AN UNFINISHED LOVE STORY

By Doris Kearns Goodwin

Doris Kearns Goodwin has done it again!  This time she has presented us with a sensitive and riveting account of the of the political machinations surrounding the presidencies of JFK and LBJ. Her beloved husband Richard Goodwin was a masterful writer whose words brought to life the policies of the Great Society.  The author, in her 70’s, encouraged Richard, in his 80’s, to revisit the treasure trove of memorabilia that he had amassed as a speech writer and chronicler of the 1960’s.  The book is written as memoir, the setting of which is the Goodwin’s study.  The couple retired after dinner, evening after evening - typically with a bottle of wine in hand – to systematically wade through the boxes of treasured memorabilia. The book weaves together the love and sensitivity of this devoted couple with an unfolding account of the 1960’s that I hated to see end!  I whole-heartedly recommend this book and urge you to listen to the audio version.  It is read by the author herself and includes actual recordings of many of the cited speeches and conversations.

Susan Barron