A Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy in the White House

A Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy in the White House
by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., David Sobel

A Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy in the White House
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Book Summary Information

Author: Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., David Sobel
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Format: Illustrated
Published: 2005-09-01
ISBN: 1579124496
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers

Book Reviews of A Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy in the White House

Book Review: Great firsthand account of the Kennedy Years
Summary: 5 Stars

This book is one of the most thorough firsthand accounts of the Kennedy administration and takes an almost exhaustive look at many of the things that occurred during the administration. While some of the conclusions have been tempered with history and new evidence coming to light (particularly on the Bay of Pigs and the Civil Rights record) this is still considered the definitive book on the Kennedy years in the white house and should deserve that distinction. Schlesinger who served as a special advisor to the president (much like Ken O'Donnell of Thirteen Days fame) provides a unique view to a complicated man, politician, and president. Kennedy offered hope to a generation of Americans and by extension to many people of the world. He was firm yet promised compassion through his negotiations with the Soviets, Peace Corps and commitment to Civil Rights.

While there are a few points in the book where Schlesinger props up his own importance at a particular point and digresses for about 50 pages or so the remainder of the book is very spot on with what was occurring, why decisions were made and what the effects of those decisions were. Sadly Schlesinger was not as involved in the Executive Committee (Ex-Com) as other special assistants were so much of what has happened at that point was not related in this book and the role that the committee played is kept to almost a minimum. I will point out that even as a Republican I found the book fair and while lacking in detail at some points it is still the most complete work that is published on Kennedy and to those who claim bias: the man worked in the Kennedy administration so take that bias into account as you read and enjoy a firsthand look at a complicated presidency and pivotal point in American history. Overall well worth the time to read.

Summary of A Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy in the White House

Written by one of our foremost historians and published in 1965, A Thousand Days is still considered the most complete and definitive portrait of John F. Kennedy and his administration. Handpicked by Kennedy to serve as special assistant to the president, historian and Harvard professor Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. witnessed firsthand the politics and personalities that influenced some of the most important and dramatic events in modern history.

The hundreds of photographs and documents included here have been gleaned from such sources as the John F. Kennedy Library, the Library of Congress, the Associated Press, Life magazine, and more. The photos capture private meetings with the president, the Bay of Pigs, the Civil Rights movement, and the Cuban Missile Crisis, as well as official White House memoranda, public speeches, social occasions, and private moments with the Kennedy family. These powerful images add a new dimension to the award-winning text and introduce a new generation to some of the most important and visually iconic moments in our recent past.

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