Washington, D.C.- The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial is pleased to announce the selection of Geoffrey Stone's Perilous Times and Jim Wooten's We Are All the Same as the first-prize winners of the 2005 Robert F. Kennedy Book Award.

RFK Book Award Chairs Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. and John Seigenthaler, Sr along with Judges Tom Brokaw, author Clara Bingham, longtime newspaper editor William Hilliard, historian and author Robert J. Norrell, and author and former Clinton speechwriter Jeff Shesol chose to honor two books this year, stating that the winners give voice to two of the most compelling issues of our time.

Seigenthaler wrote, "It was the unanimous opinion of the judges that Perilous Times and We Are All the Same reflect in a powerful and meaningful way, themes that Robert Kennedy would have embraced. Geoffrey Stone reminds us that the struggle for protection of civil liberties is an enduring national challenge. Jim Wooten reminds us that the struggle to address the deadly aids virus that strikes down even the very young is an enduring international challenge. We thank and congratulate them both.

Each year, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial presents the Book Award to the author whose work reflects Robert Kennedy's concern for the oppressed; his commitment to justice, democracy and human rights; and his belief in the power of individuals to affect social change. Past winners of the RFK Book Award include Vice President Al Gore, Congressman John Lewis, Toni Morrison, Randall Kennedy, Neil Sheehan, Robert Coles, Anthony Lukas, Stephen B. Oates and Jonathon Kozol.

The Robert F. Kennedy Book and Journalism Awards Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 24 at 6:30 PM at the George Washington University in Washington, DC. Mrs. Robert Kennedy will present awards to Geoffrey Stone and Jim Wooten at the event.

Robert Kennedy's belief that individual action could overcome injustice and oppression continues to inspire generations to change the world. For more than three decades, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial has been dedicated to furthering his legacy by working for social justice and human rights through its domestic and international programs.

For more information on the RFK Book Award, please visit www.rfkmemorial.org or call (202) 463-7575.