40 pages • 1 hour read
Thirteen Days
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Key Figures
President John F. Kennedy
The 35th President of the United States and the brother of the author, President Kennedy is clearly the hero of Thirteen Days, as he leads the country to a peaceful resolution of the missile crisis. He is depicted as “a remarkably cool, thoughtful, nonhysterical, self-possessed leader, aware of the weight of decision, incisive in his questions, firm in his judgment, always in charge, steering his advisers perseveringly in the direction he wanted to go” (13). He feels keenly his responsibility for the fate of the world and is determined to do everything in his power to avoid war.
Robert Kennedy
The author of the memoir was the Attorney General at the time of the crisis, and also the brother and closest confidant of the President. Robert Kennedy emerges as an early supporter of a blockade and raises important moral issues about the consequences of a military attack on Cuba. He is unfailing in his support and admiration for the President, although he rarely refers to their family relationship. Like his brother, he is skeptical of the military recommendations.
Nikita Khrushchev
The Chairman of the Soviet Union is depicted through his communications and actions. Khrushchev installed the missiles in Cuba after privately and publicly assuring President Kennedy that Russia would not place offensive nuclear weapons in Cuba. Khrushchev reveals a more personal and emotional side in a letter to the President in which he expressed his desire to avoid the devastating destruction of a nuclear war.
Anatoly Dobrynin
The Soviet Ambassador to the United States who met with Robert Kennedy three times during the thirteen days of the crisis. The first two times, he denied the existence of the Soviet missiles, despite the fact that the Americans had evidence of their existence.
Andrei Gromyko
The Soviet Foreign Minister met with President Kennedy at the White House, in a meeting scheduled prior to the crisis, but which was held after the U.S. discovered the missiles, (and before that knowledge was public). Gromyko asked President Kennedy to stop threatening Cuba and stated that the Soviets would not put offensive weapons In Cuba.
Robert McNamara
The Secretary of Defense was an early and strong advocate for a blockade. President Kennedy considered him “the most valuable servant in his administration and in the government” for his ability to manage the military (91).
Theodore Sorenson
The Special Counsel to the President “was among his closest personal and programmatic advisers as well as his principal speechwriter” (113). He worked with Robert Kennedy to draft the response to Krushchev’s letter.
Dean Acheson
A former Secretary of State in the Truman Administration, Acheson was asked by President Kennedy to attend the meetings. Robert Kennedy held him in very high esteem. Acheson advocated strongly and persuasively for a military strike on Cuba.
John McCone
The Director of the CIA who “served as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the U.S. government in keeping abreast of developments in Cuba” (113).
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