An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s

“We talked for five hours straight. He had an edgy nonconformist streak, as well as a distinct gravity, a world-weariness, a sharp wit, yet in his eyes and gestures a kindness.”

The juxtaposition of Dick’s nonconformist streak with his kindness portrays him as a complex character. Goodwin’s use of contrasting traits—gravity and wit—emphasizes the multifaceted nature of his personality, making him an intriguing and captivating figure.

“How would I know what I was like as a young man? I was too busy being him.”

This quote occurs when Doris asks Dick about his younger self, highlighting his reluctance to reflect on his past. Dick’s response underscores a motif in the memoir—living fully in the moment without the luxury of retrospective analysis. It also reflects his pragmatic and somewhat dismissive attitude towards introspection, contrasting with Doris’s methodical and reflective approach as a historian.

“I have often wondered of the feelings of the drivers of cars edging themselves through the narrow, dark roads high up in the mountains whose headlights suddenly illuminated four men, in sport coats and ties, arm in arm, singing Dixie at the top of our out of tune lungs.”

This quote describes a moment from Dick’s travels in Europe during his army service, illustrating a carefree and exuberant time in his life. The imagery of this scene captures the spontaneity and joy of youth, contrasting with the structured and pressured environment of his later years. It showcases Dick’s ability to find happiness and camaraderie in simple, unexpected moments, adding depth to his character portrayal.

“A dead end? So you thought, at twenty-six, you’d be stuck in some sort of Senate cubicle forever?”

Doris questions Dick’s initial reaction to potentially working for Kennedy, reflecting on his youthful skepticism about the opportunity. This quote highlights Dick’s early misgivings about a political career, revealing his initial inability to foresee the potential growth and opportunities such a role could offer. It underscores a common youthful uncertainty about career paths and the difficulty of predicting future success.

“He asked me all kinds of questions about my experience at Harvard Law School, about my work on the court, reiterating that Justice Frankfurter was not one of his supporters.”

Dick recounts his second meeting with Kennedy in January 1959, where Kennedy took a more personal and engaged approach. This quote illustrates Kennedy’s strategic and inquisitive nature, showcasing his ability to make individuals feel valued and understood. It also subtly references the political tensions and alliances that influenced Kennedy’s relationships and decisions, adding depth to his character portrayal.

“‘Nice speech, Dick.’ ‘Both of them,’ Dick acknowledged, knowing full well that the substance of his speech had been drowned out by the virtuoso improvisation that so gratified the Democratic audience.”

Kennedy compliments Dick on the speech after a successful rally, recognizing both the prepared text and the impromptu elements Kennedy added. This quote underscores the dynamic nature of political speechmaking, where planned and spontaneous elements intertwine. It reflects Kennedy’s ability to adapt and improvise, enhancing his connection with the audience and demonstrating the collaborative effort behind successful public speaking.

“It shows his [JFK’s] first use of the phrase that later in his Inaugural address became ‘Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.’”

This quote is part of a note Jackie Kennedy wrote on an envelope containing JFK’s talking points for a speech in Alaska, indicating the origin of his famous inaugural phrase. This quote highlights the evolutionary process of iconic rhetoric, illustrating how a simple campaign note transformed into a timeless call to action. The literary device of anaphora in “Ask not” effectively underscores the message of civic responsibility and has since become emblematic of Kennedy’s presidency.

“‘There wasn’t a Black face in the entire group,’ Kennedy continued without waiting for an answer. ‘That’s not acceptable. Something has to be done about it.’”

This passage is President Kennedy’s reaction to the absence of Black individuals in the Coast Guard detachment during the inaugural parade. This quote reveals Kennedy’s immediate and personal commitment to addressing racial inequality, reflecting his broader civil rights agenda. The use of direct speech and the abrupt tone convey the urgency and determination behind his directive, signaling a shift from rhetoric to actionable policy.

“Here I am in my eighties and my thirties at the same time. I’m burning my life candle at both ends!”

Here, Richard Goodwin reflects on his relentless work ethic despite his advanced age. This quote uses the metaphor of a candle burning at both ends to illustrate Richard’s undiminished intellectual fervor and energy despite the physical limitations of old age. The juxtaposition of his chronological age with his youthful spirit underscores his enduring dedication and passion for his work.

“‘I heard time’s winged chariot hurrying near,’ he said, citing Andrew Marvell’s ‘To His Coy Mistress,’ but then grinned, adding, ‘maybe it was only the hiss of my hearing aid.’”

In this quote, Richard Goodwin humorously reflects on his aging process after a fall. He employs a literary allusion to Andrew Marvell’s poem to convey a sense of the inevitability of aging and mortality. The humor injected with the mention of his hearing aid’s hiss adds a layer of levity, showcasing Richard Goodwin’s ability to confront the challenges of aging with wit and grace.

“‘Political affairs are kaleidoscopic,’ cautioned Theodore Roosevelt in a letter to his sister Anna in 1907.”

This quote opens the chapter, introducing the metaphor of the kaleidoscope to describe the unpredictable nature of political life. The metaphor of the kaleidoscope effectively conveys the sudden and dramatic shifts in political and personal fortunes, underscoring the chapter’s discussion of unpredictability. Roosevelt’s insight provides a historical parallel that contextualizes the tumultuous events following Kennedy’s assassination, illustrating how quickly and drastically circumstances can change.

“‘I didn’t know what to do,’ Dick said. His jumbled thoughts on the day of Kennedy’s death were recorded in his diary.”

This quote captures Richard Goodwin’s immediate reaction to hearing about Kennedy’s assassination. The simplicity and directness of Richard’s words convey his shock and helplessness, emphasizing the emotional chaos of the moment and highlighting The Personal Impact of Historical Figures. The diary entry format adds authenticity and immediacy, allowing readers to connect with Richard’s raw, unfiltered response to the tragedy.

“‘Lyndon Johnson was thirteen of the most complex people I ever knew,’ recalled Bill Moyers. ‘You had to deal with a different persona from day to day or from week to week.’”

This quote emphasizes the multifaceted nature of Johnson’s character, illustrating the challenges faced by those who worked closely with him. The use of “thirteen of the most complex people” as a metaphor highlights the extreme variability and depth of Johnson’s persona, underscoring the need for adaptability and resilience among his staff.

“Sometimes those changes, as Dick and I discovered, could tear open a peaceful blue sky with a lightning bolt.”

The imagery of a lightning bolt tearing open a peaceful sky effectively conveys the sudden and intense nature of Johnson’s emotional changes. This metaphor highlights the unpredictability and potential volatility of Johnson’s moods, creating an atmosphere of constant tension and uncertainty for his aides.

“You drink with Dirksen! You talk with Dirksen! You listen to Dirksen!”

This passage is Johnson’s directive to his team about the importance of gaining support from Republican leader Everett Dirksen for the Civil Rights Bill. Johnson’s repetitive and emphatic instruction underscores his strategic approach to securing legislative support. The use of direct commands (“You drink with Dirksen! You talk with Dirksen!”) highlights Johnson’s determination and hands-on leadership style, emphasizing the crucial role of personal relationships and persuasion in political maneuvering.

“Now let none of us in any section look with prideful righteousness on the troubles in another section, or the problems of our neighbors. There is really no part of America where the promise of equality has been fully kept.”

This statement, from one of Johnson’s speeches, underscores the pervasive and systemic nature of racial discrimination in America, urging a collective responsibility to address these injustices. The inclusive language and appeal to shared values aim to unify the nation in the pursuit of civil rights, challenging all Americans to reflect on their role in perpetuating or dismantling inequality.

“Like a fly stuck on a sticky spiral of flypaper, it was not so easy to wriggle free.”

In this quote, Dick Goodwin describes his attempts to resign from his position at the White House. This simile captures the sense of entrapment and frustration experienced by Richard Goodwin. The imagery of a fly stuck on flypaper emphasizes the difficulty of extricating oneself from a sticky, inescapable situation, highlighting Johnson’s relentless efforts to retain Richard despite his clear intentions to leave.

“‘Look how many boxes we have left,’ he exclaimed, pulling an unlit, well-chewed cigar from his lips and waving it over the boxes. ‘See, Jackie and Bobby here, more Lyndon, riots and protests, McCarthy, antiwar marches, assassinations. Look at them! Boxes of treasure and Pandora’s boxes.’”

Richard Goodwin comments on the numerous boxes of historical documents he is organizing. This quote metaphorically contrasts the boxes as “treasure” and “Pandora’s boxes,” symbolizing both the value and the potential turmoil contained within the documents. The imagery of “an unlit, well-chewed cigar” adds a personal touch, highlighting Goodwin’s intimate connection to these historical events.

“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

The quote comes from Robert Kennedy’s “Ripple of Hope” speech at the University of Cape Town. This metaphor compares individual acts of courage to “ripples of hope,” illustrating how collective efforts can lead to significant social change. The imagery of “sweeping down the mightiest walls of oppression” emphasizes the potential impact of these actions, inspiring audiences to believe in the power of their contributions.

“Bobby was the right person at the right time. That time would never return in quite the same way.”

Goodwin reflects on Robert Kennedy’s indecision about running for president and the missed opportunity it represented. This quote reveals the sense of regret and loss felt by Goodwin, highlighting The Personal Impact of Historical Figures. It underscores the belief that Kennedy’s candidacy could have significantly altered the course of history, emphasizing the fleeting nature of political opportunities and the long-lasting impact of pivotal decisions.

“‘The whole country seemed to be suffering from paralysis, a post-traumatic stress after the deaths of King and Kennedy. I felt I had to do something,’ Dick said, ‘be with people where something might happen.’”

This quote highlights the pervasive sense of national grief and inertia following the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy. Goodwin’s use of “paralysis” and “post-traumatic stress” underscores the emotional impact these events had on the American psyche, again referring to The Personal Impact of Historical Figures. It also reflects Dick’s personal drive to remain actively engaged in political efforts, seeking solace in action amidst widespread despair.

“‘Goodwin is like a professional ballplayer,’ [McCarthy] reflected. ‘You could trade him from the Braves to the Cardinals, and he wouldn’t miss his pitching turn and he wouldn’t give away your signals to the other team.’”

McCarthy’s comparison of Dick to a professional ballplayer emphasizes his steadfast loyalty and adaptability. This metaphor illustrates Dick’s ability to maintain his integrity and commitment regardless of political shifts. It also portrays Dick as a reliable and principled figure in the tumultuous landscape of 1968 politics, reinforcing his dedication to the causes he supported.

“‘I want to live long enough to finish the book.’ This determination had much more to do with living than with writing.”

Dick’s declaration about finishing the book symbolizes his desire to continue contributing and finding purpose despite his illness. It highlights the therapeutic and motivational power of their joint project, which serves as a talisman, representing hope, continuity, and a shared commitment to their life’s work.