An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s
Product ID: 571463626
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The #1 New York Times bestseller from “America’s historian-in-chief” ( New York magazine). An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s by Doris Kearns Goodwin, one of America’s most beloved historians, artfully weaves together biography, memoir, and history. She takes you along on the emotional journey she and her husband, Richard (Dick) Goodwin, embarked upon in the last years of his life. Dick and Doris Goodwin were married for forty-two years and married to American history even longer. In his twenties, Dick was one of the brilliant young men of John F. Kennedy’s New Frontier. In his thirties he both named and helped design Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society and was a speechwriter and close advisor to Robert Kennedy. Doris Kearns was a twenty-four-year-old graduate student when selected as a White House Fellow. She worked directly for Lyndon Johnson and later assisted on his memoir. Over the years, with humor, anger, frustration, and in the end, a growing understanding, Dick and Doris had argued over the achievements and failings of the leaders they served and observed, debating the progress and unfinished promises of the country they both loved. The Goodwins’ last great adventure involved finally opening the more than three hundred boxes of letters, diaries, documents, and memorabilia that Dick had saved for more than fifty years. They soon realized they had before them an unparalleled personal time capsule of the 1960s, illuminating public and private moments of a decade when individuals were powered by the conviction they could make a difference; a time, like today, marked by struggles for racial and economic justice, a time when lines were drawn and loyalties tested. Their expedition gave Dick’s last years renewed purpose and determination. It gave Doris the opportunity to connect and reconnect with participants and witnesses of pivotal moments of the 1960s. And it gave them both an opportunity to make fresh assessments of the central figures of the time—John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy, Eugene McCarthy, and especially Lyndon Johnson, who greatly impacted both their lives. The voyage of remembrance brought unexpected discoveries, forgiveness, and the renewal of old dreams, reviving the hope that the youth of today will carry forward this unfinished love story with America. Review: A Beautiful Personal History you will Enjoy - An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin – 5 Stars An Unfinished Love Story is an absolute masterpiece that blends history, personal reflection, and a deeply moving love story into a single compelling narrative. This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite books of 2025! I’ve been an admirer of Doris Kearns Goodwin for years. I had the incredible privilege of meeting her at the Lincoln Library in Springfield, Illinois, during an event for her brilliant book Team of Rivals. That signed first edition has a special place in my library. But let’s get to the real magic of this latest work. I received a signed copy of An Unfinished Love Story from my wonderful wife for Christmas, and I’ll admit, it sat on my shelf for a while as I immersed myself in Roman history and philosophy texts. But when I finally started listening to the Audible version a few weeks ago, I was completely captivated. The addition of original recordings of speeches from JFK, Bobby Kennedy, and LBJ makes the book feel even more alive, especially since Doris’s husband, Dick Goodwin, was such a significant behind-the-scenes figure in those political circles. He crafted speeches for presidents, advised Bobby Kennedy, and even met with Che Guevara! There are so many historical gems scattered throughout this book—it’s a history lover’s dream. But what makes this book so special isn’t just the historical context; it’s the personal story of Doris and Dick’s life together. An Unfinished Love Story is a beautifully intimate account of their years spent sifting through old boxes of memories, trying to make sense of the love and legacy they built together. Doris Kearns Goodwin’s storytelling is nothing short of magical—her attention to detail, her ability to weave together significant historical events with personal anecdotes, and her emotional depth make this book unforgettable. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. The book covers everything from the civil rights movement to US relations with Latin America. It’s an inspiring and emotional journey, filled with beautiful stories of public service, personal sacrifice, and, of course, love. In the end, this is more than just a history book or a memoir. It’s a celebration of life, love, and history as seen through the eyes of two extraordinary people. If you’re a fan of Doris Kearns Goodwin’s work or simply someone who appreciates a well-told, heartfelt story, you need to read this book. Review: Don't Dare Miss the Joy and Learning of Reading this Book - I recommend this book with great enthusiasm. It is one of the most heartfelt books I’ve ever read. It’s a tribute to DKG’s husband, Richard Goodwin, but it is also a “you are there” journey through so many of the movements of the mid-1960s which we hold up as examples of what we aspire to achieve at our best: the Great Society, voting rights, an attack on poverty. While I lament the failure to deliver on these visions after 60 years, they continue to shine a light on the nation we must seek to realize. Ms. Goodwin has put together a remarkable blend of history, personal memoir, perspective and human feeling that will remain with me for a long time. I believe it will touch you. Her perspectives and recollections of Bobby Kenned leap from the page. I truly believe that among the men and women who have died prematurely during my adult lifetime, none has probably had a greater negative impact on history than the assassination of Bobby Kennedy. If he had lived and won the presidency, which I think was likely, this country would have been different in so many ways. We would have exited the Vietnam War sooner with less deaths. But most importantly, I think he uniquely among the politicians over the last 60 years had the heart and mind and voice and spirit to bring people together, across race and across class. His contemporaneous remarks the night Martin Luther King died will forever remain with me, his quotation from Aeschylus—“In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom, through the awful grace of God.” “Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: To tame the savageness of man and to make gentle the life of this world…” “Let us dedicate ourselves to that, and say a prayer for our country and for our people.” I have admired Doris Kearns Goodwin’s writings about presidents and leadership for decades. Never, however, have I admired her soul as I do now. What a life she has lived; what a timeless tribute she has written to her husband. His role was principally that of an agitator and speechwriter. His fingerprints were all over President Johnson’s greatest speeches driving the domestic revolutions of the mid-1960s. He played a big role in Bobby Kennedy’s “Ripple of Hope” talk in South Africa. DKG has rescued the forgotten or never known role of most speechwriters for her husband. This is a worthy tribute and it is, perhaps above all, a tribute to her. I’m confident you will enjoy this, Greg. Warmly, John cc FGP PS – This is a fragment of William Wordsworth’s poem, Intimations of Immortality, which was a favorite of Doris’ husband, Dick. She had read it to him close to his death at the age of 86. When she finished reading it, he turned to her and from memory repeated it: “Though nothing can bring back the hour Of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower We will grieve not, rather find Strength in what remains behind.” I love this. It touches me at this stage of my life. For obvious reasons. Not just satisfaction, but glory in what remains behind. The memories, of course, but even more, the satisfaction and confidence that knowing I have four children and they have four spouses and we have ten grandchildren who I know, who I am absolutely certain will go on to do different but good things. No one could ask for anything more than that. And more…there are other leaders whom I know, much younger than I, like you, who through the grace of God will live on much longer than I will, who will continue to pursue the unfinished business of this country and provide the opportunity for everyone to achieve their full potential, without discrimination, with the benefits of health and education that everyone deserves.
| Best Sellers Rank | #24,364 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #16 in US Presidents #138 in United States History (Books) #198 in Memoirs (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 8,629 Reviews |
L**K
A Beautiful Personal History you will Enjoy
An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin – 5 Stars An Unfinished Love Story is an absolute masterpiece that blends history, personal reflection, and a deeply moving love story into a single compelling narrative. This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite books of 2025! I’ve been an admirer of Doris Kearns Goodwin for years. I had the incredible privilege of meeting her at the Lincoln Library in Springfield, Illinois, during an event for her brilliant book Team of Rivals. That signed first edition has a special place in my library. But let’s get to the real magic of this latest work. I received a signed copy of An Unfinished Love Story from my wonderful wife for Christmas, and I’ll admit, it sat on my shelf for a while as I immersed myself in Roman history and philosophy texts. But when I finally started listening to the Audible version a few weeks ago, I was completely captivated. The addition of original recordings of speeches from JFK, Bobby Kennedy, and LBJ makes the book feel even more alive, especially since Doris’s husband, Dick Goodwin, was such a significant behind-the-scenes figure in those political circles. He crafted speeches for presidents, advised Bobby Kennedy, and even met with Che Guevara! There are so many historical gems scattered throughout this book—it’s a history lover’s dream. But what makes this book so special isn’t just the historical context; it’s the personal story of Doris and Dick’s life together. An Unfinished Love Story is a beautifully intimate account of their years spent sifting through old boxes of memories, trying to make sense of the love and legacy they built together. Doris Kearns Goodwin’s storytelling is nothing short of magical—her attention to detail, her ability to weave together significant historical events with personal anecdotes, and her emotional depth make this book unforgettable. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. The book covers everything from the civil rights movement to US relations with Latin America. It’s an inspiring and emotional journey, filled with beautiful stories of public service, personal sacrifice, and, of course, love. In the end, this is more than just a history book or a memoir. It’s a celebration of life, love, and history as seen through the eyes of two extraordinary people. If you’re a fan of Doris Kearns Goodwin’s work or simply someone who appreciates a well-told, heartfelt story, you need to read this book.
J**R
Don't Dare Miss the Joy and Learning of Reading this Book
I recommend this book with great enthusiasm. It is one of the most heartfelt books I’ve ever read. It’s a tribute to DKG’s husband, Richard Goodwin, but it is also a “you are there” journey through so many of the movements of the mid-1960s which we hold up as examples of what we aspire to achieve at our best: the Great Society, voting rights, an attack on poverty. While I lament the failure to deliver on these visions after 60 years, they continue to shine a light on the nation we must seek to realize. Ms. Goodwin has put together a remarkable blend of history, personal memoir, perspective and human feeling that will remain with me for a long time. I believe it will touch you. Her perspectives and recollections of Bobby Kenned leap from the page. I truly believe that among the men and women who have died prematurely during my adult lifetime, none has probably had a greater negative impact on history than the assassination of Bobby Kennedy. If he had lived and won the presidency, which I think was likely, this country would have been different in so many ways. We would have exited the Vietnam War sooner with less deaths. But most importantly, I think he uniquely among the politicians over the last 60 years had the heart and mind and voice and spirit to bring people together, across race and across class. His contemporaneous remarks the night Martin Luther King died will forever remain with me, his quotation from Aeschylus—“In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom, through the awful grace of God.” “Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: To tame the savageness of man and to make gentle the life of this world…” “Let us dedicate ourselves to that, and say a prayer for our country and for our people.” I have admired Doris Kearns Goodwin’s writings about presidents and leadership for decades. Never, however, have I admired her soul as I do now. What a life she has lived; what a timeless tribute she has written to her husband. His role was principally that of an agitator and speechwriter. His fingerprints were all over President Johnson’s greatest speeches driving the domestic revolutions of the mid-1960s. He played a big role in Bobby Kennedy’s “Ripple of Hope” talk in South Africa. DKG has rescued the forgotten or never known role of most speechwriters for her husband. This is a worthy tribute and it is, perhaps above all, a tribute to her. I’m confident you will enjoy this, Greg. Warmly, John cc FGP PS – This is a fragment of William Wordsworth’s poem, Intimations of Immortality, which was a favorite of Doris’ husband, Dick. She had read it to him close to his death at the age of 86. When she finished reading it, he turned to her and from memory repeated it: “Though nothing can bring back the hour Of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower We will grieve not, rather find Strength in what remains behind.” I love this. It touches me at this stage of my life. For obvious reasons. Not just satisfaction, but glory in what remains behind. The memories, of course, but even more, the satisfaction and confidence that knowing I have four children and they have four spouses and we have ten grandchildren who I know, who I am absolutely certain will go on to do different but good things. No one could ask for anything more than that. And more…there are other leaders whom I know, much younger than I, like you, who through the grace of God will live on much longer than I will, who will continue to pursue the unfinished business of this country and provide the opportunity for everyone to achieve their full potential, without discrimination, with the benefits of health and education that everyone deserves.
A**R
Great read.
Wonderful story by a wonderful author. Doris Kearns Goodwin gives us an authentic historical account of her and her husband’s experiences in and around the White House. All the while giving us an intimate look at their personal relationship.
M**.
Excellent read of an important decade in our history
Beautiful book with tremendous insight by someone who was there and lived through the 1960s and worked closely with JFK and LBJ. Doris Kearns Goodwin writes so history is brought to life and you feel like you are in the room.
E**R
True history book and a bit of a read
Author intro is a good overview of what's to come. Includes photos which most find interesting in true history books. Writing style is good and feels like author is speaking to reader in a personal manner. Good insights about time periods covered. Great book club option.
J**E
An Unfinished Love Story, Doris Kearns Goodwin
Doris Kearns Goodwin wrote a lovely memoir of her marriage to Dick Goodwin and the fifty years they shared. The political insights during the Kennedy/Johnson years are interesting to read. This is a lovely love story and political history.
K**E
A wonderful history of the 1960s and the Kennedy years
A wonderful history of the 1960s and the Kennedy years in the U.S. written by an insider. So deeply researched! I loved this book. It got me started on Doris Kearns Godwin’s other books.
C**N
Cogent history of 60's America
Utterly riveting. I came of age in the 60's but was typically self involved. But thsnk you goodness for the Dick Goodwins and Doris KG who tried to make t h e world a better, fairer place. A quaint notion in these treacherous times. I recommend Audible version. DKG hails from same home town as i so enjoyed the ny accent. But more importantly, she includes seminak audio clips.
B**S
Accessible read of complex history
A beautifully told story of a turbulent period of US politics. Also a love story over several decades. Makes sense of complexity with enlivened yet easily understandable prose.
C**G
Knowledge and technologiy as well as analysis
very practising, effective and useful as well as have a very great analysis.
E**U
Tô em que ir online e físico o livro
A história eh boa
M**H
Private and Public Life in the 1960s and the struggles for civil rights
As usual with Doris Kern Godwin's histories this book is more than just a history of the Kennedys and President Johnson and the fight for civil rights. With the background of the sixties Ms Godwin also gives us a detailed picture of her husband and herself in those exciting times, working in the White House, writing famous speeches for the presidents (her husband), sharing President Johnson's memories near the end of his life (herself) and the many devoted Americans who believed in the changing times and the end of racism. It is also the story of Godwin's life with her husband and their shared interests and love of America. Written after the death of her husband, the book is a tribute to him and to his political fights.
R**D
Doris Kearns Goodwin at her superb best!!
History and Love-story for one and all —- ages, persuasions, you name it!
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