Book Description

John F. Kennedy's presidency has been well examined, but a frequently overlooked yet crucial component of it was his leadership of the United States armed forces. His relationship with the military was forged by personal combat experience and the many lessons learned during his presidential administration. A staunch supporter of the lower ranks, President Kennedy quickly became disillusioned with the upper echelon of the military, preferring ultimately to rely on his own wisdom and that of a close circle of trusted advisers. As a result, it can be argued that John F. Kennedy was more involved in his role as commander in chief than any other president of modern vintage. His was a unique challenge. The world was changing; military actions were no longer large-scale troop movements but small localized and diplomatic crises with frequent guerrilla activity.

President Kennedy, typically, quickly immersed himself in his role. Almost immediately following his election he was confronted with the formidable challenge of the Bay of Pigs. Relying on the advice of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Kennedy was humiliated by the results of that action, and yet he accepted complete responsibility for it. It was a mistake that would not be repeated. Thereafter, Kennedy questioned everything and came to his own decisions. He began to involve himself in details of the services, reviewing his "new" army, navy, and air force, even spending time thinking about what the individual
soldier was wearing and carrying.

In John F. Kennedy: Commander in Chief, Pierre Salinger, press secretary and confidant to the president, provides an insightful view of this side of John F. Kennedy. He shares his unique understanding of all the major events of the Kennedy administration that had a military component. He draws a fascinating and clear depiction of the Kennedy learning curve--illuminating the brilliance of the man. Kennedy learned his lessons quickly. One can only speculate what may have resulted had Kennedy lived and been elected to a second term, especially when one reads Kennedy's commencement address speech at American University included in this volume. This speech, considered by many to be his finest, is remarkable in showing the maturity that President Kennedy had attained. Today it is easy to see the beginning of a new statesmanship in his speech, a new global consciousness, a larger and longer view for peace. Pierre Salinger, tantalizingly and profoundly, traces the maturation of Kennedy in his role as commander in chief and brings us to wonder what might have been.
... Read more

Reviews (2)

One of the best books on the Kennedy presidency
This book was the first one to explore Kennedy's role as Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces.It also described how foreign events such as the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and theconflict in Vietnam were viewed by the Kremlin and the Pentagon.The bookalso talks about Kennedy's frequent disagreements with the Joint Chiefs ofStaff on military issues and how these problems were handled and resolved. I think that this book is very interesting and worth reading.

Refreshing to read something of JFK other than personal life
Being so close to Pres. Kennedy, Pierre Salinger is well qualified to share his knowledge and experiences during his tenure as Press Secretary.I also found the photos very interesting and inviting; I enjoyed readingthis book very much; enlightening to learn of JFK's harrowing experiencesduring WW2 and the suffering he experienced during that time.He certainlywas a hero in the true sense of the word.It's sad that these years of hislife were not more highlighted, rather than focusing on all his personalescapades.He truly, in my opinion, was a great President; it's tragic hewasn't with us longer.Thank you, Pierre, for a great job! ... Read more

Book Description

He was "Good Bobby," who, as his brother Ted eulogized him, "saw wrong and tried to right it . . . saw suffering and tried to heal it." And "Bad Bobby," the ruthless and manipulative bully of countless conspiracy theories. Thomas's unvarnished but sympathetic and fair-minded portrayal is packed with new details about Kennedy's early life and his behind-the-scenes machinations, including new revelations about the 1960 and 1968 presidential campaigns, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and his long struggles with J. Edgar Hoover and Lyndon Johnson. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

The complex truth about a national icon
Evan Thomas' extraordinary book about Senator Robert Kennedy's life brings a wealth of new information and surprising insights to the mythic figure of Bobby we all thought we knew. Thomas' careful research, gripping interviews, and well-honed writing make this a "page turner." Written by a prize-winning journalist who also happens to be Norman Thomas' grandson, Evan Thomas' insightful portrait of Robert Kennedy is nonetheless objective and balanced, showing us a political figure of conscience and, at exactly the same moment, hard-bitten practicality. Thomas has opened a new window into the complex and not-always-liberal character, RFK. His book is must reading for anyone seeking to understand the Kennedys and America in the l960's.

An even-handed approach to a complex man.
Evan Thomas successfully catches the complexity of Robert Kennedy. Thomas' book enables the reader to understand the myriad of different influences which resulted in the RFK who so captivated this country for a short period of time in the 1960s. Thirty-two years after his death at age 42 it is often forgotten that for every American who saw RFK as a hero, there was another American who saw a demon. In an America where politicians struggle to avoid powerful emotions and controversial positions Robert Kennedy embraced them. What Thomas captures is that the embrace was not always intentional. Robert Kennedy's very nature compelled him to be a lightning rod for emotion.

Thomas' picture of RFK during the Cuban Missile Crisis is perhaps the most compelling part of the book. More so than any other Kennedy biography this book displays a man, not yet 37 years old, dealing with the possiblity that his own actions might bring about the deaths of millions. Thomas effectively shows how amazing it was that Kennedy was not frozen into indecision or bullied into a military response by others with more credentials. Thomas captures a man driven to his limits and functioning effectively.

Thomas, although apparently an admirer of Kennedy, effectively protrays the darker side of his life. However, what comes out of this biography that is missing in others is the context of Kennedy's actions which are so criticized today. For example, Thomas does not excuse the recklessness of the early days of the Kennedy administration that resulted in the clandestine attempts on Fidel Castro's life. Unlike other biographys, written by Kennedy admirers, Thomas shows that RFK probably was aware that others were actively seeking this result rather than simply stating that no direct evidence of his knowledge or involvement in these plots has ever been produced. However, Thomas doesn't stop there, as other more critical biographys have done. Instead Thomas looks at the forces at play which resulted in RFK's involvement in the plots. This is done not to excuse Kennedy's conduct but to explain it.

At the end the reader is left to wonder what Robert Kennedy, who almost certainly would not have even gotten the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968, would have done with the rest of his life. You don't have to admire or hate Robert Kennedy to recognize what a fascinating story that might have been.

An Exeptionally Well Written Look at RFK
In the pages of history, Robert F. Kennedy will forever live in his brother's shadow. While comparing the Kennedy brothers is unfair to their unique individual characteristics, Evan Thomas has written a staggering biography of Robert. We may never fully understand the complexities of the former Attorney General, but he can get a better idea of who he was. The writing of Evan Thomas is a refreshing demonstration of how a well researched, focused, yet unbiased journalism should read.

The Prologue gives a very summarized preview of Robert Kennedy's life. The quotes and major events are in this chapter. As the reader, I appreciate the preview of what I am about the read. Even in this portion of the book, Thomas wastes no time on frivilous details.

The story begins in Robert's childhood as the forgotten Kennedy son. The Runt, as his father calls him, lives in the shadow of his brothers Joseph Jr. and John. Because his two older brothers are seemingly annointed for greatness by his father, Robert takes to his mother. The favor of his mother caused Robert to develop a strong religious devotion and sense of morality. It is reasonable to believe that this is why Robert took a strong interest in preventing conflict and helping the poor. Only after John becomes President and Robert is appointed Attorny General does he gain the respect of his father.

The book shows the decline of Robert after the assassination of his brother. It has been theorized that he was plagued with guilt for his brother's death. Yet it is through these events that we are able to see Robert develop his sense of self. He is elected to his first office as New York Senator. Frustrated by the progress of Lyndon Johnson he enters the 1968 election. It is at a victory speech during the campaign that he is assassinated.

Robert F. Kennedy is a complex individual. Throughout his life he was haunted by more ghosts and grief than most men are able to survive. This is a reflection of the strength of this great American. Evan Thomas does a superb job of campturing this complex story.

Interesting Biography
I am a 1960's junkie so a book on Bobby Kennedy is essential. I thought this book was very informative, describing him as a child through to his adult life. I think this was very revealing in how he was as adult.

The aspects of Robert Kennedy's life in the JFK White House was very interesting, from the intergration of the University of Alabama to the administrations relations with such figures as Martin Luther King and J. Edgar Hoover.

I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to explore Robert Kennedy's life.

"RUNT OF THE LITTER" TO "LEADER OF THE PACK"
Since the basic details of Robert Kennedy's political career are fairly well known, I plan to devote the bulk of this review to Evan Thomas' description of "Bobbie's" struggle to be truly accepted in his own family.

Robert Kennedy was born too late to be one of his father's favorites. As Thomas describes it, Joe senior, the ex-bootlegger millionaire, had ambitions for his sons. These ambitions were first centered around his eldest son, Joe junior, his first born. This son was to be President of the United States. Because Joe (the father) only showed his love through praise for major achievements, and believed that winning was everything, his sons had become highly competitive with one another. This competitiveness probably caused Joe juniors death in WWII. It seems that number two son, John (Jack), had a war experience that dad had enhanced to make it seem a much greater act of heroism than it actually was. In order to outdo his younger brother, Joe junior volunteered for an extremely dangerous mission, one which cost him his life.

Although he grieved, Joe senior wasted no time in switching his plans to his second son, Jack, and eventually did succeed in getting Jack elected President.

One might ask where Robert was all this time. As "little brother," little in both stature and in importance in the family, his job was to help out his big brother. This was the only way he could get dad's attention, and rarely, an expression of approval.

Robert did his job and did it well, but for many years, no matter how many scrapes he got Jack out of, went unappreciated. He finally did come into his own during the period of the Cuban Missile Crisis, when it was his advice that his brother, the Presidnt followed, and which worked. from this point on, he was accepted as a near equal.

It had been a long struggle, but he had finally become important in the family hierarchy and eventually was to earn his father's grudging respect.

The story of his political career from the "red-baiting" advisor to Joe McCarthy, to the overzealous "crime buster," through the changes that led him to be a spokesman for the underpriveleged, to his campaign for the Presidency in his own right, and, finally, to his assassination, is well known so I won't dwell on the details here.

Robert Kennedy's true struggle in life was to be a son who was loved by his domineering father. I believe, and Thomas so indicates, that he was finally successful in doing this. From "runt of the litter" to a socially conscious, "probably would have been successful Presidential Candidate," he came a long way. After reading Thomas' biography, you come away feeling that the nation was made significantly poorer by Robert Kennedy's assisination. ... Read more

Book Description

Forty years ago, Martin Luther King, Jr. electrified the nation when he delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. King's prophetic utterances started the long overdue process of changing America's idea of itself. His words would enter the American lexicon, galvanizing the civil rights movement, becoming a touchstone for all that the country might someday achieve.

The Dream is the first book about Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legendary "I Have a Dream" speech. Opening with an enthralling account of the August day in 1963 that saw 250,000 Americans converge at the March on Washington, The Dream delves into the fascinating and little-known history of King's speech. Hansen explores King's compositional strategies and techniques, and proceeds to a brilliant analysis of the "I Have a Dream" speech itself, examining it on various levels: as a political treatise, a work of poetry, and as a masterfully delivered and improvised sermon bursting with biblical language and imagery.

In tracing the legacy of "I Have a Dream" since 1963, The Dream insightfully considers how King's incomparable speech "has slowly remade the American imagination," and led us closer to King's visionary goal of a redeemed America.

Reviews (5)

The Power of God in Man
Martin Luther King was not an unusual black man; in fact, he wanted much of what many black men before him, probably all black men and women wanted. But Martin Luther King was a very unusual man, who happened to be black. His degree of passion, his conviction, his hope, and his perseverance were unlike most before him, and most after him, with the inspired, God given desire to make the world a better place for everyone, including blacks. His vision was not just the result of respect and reliance by his people, it was divinely inspired so that his passion, his hope emerged and blossomed before millions, many of whom were not familiar with him, his history, or his prominence and reputation. He was possessed of those rare qualities, and that rare talent, of the ability to inspire others to believe in themselves, and the world, that they had the dignity to alter their own dynamics, the manner in which they lived, and in the manner in which they were treated by others. As an evangelist, he was superb. For that, like Jesus, and many other prophets who have been threatening to the status quo, his ability to show others the way to self respect and to peace were certainly the force of why his life was taken so early, and so brutally. He was more than a leader; he was a messiah for the many black people who had waited so long for one to lead them out of the psychological bondage which was still very real to them. He positioned himself to show the way, and how to do it in the least offensive manner possible, by non-violence. He was a pillar of strength that even whites unfamiliar with him understood the necessity of yielding to God's will, instinctively knowing that all men were equal, and that all needed the recognition of being equal. Indeed, whites were aware of their obligation under the Constitution to recognize that equality but felt no compulsion to expect it of themselves until Martin forced them to face the truth they had so long avoided. Not only did he demand of blacks the energy and commitment to themselves, he demanded the energy and commitment of whites to respect themselves by being brave enough to help resolve the problem that had long festered in American social reality. The timing was right; the message was right, and Martin was right. He allowed none out of God's boat and helped everyone see that upon that ship, we were all afloat upon the ocean of humanity, and would indeed survive or perish. That message remains very much a part of his legacy, and today's reality although we face other issues as well, and the issues are now broader than ever. No one on earth has the option to say no to God and expect that it will be of no consequence to the world. He was the most remarkable of men that America has ever produced guided by his own devine light within as a beacon of humanity for all to follow.

More than a cuddly icon
Let me get first vent about the frustrating parts of this book before I get to the good stuff. First, at 229 pages of text, this was a rather short book, made shorter by Hansen's annoying habit of repeating important stretches of speeches. Second, the chapter analyzing the various drafts of the speech is probably better suited to a scholarly dissection of the speech than to a popular book. As was the chapter describing King's preaching style. And I got tired of ascribing every change in the speech to MLK's "genius". The man was exhausted, under threat and working on the run. Surely some of his decisions could have gone differently?

But minor grumpiness aside, I found this book hard to put down. The description of the organization for the August 1963 March on Washington was fascinating in its details about the people who attended it. One got the impression that the day was pretty disorganized, with the crowd making decisions on its own about when to start marching. Hansen also did a nice job of showing the internal disharmonies among groups within "the movement," as well as hinting that MLK's leadership done to him rather than pursued by him -- less because of his ability to manage and lead than because of his philosophical sophistication, personal courage, stamina and eloquence. That King comes across as a preacher and a prophet (as opposed to a great organizer) does him no disservice, but actually helps to humanize him and make the Civil Rights movement more real. Hansen did a nice job handling the post-1963 life of the speech. He is honest about the impatience that some blacks felt about the 'dreaminess' of the speech, especially as the movement's gains stalled and the violence continued. Hansen nicely captures the slightly radioactive nature of the speech among national politicians (many of whom were wary of King's alleged Communist sympathies) in the years before King's death and the cloyingly hagiographic tributes about King and the speech after 1968.

Hansen shows how King's memory has been sanitized and rendered harmless by linking him exclusively with the "I Have a Dream" speech. In opposing the Jim Crow laws, a main (but not the only) point of the speech, King targeted a system that was abhorrent to Northern whites and a source of shame to many in the South. Getting rid of it was the relatively easy matter of making the abuses public. But King's next targets proved more difficult -- the hard work of eliminating more subtle forms of racism from American hearts on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line. King's premature death allowed Americans to accept him as a national martyr and prophet, but ironically delayed the more difficult soul-searching about America's war plans in Vietnam, its endemic racism and the blind economic violence perpetrated against the poor and powerless.

"I have a dream" - more than just a speech
I read "The Dream" in one sitting this weekend. The book vividly recaptures the spirit of the time during which Rev. King developed and delivered this inspiring and world-changing speech. At first I was afraid that the author's decomposition of the speech would diminish the power and effectiveness of the speech. On the contrary, his deep exploration into the speech itself and the events leading up to that day, together with fresh perspectives on the moment itself and the years following its delivery enhanced my admiration for both the speech and Rev. King. The author's inescapable conclusion is that there was much, much more at work than a man delivering a televised speech to a supportive crowd. This singular moment in Rev. King's life was the catalyst for much of the advancement that we all benefit from today. Yet this same event is also being used by some to impede further progress in the complete fulfillment of The Dream. This is a book I can wholeheartedly recommend for anyone who wants to learn about the history of that day and its subsequent impact over the next 40 years. It will also be of particular relevance to those with an interest in public speaking.

King of the Dream
I've listened to King's famous speech dozens of times and read a number of books on King, but it wasn't until reading Hansen's captivating description and analysis of the speech that I realized how little I knew about this seminal event in American history. This book is unusual in that it is both hugely readable and phenomenally informative and insightful.

Places Speech in Proper Context
I recommend this book. It is a quick, informative and enjoyable read esp if you are interested in how a speech is prepared and delivered.

I agree that the "I Have a Dream" speech has become a cliche among many and ignores King's post-1963 life.

It would be nice if the book could have contained a CD of the speech but the King family owns the rights to the speech, I think, a point not ever addressed by the author. ... Read more

Book Description

Broadcast journalism came of age in the Kennedy Assassination crisis and helped to hold a mourning nation together.Four reporters on the scene relate their experiences. ... Read more

Book Description

On August 28, 1963, more than 250,000 people came to the nation's capital to speak out against segregation and to demand equal rights for everyone and to hear Martin Luther King, Jr. This book captures the spirit of this landmark day and brings Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech to vivid life. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An excellent illustrated story of the March on Washington
"Martin Luther King, Jr. and the March on Washington" tells the story of the historic day when one of the most famous speeches in American history was delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Author Frances E. Ruffin sets the stage for King's "I Have A Dream" speech by providing the background on why civil rights leaders called for the March on Washington. The illustrations of Stephen Marchesi are combined with photographs of white only laundromats, colored entrances, and separate (and clearly unequal) drinking fountains. By the time the story gets to King's speech, students will have a good understanding of the rhetorical facing the speaker. The "I Have A Dream" speech is nicely summarized and the book concludes by talking about how the Civil Rights Act of 1964 changed a lot of the wrongs depicted in the opening section. This book is designed for students in the first through third grades (Level 2) and makes an excellent introduction to the civil rights movement and would be very useful for students to read during Black History Month to help them understand why King's birthday is a national holiday. I especially liked Marchesi's picture of President Kennedy watching King's speech on television; it might be useful to ask students to look at that picture and imagine what the President might be thinking as he listens to what King had to say. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. for young readers
This book will be enjoyed by all students. It really speaks from the heart and instead of continually writing on all the negative stuff that authors seem to write on, i really think that Adler focused on writing on all the positive things that King did for the nation. The book was beautifully written.

History in pictures
Filled with teachings of peacefully protesting fair laws for all people, David
Adler gives us a picture book of Martin Luther King, Jr. In it, he shares the
early life of MLK Jr, his young experiences with racism and segregation and on
to his dreams as well as highlights some of his well-known protests. In these
protests, he speaks of a world free of hate, prejudice and violence.

This book is a great lesson in history for our children and also covers a few
other events in the plight for civil rights. Casilla's illustrations do a
decent job of giving us a pictorial view of the events chronicling King's life.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
...

Excellent first biography
The entire "A picture book of..." biography series byDavid Adler is outstanding. Perfect for lower elementary studentsdoing their first real report. Makes a great read-aloud for non-readers as they are easily completed in one sitting. They are loaded with information including a timeline of important dates. The illustrations in this book are not cartoon-like as in his other biographies of Washington or Lincoln, but are appealing to young children. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Thank You Gaeton!
America owes a debt of gratitude to Gaeton Fonzi, former House Select Commitee on Assassinations investigator.
The HSCA was formed to give we the people the truth about the Asassination Conspiracy of President John F Kennedy, but instead, tons of HSCA documents are sealed away for decades to come!
What the HSCA didnt want to make too public, and what the media has totally hidden, is that the HSCA investigation proves once and for all that Lee Oswald was being framed for the assassination MONTHS before it happened!
Gaeton Fonzi is one of the few investigators for the HSCA who has gone against the grain, and who has come out to tell the American People the truth. He did so by writing this book.
One of the main points of Fonzi's book, is that CIA man "Maurice Bishop", was an alias used by David Atlee Phillips, former head of the CIA's Western Hemisphere division!
The identity of "Bishop" has long kept JFK assassination researchers interested because "Bishop" was seen with Lee Oswald in Dallas not long before the assassination, proving that the CIA had a link with Oswald, even though they said they didnt.
Couple this with the fact that Philips ("Bishop") did work for the CIA in Mexico City WHERE AN OSWALD IMPERSONATOR FRAMED HIM (Oswald) BEFORE THE ASSASSINATION, and the JFK murder mystery becomes much clearer.

One of the three best books on the JFK assassination
Along with Dick Russell's The Man Who Knew Too Much and Garrison's On the Trail of the Assassins, Gaeton Fonzi's book The Last Investigation actually provides information that enables the reader to move a bit closer to understanding the truth about the conspiracy that killed JFK. The book contains noteworthy information about key suspects such as David Phillips and Orlando Bosch. On behalf of the House Select Committee on Assassinations, Gaeton Fonzi interviewed Bosch and was involved in assessing the possible role of Phillips as "Maurice Bishop" who was alleged to have met with Oswald prior to the assassination. The information in this book is a must for any objective reader to assess the liklihood that a conspiracy took place. One almost certainly did take place, and the information Fonzi covers is important to understand what actually happened.

The Last Investigation
Quite simply, this book is the most credible I have read on the subject. The author has pretty much confined his book to information he obtained through his own investigations into the case. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning something of the truth of this tragic event.

Keystone to Solving the Crime of the 20th Century
I cannot do much better than other reviewers of Fonzi's book. But I can add a few things -- perhaps even the last word. In passing, I must say I find it strange that there are so few reviews for this book. And yet, maybe it is not so strange.

Fonzi inherited the frustration of Jim Garrison ("On the Trail of Assassins") for discovering the ultimate lead to the mystery of Dealey Plaza. Both authors had conducted separate and independent investigations: Garrison in 1968 New Orleans, and Fonzi -- working for the House Select Committee on Assassinations between 1976 and 1978. Both investigations pointed ultimately toward a rogue faction within the CIA, but Fonzi, in pursuing events surrounding Oswald's appearance on Sylvia Odio's porch in September, 1963, went farther down that trail than anyone.

The other reviews do well to summarize Fonzi's book, so I leave the reader to explore those reviews. Instead, let's take a look at the history surrounding Fonzi's book itself. He had been constrained by a non-disclosure agreement with CIA from the time they began to suppress the HSCA's activities. This was also coincident with the landmark censorship court case over Vincent Marchetti's "The CIA and the Cult of Intelligence". It was not until after the passage of the 1992 JFK Records Collection Act and its implementation by William Jefferson Clinton that Fonzi was able to publish "Last Investigation".

Another author, investigating completely different events in history, supported Fonzi's findings, and that author was free of the constraints that bound Fonzi. Donald Freed published "Death in Washington: The Murder of Orlando Letelier" in 1980 on the heels of the infamous Sheridan Circle/Washington, DC car-bombing of Orlando Letelier and Ronni Moffitt. And what is most frightening is this: David Atlee Phillips, CIA case officer and handler of Lee Harvey Oswald, left a trail of blood and carnage throughout the Western Hemisphere in the wake of his involvement in the Kennedy assassination. As a master of propaganda science, he had purchased print and broadcast media in Chile, conducting a massive propaganda campaign which brought the Allende regime crashing down. Phillips' colleagues in the States were later arrested in the Watergate scandal, and they had previously burglarized the offices of Chilean Ambassador Orlando Letelier, providing a list of Allende supporters to the Nixon administration who passed it along through Phillips to the Pinochet regime. Everyone on that list was summarily "disappeared" in the infamous Santiago soccer stadium. Phillips later attempted to cover up the work of his next protege' after Oswald -- Michael Townley -- in the 1976 Letelier bombing.

All post-war history orbits around Dealey Plaza. All serious JFK research intent on getting at the Truth revolves around Fonzi's ground-breaking findings. And a significant part of assassination books after "Last Investigation" appear crafted to obscure the trail Fonzi uncovered.

Looking at the 1990s and the ARRB declassifications under Clinton, the average citizen has been exposed to TV documentaries such as Nigel Turner's "Men Who Killed Kennedy" and a series narrated by Roger Moore entitled "The KGB JFK Assassination Files". None of these, or any other video documentaries mention Fonzi or his key suspect who planned the coverup and sheepdipping of Oswald in every detail. While Turner's series points in the right direction, it still explores many false trails, and leaves too much to the viewer's discretionary conclusion.

Phillips, the Watergate boys and Maj. Gen. Ed Lansdale had all been involved in "Operation Zapata" -- the Bay of Pigs Invasion. Lansdale's focus (see Prouty, "JFK: The CIA, Vietnam and the Assassination of J__ F__ K__") had been psychological warfare; Phillips had been a propaganda specialist. One field of study and application is the subset of the other, and the involvement of these two men at the center of the plot -- between the yet-to-be-proven high-level participants and the triggermen -- should indicate to those interested at getting to the heart of the matter just how horrendously insidious and Evil the events surrounding Dealey Plaza really were.

The fact that the extensive TV documentaries steer clear of both Phillips and Lansdale can only indicate one thing: the coverup continues; its purpose is to deceive the American people; and the deceit is necessary because three major industries that had circled their wagons of interest and influence around CIA and Pentagon before 1963 have maintained their status quo all this time. Those industries are strategic minerals (oil), defense-aerospace, and the media itself. The involvement of the third leg of this industrial complex explains why Fonzi's book has been obscured; why the HSCA findings and their suppressed files only released in 1997 have received little notice in the media; and why so many books and films attempt to lead the reader in other directions: there is the "Diem-Nhu-Corsican Mob" theory, the "Mafia" Theory, the "Castro" and "KGB" theories, and of course, the "lone-nut" theory. It is in the interest of the powers-that-be that the American people ignore the Fonzi book and continue to search in all directions of the conspiracy compass -- into perpetuity. Books after Fonzi's -- such as Gus Russo's "Live By the Sword" -- are still spinning theories and resurrecting old cover stories that have been disproved by declassified documents. At the same time, the declassification of Oswald's CIA "201" file now validates and confirms every fact, assertion and premise of Fonzi's own book, and especially, the connection between James McCord (Watergate), David Atlee Phillips, and Lee Harvey Oswald.

Fonzi's book is an exciting and spell-binding reading experience. It is earnest research and sound conclusion. It is THE most important book to acquire for anyone seriously interested in the Truth about Dealey Plaza.

Buy it. Read it. Pursue its investigative leads. Tell every American and world citizen you know. And as you do so, "Last Investigation" will arm you with enough facts to convince yourself and everyone -- this is no theory. This is the light at the end of the tunnel.

Fathom Fog.
Gaeton Fonzi has penned a fascinating book about his on-site experiences & explorations as an investigator for the HSCA~(House Select Committee on Assassinations)~,which was the 2nd Government probe,during the 1970's,into the JFK slaughter. Of his work for the Committee,Fonzi noted "We were not allowed to follow up many strong leads that needed to be pursued." What Fonzi outlines in THESE pages,though,pretty much cuts to the chase of questioning a conspiracy & prods a stick at the darker theories~(for example,was Lee Oswald linked to the CIA?)which,for me,sets this volume apart from others.

Probably the most mind blowing experience Fonzi had as an investigator for the H.S.C.A was when he went to interview George DeMohrenschildt. DeMohrenschildt was an exiled Russian count involved in the oil business & linked to the intelligence community who was a good friend of Lee Oswald before the assassination. On the very day Fonzi went to interview him,DeMohrenschildt commited suicide.

All in all,a thoroughly inriguing,eye-opening little book...i quite enjoyed it. ... Read more

Book Description

Highlights of 16 of John F. Kennedy's best known speeches, chronicling his Presidential years, 1960 through 1963. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Sound bites and highlights, but not much depth.
For somebody who was not alive in JFK's time, this seemed like a great way to get a feel for the politics and history of the 1960s. This approach, though, gives only a few minutes, five at most, of each speech and so the listener gets a famous highlight, but no depth of experience. I am excited about the primary exposure, but much more content and length is necessary for this to be of much use to a serious fan of history or politics.

Great promise but fails to deliver what the buyer expects
This volume was a disappointment because only portions of the various speeches are used. One would expect the complete speech including the classics (American University, Inaugural etc.) Still it is fascinating to hear one of the great modern orators making his case both domestically and internationally. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If the Kennedys are America's royal family, then John F. Kennedy wasthe nation's crown prince. Magnetic, handsome, and charismatic, his perfectlycoifed image overshadowed the successes and failures of his presidency, and hisassassination cemented his near-mythological status in American culture andpolitics. Struck down in his prime, he represented the best and the brightest ofAmerica's future, and when he died, part of the nation's promise and innocencewent with him. That, at least, is the public version of the story.

The private version, according to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist SeymourM. Hersh, is quite different. His meticulous investigation of Kennedy hasrevealed a wealth of indiscretions and malfeasance, ranging from frequentliaisons with prostitutes and mistresses to the attempted assassination of FidelCastro to involvement in organized crime. Though scandals in the White House arenothing new, Hersh maintains that Kennedy's activities went beyond minor abusesof power and personal indulgences: they threatened the security of the nation--particularly in the realm of foreign policy--and the integrity of the office.Hersh believes it was only a matter of time before Kennedy's dealings wereexposed, and only his popularity and charm, compounded by his premature death,spared such an investigation for so long. Exposure was further stalled by BobbyKennedy's involvement in nefarious dealings, enabling him to bury anyinvestigation of his brother and--by extension--himself.

Based on interviewswith former Kennedy administration officials, former Secret Service agents, andhundreds of Kennedy's personal friends and associates, The Dark Side ofCamelot rewrites the history of John F. Kennedy and his presidency. ... Read more

Reviews (82)

The New Frontier Revisited
Several themes permeate this work of investigative journalism. The arrogance of wealth, the conceit of position, and the mendacity of politicians stagger the casual reader. It is complete folly to elevate any president to the mythic realms of "Camelot." Presidents should be viewed as three-dimensional human beings subject to the common limits of that predicament.

John Kennedy's personal life was not circumspect, and his political methods not always clean and honorable. It is astonishing by current standards, but his personal peccadilloes had the tacit approval of the news media and the U.S. government agencies (i.e., the FBI) that enabled him to continue his reckless double life after becoming president. The Kennedy family had the money and influence to achieve power. According to this book, the sons perpetuated the sins of the father. The people described in the book viewed reckless personal behavior an entitlement of their family name. It is a sharp contrast to the familiar public image of grace, refinement, and charm of the Kennedy White House that was typical of the early '60s.

Differentiating between fact and rumor is the challenge of reading investigative journalism, especially a book that tells of the moral turpitude of a major public figure. The author's research is exhaustive and builds a compelling case. The lengthy footnotes and other digressions documenting the authenticity of the sources can annoy the reader by disrupting a smooth narrative. The Freedom of Information Act made vital records available in the '90s that were off limts in the '60s. These sources lend credibility to the book's assertions. The dismayed disillusionment of the Secret Service agents is easy to believe, for example, after they observed the fraternity house behavior of JFK and his cronies that occurred in the White House when the First Lady was out of town. The book's tone is objective in spite of the tabloid level topics.

For comic relief there is the description of the Kennedy brothers' feud with Fidel Castro. JFK and Robert Kennedy viewed the Bay of Pigs fiasco as a personal affront to the Kennedy aura. They cast Castro in the role of the scruffy villain, not an unreasonable image for him. The CIA's fantastic retaliation plots are the stuff of some hack writer's spy thriller. The "Spy vs Spy" antics eventually came to nothing, but the bemused reader can only wonder how the U.S. government could consider such absurdities. Exploding fountain pens! Good grief!

Reading this book is both fascinating and repulsive, a very unsettling experience that destroys the "Camelot" image of the Kennedy era. The central theme of John F. Kennedy's morally ambiguous personal life is riveting. Let the reader beware!

Read this Book
The Dark Side of Camelot rewrites the history of John F. Kennedy and his presidency-at least the public version. Thank you Mr. Hersh, for taking aim at the Kennedy mystique and helping change the popular view of the Kennedy family forever. This is a must read for all. This books exposes what Kennedy should be remembered for: Vietnam (which he viewed as a strategic piece of real estate), stolen elections, adulterous affairs, the invasion of Cuba... The Kennedy's-those paragons of reformism and concern for the people-are shown for what they truly were: communist hunters, union busters, counter-insurgency enthusiasts, torture chamber academy founders... Those under the spell of the mythic "Camelot" will not like this book, but it's a truth from the 60s we should not shy away from. Kennedy should be remembered for unleashing the military might of U.S. imperialism against the Vietnamese, Cubans and more. Those who've been fooled by the likes of Clinton's liberal image would do well to study this book. It unveils the liberal as but a sugarcoated mask, the better to eat you with, in their rule of U.S. imperialism. Thanks Seymour, You've got a winner!

Agenda filled Hatchet Job
I would agree almost exactly wih the gentleman who wrote the close but no cigar review,except I would say maybe 40 to 50 % may be true, but the other 50 percent are the real important things - he is not only dead wrong on the assassination, Hersh has the gall and effrontry to say" he has seen no evidence of conspiracy in JFK's Assassination" Oh really? Hersh allegedly got a ridiculous sum to publish this book & there are many books here on amazon.com wth a ton of solid, corroborated info for a domestic conspiracy, so that is an extremely dishonest allegation. He doesn't give JFK any credit for the Cuban Missile Crisis- would he have prefered Nixon, or Johnson? who would have done exactly what the Joint Chiefs Of Staff wanted-turning Cuba into an ashtray & with the ICBM capabilities that Khruschev & Co. had, conceivably the eastern coastline from Miami up could have been hit in retaliation as they had many more missiles than was known at the time of the crisis. JFK was a great man, look at the people he had to deal with- the afforementioned crooks -LBJ & Nixon, the incredibly corrupt meglomaniac Hoover, Dulles head of the CIA who started the overthrow of foreign Govt's in Iran with Mossadegh in 1953, then Arbenz in Guatemala 54 etc, & along with Ike, left JFK with an incredible mess in Cuba when he took office with no good solution, & other high ranking military men who wanted war, and he had to try everything placating them.There's another side to these stories that Hersh doesn't mention, if JFK was so bad- why has this country been literally a lifetime of lies since 11-22-63? Answer me that Seymour Hersh.

close but no cigar
I used to think Seymour Hersh was a dedicated journalist but this book, although right on many parts about JFK and his father, seems as if it was written by an ex-lover of one of the Kenndey's who got screwed over. Granted Jack did put himself in danger by sleeping with a lot of women (which all of Washington knew) but he misses his character completely which somebody would with there simple-minded christian outlook on life. I would say 3/4ths of this book is right but this rest is fabrications and falsehoods propagated by Kennedy bashers (who exist to this day) but on many points he is dead wrong such as Vietnam, the Bay of Pigs, the mafia-CIA murder plots, and so on. If you want a one-sided book showing the dark side of Camelot than this is for you.

The Under Side of the Sheets
I was born after the Kennedy Administration so I do not have the nostalgic feelings for him that many people do. I picked this book up to get a little less fawning impression of him then some other books tend to portray and for some good old fashion dirt. I have also read some other books by this author so I new him to be a straight shooter. Well, I was not disappointed. This book covered JFK's father, grandfather, campaign and full presidency and my impression is that the author left no rock or bed sheet left unturned. Before I go further I should add that I have read any number of political books that are basically hatchet jobs and I was a little concerned this book would fall into that category. I was pleasantly surprised that the author was able to present all the unflattering bits in a very evenhanded manner. The author could have tossed in little nasty comments here and there, but did not. He stuck to a very "just the facts" type of reporting.

The book covered some very interesting parts about the campaign and the unique financing that took place. The author did not pull punches, he detailed out vote buying to a rather large degree. The one area that was left unsaid was just how prevalent was this behavior. This is not an excuse, but if the Kennedy team was just doing what every politician had and was doing up to that point, the activity is not as exciting and revolting as the author stated. For me the other two most interesting parts were the detail on Cuba and Berlin. I was not upset or surprised at what the administration was doing to try and get rid of Castro. I think we all know about the Bay of Pigs and the attempt to have Castro killed. This book just filled in a lot of nice details. Again the author tried to make these activities far more scandalous then they were given the times that they took place in. Sure, if these activities were taking place today it would be a "blank gate" of some sort, but back then this was just how the game was played.

The most overriding theme of the book was the extramarital affairs JFK was involved in during his term. At first this was rather interesting in a playboy sort of way. How he carried on like this was a bit of every high school boys adolescent dream come true. It was just that it got to be too much of a good thing. In almost every chapter of the book we get details about this woman or that woman. At about the mid point of the book I was thinking, "Ok, I got it - he was a playboy -lets move on". It just got to be a distraction within the book. My only other complaint would be that the author tried to make hay about the political trip to Dallas that resulted in JFK's assassination. He tried to imply that the choices JFK made resulted in his death. I thought this was a bit of a reach. Overall the book was interesting if not a bit over the top on the woman issue. If you are a big fan of JFK you will want to stay away, but if you are looking for more interesting and in depth look at the man then this would be a nice addition to your JFK reading. ... Read more

Book Description

"Kennedy's life reads like a Greek tragedy....In many ways, this is a fable disguised as narrative history. Its moral is that the journey of Kennedy's life, his commitment to public service, to the poor and the disadvantaged, should be seen as an inspiring account of what it was like to be at Robert Kennedy's side and why he and many like him felt that vision and virtue walked with them."

-- Business Week

"Exceptionally important, one of a handful of books that anyone who cares for the politics of the '60s must read."

-- Newsweek

"A picture of a deeply compassionate man hiding his vulnerability, drawn to the underdogs and the unfortunates in society by his life experiences and sufferings."

-- Los Angeles Times

"An absorbing and vividly written study of a gallant and tragic man who might have made a difference had he lived."

-- The Boston Globe

"A moving and enchanting study of the young and often puzzling man who, if he had lived, would almost surely have been elected president instead of Richard Nixon...Kennedy knew the danger,! but he chose not to live in fear of it."

-- San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle

"Kennedy's was a complex, influential, and in many respects enigmatic life....His is a story not so much of what was as of what might have been, a story that leaves the reader aching for what cannot be recaptured. Schlesinger has told that story brilliantly."

-- Miami Herald

Winner of the National Book Award

with 16 pages of intimate photographs ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Detailed, balanced, and moving: simply the best bio on RFK
Schlesinger outdoes himself in the most thorough and fair biography of Robert Kennedy in print. As a Kennedy advisor for many hears, Schlesinger paints with deep and compelling account the words and actions, public and private, of RFK's short life. From his ambitous youth to his rise to national leadership in the mid 60s, Kennedy is shown to be deeply compassionate, capable, and immensely popular. Speaking to a crowd in a black ghetto the day of Martin Luther King's assination, Kennedy asked us all to dedicate ourselves "to tame the savageness of man and to make gentle the life of this world." It is clear that Kennedy dedicated his life to this. We are left to wonder how different our nation would be had he not been murdered during his presidential bid in 1968. Without sensationalizing any aspect of his or his brother's life, Schlesinger's biography is a detailed, fair, and very moving account of one of the most inspiring leaders of the 20th century.

A compassionate look at the man from an admiring friend
Arthur Schlesinger gives a truly informed look at the developmental years of Bobby Kennedy through the final days of his life. Schlesinger's position in the Kennedy administration gives him a special insight into the relations between RFK and the JFK cabinet as well as the powerful, long standing beaurocrats of the day. One is left with an incredible sense of loss upon completion of this book as RFK's life was so busy and so incomplete when he was killed. Sources are well documented and Schlesinger takes great care to avoid opinion and speculation.

Robert Kennedy and His Times
After reading many RFK books over the course of a History Degree I can say that this book is well done in its examinations but is flawed. First and foremost Mr. Schlesinger was a Kennedy insider to both JFK and RFK and his prose reads more like a reccolection then an actual history. While I do respect his works, I do not belive the author to have written a complete work. I believe that his inside knowledge, while insightful, has skewed his slant on his subject. My only other problem with this work is that as an isider Mr. Schlesinger has chosen to gloss over the assassination itself. Considering that was one of the biggest parts of Kennedy's history it would reson that it would beget more mention. All in all I found the book well written taking into consideration the above mentioned faults. Two works that I would reccomend over this one are James Hilty's ROBERT KENNEDY: BROTHER PROTECTOR and Jules Whitcovers' 85 DAYS: THE LAST CAMPAIGN OF ROBERT KENNEDY.

very good
this book is the best biography of RFK, I advise evrybody to buy it.
Arthur Schlessinger tells us how was RFK and the other Kennedys.
So buy and read this book

there is no photo

Excellent book !
One of the best books about RFK! At the end of the book you can't help wondering what the world would have been if RFK and JFK had lived! I really recommend this book to all RFK fans! A thousand thanks to Schlessinger for having written this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s ideashis call for racialequality, hisfaith in the ultimate triumph of justice, his insistence on the power ofnonviolence to bring about a major transformation of American society are asvital and timely as ever. The wealth of his writings, both published andunpublished, are now preserved in this authoritative, chronologicallyarranged,multi-volume edition. Volume Two begins with King's doctoral work at Boston University andends withhis first year as pastor of the historic Dexter Avenue Baptist Church inMontgomery, Alabama. It includes papers from his graduate courses and afullyannotated text of his dissertation. There is correspondence with peopleKingknew in his years prior to graduate school and a transcription of thefirstknown recording of a King sermon. We learn, too, that Boston was whereKing methis future wife, Coretta Scott. Accepting the call to serve Dexter, the young King followed the church'stradition of socially active pastors by becoming involved in voterregistrationand other social justice issues. In Montgomery he completed his doctoralwork,and he and Coretta Scott began their marriage. The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr. represents a testament to a manwhose lifeand teaching have had a profound influence, not only on Americans, buton peopleof all nations. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I have a dream
I have a dream that my son want be a black slave that he will be free. And saw my whife and my gran chudern ... Read more

Book Description

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the assassination of RFK, Doubleday/Main Street Books reissues a collection of articles and photos from the time immediately after the event. Part of the proceeds goes to the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Fund, which rewards individuals who have accomplished themselves in the area of human rights. Authorized by the Kennedy family. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

a great tribute
"An Honorable Profession" : A Tribute to Robert F. Kennedy, is one of the best memorial book of rfk, there are a lot of picture and some newspapers article.
the texts are good and interesting, it is never boring.
I recommend it to all rfk admires

touching tribute, inspirational words
There are beautiful poems, touching stories, and inspirational words in this book. I learned a lot about the good and decent man and his course. I sensed the feelings and spirits of so many Americans at that troubled time. There has never been a book of tributes after reading which I have been filled with so many hopes, though so sad at the same time... Robert F. Kennedy died in the course of the honorable profession, but he did not die in vain. His course made the profession an HONORABLE one, and made people believe that we can do better, and that we can also make our profession honorable.

AN HONORABLE MAN
This beautifully written biography of the late Senator Robert Kennedy does an excellent job of focusing on not only the man's career, but the issues and questions he was confronted with, such as civil rights, poverty and the disenfranchised citizens.

Robert Kennedy had a very impressive resume -- father of 11, an undergraduate degree from Harvard, a law degree from University of Virginia, attorney, Attorney General, Senator and lastly, presidential candidate for the 1968 election.

This was a man who apparently set high standards for himself throughout his life. The seventh of 9 children, he fought to prove himself among his siblings. As a boy, he strove to develop his physical prowess. One can smile at the young Bobby, then 4 trying to teach himself to swim despite his older brothers' chagrin. The same small boy who kept jumping in deep water would, 35 years later climb a previously unscaled mountain. Robert Kennedy, by then a senator suffered from acrophobia his entire life, yet pushed himself to climb that mountain. In March of 1965 he would table his fear and, with veteran mountain climbers Jim Whittaker and Barry Prather (both of whom had scaled Mt. Everest in 1963) ascend Mt. Kennedy in Canada. He climbed that mountain out of love for his slain brother, the late President. This particular event is inspirational; this man faced his biggest fear and acted out of love.

As a boy, Robert Kennedy grappled with a mild form of dyslexia. Although by all accounts he learned to read within normal limits and was certainly an intelligent man, he learned early to combine his intelligence with diligence and very hard work. In adult life he would seek solace in classic literature; by 1964 he was able to quote long passages by authors such as Camus and Aeschylus by heart. The title of this book is a nod to the Senator's love of classic literature; "An Honorable Profession" is from "The 39 Steps" by Lord Tweedsmuir.

Diligence appeared to be the core Robert Kennedy; the man who drilled himself in academic pursuits was the man who would also set high standards for himself throughout his professional/political career. In reading this work one cannot help drawing the conclusion that Robert Kennedy was at core a good man and a sincere man and a man who would stop at nothing to accomplish all tasks he had set for himself. His daughter Kerry Kennedy Cuomo's input provides some enlightening insights into the characteristics of this complex, often driven man.

In reading this work as with many on Robert Kennedy, one can readily draw the conclusion that this man genuinely cared about people; his work with and for civil rights certainly attests to his deep level of empathy. He appeared to move and blend with equal ease among all people. Robert Kennedy could easily be described as the man for everybody. He was certainly a strong voice and considered by many to be the advocate for all.

In 1968 Robert Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles, California. His loss leaves the questions open today of what he would have accomplished had he lived to win the 1968 election. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

a voice of the hope
in this book, we can see all rfk speeches and it's very interesting.
there are rare pictures too.
we can see all rfk ideas and ii think it s good for our generation.

One of the Last Voices of Hope and Idealism
This is a wonderful book that is filled with hope that is in despereate need for those of us who have grown up since Watergate and Bill Clinton. Senator Kennedy's 1966 South Africa speech("The Day of Affirmation") and his powerfully truthful message at Los Angeles' Greek Theater on March 24, 1968 gives young people an idea of a long-ago time when people really believed in politicians and politicians really believed in the people. Hopefully, younger generations may be inspired by this so that one day, we can beleive in each other again! ... Read more

Book Description

Long before he became a world-famous dreamer, Martin Luther King Jr. was a little boy who played jokes and practiced the piano and made friends without considering race. But growing up in the segregated South of the 1920s forced a very young Martin to learn a bitter lesson -- little white children and little black children were not to play with one another. Martin decided then and there that something had to be done. And as a seven-year-old, he embarked on a journey that would change the course of American history.

Renowned educator Christine King Farris, older sister of the late Dr. King, joins with celebrated illustrator Chris Soentpiet to tell this inspirational story of how one boyhood experience inspired a movement. It's a tale that will touch the hearts of all people, and remind us all that if you believe hard enough, dreams can become reality. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

There's no better Martin Luther King Jr. Book!
This is a straight forward, compassionate, informational story of Martin Luther King Jr.'s life. His sister tells their story simply and provides perspective where Martin Luther King Jr. got many of his ideas and courage - from his dad! It is a quiet appreciation for the life the family led. I really appreciated the story and it brings a new more realistic meaning to King's life.

A touching memior of the childhood that shaped the man
I LOVE this book. It is a well-written, personal account of a family. It spans from fun carefree days to the realization of prejudice. It is not about the man, it is about the boy. It was not graphic in it's description of violence and hatred, which made it completely appropriate for my six year old (who also really enjoyed the book). And the poem at the end was the perfect ending. GET THIS BOOK!

Unique Perspective
I loved this book because whenever i read a biogaphy I always want to hear from someone who really knew the person and in this book by Martin Luther King's sister, Christine King Farris, I get that perspective. Farris writes beautifully and poetically about their childhood and sheds light on the experiences and influences that shaped MLK to be the great inspirational leader that he was. I highly recommend this wonderful biography! ... Read more

Book Description

An Unfinished Life is the first major, single-volume life of John F. Kennedy to be written by a historian in nearly four decades. Drawing upon previously unavailable material and never-before-opened archives to tell Kennedy's story.We learn for the first time just how sick Kennedy was, what medications he took and concealed from all but a few, and how severely his medical condition affected his actions as President. We learn for the first time the real story of how Bobby was selected as Attorney General. Dallek reveals exactly what Jack's father did to help his election to the presidency, and he follows previously unknown evidence to show what path JFK would have taken in the Vietnam entanglement had he survived.

Dallek (LIFTS) JFK out of the gossips and back onto the world stage, showing that while he was the son of privilege, he faced great obstacles and fought on with remarkable courage. Never shying away from Kennedy's weaknesses, Dallek also brilliantly explores his strengths. The result is a portrait of a bold, brave, human Kennedy, once again a hero. ... Read more

Reviews (64)

A fully realized biography...wow!
THere have been so many books written about the Kennedys (and JFK especially) so my reaction to the news that there was to be yet another JFK tell-all was a big yawn. But when I first read some of Robert Dallek's revelations in Atlantic Monthly last year, I felt compelled to check out An Unfinished Life.

I was not disappointed.

This is an extremely well-researched and complete look at a man who, considering his public profile, led a very private life. Without spoiling the book, I must say that the information about JFK's health in An Unfinished Life are reason enough to pick this one up.

Although the media has been making much hay about Kennedy's own "Monicagate," that revelation is not at all the backbone of the book. Without taking sides, Dallek has given us the first look at the man behind the image. It's refreshing to see JFK not as an icon, but merely as a man who happened to be President of the USA...and like everybody, his life was not perfect.

Kennedy fans will learn new things (both good and bad) and others will catch a glimpse of a man who became one of the prime newsmakers of the 20th century. A great read.

An Unfinished War
An Unfinished War
Conjecture about JFK's Vietnam policy mars Dallek's otherwise solid biography

By Adam Scheuer

When John Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on that fateful day in November of 1963, it is often argued, so too were hopes for an American withdrawal from Vietnam. Had Oswald missed and Kennedy lived, the theory goes, American troops would have been withdrawn from Vietnam by 1965 and the United States would have escaped the hopeless quagmire that, by its end, swallowed 58,000 American lives. It is a counterfactual theory that has been popularized by Oliver Stone's film, JFK, and by John M. Newman's book, JFK and Vietnam: Deception, Intrigue, and the Struggle for Power, but neither of these works, inclined toward conspiracy theories, offered serious scholarship. Robert Dallek, a professor at Boston University, has now lent new credence to old conjecture with his treatment of the president's Vietnam policy in an exhaustive 812-page biography of Kennedy's life and presidency, An Unfinished Life. Unlike Stone and Newman's works, Dallek's is intricately researched, his citation of sources fully accurate, and his work scholarly, in most parts. But Dallek's conclusion that Kennedy would have withdrawn from Vietnam earlier is no more correct that it was when Oliver Stone coupled it with rants about Cubans and "the Agency" over a decade ago.

The flaw in An Unfinished Life's assessment of Kennedy's Vietnam policy lies not in Dallek's analysis of his sources but in his choice of a decidedly unbalanced array of legitimate sources. In most circumstances, Dallek depicts a Kennedy favoring withdrawal. But Kennedy was a shrewd politician with mixed feelings about Vietnam, and his internal tension is not fairly represented in this otherwise evenhanded biography. For each of Kennedy's dovish statements at news conferences and in the recorded private conversations recounted by Dallek, there is a corresponding hawkish one conspicuously absent from the biography.

Dallek contends that Kennedy's actions and statements towards the end of his presidency "are suggestive of a carefully managed stand-down from the sort of involvement that occurred under LBJ". Dallek points to the National Security Council Action Memorandum 263 of Oct. 11, 1963, which called for a withdrawal of 1,000 troops by the end of 1963, as a possible first step towards total disengagement. However, Dallek does not focus sufficiently on the political forces that shaped this policy action. Kennedy did try to distance himself from Vietnam in his public rhetoric, but not because he considered the military effort futile. Rather, looking ahead to the 1964 election season, Kennedy was aware that the American media coverage of the Buddhist crisis and political repression in South Vietnam would present a political problem.

Kennedy also hoped that the withdrawal-which was intended to have a minimal impact since only 1,000 troops out of 16,000 already in Vietnam would be effected-would stifle domestic criticism from such leftist congressmen as George McGovern of American involvement in the budding war. Dallek, however, makes no mention of such political pressure, instead focusing on criticism of the action by mainstream media outlets and by individual reporters, such as The New York Times's David Halberstam. Moreover, Dallek consistently fails to emphasize the optimistic projection underlying all withdrawal plans: that the war would be over and won by 1965. A more accurate assessment of the war could have changed the administration's outlook and reshaped Kennedy's policies.

To be sure, as Kennedy gained confidence in his presidential abilities and foreign policy expertise, he was increasingly determined to resist the mounting pressure for an overt American military response in Vietnam. What's more, despite considerable concern about "losing Vietnam" from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, Kennedy had a noted independence from his advisors that might have led him to respond differently than Johnson to the military deterioration in South Vietnam.

Still, Kennedy had yet to make a final decision about America's involvement in Vietnam, and Dallek is mistaken in extrapolating Kennedy's freedom of action to determine an eventual decision to withdraw the military from Vietnam. Kennedy's independence from his advisors means only that Kennedy would not have been afraid of going against their advice, not that he would have come to different conclusions than they did about the war. The same stipulation applies to Kennedy's political freedom of action. Dallek rightly notes that after successfully facing down Khrushchev in the Cuban Missile Crisis of August 1962, and overcoming Soviet and Senate resistance to the test ban treaty: "Kennedy had much greater credibility as a defender of national security than Johnson had. It gave Kennedy more freedom to convince people at home and abroad that staying clear of large-scale military intervention in Vietnam was in the best interests of the United States."

Kennedy's credibility as a leader, and the resulting political freedoms that ensued, were very real. But it is far from clear how Kennedy would have channeled his credibility. By unfairly presenting and then extrapolating from Kennedy's deliberations on Vietnam, An Unfinished Life makes an incomplete argument.

This is one of the best biographies of JFK
Robert Dallek did a good job! This is perhaps the best biography of JFK I've read. It was fair and balanced. If anyone asked me what book they should read on JFK's life. It would be this one.

A Very Thoughtful, Well-Written Bio of JFK
I have not read all the bios of John Kennedy but I have read many. I find this one very comprehensive and objective. It treats JFK honestly and it does not limit itself to those things that make him look good but it offers his shortcomings and his missteps as well.

Having said that, one senses that the author has a slight bias toward his subject. Not a worshipful feeling but a sense that Kennedy was right on more things than perhaps he was.

For example, JFK pulled a bit of a bluff in the Cuban Missile Crisis that fortunately worked. However, had it gone the other way, history (if there was anyone to write it) would have been quite different. So his finest hour was, I think, somewhat of a bit of luck more than a really smart move based on the military thesis that Sun Tzu stresses, i.e. do not fight a war unless you know you can win.

That aside, this is an excellent, well-written book and I highly recommend it.

Susanna K. Hutcheson
Creative Director
Powerwriting.com LLC

An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963
The availability of new documents, oral histories, and telephone and Oval Office tapes prompted presidential historian Dallek (Boston Univ.) to revisit John F. Kennedy's personal and political life. Dallek's research in medical records demonstrates that Kennedy was sick throughout his life. Beyond back problems and Addison's disease, an adrenal insufficiency, Kennedy suffered from acute gastrointestinal illnesses. Dallek suggests that the medicines doctors administered to the young Kennedy for his colitis and digestive problems may have exa