Eisenhower had more confidence in JFK than he had in his former Vice Presedent, Mr Nixon. Nixon was, of course, the architect of the failed Bay of Pigs operation. That debacle (sanctioned by JFK) may have led the Soviets to put the missiles into Cuba to prevent another invasion.What emerges from this excellent account is confirmation of JFK's skill in avoiding nuclear war and his initiation of a dialogue and a degree of understanding with the Soviets. Not easy when their Foreign Minister, Gromyko, lied to JFK about the presence of so called "defensive weapons" in Cuba.Here we read that JFK was prepared to listen to advice before taking executive decisions. Sometimes I found it difficult to understand what the decision was at the end of a meeting and it did seem to me that in the first week of the crisis there was some drift. But, if action had been taken events might have escalated at a faster pace and have got out of hand; so JFK's timing was probably just right. In any event he was in a far better position to judge that than anyone else so I do not think even with the benefit of all we now know and all the published intelligence assessemnts and evaluations that have been made to date he could have done better. Whilst the administration might have some blame for taking Soviet statements at face value in August-September 1962 its response once reliable intelligence was produced was effective in ensuring the dismantling of the missiles.If anything the crisis was probably even more dangerous than people thought at the time and thus President Kennedy, his Attorney General, Robert F Kennedy and his Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, deserve great credit for their courage at that time of crisis. All this becomes apparent in reading this compelling account. The Kennedy Tapes: Inside the White House During the Cuban Missile Crisis

Excellent book

This book offers its readers the unique opportunity to witness exactly what was being said and considered in top level meetings during the Cuban Missile Crises.Simply put, this transcript places you alongside the EXCOMM team as they deal with potentially deadly daily, sometimes hourly developments, which were occurring during one of the most dangerous "stand-off's" in modern history. Being able to read exactly what was said, and by who gives you a real sense urgency and panic felt at the top level of the American Government during the unfolding crises, but also enables you to closely follow and second guess the thought process and concerns of all involved, who are desperately trying to avert the world from nuclear conflict. Particularly interesting and poignant are the relationships between those involved in the meetings, with some hot headily trying to push one course of physical action, while others are exploring other more diplomatic avenues. This certainly adds to the overall tension of an already incredibly overwrought situation as viewpoints often clash, leading to stern put-downs and angst voiced by colleagues.Perhaps the most compelling element of the book is that every word happened... this is not fiction or one of those titles that's based loosely on a true story, this really did happen, and being able to see and understand exactly what did happen for yourself leaves you with a feeling of absolute awe. This book simply must be read.

Superior bookA must