Profiles In Courage

by Kennedy, John F

Profiles in Courage was written by John F. Kennedy when the iconic U.S. President was still a senator. The Pulitzer Prize-winning volume of short biographies tells of eight United States Senators who shown great courage under enormous pressure from their parties and their constituents. Among Kennedy’s featured senators were: John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Thomas Hart Benton, Sam Houston, Edmund G. Ross, Lucius Lamar, George Norris, and Robert A. Taft. While these Senators suffered severe criticism and losses in popularity because of their actions, their stories are used to illustrate the principles and virtues that Kennedy believed were required of Americans in a century of progress.   Profiles in Courage hit the bestsellers list three times: when JFK was an up-and-coming Senator in the late 1950s; after he was elected President in 1960-61; and following his assassination in 1963-64. The book led to the creation of the “Profiles in Courage” award,  an annual award made to recognize displays of moral and political courage similar to those that Kennedy profiled.

First Edition Identification

Harper & Brothers first published Profile in Courage in 1955. First Editions state “First Edition” on the copyright page along with the appropriate date code: “M-E.”

Other Collectible or Notable Editions

In 2006, Harper published a special 50th anniversary edition of Profiles in Courage, which includes vintage photographs, an extensive JFK biography as well as some of his correspondence about the project, reviews of the book, a letter from Ernest Hemingway, and two speeches from recipients of the Profiles in Courage Award.

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Profiles in Courage.

Profiles in Courage.

by Kennedy, John F

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Used
Published
1956
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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New York: Harper & Brothers, 1956. First edition of Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning work. Octavo, original half cloth, with eight pages of black-and-white photogravures. From the library of PT Boat Captain William J. (Wild Bill) Barrett, from Great Barrington, Massachusetts with his name and date 2/1/56 on the front endpaper. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jack design… Read more about this item
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Profiles In Courage.

Profiles In Courage.

by Kennedy, John F. [George H.W. Bush]

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Used
Published
1956
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New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1956. The Pulitzer Prize-winning book was written when Kennedy was the junior senator from Massachusetts, and it served as a clarion call to every American. The inspiring accounts of eight previous heroic acts by American patriots inspired the American public to remember the courage progress requires. Now, a half-century later, it remains a… Read more about this item
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Profiles in Courage
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Profiles in Courage

by Kennedy, John F.

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Used
Edition
Reprint of July, 1957
Published
1956
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Deep River, Connecticut, USA
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New York: Harper & Brothers, 1956. Reprint of July, 1957. Very good+ in 1/4 black cloth and blue cloth covered boards with gilt text stamping on the spine with rubbing to the cloth at the head and heel of the spine and with what looks to be a paint stain of 1/4 by 1 inch long at the upper… Read more about this item
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Profiles In Courage.

Profiles In Courage.

by Kennedy, John F

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Used
Published
1956
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1956. The Pulitzer Prize-winning book was written when Kennedy was the junior senator from Massachusetts, and it served as a clarion call to every American. The inspiring accounts of eight previous heroic acts by American patriots inspired the American public to remember the courage progress requires. Now, a half-century later, it remains a… Read more about this item
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NZ$210,300.00
Profiles In Courage; Special Foreword by Robert F. Kennedy
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Profiles In Courage; Special Foreword by Robert F. Kennedy

by Kennedy, John F. [Sargent Shriver]

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Used - Fine
Edition
Deluxe Memorial Edition
Published
1964
Binding
Full leather
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Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1964. Deluxe Memorial Edition. Full leather. Fine. Deluxe Memorial Edition of Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy, signed by members of the Shriver family, including Sargent Shriver, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Maria Shriver, Bobby Shriver and Timothy Shriver.. Octavo, 287pp. Blue morocco, title in gilt on spine, raised bands. Marbled endpapers, all… Read more about this item
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NZ$3,028.32
Profiles in Courage (The Memorial Edition)

Profiles in Courage (The Memorial Edition)

by John F. Kennedy

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Used - Near Fine
Published
1964
Binding
Leather bound
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Waccabuc, New York, USA
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New York: Harper & Row, 1964. Leather bound. Near Fine. BEAUTIFULLY INSCRIBED (A WARM, FULL-PAGE INSCRIPTION) BY EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER on the front free endpaper. (Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the 5th child of Rose and Joseph Kennedy, championed the disabled and made work on their behalf one of the great causes of her adult life. She was credited with… Read more about this item
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Profiles in Courage
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Profiles in Courage

by John F. Kennedy

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Near Fine
Edition
First Edition
Published
1956
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Centreville, Virginia, USA
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NZ$2,178.71

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Hardcover. First Edition, First Printing. Near Fine hardcover in a Near Fine DJ. 1/4 dark blue cloth and light blue cloth covered boards with gilt text on the spine. Book is tight and square. Hardcover has some edge wear on the boards. Bump to bottom rear tip. Unclipped DJ ($3.50) DJ spine has some mild sun fading. Crown of spine… Read more about this item
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Profiles In Courage.

Profiles In Courage.

by Kennedy, John F

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Used
Published
1956
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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New York: Harper & Brothers, 1956. The Pulitzer Prize-winning book was written when Kennedy was the junior senator from Massachusetts, and it served as a clarion call to every American. The inspiring accounts of eight previous heroic acts by American patriots inspired the American public to remember the courage progress requires. Now, a half-century later, it remains a classic… Read more about this item
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NZ$58,884.00
Profiles In Courage.

Profiles In Courage.

by Kennedy, John F. [Barack Obama]

Condition
Used
Published
1956
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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NZ$9,757.92

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New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1956. First edition, early printing of Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning work. Octavo, original half cloth, with eight pages of black-and-white photogravures. Foreword by Allan Nevins. Boldly signed by President Barack Obama on the half-title page in person in Keene, New Hampshire. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Phil Grushkin.… Read more about this item
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Profiles In Courage
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Profiles In Courage

by John F. Kennedy

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
First
Published
1964
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Walcott, Iowa, USA
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Harper & Row. New York. 1964. First Edition (copyright code A-O relates to month-year of publication; Jan-1964). Also shown above the corner-clip on lower front dust jacket is code 0164 for Jan. 1964). Fine/very good with 0.5 in tear on top of front and slight shelf wear to edges of unclipped ($3.95) jacket. Dark blue (cloth) boards with JFK signature… Read more about this item
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NZ$210.30
Profiles in Courage
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Profiles in Courage

by John F. Kennedy

Condition
Used - Book is Very Good and comes with a laminated picture believed to be distributed in conjunction with the Funeral of President Ke
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
New York, Harper & Row, Memorial Edition 1964.
Published
(1964)
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1
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Nashua, New Hampshire, USA
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Profiles in Courage is a 1957 Pulitzer Prize-winning volume of short biographies describing acts of bravery and integrity by eight United States Senators throughout the Senate's history. The book profiles senators who defied the opinions of their party and constituents to do what they felt was right and suffered severe criticism and losses in popularity because of their actions. It… Read more about this item
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Profiles In Courage

Profiles In Courage

by John F. Kennedy

Condition
Used - Very Good-
Jacket Condition
Good
Published
1956
Binding
Hardcover
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Uncasville, Connecticut, USA
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NZ$102.54

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hardcover edition in first state dust jacket (3.50 flap price, no Pulitzer band); early printing but no printing statement present; no prior owner marks; small bookstore tag front free end page corner; little age tone; tight bind; clean cover bright gilt titling;rub wear at corners and along spine and spine ends; dj has little fade along spine and edge wear… Read more about this item
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NZ$102.54
Profiles in Courage
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Profiles in Courage

by KENNEDY, JOHN F

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Used
Published
c.1956
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Stevenson, Maryland, USA
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Presentation copy inscribed by Kennedy: "For Alfred Eisenstaedt with every good wish John Kennedy." Eisenstaedt was perhaps the greatest of the photographers for Life magazine. "He was especially renowned for his ability to capture memorable images of important people in the news, including statesmen, movie stars, and artists" (New York Times). Eisenstaedt photographed Kennedy extensively during the 1960 presidential campaign and… Read more about this item
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NZ$28,600.80
Profiles In Courage.

Profiles In Courage.

by Kennedy, John F

Condition
Used
Published
1956
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1956. First edition of Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning work. Octavo, original half cloth, with eight pages of black-and-white photogravures. Foreword by Allan Nevins. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Fred Payne with the highest regards John Kennedy." The recipient Frederick G. Payne was a United States Senator from… Read more about this item
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NZ$33,648.00
Profiles In Courage.

Profiles In Courage.

by Kennedy, John F

Condition
Used
Published
1956
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1956. First edition, early printing of Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning work. Octavo, original half cloth, with eight pages of black-and-white photogravures. Foreword by Allan Nevins. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "For Craig - with best wishes John Kennedy." Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design… Read more about this item
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NZ$14,805.12
Profiles In Courage; : /
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Profiles In Courage; : /

by Kennedy, John F.

Condition
Used - Near fine
Jacket Condition
near fine
Edition
First Japanese Edition
Published
1958
Binding
Vellum
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1
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Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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NZ$1,472.10

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Tokyo, Japan: Nihon Gaisei Gakkai / Japan Institute of Foreign Affairs, 1958. First Japanese Edition. Vellum. Near fine/near fine. The first Japanese edition of Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy, translated by the Japan Institute of Foreign Affairs.. Octavo, 324pp, [2]. White vellum boards, title stamped in black on spine. Light toning to spine, some toning to… Read more about this item
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NZ$1,472.10
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Instrumentum VOL. XI, NO. I

by Bertiaux, Michael

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
No Dust Jacket
Edition
First Edition
Published
2005
Binding
Softcover
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1
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Corning , California, USA
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NZ$8,412.00

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2005. First Edition. Softcover. Very Good/No Dust Jacket. Instrumentum VOL. XI, NO. I Spring Equinox 2005. Table of Contents: Editorial, Letter from S.G.M.A., The collection of Pacquests in the Empowerment of Ambaktu by Michael Bertiaux, Outlines of the Four Degrees of Initiation for Michael P. Betriaux and Hector-Francois Jean-Maine, The Uranus Rite by Michael Bertiaux, Official Documents, Zothyrian… Read more about this item
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Profiles In Courage.

Profiles In Courage.

by Kennedy, John F

Condition
Used
Published
1956
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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NZ$13,122.72

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New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1956. First edition, early printing of Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning work. Octavo, original half cloth, with eight pages of black-and-white photogravures. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To George Hickel with best wishes John Kennedy." Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Phil Grushkin. Foreword… Read more about this item
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NZ$13,122.72
Profiles in Courage.

Profiles in Courage.

by Kennedy, John F

Condition
Used
Published
1956
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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NZ$2,523.60

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New York: Harper & Brothers, 1956. First edition of Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning work. Octavo, original half cloth, with eight pages of black-and-white photogravures. Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jack design by Phil Grushkin. Jacket photograph by Hank Walker. Uncommon in this condition. The Pulitzer Prize-winning book was written when Kennedy was the junior senator from… Read more about this item
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NZ$2,523.60
Profiles in Courage
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Profiles in Courage

by John F Kennedy

Condition
Used - Very Good-
Jacket Condition
Very Good-
Edition
first
Published
1964
Binding
Pictorial boards. top of spine abraided
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Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
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NZ$25.24

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Harpers New York 1964, 1964. Very Good + Memorial Edition Very Good + DJ 287pp Memorial Edition. With a special forward by Robert F. Kennedy. all pages clean and unmarked
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NZ$25.24