The Enemy Within

Fifty years after his death, the life of Robert F. Kennedy remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for yet another generation of Americans, more necessary today perhaps than at any time since June 5, 1968. It is important to remember the earlier life and times of RFK, for his basic values and moral compass set the stage for all that came after. During the heyday of anti-communist witch-hunter Joe McCarthy, it was young Bobby who went to war with the Wisconsin Republican’s vicious, calculating and self-promoting aide Roy Cohen. Cohen later became a lawyer for a Mafia whose deadly tentacles and reach affected vast swathes of American life, as well as for New York City glitterati. It was in that fight against organized crime that Kennedy took on corrupt (“Every man has his price”) Teamster labor leader Jimmy Hoffa. In The Enemy Within the emerging crusader rightly put both business and labor on notice that, “The tyrant, the bully, the corrupter and corrupted are figures of shame.” It was RFK’s values and his moral compass that led him to remind his readers, and those today who also appear to need reminding, of the central role played by the “toughness and idealism that guided our nation in the past,” a “spirit of adventure, a will to fight what is evil, and a desire to serve.”

this is the book i have been wanting to reread. first read it in my early 20's. the title fits what is now going on in our country.

While this is an interesting inside look on the war on corruption and organized crime in the 1960s, it is also a needful reminder of what our system of government is capable of under the leadership of an energetic, aggressive Attorney General and an honest Department of Justice and FBI. The cleanup Atty. General Robert Kennedy was able to achieve is remarkable, and sadly sheds light on the motives behind his later assassination by a "lone gunman."

Senator Robert Kennedy was investigating labour rackets in the 1950's including illegal migrants and cheap labour, their link to crime and the erosion of the true values of the USA including citizenship, true labour values and the value of capital. Today we face the same problems with the added threats of terriorism and national security. This was a refresher course.

Very interesting book. I read it out of historical curiosity and was well informed about the Hoffa and Teamsters history. This book includes many important facts and opinions.

I bought this book for my children to read. (I have the original given to my Grandfather by Robert Kennedy) this book really tells the true story of the greed and the thugs running the Labor unions back in the day According to my Grandfather, Samual Bassett; mentioned on pages 9, 11-12, 18 who was present at every hearing. Great book! I recommend this to every person interested in Labor law and Labor relations!

I had recently prior to my reading of this book completed a book which covered the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. The book touched on the McClellan hearings amongst other things & it seemed to be the natural follow-up. The Enemy Within shed light on the abuses of organized labor within the USA at this time.

The last time anybody from the US Government really went up against organized crime. And he paid with his life. Now they just call them corporations and let them do what they want.Too bad we don't have anybody with that kind of fearlessness and ethics now.

I could not put this down.What an insight into the corruption in high places and the indefatigable Robert Kennedy.

I have nothing else to add. It was a very thrilling read and it was especially interesting for me because I was curious about this part of US history.

It has given me a new understanding of America.

I read this book when it first became available, lent the book out , and never got It back. Glad to find it again, and reading it again. My favourite reading is exposes of any kind. I suppose I just simply believe strongly in justice. Thank you for the new version. Jake

Very good books specially when we have to be vigilat in a misleading and deceiving world!!