John F. Kennedy: An Unfinished Life 1917 1963

Description

Charismatic leader and American icon, John F. Kennedy became, during his tragically short life, one of the most idolised - and misunderstood - figures of the twentieth century. This is the first authoritative single-volume biography of Kennedy to be written in nearly four decades. Drawing upon first-hand sources and never-before-opened archives, prize-winning historian Robert Dallek reveals more than we ever knew about JFK, for ever changing the way we think about his life, his presidency and his legacy.

Dallek never shies away from Kennedy's weaknesses, but also brilliantly explores his strengths. The result is a full portrait of a bold, brave and truly human John F. Kennedy.

Promotion info

Robert Dallek is the winner of the Bancroft Prize for American History.

Author description

Robert Dallek has taught at Columbia, UCLA, and Oxford. He is currently a professor of history at Boston University. He is the author of several books, including his classic two-volume biography of Lyndon Johnson, Lone Star Rising and Flawed Giant. He has won the Bancroft Prize for American history, among numerous other awards for scholarship and teaching.

Table of contents

Part 1 Growing up: beginnings; privileged youth; the terrors of life. Part 2 Public service: choosing politics; the Congressman; the Senator. Part 3 Can a Catholic become President?: nomination; election. Part 4 The President: the torch is passed; the schooling of a president; a world of troubles; crisis manager; reluctant warrior; the limits of power; frustrations and "botches"; to the brink - and back; new departures - domestic affairs; new departures - foreign affairs; an unfinished presidency.