I took three pages of notes while reading Doris Kearns Goodwin’s An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s. Why? I’m not writing a book report, and this is the only review I’m writing. But, the story of the 1960s, as seen by Dick and Doris Kearns Goodwin is fascinating, and I just felt as if I needed the notes.
The historians were married for forty-two years. But, their experiences in their twenties and thirties, before they even met, set the map for the rest of their lives. To tell the story of their careers, particularly Dick’s, the couple opened three hundred boxes of letters, documents, and memorabilia. Dick was in his eighties, and Doris in her mid-seventies when they started their project.
Dick Goodwin was one of the “brilliant young men of John F. Kennedy’s New Frontier”. He was one of Kennedy’s primary speechwriters. Kennedy was his idol. In his thirties, Dick wrote about and helped design LBJ’s Great Society. He was always idealistic, and wanted the best for the country. When he wanted to move on with his life, he had to fight to leave LBJ’s White House. Dick’s speeches helped Eugene McCarthy, and Robert Kennedy. While he idolized JFK, Dick was closer to RFK. He loved him, and saw him as the future of the country. In Dick’s memories are stories of these men, along with their interactions with Martin Luther King, Jr., and others, the important movers of the 1960s.
Doris Kearns Goodwin’s memories of her time with LBJ starts just before she was selected as a White House Fellow, despite the article in The New Republic, “How to Remove LBJ in 1968”. She was in her twenties, idealistic as well, and went to work at the Department of Labor, advocating for Johnson’s Great Society programs, and helping them to move ahead. Eventually, she was transferred to the White House where she often worked directly with the President. Although she turned him down when he was retiring and wanted her to help write his memoirs, she eventually found a way to work part-time for him, while teaching at Harvard.
Goodwin’s book is the story of the tumultuous 1960s, and the tragedies of 1968. But, it’s also the story of two people who loved each other, but were conflicted for years over their opinions of the men they worked for. While Dick’s loyalties were with the Kennedys, Doris appreciated and loved Johnson. As they worked on this project together, though, she acknowledged that their debates over the years were about the “respective investments of our youth, questions of loyalty and love”.
In the end, there was no question about the loyalty and love the Goodwins had for each other.
If you’re fascinated by the 1960s, and what happened in those years, you’ll want to pick up this book, told from the viewpoints of two people who were in the midst of the history, in “The Room Where it Happens”. An Unfinished Love Story is a memoir and history.
Doris Kearns Goodwin’s website is https://doriskearnsgoodwin.com/
An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Simon & Schuster, 2024. ISBN 9781982108663 (hardcover), 480p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I read a galley through NetGalley, with no promise of a positive review.
I heard about this book yesterday on NPR. I am a big fan of the author.
Ditto.
And it’s not just politics. I highly recommend her book WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR, her memoir of growing up a Brooklyn Dodgers fan in the great era of NYC baseball, her relationship with her father, and the magic day when Brooklyn won its only World Series in 1955.
You’re right, Jeff. I read that years ago, and it’s wonderful, too. Can’t you just hear Doris Kearns Goodwin when you read her books?
One of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors! I grew up about the same time in a town near by Doris . Baseball was so much a part of our lives and connection to our parents… In my case it was my mother, father and my brother! Though we were Crazy Dodger Fans, we were always saying, “Wait ‘till next year!”
The author is top notch, not just as an author but because she is so enthusiastic about her subject you can’t help but go along for the ride!
Terrific book, Carol.
I just love listening to her. Her voice and warmth are so calming — no matter what she says. An American treasure.
Richard, I agree. Your phrasing is perfect. She’s an American treasure.
Being a fan of Doris Kearns Goodwin, as well as a “girl of the 60’s,” this is a book I will definitely be reading. Terrific review, Lesa.
You’re welcome, Kaye. Oh, you’re going to love it.
I concur. A truly wonderful review of her personal history in an era more dynamic than most people are likely to remember.
I heartily recommend reading this book as soon as you can.
In fact I want to re-read it again this summer.
Her training as a historian provides her with a sharper more balanced eye than if someone like me was to reflect on those times.
On pp 170-171 in Unfinished Love Story, who is Sandra???
I’m afraid I had a library book, Kathy, so I don’t have a copy here at home. I can’t answer that without seeing it in context.
I believe she is Dick’s first wife.
Really enjoyed the book. Actually I listen to it on audio and I must say it really came to life. Hearing her voice tell her story was wonderful and of course, hearing the voice of Lyndon Johnson just brought it all back. Our Book Club is discussing it this afternoon and we were all part of the 60s.
Stacy, You’ll have to let us know what your Book Club thought. She read the book? I can tell that would be special. I’ve heard her speak, and I can imagine how good it was to hear her.
I’m listening to it on Audible & truly fascinated. Our time comes roaring back in my mind
She does bring back those times beautifully, doesn’t she, Patricia?
A friend and I went to Springfield IL (home of so many Lincoln sites) to hear Goodwin talk about this book. She spoke for over an hour with no notes at 81 years young! It was delightful. I fell in love with her after reading Team of Rivals.
Isn’t she wonderful to listen to, Ann? I heard her once, and I could listen forever.
I am sure the book is wonderful but is it suitable for book club discussion being nonfiction and not having a story arc? We are all in our 70s so can definitely relate to the events.
Valerie, I think it would be suitable for book club discussion. It has a time arc, if not a story arc, and I’m sure you can all talk about that.