John F. Kennedy
JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956
Tier 2
I debated a series of Kennedy biographies before landing on Fredrik Logevall’s newish book on him. It’s the first of a proposed two-volume biography, so I haven’t gotten to Jack’s presidency. I haven’t gotten to the famous 1960 campaign or the countless seminal moments that defined his short time in office. I, naturally, am aware of those moments and decisions but have only seen them through other eyes (most notably Robert Caro’s in the comprehensive multi-volume LBJ biographies coming next week). When I finished this book, I debated augmenting Logevall’s account with another single-volume biography. But, I ultimately chose not to as I so enjoyed this book that I’d rather wait for Logevall to finish the story.
This book is wonderful. It easily would be a tier-one biography for me, but I simply need to wait for him to finish. I can’t readily claim this to be on par with Morris’s books on Roosevelt before it’s finished. But, speaking only for this volume, I have to say it is essential reading.
Kennedy is a figure whose shadow often blots out the sun. Both Eisenhower and, until Caro’s work and a bit of an LBJ revival, Johnson were swallowed up into JFK’s orbit. This happens in presidential history. Taft and McKinley know the touch of that shadow all too well. It’s hard to constantly be compared with so imposing a figure. However, where either Roosevelt, Lincoln, or Washington cast their shadow in deeds (whether as president or otherwise), Kennedy’s is a shadow of perception. He is emblematic of a moment. A passing of the torch, a mark of a new generation and attitude. A break with the past. He is not known as much for his actions as for an idea. Youth. Charm. The burgeoning realization of the American Century. These are the things we remember Jack for.
This volume details Jack’s life before he ran for president. It takes you through his wealthy but often challenging childhood. It paints a vivid and sometimes alarming portrait of his overbearing father and the competitive environment he created for his children.
Joseph Kennedy Senior wanted one of his children to be president. He made no qualms about that desire. He was a man who had conquered the world in so many ways, and now he longed for that final moment of triumph. He didn’t care what the cost was, he would see one of his children inaugurated as president.
That child was supposed to be Joe Kennedy Junior. The golden child, if you will. Charming, intelligent, handsome. His life was laid out for him at a young age, and much like Royalty, he was trained for the position he was to assume. Joe Kennedy Sr. opposed the war in Europe and even famously proclaimed, “Democracy is finished in England. It may be here [the United States].” But, for all his numerous faults, he saw how the political tide was turning and understood that his son, Joe Kennedy Jr., the future President of the United States, needed to serve. No one would have a viable political career post-war without having served and seen considerable action. This idea and the lifelong pressure from his father likely motivated Joe Jr. to volunteer for the dangerous, top-secret mission in which he was killed.
Jack Kennedy understood immediately what his brother’s death meant. Gone were his dreams of becoming a novelist, wealthy layabout, or a lawyer. Gone was his life as he knew it. There would be no time for him to meander through the world and find his calling. He was now to pick up his brother’s mantle. He would be president.
This is just one of the countless moments in this book that Logevall details with a deft touch. He doesn’t make Jack out to be some fabled or tragic figure, but he gives you scope. He allows you to see how this man, who rose to be a figure of mythic proportions, was formed—the pressure and expectations combined to alter and distort him.
The book details his time spent in the Navy. Logevall avoids the hagiography that is so common in these kinds of books. He points out that Kennedy likely should not have been in command of the PT boat (his father pushed for the appointment) or probably even serving in the military due to his crippling back problems. The PT boat's sinking was partially due to Kennedy’s inexperience and negligence. But, once disaster struck, there is no avoiding Kennedy’s heroics. With his bad back, which was further damaged in the collision, he towed Patrick McMahon (the most injured of the crew) to safety. It took four hours, and Kennedy transported McMahon near lifeless body by clenching a life jacket strap between his teeth. After they arrived at an island, Kennedy made numerous other swims to attempt to find help. It is a story of remarkable bravery, even if he was somewhat to blame for the initial disaster.
His father hid the bad and petitioned for him to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. I’m not interested in litigating whether he deserved that or the Pulitzer Prize that he received for Profiles in Courage, a book he likely had substantial assistance in writing. Kennedy’s life is full of stories like this. You can see them how you’d like to see them. If you want to turn him into a hero, you can. If you prefer him as a spoiled rich kid who didn’t earn anything (LBJ’s vision of him), you can also reach that conclusion.
As with most things, I'd say he’s somewhere in between. He could show great courage and resilience, and he possessed an unmistakable charm. Logevall’s book is full of stories of him campaigning and recovering from his various ailments (twice, he had his last rites read to him by a priest in moments they were sure he was about to die) that show that charm. But he was also helped along at every stage by his wealth and fame. His is not a story of a man coming from nothing to reach the highest office in our nation (again, we’ll see that next week with Johnson), but it is a fascinating story about expectation, wealth, and pressure.
Logevall paints a vivid portrait of Jack as a young man. It’s exciting and nuanced, and he’s a fantastic writer. I cannot wait for the second volume and highly recommend this book.