It is based upon the memories of RFK during the Cuban missile crisis. He vividly recalls the thirteen days between October 16 and October 28, 1962. Within these thirteen days, havoc and stress faced the White House, especially to Senator RFK and his brother, President John F. Kennedy.
Who is the author of thirteen days?
Thirteen Days is Robert Kennedy’s personal account of the Cuban missile crisis. As the Attorney General of the United States and President’s Kennedy’s brother and most trusted confidant, Robert Kennedy played a significant role in that critical period.
Is there a study guide for 13 days by Robert Kennedy?
Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of “Thirteen Days” by Robert F. Kennedy. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.
Is thirteen days based on a true story?
While the film carries the same title as the book Thirteen Days by former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, it is in fact based on a different book, The Kennedy Tapes: Inside the White House During the Cuban Missile Crisis, by Ernest May and Philip Zelikow.
What did Roger Ebert think of the movie Thirteen days?
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave Thirteen Days a rating of 3 stars out of 4, and said "The movie's taut, flat style is appropriate for a story that is more about facts and speculation than about action. Kennedy and his advisers study high-altitude photos and intelligence reports, and wonder if Khrushchev's word can be trusted.
What is the message of Thirteen Days?
Thirteen Days recreates for this generation of Americans much of the reality of the most dangerous moment in human history. It recalls vividly a confrontation in which nuclear war was really possible, reminding us of an enduring truth about the nuclear age.
How historically accurate is 13 days?
Verdict. There's nothing from the Soviet or Cuban perspectives, but Thirteen Days gives a mostly accurate, if discreetly polished, view of the crisis from inside Washington's corridors of power.
Who wrote Thirteen Days A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Robert F. KennedyThirteen Days / Author"Thirteen Days" is Robert F. Kennedy's enthralling memoir of the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, during which the United States under President Kennedy and the Soviet Union under Chairman Khrushchev came breathtakingly close to nuclear war.
What happened during the 13 days of the Cuban Missile Crisis?
President John F. Kennedy demanded that all nuclear missiles be removed from Cuba and blockaded the island to prevent further deliveries of nuclear warheads. During the thirteen-day standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union, the world teetered on the brink of nuclear war.
What was inaccurate about 13 days?
Another historical inaccuracy in the movie, according to author Allison, is the notion that the right wing contingent tried to maneuver the Kennedy brothers into nuclear war. "That's inaccurate and misconceived.
Why are some scenes in Thirteen Days black and white?
It was an attempt to evoke to look of TV news and documentaries of the time. Though the effect is inconsistently applied, and honestly I believe director Roger Donaldson just thought that certain scenes looked cooler in black & white.
What is the book Thirteen Days by Robert F Kennedy about?
Thirteen Days describes the meetings held by the Executive Committee (ExComm), the team assembled by US President John F. Kennedy to handle the tense situation that developed between the United States and the Soviet Union following the discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, 90 miles (140 km) from Florida.
What role did Robert F Kennedy play in the Cuban missile crisis?
During the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, for instance, he helped develop the Kennedy administration's strategy to blockade Cuba instead of taking military action that could have led to nuclear war. He then negotiated with the Soviet Union on removal of the weapons.
What is the plot of Thirteen Days?
For thirteen extraordinary days in October of 1962, the world stood on the brink of an unthinkable catastrophe. Across the globe, people anxiously awaited the outcome of a harrowing political, diplomatic and military confrontation that threatened to end in an apocalyptic nuclear exchange between the United States and the Soviet Union. Thirteen days captures the urgency, suspense and paralyzing chaos of the Cuban Missile Crisis.Thirteen Days / Film synopsis
Who stopped the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Soviet Premier Nikita KhrushchevSoviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev orders withdrawal of missiles from Cuba, ending the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1960, Khrushchev had launched plans to install medium and intermediate range ballistic missiles in Cuba that would put the eastern United States within range of nuclear attack.
Why did Kennedy put missiles in Turkey?
Kennedy was determined during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis to trade away obsolete U.S. nuclear missiles based in Turkey in order to get Soviet nuclear arms out of Cuba and avoid a serious military confrontation with Moscow, according to a transcript of Cabinet room conversations secretly recorded at the time.
Why did Russia put nuclear missiles in Cuba?
After the Bay of Pigs incident, Cuba clearly felt threatened by the United States. Castro started to look for a closer relationship with the USSR who could offer the country protection. Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev decided to agree to Cuba's request to place nuclear missiles there to deter future harassment of Cuba.
Is 13 lives based on a true story?
Is 13 Lives based on a true story? Yes. Thirteen Lives is based on the true story of a rescue mission in 2018, in which 12 members of a boys soccer team, ages 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach, were retrieved after being trapped in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in northern Thailand.
What was the U-2 spy plane taking pictures of Thirteen Days?
For thirteen days in October 1962 the world waited—seemingly on the brink of nuclear war—and hoped for a peaceful resolution to the Cuban Missile Crisis. In October 1962, an American U-2 spy plane secretly photographed nuclear missile sites being built by the Soviet Union on the island of Cuba.
Who is Kenny in Thirteen Days?
Kevin CostnerThirteen Days (2000) - Kevin Costner as Kenny O'Donnell - IMDb.
What is Kevin Costner's role in 13 days?
Kenneth O'DonnellKevin CostnerBobby KennedySteven CulpJacqueline KennedyStephanie RomanovPresident John F. KennedyBruce GreenwoodKevin O'DonnellMatthew DunnGen. Maxwell TaylorBill SmitrovichThirteen Days/Characters
What is the purpose of the book Thirteen Days?
Overview. Thirteen Days is Robert Kennedy’s personal account of the Cuban missile crisis. As the Attorney General of the United States and President’s Kennedy’s brother and most trusted confidant, Robert Kennedy played a significant role in that critical period. The first-person narrative is organized into titled sections, rather than chapters, ...
What is the study guide for Thirteen Days?
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.
Why did Robert Kennedy support the blockade?
No consensus or agreement emerged. Each alternative had flaws and limitations. Robert Kennedy supported the blockade, primarily for moral reasons, as even a limited air strike would inevitably kill large numbers of innocent civilians. The threat of a military confrontation escalating into a nuclear conflict was a significant risk.
What was the President's decision to blockade?
The President decided in favor of a blockade. Military preparations were also undertaken immediately, in the event that the blockade proved ineffective or provoked a Soviet response. The diplomatic process of informing American allies and gaining their support began.
What was President Kennedy's effort to understand the situation from the Soviet perspective?
President Kennedy’s effort to understand the situation from the Soviet perspective was an essential component of attaining a peaceful resolution of the crisis, as was providing a check on the military. He also cites the importance of having the support of allies and other countries. Unlock this. Study Guide!
Who proposed the offer made in the preceding, more personal letter from Khrushchev?
Robert Kennedy proposed answering the offer made in the preceding, more personal letter from Khrushchev. Robert Kennedy met with the Soviet Ambassador, but neither he nor the President felt encouraged by the meeting. In anticipation of a military strike, the President activated the Air Force Reserve.
Did Kennedy meet with the Soviet Ambassador?
Robert Kennedy met with the Soviet Ambassador, but neither he nor the President felt encouraged by the meeting. In anticipation of a military strike, the President activated the Air Force Reserve. The President had done all he could to avoid a conflict, and it was now up to Khrushchev to respond. By Saturday evening, military engagement with the Soviet Union appeared to be imminent. Sunday morning at 10 am, Robert Kennedy learned that the Soviets had agreed to remove the Cuban missiles. The crisis was effectively over.
Who wrote the book Thirteen Days?from goodreads.com
We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Thirteen Days by Robert F. Kennedy.
What was JFK's greatest moment?from goodreads.com
The Cuban Missile Crisis, as the thirteen days came to be known, was JFK's finest moment. With the fate of millions of people (Americans, Cubans, Russians) in his hands, he laid a path that led, after many twists and turns, to the Soviets pulling themselves out of Cuba.
What did Mac Bundy say about Khrushchev?from goodreads.com
Bundy also joined the virtually unanimous demand for simultaneously announcing both a blockade and a declaration of war, insisting that a blockade alone was illegal and “an act of aggression against everybody else.” He lectured the President: “your whole posture” must reflect the fact that Khrushchev has done “unacceptable things from the point of view of the security of the hemisphere.” From the tapes it becomes clear that John Kennedy was more often annoyed with Bundy than with anybody else, for the National Security adviser frequently forgot he was not the President of the United States. And contrary to Robert Kennedy's claims in Thirteen Days, Mac Bundy was among Bobby's most outspoken allies in resisting Khrushchev's proposal.
What was the Cuban missile crisis?from goodreads.com
Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis. During the thirteen days in October 1962 when the United States confronted the Soviet Union over its installation of missiles in Cuba, few people shared the behind-the-scenes story as it is told here by the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
How many pages are there in the Cuban Missile Crisis?from goodreads.com
Yet, for those thirteen days in October, the world stood waiting. At only one hundred pages in length, Senator Kennedy's account of the Cuban Missile Crisis packs a punch as he details each council meeting, each step, and each private meeting with the President in quick snapshots.
Why did President Kennedy ask why did McNamara change his recommendation?from goodreads.com
President Kennedy was surprised by the Secretary of Defense's about-face and asked, "Why do you change? Why has this information changed the recommendation?" McNamara declared that there were too many targets, including many not yet located, to be realistically destroyed by air strikes, and there was a big chance of the loss of the Guantánamo base and/or attacks on the civilian population on the eastern coast of the United States from the new missile bases or the Soviet nuclear bombers.
What did the recordings of the National Security Council reveal?from goodreads.com
Kennedy's secret tape recordings of the meetings of the Executive Committee of the National Security Council during that nightmarish week in October 1962 reveal that someone's insider status does not guarantee the authenticity of their claims. In reality, the ExComm recordings, which the author of this book has painstakingly examined, tell a whole different story than Robert Kennedy.
How many days does it take to be a Kennedy adviser?
Explain to students that they will be acting as Kennedy’s advisers during this thirteen-day period. They will need to research and analyze the documents that Kennedy’s real advisers had available to them, and then present their findings to the president (you).
What did Kennedy do after the Bay of Pigs invasion?
Explain to students that after the failure of Bay of Pigs invasion, Kennedy encouraged dissent among his advisers. If an idea was bad, Kennedy wanted his advisers to tell him; he did not want “yes men” to help him make decisions. Explain to students that during the Bay of Pigs invasion, members of Kennedy’s staff who disagreed with the action refused to voice their negative opinions, not wanting to criticize the larger group. After this failure, Kennedy altered his leadership style, wanting to explore all options before making a decision.
What was the Cuban missile crisis?
An American spy plane eventually discovered the existence of missile sites off the coast of Cuba, sparking what would come to be known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. President John F. Kennedy demanded that all nuclear missiles be removed from Cuba and blockaded the island to prevent further deliveries of nuclear warheads.
What was the name of the group that Kennedy used to help the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Tell students they will now be role-playing as national security advisers to President Kennedy, a group known during the Cuban Missile Crisis as EXCOMM.
How to ask students to respond to the threat posed by the placement of missiles on Cuban soil?
Ask students what options they think Kennedy had. List student responses on poster paper or on a whiteboard. Use the discussion to prompt students to include all of the options listed below. You may wish to project the list for students to read.
Who is credited for media?
The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited.
Who removed the missiles from Cuba?
Eventually, Soviet Premier Khrushchev acquiesced to Kennedy’s demands, agreeing to remove the missiles from Cuba publically if the United States military would promise not to invade Cuba and secretly remove missiles from Turkey, averting potential disaster and ending the Cuban Missile Crisis. Prior Knowledge.
How much did Thirteen Days make?
Box office. $66.6 million. Thirteen Days is a 2000 American historical political thriller film directed by Roger Donaldson. It dramatizes the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, seen from the perspective of the US political leadership.
What is the movie Thirteen Days about?
It dramatizes the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, seen from the perspective of the US political leadership.
What did the Kennedy administration do to stop the missiles?
The Kennedy administration tries to find a solution that will remove the missiles but avoid an act of war. They reject a blockade, as this is formally regarded as an act of war, and settle on what they publicly describe as a quarantine. They announce that the U.S. naval forces will stop all ships entering Cuban waters and inspect them to verify they are not carrying weapons destined for Cuba. The Soviet Union sends mixed messages in response. Off the shores of Cuba, the Soviet ships turn back from the quarantine lines. Secretary of State Dean Rusk (Henry Strozier) says, "We're eyeball to eyeball and I think the other fellow just blinked." The administration continues to order spy plane pictures, but one of Kennedy's top advisers, Kenny O'Donnell ( Kevin Costner ), calls the pilots to ensure the pilots do not report that they were shot at or fired upon, because if they were, the country would be forced to retaliate under the rules of engagement .
What did President Kennedy do to prevent a war?
In a bid for time while under intense pressure from the military for an immediate strike, President Kennedy authorizes attacks on the missile sites and an invasion of Cuba , to commence the following Monday. An Air Force U-2 reconnaissance plane is sent over Cuba to gather intelligence for the attack, but is shot down, killing the pilot. After much deliberation with the Executive Committee of the National Security Council, Kennedy makes a final attempt to avoid a war by sending his brother, Robert F. Kennedy ( Steven Culp ), to meet with Soviet ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin on Friday night. Bobby reiterates the demand that the Soviets remove their missiles from Cuba, and in return promises not to invade or assist in the invasion of Cuba. Dobrynin insists that the U.S. must also remove all Jupiter missiles from Turkey, on the border of the Soviet Union. Bobby says that a quid pro quo is not possible, but in exchange for Khrushchev removing all the missiles from Cuba, there will be a secret understanding that the U.S. will remove all of its "obsolete" missiles from Turkey within six months as part of a pre-scheduled plan. The Soviets announce on Sunday that they will remove their missiles from Cuba, averting a war that could have escalated to the use of nuclear weapons. The film ends with President Kennedy dictating a letter of condolence to the family of the reconnaissance pilot, Rudolf Anderson, who was shot down over Cuba as part of the preparations for the invasion, and the Kennedy brothers and O'Donnell outside of the Oval Office as actual audio of President Kennedy's commencement speech at American University played in the background..
What happened in 1962?
In October 1962, U-2 aerial surveillance photos reveal that the Soviet Union is in the process of placing intermediate-range ballistic missiles carrying nuclear weapons in Cuba. President John F. Kennedy ( Bruce Greenwood) and his advisers must come up with a plan of action to prevent their activation. Kennedy is determined to show that the United States will not allow a missile threat. The Joint Chiefs of Staff advise immediate U.S. military strikes against the missile sites followed by an invasion of Cuba. Kennedy is reluctant to attack and invade because it would very likely cause the Soviets to invade Berlin, which could lead to an all-out war. Citing The Guns of August, Kennedy sees an analogy to the events that started World War I, where the tactics of both sides' commanders had not evolved since the previous war and were obsolete, only this time nuclear weapons are involved. War appears to be almost inevitable.
What is the average rating of Thirteen Days?
Rotten Tomatoes reports that 83% of 121 critics have given the film positive reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The website's consensus states: " Thirteen Days offers a compelling look at the Cuban Missile Crisis, and its talented cast deftly portrays the real-life people who were involved." Metacritic, which assigns a rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream film critics, gives Thirteen Days a score of 67, based on 31 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade A-.
Where was the RF-8A filmed?
The air base scene was taken at Clark Air Base, Philippines, a former American facility, which substituted for NAS Key West, Florida, where the actual RF-8As of Light Photographic Squadron SIX TWO ( VFP-62) launched from on their Cuban overflight missions.
What was the damage to Senator Kennedy's brain?
The third bullet, entering behind the right ear, smashed its way deep into Senator Kennedy’s head, damaged three principal parts of his brain: The brain stem—a tube about three inches long and approximately an inch in diameter—had been torn. This was the most serious damage.
Why did the Senator need a heart machine?
They knew, from reports of doctors at the General Receiving Hospital where he was first taken, that the Senator had needed heart massage, adrenalin and a heart-lung machine as emergency measures to restore heart and lung action. These were bad signs to start with.
