Perennial Classics: Profiles in Courage

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This Pulitzer Prize-winning classic by John F. Kennedy, with an introduction by Caroline Kennedy and a foreword by Robert F. Kennedy, was penned in 1955 when he was a junior senator from Massachusetts. It serves as a clarion call to Americans, profiling eight historical figures known for their remarkable integrity in the face of adversity. Among these figures are John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Thomas Hart Benton, and Robert A. Taft. Decades later, the book remains a poignant testament to the enduring national spirit and a celebration of human virtues. It offers timeless lessons on courage and serves as a powerful reminder of the strength inherent in the human spirit. As Robert Kennedy notes, it is “not just stories of the past but a book of hope and confidence for the future.” The book emphasizes that the fate of the country and the world hinges on how we honor the legacies of those who came before us. Accompanied by vintage photographs and an extensive author biography, it includes Kennedy's correspondence regarding the writing project, contemporary reviews, a letter from Ernest Hemingway, and two inspiring speeches from recipients of the Profile in Courage Award.