Just Friends and Brave Enemies by Robert F. Kennedy, First Edition, in Dust Jacket, 1962

Kennedy, Robert F. Just Friends and Brave Enemies. New York and Evanston: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1962. First edition, first printing. Octavo. In original navy cloth boards with gilt facsimile signature to front and gilt titles to spine. Original first issue dust jacket, unclipped. Illustrated with 16 pages of black and white photographs. 

Presented is a first edition, first printing of Just Friends and Brave Enemies by Robert F. Kennedy, published by Harper & Row in New York in 1962. The volume is presented in its original navy cloth boards, with a gilt facsimile of Kennedy's signature embossed on the front and gilt titles to the spine. It retains its original unclipped dust jacket, featuring a photograph taken in West Berlin on February 22, 1962, shortly before Kennedy addressed students at the Free University of Berlin. The book is illustrated with sixteen pages of black and white photographs documenting his journey.

Just Friends and Brave Enemies is Robert F. Kennedy's thoughtful account of a 30,000-mile diplomatic tour undertaken in early 1962, while serving as Attorney General of the United States. Drawing upon travel notes, speeches, and transcripts of discussions with students, labor leaders, government officials, and the general public, Kennedy presents a unique record of his encounters across Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The book is an examination of international attitudes toward the United States, as well as the ideological tensions shaping the postwar world.

Just Friends and Brave Enemies originated after an editor who had previously collaborated with Kennedy on his first book,  The Enemy Within, was granted access to the transcripts from the Attorney General's extensive tour conversations with students and government officials. He encouraged Kennedy to assemble them, with his own reflections, into a cohesive account for publication. The resulting work is a record of Kennedy's public addresses and the question-and-answer sessions that followed, revealing the concerns, criticisms, and aspirations of audiences in Japan, Indonesia, West Berlin, and Latin America.

The title of the book acknowledges his belief that meaningful international relationships required both genuine friendship and a clear-eyed recognition of ideological opposition.  Kennedy also reflects upon the political and economic challenges confronting emerging nations, including poverty, instability, and the complicated legacy of American foreign policy.  At the end of the book, Kennedy offers an assessment of America's image abroad, considering both misconceptions and legitimate criticisms while proposing changes he believed essential to strengthening the nation's standing in the world.

Upon publication, Just Friends and Brave Enemies was widely praised for its directness and insight. Reviewing the work in 1967, Kirkus Reviews observed that it was "a terse, forthright presentation" of Kennedy's impressions and noted that the transcripts of his exchanges with students and political critics revealed "the mind and feelings of the people along Mr. Kennedy's route far more than the state meetings with major political figures." 

CONDITION: 

Near fine condition. First edition, first printing, with “First Edition” and code “F-M” (indicating issue date of August 1962) to copyright page. Octavo. In original black cloth boards, with gold embossed facsimile signature to front and gilt titles to the spine. Minor bumping along the spine, otherwise very clean and healthy boards. Gilt bright and intact. Text block intact. Pages are clean, no staining or previous markings on the pages. With 16 pages of black and white photographs of the tour. 

Very good+ condition dust jacket. First issue dust jacket, with “0862” to front flap. Scattered smudges and fingerprints, discoloration to white at top. Minor tears, creases, and scuffs along the bottom. Images are still vibrant. Not price clipped, priced $3.95 on front flap. 

Book Dimensions: 8 5/8" H x 6'' W x 1 1/8" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.