Profiles in CourageProfiles in Courage
Score Classic
What it's about
Written while he was a young senator recovering from back surgery, John F. Kennedy's book tells the stories of eight U.S. senators who risked their careers to do what they believed was right, against their party or their voters: among them John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Sam Houston and Edmund Ross, whose vote saved President Andrew Johnson from removal.
Why it's worth reading
It spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times list and won the Pulitzer Prize. It's a short, inspiring book about political courage.
You'll love it if you liked
An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy 1917-1963
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a WarningGood to know
Much of it was written by Kennedy's aide Ted Sorensen, which caused controversy.
By the numbers
- Readers29 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics63 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller45 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story
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Quick answers
Is Profiles in Courage worth reading?
Yes. It spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times list and won the Pulitzer Prize. It ranks #1,422 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 68.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Profiles in Courage about?
Written while he was a young senator recovering from back surgery, John F. Kennedy's book tells the stories of eight U.S. senators who risked their careers to do what they believed was right, against their party or their voters: among them John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Sam Houston and Edmund Ross, whose vote saved President Andrew Johnson from removal.
How long does it take to read Profiles in Courage?
About 6 hours (245 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Profiles in Courage won?
Pulitzer Prize (Biography) winner (1957).
What should I read after Profiles in Courage?
If you liked it, try An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy 1917-1963 by Robert Dallek, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin or Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning by Liz Cheney.