Experimental Blog #115

Comments on "John F. Kennedy" by Alan Brinkley

There are now 40 presidents, with 41 authors, in this "The American Presidents Series". The late Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr, who was called "the preeminent political historian of our time", was the first and primary general editor of this series. However, the book on William Howard Taft has not yet appeared, and Ronald Reagan is still not included in this list!! George W. Bush is the latest addition, and this book too, more understandably, is yet to appear.

These 38 books, that have been published so far, vary considerably in style and interest.

Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. was very much involved with Democratic Party politics and, in particular, with the Kennedy administration.

Although the list of presidents goes on and more books are expected to come out, this particular book about John F. Kennedy by Alan Brinkley is arguably the most important; maybe even a primary purpose, of the whole series.

Alan Brinkley goes into considerable revealing detail describing, among quite a few other things, the absolutely necessary importance of Joseph Kennedy, Sr., Jack's father, in the life and political career of John F. Kennedy, through his very many connections and wealth: John F. Kennedy's many "serious life long illnesses"; and "almost pathological womanizing".