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. In a clear and simple record, he describes the personalities involved in the crisis, with particular attention to the actions and attitudes of his brother, President John F. Kennedy. He describes the daily, even hourly, exchanges between Russian representatives and American.

"Documents": p. 163-218. Facsim. on lining papers.

Introduction / Robert S. McNamara -- Introduction / Harold Macmillan -- Tuesday morning, October 16, 1962 -- The President ... knew he would have to act -- A majority decision ... for a blockade -- It was not up to one single man -- The important meeting of the OAS... -- I met with Dobrynin... -- The danger was anything but over -- There were almost daily communications with Krushchev -- Expect very heavy casualties in an invasion -- This could mean war -- Those hours in the Cabinet Room... -- The President ordered the Ex Comm... -- Some of the things we learned... -- The importance of placing ourselves in the other country's shoes.