| This book combines in one volume all the most pertinent facts about the life and political career of the 35th President of the United States, presented in a seamless and well-written, (although somewhat stylistically stuffy) narrative.
True to his reputation for fairness and objectivity, Robert Dallek scrupulously avoids attempting to create new controversies about JFK; at the same time, he doesn't shy away from making negative judgments about Kennedy's decisions and actions when he feels those judgments are warranted. Dallek includes all the major high and low points of Kennedy's Presidency: his failed attempt to oust Fidel Castro from Cuba with the disastrous Bay of Pigs operation; his amateurish confrontation with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev at Vienna in 1961; his growing apprehension over the U.S. role in Vietnam; his overly cautious, halting support of civil rights legislation; his insistence on large tax cuts to stimulate a sluggish American economy (presaging a similar argument by another President 40 years later); his ultimately successful confrontation with the Soviet Union over missiles in Cuba, where he and Khrushchev brought the world within a hair's breadth of nuclear war in October 1962; and a host of other Presidential actions and decisions that showed Kennedy to be at once foolhardy and wise; rational and impetuous, idealistic and the master of realpolitik. And, of course, Kennedy's assassination. Dallek doesn't get mired in controversy over whether or not there was a conspiracy to kill JFK, although he acknowledges that conspiracy theories abound. Instead, Dallek focuses on the immense tragedy of Kennedy's untimely death, both for his family and for the country as a whole. Overall, "An Unfinished Life" presents a positive picture of JFK. Dallek's overall judgment is that Kennedy was a successful President – perhaps even a near-"great" Chief Executive – because he was able to faithfully discharge the duties of his office during an especially difficult period in American history, despite having to contend with chronic health problems that would have defeated a lesser man. | ||
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Plot & Themes Plotlet: job/profession: Job/profession/poverty story Yes Politician story? - Politician trying to reform Period of greatest activity? - 1950+ Subject of Biography Gender - Male Profession/status: Ethnicity - White Nationality - American Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 4 () United States Yes The US: - Northeast Century: - 1960's-1970's Writing Style Book makes you feel? - concerned Pictures/Illustrations? - A ton 16-20 B&W How much dialogue in bio? - little dialog How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 51%-75% of book |
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