Shirley J. Adult Non-Fiction The fight against corruption within the labor union in the 60s
Vendetta: Bobby Kennedy Versus Jimmy Hoffa by James Neff 400 pages
In-depth telling of the battle between Senator/Attorney General, Bobby Kennedy and President of the Labor Union (think Teamsters), Jimmy Hoffa. The battle began with the Senate Rackets Committee hearings in 1957 and intensified when his brother appointed him Attorney General in 1961. The two men hated each other with a vengeance and did their best to show each other up every chance they got to what turned into full-on legal battles. Bobby Kennedy took Hoffa's jibes personally and made it his mission to bring Hoffa down and put him in prison, no matter what tactics he had to use to do so. Bobby put together what was called in back rooms, the "Get Hoffa Squad," with recruits from top Justice Department staff. Hoffa playing fast and loose with Teamster funds let Kennedy know he could bring it on. Hoffa, a republican, had help from some high ups in that party (Nixon particularly, Goldwater to a large degree). Author and famous investigative reporter, James Neff brings this piece of history to life magnificently bringing forth previously secret and undisclosed documents now available. I enjoyed this book thoroughly. Great historical background with two very volatile players. I would recommend this to all who enjoy history, to folks who grew up during this time to middle schoolers on up who might be looking for a very interesting topic to do a paper on. And Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance and presumed death is still an unsolved mystery to this day. He disappeared in July. 1975 without a trace and has not been heard from since.
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