I like to alternate between reading fiction and non-fiction. Since I just finished reading two novels, I am choosing "The President Has Been Shot!" as my first DCF book of this season. I was five years old when President Kennedy was shot and I remember it distinctly; that makes me interested to read this account. There are a lot of black and white photos that will give me images to track while I read about the history of JFK's assassination. I notice that the author, James L. Swanson, has written other books about President Lincoln's assassination. I expect this book will be filled with details that make it interesting.
The author is decidedly neutral about his portrayal of President Kennedy. I remember JFK as a beloved president, but this book presents the complexities of JFK's presidency. Author James Swanson describes some of President Kennedy's challenges, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Bay of Pigs fiasco, which tainted Kennedy's tenure. The author does, however, include some details of how President Kennedy gained popularity: in his dynamic public speaking, and in his forging a nuclear ban treaty with the Soviet Union. I expected a more positive portrayal of JFK, but the author has instead presented a more honest and balanced view of JFK and his legacy.
My previous posts have mysteriously disappeared, but the more I read this book, the more I realize how hard it was for JFK to maintain a good reputation as the U.S. president. I just read the part about the actual assassination, and it seems like it was really hard for Jackie Kennedy, her bright pink suit having been splattered with the blood of her own husband. I like that the author has the opinions of everyone who witnessed the death of the president, or was involved in any way. For instance, parts of the book occurring a few hours prior to the assassination were from the perspective of Lee Harvey Oswald's wife, who said that he was acting unusual-- more unusual than normal.
One thing I like about this book is that the author (James L. Swanson) takes the facts about Kennedy's death and turns them into a story loaded with details, pictures and theories. After the assassination, Jackie Kennedy was very sad about her husband's death, but was able to laugh when JFK's fellow politicians told her stories about 'the good old days'.
The author of this book is very exact about his facts, and always states the exact time of an event. For example, at 12:37 PM on November 24, 1963 Jackie Kennedy placed two goodbye notes in her husband's coffin and closed the lid. I wonder how James Swanson found out so many small details?
I like to alternate between reading fiction and non-fiction. Since I just finished reading two novels, I am choosing "The President Has Been Shot!" as my first DCF book of this season. I was five years old when President Kennedy was shot and I remember it distinctly; that makes me interested to read this account. There are a lot of black and white photos that will give me images to track while I read about the history of JFK's assassination. I notice that the author, James L. Swanson, has written other books about President Lincoln's assassination. I expect this book will be filled with details that make it interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe author is decidedly neutral about his portrayal of President Kennedy. I remember JFK as a beloved president, but this book presents the complexities of JFK's presidency. Author James Swanson describes some of President Kennedy's challenges, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Bay of Pigs fiasco, which tainted Kennedy's tenure. The author does, however, include some details of how President Kennedy gained popularity: in his dynamic public speaking, and in his forging a nuclear ban treaty with the Soviet Union. I expected a more positive portrayal of JFK, but the author has instead presented a more honest and balanced view of JFK and his legacy.
ReplyDeleteMy previous posts have mysteriously disappeared, but the more I read this book, the more I realize how hard it was for JFK to maintain a good reputation as the U.S. president. I just read the part about the actual assassination, and it seems like it was really hard for Jackie Kennedy, her bright pink suit having been splattered with the blood of her own husband. I like that the author has the opinions of everyone who witnessed the death of the president, or was involved in any way. For instance, parts of the book occurring a few hours prior to the assassination were from the perspective of Lee Harvey Oswald's wife, who said that he was acting unusual-- more unusual than normal.
ReplyDeleteYes, the different perspectives were eye-opening. It was like following a few different stories.
DeleteOne thing I like about this book is that the author (James L. Swanson) takes the facts about Kennedy's death and turns them into a story loaded with details, pictures and theories. After the assassination, Jackie Kennedy was very sad about her husband's death, but was able to laugh when JFK's fellow politicians told her stories about 'the good old days'.
ReplyDeleteThe author of this book is very exact about his facts, and always states the exact time of an event. For example, at 12:37 PM on November 24, 1963 Jackie Kennedy placed two goodbye notes in her husband's coffin and closed the lid. I wonder how James Swanson found out so many small details?
ReplyDeletethis book was good I just finished it (in two days) its short but very very good .For history and my insrest
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