Reviews (8)

I had a hard time putting it down-easy reading and unbiased.
I saw this book on the bottom shelf at a popular supermarket about two weeks ago. I had not done much free reading of late and thought it looked like a good book to get me back into a good habit and hobby. It reveals the good and the bad about coach Knight and covered a great deal of ground without getting into too much details about the incidents of Knight. Since I grew up on the Kentucky-Indiana border, I was able to watch more than a handful of Indiana's games on the Indiana basketball network and found Phil Berger's coverage of Knight's best and worst years exciting. The end of the book even has a glossary of all the IU players that made it through all four years without transferring(and tells what they are doing now). It even goes back to Knight's formative years as an assistant coach at Army and discusses Knight's shortcoming as a player at Ohio State(defense) lead him to stress defense and team-play the most as a head coach. Ex-player Landon Turner (who was paralyzed in a car wreck that cut his playing career short) praises Knight for benching him while his mind was more on having a good time off the court than being successful on the court. As far as the statements by ex-players that lead to the demise of Knight at Indiana, Mr. Burger just reports the facts and does not lash out any judgments against Knight. In summary, this is a very enjoyable book to read and will not bore the reader with too much details. Go ahead and buy it(you may finish it in one day).

An Interesting Story Beset by a Biased Storyteller...
I read this book from the unbiased perspective of a college basketball fan looking to learn a little more about Bobby Knight, but Berger clearly didn't write it from an unbiased point-of-view.

There were parts that were informative, and it was an interesting read, but Berger's anti-Knight bias came through on every page, sometimes in obvious ways, and sometimes subtley, like using the word "claimed" instead of "said" when quoting Knight.

There were quite a few typos, misspelled words and grammatical errors, and they detracted from the book.

If you're only going to read one book on Knight, read Feinstein's A Season on the Brink. But if you have a little more time on your hands, Berger's is still worth the read, typos, biases, and all.

Weak - maybe worthy of a magazine article... maybe...
I've read just about every book on Knight. As an IU alum who graduated one of the years that the Hoosiers won a national championship, most of the student body (myself included) - viewed RMK as a demi-God. Certainly he was blessed with one of the finest basketball minds in history.

Berger's book follows in the footsteps of three major works on RMK: Feinstein's _Season on the Brink_ (the success of which every subsequent effort attempts to duplicate); Mellen's _Bob Knight: His Own Man_ and Alford's _Playing for Knight_. All three are worth reading (especially _Season_) for the serious "Knight-o-phile".

Berger's book is definitely tabloid in appearance. Each page seems to have 30 lines of large text on it. Therefore the book appears as though it could have been printed on 75 pages in a conventional book format. The sparse text maps directly to the quality of content. It is sketchy at best.

IMO, Berger's heavy reliance upon previously published histories and newspaper articles dooms this work from the outset. The only area I found remotely interesting was Knight's childhood and schoolboy athletic career.

The remainder is a rehash of mostly negative Knight incidents. Certainly RMK deserves criticism for his histrionics and outrageous behavior that erupts from time to time. However, Berger mostly omits the litany of his positive and charitable achievements. More importantly, he never mentions what is certainly one of RMK's most engaging aspects: his incredible sense of humor. Knight, when he wants to be, is among the most humorous and quotable characters on the public landscape today.

Thumbs down for this vapid attempt to capitalize on the "Knight effect". Berger certainly can do better than this. Instead - read any of the three books mentioned earlier - they're far better uses of your time.

Don't waste your time or money!
I bought this book while traveling through an airport bookstore. Don't make the same mistake I did! The book is fluff, I almost finished it on a less than two hour flight. I was hoping to find out something new on Coach Knight given his recent dismissal, but found nothing more than a newspaper article could of given me. In fact, the entire book reads like a collection of newspaper articles strung together to make a book. There is nothing new here! If you want to read about Coach Knight, buy "Season on the Brink," so far the most definitive text on him.

Thrown together in a hurry!
It's obvious that this book was put together pretty quickly in order to make a few bucks. Typos and spelling errors were evident. I don't suppose there will ever be a definitive Bob Knight book written. Knight wouldn't collaborate because it would have to show the total man, warts and all. And most writers probably wouldn't be interested in the good deeds he does behind the scenes for many people. The man was a tremendous coach but his complete story will probably never be told. Still, it was time for a change. The lust for winning created a Texas-sized ego in Indiana. It's just too bad he went out in much the same way as Woody Hayes. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Few people have been as involved in the major political investigations of the last 40 years as Senator Arlen Specter, the independent and tenacious Republican from Pennsylvania. With the help of his former press secretary Charles Robbins, Specter tells all, beginning with his prosecution of the Philadelphia Teamsters during Robert Kennedy's anticorruption investigations and ending with his role in President Clinton's impeachment proceedings. Specter is perhaps best known for his controversial opinions. As a member of the Warren Commission, he authored the Single Bullet Theory, which supported the charge that JFK was assassinated by a lone gunman. And as Anita Hill's Senate questioner, he declared that Clarence Thomas's accuser had committed "flat-out perjury." But his book presents a picture of an evenhanded man who has merely acted according to his belief that the nation's "political and social health ... rests on government's doggedly following facts to find truth and then acting on that truth to create public policy." In fact, his purpose in publishing the behind-the-scenes activities of the Warren Commission, Robert Bork's Supreme Court nomination, the Ruby Ridge investigation, the Thomas-Hill proceedings, and the presidential impeachment, is to restore the public's faith in government and end conspiracy theories born of incomplete facts. "Had congressional oversight on Waco been as effective as it was on Ruby Ridge," he writes, "the militia movement would have been less motivated to mobilize. It is even conceivable the Oklahoma City bombing could have been avoided."

This is not a self-glorifying tale, nor remotely boring. Like the best of books, it opens with a bang: the dramatic re-creation of a little-remembered event--the day General Patton, at the behest of President Hoover, turned his guns on WWI veterans demonstrating for their promised bonus. This was an eye-opening event for Specter, whose family desperately needed the money. Since then, his mission has been to "push government to treat its citizens justly" and to demand the truth. To that end, he sifts the evidence surrounding each controversial event and searches for the lessons to be learned. He makes no demons or heroes out of the actors in these true-life dramas (in fact, he genuinely seems to like most everybody on either side of the aisle). He even acknowledges the ignorance of the "group of aging white males" in the Senate Judiciary Committee (including himself), who, in confronting Anita Hill's allegations, "didn't understand the explosive nature of the [sexual harassment] issue." He writes, "I had not known how painful it was for women who were watching the questioning, so many of whom had been victims of sexual harassment and saw themselves, almost through transference, in Hill's position." While Specter admits his mistakes, he offers no apologies, for it's not forgiveness he holds faith in, but the undying belief that "trust is the glue that holds a democracy together." --Lesley Reed ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Full of interesting things
I am no particular fan of Senator Specter, but I found this book very well-written and full of fascinating inside accounts of events we all followed with great attention. As expected, there is very little modesty displayed in this book, but then Senator Specter has had a very successful career. This book captures one's interest from the start, and I found that I could read it even tho my wife was listening to tv in the same room! It was just so much more interesting than what was being said on tv. His account of the questioning of Anita Hill is especially riveting, and he does a good job of showing that she did actually change her testimony over the noon recess, thus showing that her credibility was rightly considered suspect. On the Bork nomination I happened at the time to disagree with Senator Specter's position, but he does a fairly good job justifying his opposition to Bork. Anyone who has followed national news for the past 40 years will find reading this book a rewarding experience, I would think

Passion for Truth Brings Passion to Politics
I roomed with Charles Robbins, the co-author, for three years in college, so I had to buy Passion for Truth! Nevertheless, I can confirm that this book is a most interesting read. Specter writes about a handful of important moments in recent US history - the Warren Commission, the Bork and Thomas supreme court confirmation hearings, and Clinton's impeachment. Passion for Truth is an easy read, so its 500+ pages are not overwhelming. Senator Specter himself is an anti-hero of sorts. The events described in this book are much more interesting and important than he is (although he might argue that point), however the senator's ringside seat at several major historical events affords him a unique perspective. The chapters on Clinton's impeachment completely wrapped me around the axle - the authors have done such a good job describing the behind-the-scenes process that I found myself infuriated once again, just as I felt during the actual impeachment process. For anyone interested in how our government works in practice, rather than in theory, Passion for Truth provides a window into the Washington morass.

A Classic ...
I really enjoyed this book ... it was really worth the read.

Arlen the Truthseeker
As a law school grad, political junkie and resident of a Philly suburb, I have watched Arlen Specter with great interest over the years. There was always something intriguing about him, something more that he had as compared to the typical political hack. One would wait for his turn as the questioner in senate hearings. Why? For me, it was to watch a superior intellect at work. Specter is, it seems to me, often ill at ease when playing the politician in public, and far more at home as the truth seeker.
His book is similar. Anyone looking for a Senate veterans personal view of his colleagues or a political manifesto will not find it. What they will find is a bit like Specter himself, a little awkward in personality, but far beyond most in his ability to keep put the political from clouding the facts and evidence. His book shows how this ability, and willingness to seek the truth has at times placed him in the position of being both useful and frustrating to those in his own party with far more strident agendas, but vilified by those who in other camps who "never let the facts get in the way of a good argument".
This book is worth reading if for no other reason than to see the Clarence Thomas hearings and Anita Hill's questioning from Specters' vantage point.
I did feel the treatment of the Clinton Impeachment was disappointing, as I was hoping for a more insightful legal analysis from a former DA and long time Senator. His habit of claiming credit for a host of little occurences seemed disingenuous, but not unlike Arlen in person. I guess one could argue that he was more taking responsibility than taking credit, but I think not.
Specter is a maverick, and it is clear he holds "the Truth" in high regard. How refreshing! His intellect and independence might be welcome on the Supreme Court one day.

Truly Amazing Service to the Country Documented
This is an enjoyable read of a career spanning an amazing amount of turmoil and change in our great country.

Specter seems right at the eye of the storm beginning with JFK's assasination on to Clinton's problems. Specter from the start shows true passion and concern for probing for the truth, as reflected in is persistence to this day of failure to close all angles, e.g. a nine minute interview with Mrs. Kennedy? As Specter comments: "Extensive questioning of Jacqueline Kennedy would probably not have produced any revelations. But we will never know. I continue to believe that far more quesitons should have been put to the former first lady."

Specter is the "questionar" par excellence. From the one bullet theory to his cleaning up of justice in hometown Philadelphia to Anita Hill to Clinton, Specter is revered as a no nonsense, get to the heart of the matter investigator.

I have the utmost respect for his talents and pursuit for the common good of us all. What transforming values have plagued us, as Specter laments: "And so it came to pass that the impeachment of Clinton established the political standard that a president, however errant, would remain in office unless he had lost the confidence of the American people that he could perform his official duties. History will not say that president was not guilty, although he as entitled to acquittal because the charges were not proved in a Senate trial, but historians will reject William Jefferson Clinton's brazen contention that it was all Republican politics and a right-wing conspiracy. For me it was just one more investigation. As I had argued to question Jacqueline Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, so, too, I sought the testimony of the key witnesses and Bill Clinton. As I had thoroughly questioned Robert Bork and Anita Hill, so, too, I sought more thorough examinations of Sidney Blementhal and others. I was diappointed in the Senate's failure to the American people in the trila as my father was in not receiving his war bonus from the Congress."

Although I do not agree with some of Specter's cherished convictions, I do admire him greatly and believe he represents the wholesome, dedicated public servant which youth of this great nation can pattern themselves after. This book provides such evidence of an exciting and servant-filled career. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Favorite in our School
Dr. King is a favorite hero among elementary school children. This book is the perfect way to introduce them to the life and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The language is simple and the illustrations are interesting. I've found that although students know the "Happy Birthday" song, they aren't aware that Stevie Wonder wrote the song as a tribute to Dr. King. We always end our read aloud by singing a chorus of the song.

An effective picture book on an important American leader
"Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King" fills a need for effective picture books for young readers about this important American leader. The scratchboard illustrations, although unusual for this format, create a vibrancy that enhances the text.

This narrative revolves around the statement: "The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., is famous because he helped our country change some of its laws." Then in simple language it goes on to explain some of the laws he helped change.

It goes on to say, "Poor people, rich people, white people, black people, and people from all around the world listened when Martin Luther King spoke." Of course, there is mention of his 1963 speech in Washington, D.C., where his "dream was that people everywhere would learn to live together without being mean to one another."

This is an excellent book to read aloud to younger students, although as a school librarian, I have seen it used effectively up to the 5th grade (like another reviewer here). Another good title that covers some of the same territory for young readers is "A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr.," by David A. Adler.

First Grade Teachers......A book for you!
I've been searching for a short read about Martin Luther King, Jr. that would excite my first grade students and keep them focused on the background of this great American. The illustrations are lovely and the size of the book is perfect for classroom storytime.

This is a very good book about a very good man.
I am a fifth grader at North Hills Traditional Academy.

I like this book because it tells how Martin Luther King grew up. And it was sweet how he grew up.

I like the book because the pictures are colorful and the story is sweet.

The thing I really like about the book is that it tells sweet things about his personal life, not just his public life.

Mostly, I really like it because it tells how he grew up and about his friendship with a little white boy.

It's really clever because it shows what Martin Luther King was like when he was young.

It's a great book. I think you should read it. And I know that you will enjoy it.

A gentle tribute to a giant.
As an elementary school librarian I liked this book because it can be read and appreciated by children from first grade to fifth grade. It has a simple, gentle approach to Dr. King's life from his birth to his death. The students love the "scratchboard" method that the illustrator used for the beautiful artwork. Jeanne Feeney ... Read more

Book Description

More than a biography, To the Mountaintop is the history of a turbulent epoch that changed the course of American and world history. Moral warrior and nonviolent apostle; man of God rocked by fury, fear, and guilt; rational thinker driven by emotional and spiritual truth -- Martin Luther King Jr. struggled to reconcile these divisions in his soul. Here is an intimate narrative of his intellectual and spiritual journey from cautious liberal, to reluctant radical, to righteous revolutionary. Stewart Burns draws not only on King's speeches, letters, writings, and well-reported strategizing and activities, but also on previously underutilized oral histories of key meetings and events, which present a dramatic account of King and the movement in the crucial years from 1955 to 1968.

In a striking departure from earlier books on Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement, Burns focuses on King's biblical faith and spiritual vision as fundamental to his political leadership and shows how these threads wove together a "single garment of destiny," making King the most important social prophet of the twentieth century. King is not portrayed as a lone exalted hero, butas the heart of a fabric of principled leadershipthat stretched from his closest colleagues to the movement's foot soldiers on the streets. This book stresses his shaping by other leaders -- heroic figures such as Bayard Rustin, Ella Baker, James Bevel, Bob Moses, and Marian Wright Edelman -- and his conflicted relationships with John and Robert Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson.

To the Mountaintop is uniquely powerful in presenting actual conversations between King and others, and in showing how King's public words often revealed his private torment. Burns provides a uniquely realist portrait of King and the civil rights movement by revealing the vital but neglected religious character of the story, and by demonstrating how King profoundly experienced the movement as a sacred mission following a path of liberation and sacrifice pioneered by Moses and Jesus.

Book Description

President Kennedy is the compelling, dramatic history of JFK's thousand days in office. It illuminates the presidential center of power by providing an indepth look at the day-by-day decisions and dilemmas of the thirty-fifth president as he faced everything from the threat of nuclear war abroad to racial unrest at home. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Reeves Neither Fawns, nor Muck-rakes
Richard Reeves' book is a welcome addition to the "CamelotYears" genre. Written from the President's perspective,i.e. "a day in the life" type format, this excellent readneither fawns, nor muckrakes, but rather a balanced account of aPresidency that, until this point, has not been examined in anobjective light. Reeves first person perspective shows a president whohad more profile than courage. Inspite of his many gifts, JFK wasdiffident, at best, as President. Reeves book reveals a JFK that wasdriven, almost maniacally, to get to the White House, but once he gotthere was pretty much out of his league. The portrait of a neophytestatesman is obvious when Kennedy makes his first trip to Europe,receives a lukewarm reception from DeGaulle, and is taken to thewoodshed by Nikita Khrushev who, upon seeing the youthful presidentexclaimed "he's younger than my own son." Reeves accountbeautifully illustrates how the rich playboy-president miscalculatesKhrushev; one gets the impression that Kennedy felt that his Sovietcounterpart could be rolled like a Boston Pol. Kennedy came away fromhis first overseas trip as president much chastened. Richard Reeves'book is excellent; well written, well researched, and balanced. Ihighly recommend it. (I've read it twice!!)

A Spectacular Book
I just finished Richard Reeves' excellent book about President Kennedy and I enjoyed it very much. I am only 13 years old, so this book took me over month to to read, but I was interested for almost every page. The only part I got bored and uninterested at was the talk about economics. However, I do understand the importance of those sections.
Anyone, no matter how old they are should read this book if they have an interest in history or in Kennedy himself. The book also gives a good picture of how things are done in the White House. My only problem with the book was that it ended so abruptly. I recognize that the book was about kennedy's presidency, but Reeves could have written something at all about the assassination. Overall, this was an excellent book. I am looking forward to reading the Nixon book (Alone in the White House by Richard Reeves) as well.

Revealing insight into presidential decision taking
President Kennedy did not have the easiest presidency imaginable: big issues abroad including Cuba, Vietnam, Berlin, the nuclear arms race and test ban treaties with Russia and the highly contradictory issue of integration at home were all begging for his attention and often at the same time. This biography gives a good insight into the way decisions were taken and that there is a lot of on-the-job learning involved. It is in a sense shocking to read that the way a superpower is run is not that much different from the way an average manager runs his group of a few people.

I found it slightly disappointing that this biography deals exclusively with the presidency of Kennedy, not his formative years as a student, a soldier and a senator. But all in all a revealing insight into the presidency of a man who, after his assassination, become a posthumous hero.

Wonderful Personal View Of Kennedy's Presidential Years!
Noted author, pundit, and journalist Richard Reeves has a well-deserved reputation as a journalist and author, as this classic book detailing the three-year term of slain president John F. Kennedy deftly illustrates. This tome, based on Reeve's own extensive research into the vast cornucopia of official correspondence, White House files, and literally hundreds of personal interviews, weighs the evidence of JFK's tenure in office, during the fabled thousand days of the Kennedy administration. Indeed, it is a quite detailed reconstruction of the day to day life within the orbit of the administration from its launching in early 1961 up to its denouement with his assassination in November 1963. As such, it provides an "up close and personal" view of the presidency in action, and gives one an incredible insight into what it means to be the President.

Moreover, given the times in which the Kennedy administration lived out its short lifespan, it is a brilliant look at some momentous events and phenomena, from the Berlin crisis of 1961 to the unfolding civil rights movement under the masterful ministrations of firebrand Martin Luther King. What is so unforgettable about Reeves' exposition is the fact that he manages to give us both memorable history as well as a very personal glimpse of the fascinating and charismatic man inhabiting the oval office in a singular book, one that has remained, in the ten years since its original publication, a standard on the JFK years. He shows how badly Kennedy wanted to succeed as president. Overcoming personal pain, religious prejudice, and his father's unseemly legacy to become one of the nation's most popular executives. And the times certainly gave him all the fuel to test himself, as any one man might need to prove himself.

Humiliated by the events of Khrushchev's bullying moves in the Berlin corridor, Kennedy became convinced the Soviets were determined to start a war, one Kennedy understood no one would really win. Yet, with steely resolve, Kennedy began preparing both himself and the nation at large for the war of wills that began to unfold. Thus, throughout the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, Kennedy feared we were on the very brink of Armageddon, yet managed to steer us through the maze by both brilliant backdoor diplomacy and a dollop of devious wheeling and dealing to placate the Soviets. In the meantime, he administered the single largest military build-up of the Cold War era, massively increasing our capability to better meet the perceived Soviet threat both in conventional and nuclear conflict.

On the domestic scene, he witnessed turbulence due to both the civil rights movement and the violence of white hate groups in the South against it. He employed federal troops, as Eisenhower had done before him, to stabilize potentially explosive situations, and moved to establish a more comprehensive voting rights bill and further civil rights legislation in Congress, though none of it came to fruition before his death. The book takes us back into these eventful and exciting times, when he was deciding most fatefully on issues as far flung as our involvement in Vietnam to the best way to reach a kind of detent with the Soviets, from strong-arming the steel industry back into compliance with the law and with the building of the Berlin Wall. This is a fascinating book, one that takes the reader on an unforgettable journey into the past, and one I highly recommend. Enjoy!

The man behind Camelot
Reeves has quite literally stripped away the varnish that has accumulated over the years on the 1000 Days of Jack Kennedy. He has assembled a journal of sorts, giving the reader a fast-moving account of one of America's most enigmatic presidents. It is an interesting mixture of policy decisions, candid observations and revealing episodes that give one of the most complete pictures of President Kennedy.

The narrative starts a few days before the administration took office with the cabinet decisions that were being made, then guides the reader through the tumultuous inauguration ceremonies both on stage and backstage. Reeves deals with the troubling first 100 days of the administration in a very candid way, showing the indecision of Kennedy when it came to Cuba and Berlin. Kennedy was being pulled in all directions, putting too much faith in the CIA and dismissing the criticisms of his newly assembled cabinet. Eventually, Kennedy found his feet and began to project the confidence that had won him the presidency.

Reeves provides so many telling anecdotes, especially concerning Kennedy's health, which was never very good. This was one of the first books to reveal Kennedy's drug dependency to stave off Addison's disease and his excrutiating back pains. There is also Hugh Sidey's memorable swimming pool interview.

The book feels as though it were written by an aide close to Kennedy during his administration. Reeves has assembled an impressive array of quotes and first person observations into a seamless narrative. He has demystified the myth of Camelot, without diminishing the stature of the man. Reeves evocatively illustrates how Kennedy was able to project power in spite of his numerous handicaps, both physical and political. ... Read more

Book Description

This expanded and redesigned edition og the best-selling Kennedy family album of all time features classic and new photos, reproduced in duotone and color, in an elegant design by Louise Fili and introduced by veteran Kenny commentator Richard Reeves.

Mark Shaw met the Kennedys on assignment for Life Magazine and became the family's favorite photographer.Unparalleled access to the White House and the Kennedy compund at Hyannis Port, and a close relationship with Jacqueline Kennedy, allowed him to create this intimate portrait of a beloved first family and to capture the glamour and elusive magic of the Camelot years. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

FAMILY FRIENDLY
Mark Shaw's book is a real treat. His loving, poignant photographs show the real love, the real bonds, the real ties within the most famous family. The pictures of little Caroline and John are among my favorites. Caroline and John from all accounts have remained so natural, so wonderfully, refreshingly normal. I loved seeing these two children at play. Pennsylvania Avenue could have been Main Street. To their parents' credit, they grew up unaffected. This book shows it.

TOUCHING PHOTOGRAPHS
This book has beautiful photographs of the former first family. Congradulations to Mark Shaw for a wonderful job!!!!!! FOR QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS ON JACKIE ONASSIS, PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT MellissaLD@aol.com. HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

The John F. Kennedys : A Family Album.
Mark Shaw's photographs capture the idyllic moments of John, Jackie, Caroline and John Jr., whether at play in the White House or laughing together on a Cape Cod beach. The simple yet stunning photos of this famous foursome will be as familiar to you as your own family photo album.

To those who were there when John Kennedy was in the White House, this book will serve as a touching remembrance and to people who know about the Kennedys from just a historical standpoint, the photos and words will provide a more personal glimpse into the years that are commonly referred to as the Camelot era. Richard Reeves words are not overly sentimental but an accurate assessment of the life and times of this legendary family.

Overall, The John F. Kennedys: A Family Album, is a pleasant, yet sometimes sad journey looking back at what was considered the perfect family of two successful, stunning parents and their adorable children. Behind the photos, all was not perfect but Mark Shaw's camera didn't lie -- in the end, they were like any other family with problems but in-between they knew how to have fun and simply enjoy each others company, as is evident in many of Shaw's photos, especially those showing them at play at their home on Cape Cod.

Followers of the Kennedy's will no doubt enjoy this book, as will those who are interested in what life was like for a very public family who shared their private times with a talented photographer and with the world. If you like taking a look back in time, you will no doubt enjoy the journey Mark Shaw and Richard Reeves takes you on.

Excellent variety of photos
My edition (that I have had since its publication, was printed by Farrar, Straus and Company in NY

A KEEPER
Many memories, and brings much sadness at the same time- I have my book from earlier print from the 1960's - with this latest event it is even more of a keeper- by the way who is the publisher now.- mine was Ambassador Books Canada- and printed by Sanders printing Corp, NY. Do you know if the eariler editions are more valuable? any response would be appreciated. ... Read more

Book Description

An up-close-and-personal biography of John F. Kennedy, the president who still captures the hearts of many Americans, as well as people around the world. Written by the woman who was his personal secretary for twelve years, it was the first biography of President Kennedy to come out of the White House after his death, and has been used as source material by many other biographers who followed.

The 400-page book's writing style is casual and personal, but does not pretend to be an expose, a psychoanalysis, or an interpretation of why JFK acted on any issue. This is a record of what Evelyn Lincoln saw and heard in a dozen years with JFK, but those seeking details of his sex life should look elsewhere. Her characterization of him is detailed and clear, and though she greatly admired the man, her descriptions of his flaws are quite unhesitating.

Included is every facet of the Kennedy Administration, such as his two major spinal surgeries, each of which nearly killed him; his battle with Addison's disease, which he concealed for fear its disclosure would destroy his political career; his free-wheeling dating of the capital's young women until he met Jackie; the 1956 Democratic convention which nearly named him its vice-presidential candidate and would thus have destroyed his presidential hopes; the 1960 campaign and how he beat all the odds and the political experts by winning; his naming of several prominent Republicans to cabinet posts in his administration, further angering traditional liberals who already disliked him; how he ran the White House by never holding a staff meeting; his handling of the steel industry confrontation, the racial crisis at the University of Mississippi, and the Cuban Missile Crisis; and the tears of grief he shed over the death of his infant son, Patrick.

As one reviewer said, if people want to know John Kennedy, they must read Evelyn Lincoln. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

a great book!
my twelve years is a very interesting book because
it's the remembering of his secratary who know him.
we can learn how he was and not only his politics.
so read it!

It was a very good book giving a human aspect to kennedy
The book was really great and I have read a lot of books on John F Kennedy. The book gave a human aspect of the campaign and the day to day life of the kennedy administration. ... Read more

Book Description

For most of his life, Robert Kennedy stood in the shadow cast by his older brother, John; only after President Kennedy's assassination did the public gain a complete sense of Robert ("Bobby," we called him) as a committed advocate for social justice and a savvy politician in his own right. In this comprehensive biography, James W. Hilty offers a detailed and nuanced account of how Robert was transformed from a seemingly unpromising youngster, unlikely to match the accomplishments of his older brothers, to the forceful man who ran "the family business," orchestrating the Kennedy quest for political power.

The centerpiece of this book is the remarkable political partnership that formed between Robert and John. As the manager of John's political campaigns, Robert proved himself "hard as nails" (in his father's admiring words), relentless in securing his brother's victory and unforgiving in overseeing his brother's presidency. Hilty marshals a great deal of evidence to show that while they did not always see eye to eye—Lyndon Johnson's selection as John's running mate being a notable disagreement—they discussed virtually every issue, gauging the likely political effects of every position. Robert was so close to the President that insiders called him "number one and a-half"; their consultations were so intimate that they spoke in a kind of code, barely intelligible to those around them. In Hilty's evocative but unsentimental recounting of the politcal crises of the Kennedy Administration, Robert and John prove to have been more calculating and astute leaders than today's pundits allow. Theirs was a partnership that was unprecedented and, thanks to an act signed into law by Lyndon Johnson, is never to be equaled. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A capturing account of one of the most intriguing statesmen.
James Hilty brings to life the force behind the Kennedy Presidency -- Robert Kennedy. Hilty states "That we speak at all of a Kennedy Legacy...is because of Robert Kennedy...That we connect the Kennedy name to issues of social justice and equity is also the result of RFK's work after the death of (JFK)." Dispelling the American Myth of Kennedy "deity," while focusing on the Kennedys as human beings and, above all, politicians, Hilty eloquently takes the reader back into the Kennedy era, conveying the story as it occured...with RFK functioning in many circumstances as a "co-president." RFK served as a "brother protector" to JFK, as the older brother's campaign manager as well as guardian of JFK's presidency. Called "number one and half" by some presidential insiders, Robert Kennedy was consulted by the president on virtually every issue of monumental importance. Access to the president often had to first pass the younger brother. Hilty further portrays RFK as a good person who had become "champion of the outcasts, the Jeremiah of the sixties." It was the younger Kennedy who pushed and advanced civil rights. *Brother Protector* takes the readers to RFK's life just past his brother's assasination, leaving them anxious for the second volume of this innovative, capturing historical account of one of the most intriguing statesmen in US History.

Great American, great book.
Robert F. Kennedy was an extraordinary man: former investigator, campaign manager for his brother, Attorney General, United States Senator. His speech to the 1964 Democratic Convention was one the most eloquent speeches ever given. His campaign for the Presidency in 1968 ended with one of the most heartbreaking tragedies in American history when an assassin killed him after winning the California primary.

For myself, RFK represents the better part of politics- the noble spirit and the sense of purpose than the American way of life seems to have lost since his death. People can and should be better to one another, Bobby argued. Government should help the people, he said, but only if those people could help themselves. As a Democrat, I admire Bobby's argument for help, partnership and responsibility between the people and their government.

Professor Hilty has done an excellent job. There are things about Bobby that are difficult to reconcile- why he worked for McCarthy is a good question -and Professor Hilty does a wonderful job writing about them and explaining them. He should be congradulated. I, for one, cannot wait for his next volume about RFK's life.

Worth the 70 bucks (though I bought it for 36 bucks)
I liked this book very much. It's not like a biography of RFK, but it is a biography of RFK's career in politics. This book is very detailed, so grab a pen and paper because its so indepth.

Hilty brings to life force behind Kennedy legacy
Professor Hilty provides an excellent study and examination of Bobby Kennedy. Though this is an enormously hefty read. For those new to Bobby Kennedy, a more manageable introduction might be a rather recent book called Robert F. Kennedy: A Spiritual Biography by Konstantine Sidorenko. Though in contrast to Hilty's (brilliant but somewhat unwieldy) tome, this slim short form biography covers Kennedy and his life in great depth and the book's brevity will not disappoint serious biography readers. It is particularly an excellent book to take up before plunging in to Hilty's.

A GOOD, OBJECTIVE OVERVIEW
It is impossible to write about Robert Kennedy in adult life without writing about his brother, John Kennedy. Hilty does a very thorough job of portraying Robert Kennedy, the dedicated, hard working, determined brother, warts in all in a fair and impartial way. Throughout this book, one sees the "metamorphosis" of Robert Kennedy. He is the man who works behind the scenes, protecting his brother's interests to his maximum extent. He is the man who pushes his brother forward while sublimating his own interests, needs and identity. It is only in the tragic aftermath of the President's death does Robert Kennedy, in full adult form emerge -- the man who immersed himself in classical literature, the man who became a personal crusader for civil rights related issues, the man who made it his business to know minorities and persons living in poverty. It is during the last nearly half-decade of his life that the full face of Robert Kennedy is shown to his constituents -- the man who doggedly pursued Teamsters and Mafiosi in the 1950s takes that same dogged persistence to the political arena where he runs on his own right. He is a voice for the disenfranchised, a voice for those who share his vision. He was a man who provided hope during a very turbulent period in history marked by war and national violence. It is the opinion of this reviewer that Robert Kennedy is certainly the more interesting of the brothers. His personal, political and personality development is very interesting to watch and track. He was certainly a man who came across as very sincere in his efforts and one cannot help wondering what the outcome today would be had this man lived.

This is a book well worth reading. ... Read more

Book Description

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of his assassination, JFK: Remembering Jack is a compelling homage in word and image to one of the world's great leaders. Culled primarily from the archives of the Kennedy Museum and Library, JFK weaves together quotations and anecdotes with both rare and familiar photographs of the public figure and the private man. A 60-minute audio CD featuring some of Kennedy's greatest speeches, press conferences, and phone calls from the White House brings Kennedy's voice to life for a new generation. A singular package, attractively priced, JFK: Remembering Jack speaks to every man and woman, just as the President it honors spoke for them. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

HIS FORESIGHT WAS INCREDIBLE
I first happened to see the book at a local grocery store. It was so small and thin that I didn't even give it a second look. Even though I am a great Kennedy fan. However, at Christmas, my youngest son, gave the book to me as a gift. I smiled and thanked him and thought that I would look at it just to please him. But then I found the cd that came along with the book and it was incredible. In 1940 JFK tells a radio audience that if America didn't start re-arming we would be caught off guard the same as london was. What an incredible foresight he had. The other selections on the cd are well worth listening too. Including JFK reciting an autobiographical segment, handling a stubborn southern governor regarding James Merridith, and an adorable exchange between President Kennedy and his 2 year old son.

CD alone is worth the money.
With the purchase of this book, you get not only great pictures of the Kennedy's, but also a wonderful 60 minute CD with some of Kennedy's greatest press conferences, speeches and some phone conversations. This alone is a seller for this book. Bringing back JFK, if only for a few moments is awsome. He did things his way, you hear his conviction and beliefs in his voice, and his choice to follow those beliefs, is awe inspiring.

I reccomend along with this book and CD the purchase of the book, "John Fitzgerald Kennedy: A Life In Pictures". They are superb together and what I feel to be 2 of the best 40th Anniversary Commemorative books on JFK.

A LIFE
A wonderful pictorial of a brave man.
No one is asking you to feel sorry for the Kennedys. But they do deserve respect. Yes, they could have lived long lives and grown full heads of grey hair if they had gone "with the flow" but instead they were killed for standing up for what they believed in.
Brave people truly live Life while alive, more so in one year than cowards do in a lifetime.

"Speak not evil of the absent: it is unjust."
~George Washington

a great tribute
jfk remembreing jack is good tribut to jfk.
there are some rare pictures and anecdotes.
there is a cd too. we can heard jfk at 23 and john-john speaking to his father.
but there is not a biography, so if you want to know more about him buy another book.
soif you are a kennedy fan or not buy it1

the best for the money
A lot of JFK books are going to come out because of the 40th anniversary of his murder. This little book is packed with quite a few pictures I've never seen before and has short quotes either by or about Kennedy. It's well done, tasteful and the price is right. One more thing it contains a CD that has the high points of JFKs speeches. That alone sold me on the book. Kennedy collectors-- if you are only going to buy one of the anniversay books I'd say that this one is for you. ... Read more

Book Description

The only known private writings of John F. Kennedy during this stage of his life. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Journal of a College Freshman
Burner wrote this biography upon previous works written about Kennedy. He admires Kennedy a lot because he doesn't really give any shortcomings that came about while Kennedy was President. Burners does give a clear picture about the events taking place in the book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A good book about the life of John F. Kennedy. (Jack)
This book has an interesting touch. Actually I wrote a whole biograghy book report on it. I have read a lot of books on John F. Kennedy. But I have to say this was the best one. I asked a lot of people about this book and they all recomended it to me. And that's how I read this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Basketball legend Bob Knight is fond of saying that he has never gotten over West Point. In Same Knight, Different Channel, Jack Isenhour takes him at his word. A player on Knight’s first West Point team, Isenhour shows how the controversial coach has changed little from his early days at the academy, temper tantrums and all. Knight made up his mind there to "win-gotta win" and follows that philosophy to this day.

Knight’s sentiment was in step with the core value of "there is no substitute for victory" at West Point, where soldiers were being trained to fight and win the next war. So it came as little surprise following Knight’s 18-8 record in his inaugural 1965-66 season-a season in which the twenty-five-year-old hot-headed coach berated officials, totaled chairs, and got into his first shouting match with an athletic director-that West Point chose to keep the young Coach Knight on. What’s a tantrum or two in the name of winning? With that, "Bobby T" was born. Knight’s bad-boy persona-the hair-trigger temper, the acting out, and the defiance-was codified as at least tolerable, if not acceptable, behavior.

Relying on firsthand experiences and interviews with teammates, administrators, and Knight himself, Isenhour traces the pattern of misbehavior established during Knight’s inaugural year at West Point, during his last days at Indiana, and to his reemergence at Texas Tech. The result is the most even-handed portrait of Knight to date. In a narrative both lively and irreverent, Same Knight, Different Channel demonstrates who Knight is today and shows how he was shaped by his experiences at West Point, ending with a thought-provoking discussion of just what it takes to play, coach, and win in the high-pressure world of college basketball. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Knight - good role model
This book gives an objective account of coach Knight at the beginning of his remarkable and continuing career. Isenhour's book is based on firsthand accounts and grounded in actual experiences and not best guesses. Knight is an extraordinry role model in perseverance and integrity despite the constant barrage of media critics. Coach Knight is a remarkable coach, demanding what more parents should demand -- academic excellence and personal excellence.

A Compelling Read
I've heard of Coach Bob Knight, but I am not a basketball fan. I got a strong recommendation of this book from a friend and I can't say that I'm disappointed that I read it.

Isenhour (or "Ike," as Knight apparently called him) writes in an extremely lucid, conversational style. Facts, historical quotes, and dates come off as something remembered over a cold beer rather than information recorded and then regurgitated for the purpose of writing a book. Honestly, I could care less about the history of basketball, but this is a very interesting book, and it kept me reading to the end.

If I had to pick something to complain about, it would be the fact that for much of the book, Isenhour seems to be extremely preoccupied by the culture of West Point itself. Of course having read (and then re-read) some of his astounding accounts of this institution, had I been raked over those coals, I'd probably be preoccupied with it, too. Don't get me wrong, the material is fascinating, it's just not about Bob Knight. Still, I'll accept the emphasis given to The Point since it offers the reader one of many explanations as to how Bob Knight came to be the way he is.

Note that I said "explanations" and not "excuses."

West Point not about celebs
Just the fact that this book is written tends to hold Bob Knight up as a role model, unfortunately. It needs to be said, he is not a role model for anyone, nonetheless for West Point. While it is nice to have known someone who has become a celeb (infamous celeb, concerning all that West Point is supposed to stand for), West Point is not about celebs. For the good of West Point and West Pointers, past, present, and future, I think the Bob Knight connection should in no way be advertised and promoted.

The real deal
I have read alot of books on Knight, this book was great, Isenhour being a player for Knight in the early years gave the book an inside angle that no other author could, Isenhour tells it like it is, the good the bad and the ugly. It is a great read.

Fair, honest, even, outstanding
Just like the back cover says, this isn't a love song to Bob Knight, and it's not a cheap shot to the chops. This is a fair and accurate portrayal of the fiery Coach by a player underneath him when Knight first started out.

The fact that this player will criticize Knight speaks volumes about his integrity -- and the fact that he defends him speaks volumes about his fairness. He looks at the situation without pigeonholing things into what he calls a "Bob Knight moment" that most media paint things as.

He talks about Knight's early years in coaching. He goes into more detail on Knight's firing -- and more evenhandedly than I've ever seen -- and talks about Knight at Texas Tech too. The level of access he got is astounding, and the personal touch makes the book golden.

Such a quick read too. The author had a great, conversational writing style that makes it a fun read.

Definitely five stars, the best Bob Knight book out there and the fairest one ever. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Written with commendable measure, Geoffrey Perret's Jack: A Life Like No Other is an informal but informed cradle-to-grave biography of JFK. Though Perret hardly ignores the intricacies of Kennedy's uneven and truncated presidency--specifically the cold war imbroglios of Southeast Asia, Berlin, and Cuba, as well as intractable domestic festerings of poverty and civil rights--his real interest lies with the man himself. Kennedy, in chronic ill health from childhood, emerges here as a singular and daunting contradiction, at once cautious and impulsive, generous and selfish. He was a brat and a man of the people, an inveterate womanizer and a devoted family man, well-read but hardly intellectual, a charmer with a ferocious temper. Perret's book--utilizing heretofore-unseen documents--is refreshingly candid and felicitously nonjudgmental. Neither hagiographical, mean-spirited, salacious, nor conspiratorial, Jack, rich in anecdotes, is a welcome, evenhanded addition to the Kennedy library. --H. O'Billovitch ... Read more

Reviews (14)

ZZZZZZZZ
Mr. Perret somehow succeeded in writing an incredibly boring book about a man who lived an extrodinary life. The book is also marred by continuous misstatements of fact and poor research. To those looking for a good book on JFK, I advise you to take a look at Nigel Hamilton's "JFK: Reckless Youth" for illumination on his early life, Richard Reeves' "Profile in Power" for a broad look at his presidency, and Arthur Schlessinger Jr.'s "A Thousand Days" for an intimate look at his presidency that also gives you an excellent sense of who he was as a person. "Jack" isn't worth the time.

Worth reading, but definitively not a great book
Geoffrey Perret presents a new look at the life of America's most beloved president; it is also "the first craddle to grave biography" of this intricate personality. While the book is worth reading for those who are looking for a single volume biography of Jack Kennedy, it is definitivley not the definitive life of JFK nor a top work of scholarship. It reads more like a big volume of Biography Magazine or any news weekly than a well written, well researched piece. It will entretain and you will learn something --the history parts are very good-, but it will not earn a place in history as Gilbert's or Jenkins biography of Churchill will do.
Nevertheless you should read this book. It is an easy read, very entretaining and revealing. Jack's sex-adiction, amazing ambition, relation to his imposing father, sense of destiny, will be exposed before your eyes. It makes you wonder about where character in our leaders went since then.

A Good Try
Jack is a nice easy read but one tends to wonder where Perret got some of his ideas or if in fact he got them from anywhere but his own imagination. There are times when Perret seems to make up small insignificant happenings to forshadow the inevitable outcome of his life. That aside, Jack is a good book portraying a President so unique and so different than most ex-Presidents. This would be a good first Kennedy read.

Good Stuff Here!
The life of Jack Kennedy has been covered countless times in books, magazines and movies. Having made the transformation from assassinated president to tabloid favorite, one wonders if there is anything new to be learned about Kennedy, or if there is anything to be gained by buying Geoffrey Perret's book. If you're at all like me -- a fan of history, an admirer of JFK, but not too swayed by rose colored revisionism -- then this book will prove to be well worth the money. Perret starts at the beginning and fully explores the odd psychological uprbinging Kennedy experienced in a family that was extremely eccentric and neurotic -- quite a far cry from American royalty. He follows Kennedy through his pratfalls as a high school and college student, and laments on the never-ending health problems Kennedy ran into throughout his life. I, for one, never knew that our movie star president was often in a frail and precarious state. By the book's end, you walk away with a new appreciation for all of the complexities of Kennedy's character -- and there enough here to make Freud blink a few times -- and for the truly unique life that he led.

Another JFK-trasher; certainly NOT "like no other"
It's true that JFK lived a "life like no other," but the author completely missed his chance to tell the reader why. This is the same type of tabloid swill that's already been done to death in, for example, "JFK: Reckless Youth" and "A Question of Character." The themes of JFK's being obsessed with early death and his drive to live every day as if it were his last, are interesting ones, and could have been a good premise for this book. But this book adds absolutely nothing to what's already been written. No new ground is broken, despite promises to the contrary. Also detracting from his credibility are the author's gossipy references to such things as JFK's personal habits while having sex, how many cigarettes a day Jackie smoked (do I care?) and the homosexuality of friends like Lem Billings and Joe Alsop. Obviously JFK felt comfortable and confident enough in his own masculinity and heterosexuality, and valued the loyalty and friendship of these men enough, that he was neither concerned about nor felt threatened by their sexual orientation. Also detracting from the book's credibility is the sloppy research and annoying lack of fact-checking. For example, the author mentions several times that Bobby and Ethel were married in 1951. They were actually married in 1950. The book also states that Bobby and Ethel's first-born son was Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. In fact, he was their second-born son (he was born in 1954); Joseph P. Kennedy II (born in 1952) was the first. Also, Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy is mentioned several times as JFK's "eldest" sister, and is even misidentified as such (in place of Rosemary) in one of the book's photographs. Perhaps the author fell into Joe, Sr.'s spell of pretending that Rosemary, the actual first daughter and third child, never even existed. These are just a few examples.

This book is a waste of time. ... Read more

Book Description

Published to commemorate the 40th anniversary of his assassination in Dallas on 22nd November 1963, this is a celebration in photographs of the life of John F. Kennedy (1917-63), the 35th president of the United States. A collection of photographs, many previously unpublished, together with campaign memorabilia and personal notes, tell the behind-the-scenes story of the youngest man to be elected president. It Illustrates the glamour and success of his life from childhood and student days to congress, fatherhood and the presidency, revealing the tragedy of his untimely death. It also offers a unique insight into the family man, as well as the world leader who held firm when the country trembled on the brink of nuclear war and whose economic programs launched America on its longest sustained expansion since World War I. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Nice Way to Remember President Kennedy
"John Fitzgerald Kennedy:A Life in Pictures"is a great way to remember President Kennedy.I'm a young,strong admirer of President Kennedy,and not only are there great pictures of Kennedy,there is a biography of Kennedy with speeches he made,including the speech he was going to make on November 22,1963.The best pictures are of Kennedy with Herbert Hoover and a picture of Jack Kennedy with his daughter Caroline and his niece Maria Shriver.I have seen a bunch of great Kennedy photos,and if you ever want the best Kennedy photo,buy Robert Stack's autobiography "Straight Shooting"and see the picture of Stack and Kennedy. "John Fitzgerald Kennedy:A Life In Pictures"is a must read for all Kennedy fans and even all non-Kennedy fans.

always asthetically pleasing, often historcially inaccurate
Phaidon Press has done their typically gorgeous work here. The format of full-page photographs with very little text is almost perfect, a fitting showcase for an ever-graceful man that the camera truly loved.....except that the text that accompanies these elegant photos is often incredibly inaccurate. For example, one page shows JFK walking on the beach with his brother Teddy, and Teddy's wife "Virginia". His wife at that time was Joan. On other pages, JFK is shown in the blue sweater he's wearing on the cover, yet the dates are listed differently, even though he's reading the same newspaper. And several of the family pictures captions do not read correctly, from left to right, as stated. Too bad. This could've been a terrific book. In contrast, I'd recommend Jacques Lowe's "Remembering Jack. It's filled with numerous unseen black-and-white shots, and is historically accurate. Phaidon Press, if you're reading this, I'll accept a position as an editorial consultant. You could use one!

All pics, few words.
This collection of over 300 pages of the usual suspected photographs, as well as many unseen or rare ones, was published to commemorate the passing of 40 years since our 35th President was vicously cut down in his prime.

The layout of the photographs is great. You see JFK throughout his life, from childhood, to Presidencey and every passing moment between. The photos are powerful, moving, show glamour and fun, you see a politician throughout his political career, you see a loving father, son, brother and husband. I have had quite a few photo books on JFk, but this is by far the best and most desirable one I have seen.

This photograph book would make a wonderful and truly appriciated gift for anyone who has any respect, love or interest in JFK. My sister is a huge JFK fan, she had a bust of him on our dresser growing up.

The price on Amazon, is as always, unbeatable. I saw this at a bookstore tonight for the full price.

Great book ! Unseen pictures !
It is a great book !
Although I am not a "Kennedy fan", I have to admit these pictures are awsome. Over 300 pages of dream, glamour, fashion, history & photography.
It is not a political testimony, just a tribute to one of the most famous icons ever.
My advice ? THE perfect Xmast gift!!

The one JFK book to have if any
The most impressive photo collection on JFK. No doubt about that.

Lots of glamour, high quality color photos as well

All the classic Kennedy shots I was expecting, plus previously unknown photos of him and his family.

Excellent value for money as well!! ... Read more

Book Description

Quoting extensively from Dr. Martin Luther King's sermons and speeches, the author chronicles King's rise from a young minister in Montgomery, Alabama to the world's greatest spokesperson for civil rights. ... Read more

Book Description

This little boardbook uses only approximately 200 words to tell about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and to explain, in simple terms, how he ended segegation in America ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Beautiful and Perfect
This little board book is the most beautiful and perfect book on Martin Luther King, Jr. I have ever seen as Dr. King's message is kept pure, untainted, clear and focused. The colors are soft and gentle, the words simple and easy. It is a perfect introduction to Dr. King, his life, his work as well as an introduction into human values such as respect and equality. It is never too early to begin educating children on such matters nor too late for adults to refresh their memories on these core matters especially as so many are waving flags: remember what those flags represent and the lessons of Dr. King. This lit