Doris Kearns Goodwin's new book is part memoir, part history of the 1960s
May 27, 2024
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Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin discusses her new book 'An Unfinished Love Story,' based on her husband's archives from his time as a presidential aide. She reflects on personal anecdotes like the 1960 debates and relationships with Kennedy and Johnson, highlighting the social movements and achievements of the 1960s.
'An Unfinished Love Story' delves into the personal and historical journey of Doris Kearns Goodwin and her late husband's political contributions.
Richard Goodwin's role in American politics highlights his influence on pivotal moments like the passage of the Voting Rights Act.
Deep dives
Marriage and History Exploration Through Boxes
Doris Kearns Goodwin's journey with her late husband is a blend of personal life and historical discovery. Upon marriage, her husband's 300 boxes, artifacts from his time as a presidential aide for JFK and LBJ, became a time capsule. Together, they delved into the 1960s, reliving historical moments like the Kennedy-Nixon debates. Goodwin's book, 'An Unfinished Love Story', encapsulates this shared exploration and history.
Richard Goodwin's Impact and Legacy in American Politics
Richard Goodwin's contributions to American politics and civil rights are revealed through Doris Kearns Goodwin's insights. As an advisor to presidents like Kennedy and Johnson, Goodwin played a pivotal role in moments like the passage of the Voting Rights Act. His ability to bridge trust among powerful figures amidst class differences shaped his legacy. The quest for remembrance and the hope to inspire future generations drive Goodwin's story, reflecting the transformative spirit of the 1960s.
When Dick Goodwin reached his 80s, he asked his wife – historian Doris Kearns Goodwin – to finally open and sift through the hundreds of boxes he'd kept from his time as a presidential aide and speechwriter to John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson and as advisor to Robert Kennedy. What resulted is An Unfinished Love Story, a new book by Kearns Goodwin with a personal lens to the history of the 1960s. In today's episode, she speaks to NPR's Steve Inskeep about what she found in her husband's archives and what she learned revisiting that time period. To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday