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An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963
by Robert Dallek
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (2003-05)
ISBN: 0316172383
EAN: 9780316172387
Dewey Decimal #: 973.922092
Binding/Media: Hardcover - 848 pages
Edition: First Edition
Release Date: 2003-05-13
SKU: 6068-unfinished-R
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comments: 1st Edition. Full number line. Clean pages, clean DJ edges. Ghost trace writing at back of DJ. Else VG+ copy.
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
An Unfinished Life is the first major, single-volume life of John F. Kennedy to be written by a historian in nearly four decades. Drawing upon previously unavailable material and never-before-opened archives to tell Kennedy's story. We learn for the first time just how sick Kennedy was, what medications he took and concealed from all but a few, and how severely his medical condition affected his actions as President. We learn for the first time the real story of how Bobby was selected as Attorney General. Dallek reveals exactly what Jack's father did to help his election to the presidency, and he follows previously unknown evidence to show what path JFK would have taken in the Vietnam entanglement had he survived. Dallek (LIFTS) JFK out of the gossips and back onto the world stage, showing that while he was the son of privilege, he faced great obstacles and fought on with remarkable courage. Never shying away from Kennedy's weaknesses, Dallek also brilliantly explores his strengths. The result is a portrait of a bold, brave, human Kennedy, once again a hero.
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Customer Reviews
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Balanced and Historical
Rating  (5)
Date: 2010-07-08
Well written and researched biography of John F. Kennedy. It was neither idealizing, nor denegrating, of the ex-president - it was a balanced, interesting portrait of Kennedy and his times. It may be a little long for some, but I prefer my biographies to go into such detail, in order to get a good feel for the subject. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to read an intellectual study of this period of history.
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JFK
Rating (5)
Date: 2010-02-13
This is a great book about JFK. It is well written and shows that although a great many people would argue, JFK was very close to being a total failure as President. It shows the development of his many ailments how he hid them from the electorate and became President. He fumbled along through crisis after crisis until he hit a home run during the Cuban missle crisis. But his works mean much more to the country then he deeds. He inspired the country to move to great great things which is where he eventually finds his greatness, with after his assassination LBJ adopting and enlarging his views on space exploration,civil rights etc.
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Excellent
Rating  (4)
Date: 2009-04-16
Dallek does't rehash already well covered aspects of this remarkable man. He gives in depth, well documented insights into the life and personality of America's 35th president. This is neither a whitewash nor a hachet job. Well written and insightful. A scholarly approach to one of the 20th centuries most charismatic politicians.
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Essential Reading But...
Rating (5)
Date: 2007-06-25
3 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
Robert Dallek is a gifted historian. He is also a complete historian, because he writes extremely well. I wonder if he has ever won the Parkman Prize, because his apparent meticulous research is consumed by the reader with such ease. Of course, because it is Dr. Dallek, I have but one complaint. In the young, Kennedy years, prior to the presidency, the biography feels intimate -- as if we were talking to someone who was right in the house growing up with him -- almost if we were like Lem Billings. But when we get to the presidency there is a bit of opinionating that oftimes goes from historian to editorializing. For example, when speaking of the Berlin Crisis, Dr. Dallek opines that it is best that JFK was running the show because RFK, being a hothead, might have gotten us involved in a nuclear exchange. Other than that minor, minor complaint, (because he is probably right on his opinionating), I think Dallek is great. So is his new title about Nixon, (and Kissinger,too.)
Joe Nichols
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Adequate First Kennedy Biography
Rating (4)
Date: 2007-05-11
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
Thought that the book was an adequate one volume account of the life of JFK. The author talked alot about JFK's medical problems, more than I would have liked. He could have written a chapter about the medical problems JFK had with his stomach and back and about how the Kennedy's covered up those ailments during the run for the presidency and during the presidency.
But overall I thought that it was a very good book and would recommend to anyone who is reading their first Biography of Kennedy.
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