Kennedy Books

Guns or Butter is an age old un-attributed quote, but in "The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" author Paul Kennedy seeks to explore that maxim on a massive scale from 1500 to 2000. Equally massive is the resulting tome which seeks to explore the connection between economic power and military power and the resultant effect upon the growth, maintenance, or decline of a nation's power. In Kennedy's hypothesis military and economic power go hand in hand, making or breaking a nation's ability to project power and in the few instances to become Great Powers. Kennedy analyses what it is that takes a nation to the status of Great Power and, ultimately, what is their undoing. Kennedy sees a direct correlation between Great Powers who overextend themselves, politically, militarily or economically and in some cases both, and the resultant decline in cases of over-reach or in the face of serious threats they may have underestimated. When it comes to Great Power status Kennedy is more concerned with dimensions of power than the spatial dimensions or status dimensions sometimes used to define Great Power status.

"The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" was a fascinating read, especially to help better understand some of the economic reasons for the failures of Great Powers in the 20th Century and to gain greater insight into what sometimes motivated leaders to make the choices they did. I found it difficult to put down at times as most histories on this era look strictly at the political considerations for particular courses of action rather than the economic concerns. Indeed often times it seems as though most histories are written by political scientists than by economists. Adding this book to the repertoire helps to balance that situation rather smartly, although it does beg the question of why histories incorporate so little economic information.

"The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" is indeed the tour de force that many of the reviews heralded it as being. Economics is frequently labeled the "dismal science" but when written as well as Kennedy does, it is a gripping and engaging read. In his effort to determine if states can have guns and butter or if it is an either-or proposition the answer is resoundingly clear.

I first read this book about 20-25 years ago. It was a watershed moment for me to read how Robert Kennedy sought consensus for his views, and how he ran up against those who didn't care to be a force for change. One can feel through the pages (as I did) how RFK was continuously haunted by the death of his brother only one year prior to these interviews. This was the text that prompted me to participate in our democracy. As a young man, it also showed me how I could get more of what I wanted by seeking support for my own vision.

Judie Mills does an extraordinary job of presenting Robert Kennedy, his life and the issues he faced as a politician to a young audience. She gives an excellent, in-depth accounting of the man's early life, the experiences that shaped his character as a man. We see young Bobby, at age 4, hurling himself into the ocean, determined to teach himself how to swim. That experience follows him throughout his life and it is that single determined approach he appears to take on most stands. As an undergraduate, he doggedly pursues a place on the football field and as an adult, he doggedly pursues Teamsters and Mafiosi. In reading of his interrogation of the men he regarded as "foes," one can almost imagine a little Bobby superimposed on the face of the future Attorney General, flinging himself headlong into the ocean determined to swim. And swim he does in the face of the Rackets Committee (aka "Get [Jimmy]Hoffa Squad.")

In 1965, Robert Kennedy, then a Senator undertakes another grueling challenge. A self admitted acrophobe, he along with Mt. Everestt climbers Barry Prather and Jim Whittaker scale Mt. Kennedy, a previously unscaled Canadian Mountain. One tracks his progress as he makes his way up that mountain, only to emerge victorious on March 27, 1965. The boy who taught himself to swim was revisited in the man who climbed that mountain.

Robert Kennedy was my very first hero as a child and this is a book I would have LOVED! (I STILL have my 1968 copies of "Life" in re the assassination). His work with civil rights issues, Farmworkers, minorities and other disenfranchised persons certainly makes for interesting reading. This book does him a big service by portraying him in a very sympathetic light. Readers do come away with the feeling that the man was sincere in his efforts and the question is always left hanging -- what would the outcome of this world today be had this man lived to be elected president in 1968?

the texts are very complete, but a little bit boring.the best part were the photos! there are some very rare ones.
not buy it if you are not interessed in RFK.

Both of my children love this book. We read it before bed.They learntreasured nursery rhymes and about Jesus in a delightful way. Great christening gift!

where was this book publisher

Get to see Rogue in all his humble beginnings, before he became blue. See how he got his talking gun, talking backpack, and talking helmet. Beautifully drawn and written "the future of war" was originally printed in 1981/1982 by 2000AD, progs 228-232, 234-243, 246-258, 260-262, 265.

Kennedy has done it again! This is the definitive treatment of Hockey on Wheels. The author reveals his (presumably) lifelong devotion to sports-on-wheels, combining an encyclopedic recitation of the key facts with a narrative that makes this must reading for the casual observer, the beginner, and the grizzled veteran alike. Perfect companion to his page-turning "Skateboarding." A crowning achievement.

Roman Song follows Fergal Flynn's progress picking up directly from The Arrival of Fergal Flynn, as Fergal leaves his native Belfast and arrives in Rome ready to commence his training under the tutelage of international opera star Alfredo Moretti.
Fergal settles in quickly, working in and living above the family restaurant of Alfredo's sister Arianna while pursuing his singing lessons. But he desperately misses the intimacy he enjoyed with Father Dermot MacManus, his saviour and lover in Belfast. He struggles too to find his true self and unleash the full depth of his remarkable talent, held back by feelings on inadequacy and his troubled Belfast upbringing.
Alfredo has to confront his own problems when a figure from his past arrives in Rome, at the same Fergal receives tragic news from home, presenting them both with difficult challenges that will have far reaching effects.
But there are bright prospects in view individually for both Fergal and Alfredo, will they have the strength, courage and confidence to recognise them and grasp them.
The moving Arrival of Fergal Flynn introduced us to an appealing but vulnerable character and this sequel is every bit as delightful as we follow Fergal's progress and see the roughness of his Belfast upbringing tempered as he finds himself in environment in which he truly feels at home. A very moving and heart-warming love story, at times funny, but always captivating and enthralling; Roman Song is highly recommended.

It's a wonderful book for those history buffs. I especially loved the historic photos. I would definitely recommend this book.