Robert Kennedy and His Times was published by Houghton Mifflin in 1978, a decade after RFK’s assassination. Schlesinger had been close to both Kennedy brothers and writes with the authority of personal knowledge — but also with the inevitable partiality of friendship.
The biography traces Robert Kennedy’s remarkable transformation: from the hard-nosed political operative of the 1950s (counsel to Joseph McCarthy’s committee, campaign manager for his brother) to the passionate advocate for racial justice, poverty reduction, and opposition to the Vietnam War who was assassinated in 1968 while running for president. Schlesinger presents this transformation as genuine growth rather than political calculation — RFK learned from experience, particularly from his brother’s death, and emerged as a more complex and compassionate figure.
The book is massive and detailed — over 900 pages — and draws on extensive documentary sources as well as Schlesinger’s personal recollections. It established the liberal interpretation of RFK: the man who might have healed America’s divisions, who combined toughness with compassion, who could speak to both white working-class voters and Black Americans in a way no other politician of his era managed. Critics note Schlesinger’s tendency to idealize his subject and to downplay the ruthless aspects of Kennedy’s character that persisted alongside his later idealism.
Collecting Robert Kennedy and His Times
First edition (Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1978): Cloth with dust jacket.
Market values:
- First edition, fine/fine: $30–$75
- Signed by Schlesinger: $100–$200
- Very good: $15–$30
Projected values (2026–2036): Moderate appreciation.
Bobby’s Biography
Robert Kennedy and His Times (1978) is Schlesinger’s authorized biography of Robert F. Kennedy — a massive, sympathetic, and deeply researched account of the younger Kennedy brother’s transformation from ruthless campaign manager and McCarthyite to passionate champion of civil rights and opponent of the Vietnam War. Schlesinger had known both Kennedys personally, and his insider’s perspective gives the book an intimacy and authority that no other RFK biography matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this hagiographic? Less than A Thousand Days. Schlesinger acknowledges RFK’s early ruthlessness and his work for McCarthy, though the overall portrait is admiring. The book’s value lies in its comprehensive research and Schlesinger’s personal knowledge of the subject.