The Kennedy Tapes: Inside the White House During the Cuban Missile Crisis

by Ernest R. May

Book Overview

In October 1962 the United States and the Soviet Union came to the brink of war, each brandishing enough nuclear weapons to obliterate civilization in the Northern Hemisphere. For two weeks the inner circle of President Kennedy's National Security Council debated what to do, twice coming to the point of attacking Soviet military units in Cuba - units equipped for nuclear retaliation. All through the situation, unbeknown to many of the participants...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0674179269
• ISBN13: 9780674179264
• Release Date: October 1997
• Publisher: Belknap Press
• Length: 728 Pages
• Weight: 2.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 6.7" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Behind closed doors ...

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 th

Fascinating Actual Account of History

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.

Well done...

Having lived through the Missile Crisis, I can recall the terror of my parents stocking up on food and preparing a "safe" place in the house with aluminum foil on the walls. Little did I know then, and have come to learn through disclosures such as this book, that they had just cause for alarm. This book explores, in contextual detail, the terrifying details that were withheld from the general public from the actual possible activation of missiles to the refusal of the Soviets to comply with the blockade.I highly recommend this book to anyone who lived through this era to "fill in the gaps" of our knowledge.

A book for future presidents to learn from.

Reading these transcripts place you in a chair at the table in the Cabinet Room in 1962. What is history now is a current event then. Pearl Harbor and Berlin. The Cold War at it's peak. The world's worst potentially deadly crisis is being debated right before your eyes. Many options are available, and each could lead to global nuclear war. Immediate strike with no warning. Strike with warning. Blockade and no strike. All options are considered an act of war. This book allows you to see a president in office who listens to and learns from advisors, sifts through evidence, and makes decisions as best any man can. Definitely a book that future presidents can and should learn from. It taught me that my vote for president is the most important thing that I do in my life.

Incredible. I hope there's an Inside the Kremlin Companion

To see the workings of a crisis, minute by minute, day by day from the inside, is incredible. I have renewed respect for Kennedy and all those who averted disaster. Maybe someday they'll release the Krushchev Tapes and we'll be able to see both antagonists.