An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s

An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s by Doris Kearns Goodwin is a memoir that interweaves personal reflections with the history of one of the most turbulent and significant decades in American history. Published in 2024, this work showcases Goodwin’s expertise as a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, known for her detailed and engaging explorations of American history. The book blends memoir and historical nonfiction, focusing on her life with her late husband, Richard Goodwin, a prominent political advisor and speechwriter for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Through this memoir, Goodwin offers an intimate portrayal of their relationship and an exploration of significant historical events, particularly the social and political upheavals of the 1960s. The themes of this memoir include Personal and Professional Relationships Against the Backdrop of Major Historical Events, The Personal Impact of Historical Figures, and The Intersection of Marriage and Politics.

The edition draws from the 2024 Simon & Schuster eBook edition.

Summary

The memoir begins with Goodwin reflecting on her attempts to cope with the loss of her husband, Dick, by immersing herself in an extended lecture tour.