Profiles in Courage | Literary Criticism & Book Review

Profiles in Courage Critical Overview

Critical reception of Profiles in Courage was generally favorable although a few critics expressed doubt about Kennedy's sole authorship. Critics who applauded the book found it to be a work of integrity, honoring political grace in past statesmen while acknowledging that there are contemporary statesmen who exhibit the same strength of character. They were delighted to see a high-profile politician like Kennedy (who was a United States senator at the time of publication) produce such a thought-provoking historical review of other senators. A reviewer for Publishers Weekly noted that the text "is a straightforward discussion of patriots" and that the content is "dry and safe" rather than being colored by overt political bias. Critics like Dean Hammer of Journal of American Culture noted that Kennedy's presentation of these past political figures promoted his own goals while offering a new perspective of government as something formed of individual decisions and actions...
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