Thirteen Days is participant Robert F. Kennedy's memoir of the Cuban missile crisis that occurs from October 16 to October 28,1962.This event is precipitated when Soviet offensive weapons are found in Cuba, contrary to public and private promises by Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev.President John F. Kennedy an Executive Committee of the National Security Council or "Ex Comm," whose members talk, argue, and fight their way to giving him recommendations to act on. One faction led by Defense Secretary McNamara favors quarantine and blockade options, while others advocate air strike and invasion.Everyone present agrees that time is running out. JFK decides on blockade, requests, and receives support from the Organization of American States and European
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This plus the shooting down of a U-2 intensifies the situation, but JFK has Sorenson and RFK compose a response accepting Khrushchev's original "offer" and ignoring the second. RFK summons Dobrynin, reveals what the U.S. knows about activities in Cuba, and insists the U.S. needs a positive answer to the letter en route to Moscow. JFK wants peaceful relations and to move forward on controlling nuclear weapons -after the crisis is behind them.Military confrontation seems likely when word comes the Soviets have agreed to withdraw their missiles. The final lesson of the Cuban missile crisis is the importance of putting oneself in another's shoes. Participants are forbidden to give interviews or claim victory. JFK respects Khrushchev for doing his job and for looking out for the interests of mankind. It is a triumph for the next generation rather than for any particular government or people. Neustadt and Allison's Afterword analyses RFK's memoir on three levels. The questions that they bring to light include how humans control the power to destroy humankind, how the American presidency works in microcosm, and how the roles of Congress and the Presidency relate in time of
This plus the shooting down of a U-2 intensifies the situation, but JFK has Sorenson and RFK compose a response accepting Khrushchev's original "offer" and ignoring the second. RFK summons Dobrynin, reveals what the U.S. knows about activities in Cuba, and insists the U.S. needs a positive answer to the letter en route to Moscow. JFK wants peaceful relations and to move forward on controlling nuclear weapons -after the crisis is behind them.Military confrontation seems likely when word comes the Soviets have agreed to withdraw their missiles. The final lesson of the Cuban missile crisis is the importance of putting oneself in another's shoes. Participants are forbidden to give interviews or claim victory. JFK respects Khrushchev for doing his job and for looking out for the interests of mankind. It is a triumph for the next generation rather than for any particular government or people. Neustadt and Allison's Afterword analyses RFK's memoir on three levels. The questions that they bring to light include how humans control the power to destroy humankind, how the American presidency works in microcosm, and how the roles of Congress and the Presidency relate in time of