An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963

Rating:
Summary: The best Political book that I have ever read.
Review: I was very very little when our nation lost John F. Kennedy. But Kennedy was my introduction into what the presidency stands for.
This book by Robert Dallek is excellent in that it is so balanced in the presentation of the subject, that if you loved John F Kennedy, you would probably still love him after reading the book. If you disliked presdident Kennedy, you would probably still dislike him. But quite possibly Kennedy lovers may realize more of his flaws and and Kennedy detractors may find some newfound respect.
The book starts with insight into young Jack's family, Father Joe Kennedy,Sr. felt left out of Boston culture because of his Irish Catholic heritage. I imagine that is one reason the Kennedys have been such notorious risk takers.
The book progresses into his schooling (he started as an average student) on into his military service and onto politics (He was a fairly average Senator, unlike his VP Lyndon Johnson). Also it sheds light on something I did not really know. Mr Kennedy's poor health. After reading the book, I had to wonder if Kennedy would still be alive now, had he escaped the assassination.
The book facuses on the early 60s and reiterates the threats of the cold war. Since we are just a couple of years removed now from 9/11, his first showdown with Kruchev in Vienna, the Bay Of Pigs fiasco, and the Cuban Misile Crisis were easy to understand as America felt the immediate danger. There are examples of his womanizing, but less information than what we may want to know about his affair with Marylyn Monroe and her subsequent death. There is also too little information on Bobby's stand off with Jimmy Hoffa.
I would recommend this book for anyone with an interest in history, politics or the American Presidency.

Rating:
Summary: A Long Read, But It Was Worth My Time
Review: It is hard to add anything to a review when there are 59 previous ones. This is the first biography I have read on the life of President Kennedy, so I am unable to compare it to any others. However, the observations that I am left with are that he enjoyed his job as President even though he was hampered by a myriad or physical problems that the public was largely unaware of. These problems apparently didn't affect the job he did as the nation's chief executive. There is speculation that his sexual affairs with other women may have proved costly to his presidency had he served a second term. Vietnam was just starting to heat up during his presidency, and judged by the information given in the book I believe he would have had the United States involved deeper with the war in Vietnam. Had he lived I'm sure his image would have been damaged by the Vietnam debacle. His greatest success was in staring down Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev during the Cuban missle crisis. He was lukewarm towards civil rights for all Americans, and it was left to successor President Johnson to sign the Civil Rights Act. In regard to his assassination, I learned the brace he wore for back support helped to keep him in an upright position after the bullet initially hit him, and making it more possible for him to be hit with the fatal shot to the head. It took a while to pioneer my way through the book, but the time and effort was worth it.