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Of all the Kennedy bio's I've read, this ranks as one of the better ones.
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Jack: A Life Like No Other
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Previous biographies of John F. Kennedy have been based almost entirely on newspaper files and personal recollections. Geoffrey Perret's Jack is both the first comprehensive one-volume biography of JFK and the first account of his life based on the extensive and important documentary record that has finally become available, including Kennedy's personal diaries, hundreds of hours of taped conversations from the White House, recently declassified government documents, extensive family correspondence, and crucial interviews sealed for nearly forty years. The result is a gripping, accurate, and ultimately moving portrait of America's most charismatic president.
Jack provides much-needed context and perspective on Kennedy's bewilderingly complex personality. It offers an even-handed account of the seamy side of his life - orgies and abortions, health and drug problems-along with valuable insights into JFK's truly idealistic and visionary character.
Jack presents a compelling account of the volatile relationship between Kennedy and his wife, including Jackie's attempt to divorce him, move to Hollywood, and become a film star. At the same time Perret explains how, together, they created the Kennedy style.
Jack reveals how the restless, innovative Kennedy was able to overturn more than a hundred years of political tradition, forge the modern political campaign, and, once in the White House, modernize the presidency. His success was so complete that all serious presidential candidates since 1960 have sought to compare themselves to JFK, not challenging his legacy but embracing it.
Jack is filled, too, with numerous revelations, such as the true story behind the lobotomy of JFK's sister Rosemary. And here, for the first time, is a comprehensive account of Kennedy's numerous and varied ailments from childhood on, including his back problems.
Perret describes how JFK got the two most important decisions of his administration right: his handling of the Cuban missile crisis and his stance on civil rights. As to Vietnam, Kennedy did not believe it was worth fighting for, and in the last months of his presidency he began formulating a secret plan for neutralization and withdrawal-if he won the 1964 election. But that, of course, was not to be: Convinced he would die young, Kennedy foresaw that a violent death would claim him. Throughout his brief time in the White House he was haunted by a vision of a man standing at a window, looking down at him, holding a rifle.
Jack: A Life Like No Other is a book like no other. Here, at last, John F. Kennedy seems to step off the page in all his vitality, charm, and originality.
Jack provides much-needed context and perspective on Kennedy's bewilderingly complex personality. It offers an even-handed account of the seamy side of his life - orgies and abortions, health and drug problems-along with valuable insights into JFK's truly idealistic and visionary character.
Jack presents a compelling account of the volatile relationship between Kennedy and his wife, including Jackie's attempt to divorce him, move to Hollywood, and become a film star. At the same time Perret explains how, together, they created the Kennedy style.
Jack reveals how the restless, innovative Kennedy was able to overturn more than a hundred years of political tradition, forge the modern political campaign, and, once in the White House, modernize the presidency. His success was so complete that all serious presidential candidates since 1960 have sought to compare themselves to JFK, not challenging his legacy but embracing it.
Jack is filled, too, with numerous revelations, such as the true story behind the lobotomy of JFK's sister Rosemary. And here, for the first time, is a comprehensive account of Kennedy's numerous and varied ailments from childhood on, including his back problems.
Perret describes how JFK got the two most important decisions of his administration right: his handling of the Cuban missile crisis and his stance on civil rights. As to Vietnam, Kennedy did not believe it was worth fighting for, and in the last months of his presidency he began formulating a secret plan for neutralization and withdrawal-if he won the 1964 election. But that, of course, was not to be: Convinced he would die young, Kennedy foresaw that a violent death would claim him. Throughout his brief time in the White House he was haunted by a vision of a man standing at a window, looking down at him, holding a rifle.
Jack: A Life Like No Other is a book like no other. Here, at last, John F. Kennedy seems to step off the page in all his vitality, charm, and originality.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1,2001
This edition
- Format
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480 pages, Hardcover
- Published
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October 30, 2001 by Random House
- ISBN
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9780375503634
- ASIN
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0375503633
- Language
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English
About the author
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Geoffrey Perrett is an author who writes about American history. His work focuses primarily upon the political dynamics that influence strategic and tactical military decisions, as well as broader political themes. He has published over thirteen books dealing with a variety of topics, among them the U.S. Presidency - including several biographies of iconic Presidents such as John F. Kennedy and Ulysses S. Grant - leading American military commanders such as Douglas MacArthur, and pivotal American military engagements.
Perrett was born in the UK and went on to serve in the U.S. Army for 3 years. Later he studied at Long Beach City College and then obtained his undergraduate degree summa cum laude from the University of Southern California in 1967. He was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He obtained his postgraduate degree from Harvard University in 1969 and then studied law at the University of California at Berkeley.
Perrett was born in the UK and went on to serve in the U.S. Army for 3 years. Later he studied at Long Beach City College and then obtained his undergraduate degree summa cum laude from the University of Southern California in 1967. He was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He obtained his postgraduate degree from Harvard University in 1969 and then studied law at the University of California at Berkeley.
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“Jack: A Life Like No Other” by Geoffrey Perret was published in 2001, two years following the release of his biography of Dwight Eisenhower and four years after his biography of Ulysses Grant (both of which I have previously read and reviewed). Perret is a historian, the author of nearly a dozen books and served for three years in the U.S. Army.
Somewhat to my surprise, Perret's book was reportedly the first single-volume cradle-to-grave biography of JFK. Soon to appear, though, were at least two additional (and far more thorough) biographies of Kennedy authored by Robert Dallek and Michael O'Brien.
Perret's biography immediately proves unpretentious, easy to read and almost casual. About two-thirds of this 400-page book is allocated to Kennedy's life up through his presidential campaign, with the balance allocated to his 1,037-day presidency. But throughout its run the biography proves uneven in emphasis, inconsistent in its grammatical style (often switching between present and past tense) and only occasionally leaves the impression it is delivering serious and consequential history.
This biography is generally organized chronologically although some topics are presented thematically (particularly during JFK's presidency). Readers familiar with Kennedy's life will take this in stride; others are prone to becoming confused by the approach and may find the narrative more challenging to follow than expected.
The discussion of Kennedy's significant lifelong medical issues is less sophisticated than in later-published biographies and tends to understate their impact on his daily life. In addition, Perret undermphasizes the roles played by Kennedy's siblings and colleagues in his personal and political lives. And while it is true that JFK's life was filled with an abundance of garish impropriety, Perret seems to enjoy wallowing in the muck and Kennedy's sex life takes up more space in this book than the entire last year of the Kennedy presidency.
But the book's deepest flaw is that it lacks the penetrating insight, deep analysis and colorful character development of the best presidential biographies. This biography is not without virtue, but the most insightful moments are reserved for the last fifty pages when the author begins dissecting Kennedy, his motivations and what he learned during his presidency.
Perret's also provides a particularly engrossing chapter on the young JFK during his years at Choate and offers the best introduction to Inga Arvad (one of Kennedy's romantic interests who was thought to be a German spy) that I've seen. In addition, Perret expertly introduces and dissects Jackie Bouvier's complex and often perplexing personality.
But, overall, Geoffrey Perret's biography of John F. Kennedy provides more pitfalls than promise. Readers new to JFK may find this a buoyant, lively, fast-paced and relatively uncomplicated sojourn through Kennedy's life. But a more experienced audience will find Perret's biography too breezy, unsophisticated and lacking in penetrating analysis and character development.
Overall rating: 3 stars
“Jack: A Life Like No Other” by Geoffrey Perret was published in 2001, two years following the release of his biography of Dwight Eisenhower and four years after his biography of Ulysses Grant (both of which I have previously read and reviewed). Perret is a historian, the author of nearly a dozen books and served for three years in the U.S. Army.
Somewhat to my surprise, Perret's book was reportedly the first single-volume cradle-to-grave biography of JFK. Soon to appear, though, were at least two additional (and far more thorough) biographies of Kennedy authored by Robert Dallek and Michael O'Brien.
Perret's biography immediately proves unpretentious, easy to read and almost casual. About two-thirds of this 400-page book is allocated to Kennedy's life up through his presidential campaign, with the balance allocated to his 1,037-day presidency. But throughout its run the biography proves uneven in emphasis, inconsistent in its grammatical style (often switching between present and past tense) and only occasionally leaves the impression it is delivering serious and consequential history.
This biography is generally organized chronologically although some topics are presented thematically (particularly during JFK's presidency). Readers familiar with Kennedy's life will take this in stride; others are prone to becoming confused by the approach and may find the narrative more challenging to follow than expected.
The discussion of Kennedy's significant lifelong medical issues is less sophisticated than in later-published biographies and tends to understate their impact on his daily life. In addition, Perret undermphasizes the roles played by Kennedy's siblings and colleagues in his personal and political lives. And while it is true that JFK's life was filled with an abundance of garish impropriety, Perret seems to enjoy wallowing in the muck and Kennedy's sex life takes up more space in this book than the entire last year of the Kennedy presidency.
But the book's deepest flaw is that it lacks the penetrating insight, deep analysis and colorful character development of the best presidential biographies. This biography is not without virtue, but the most insightful moments are reserved for the last fifty pages when the author begins dissecting Kennedy, his motivations and what he learned during his presidency.
Perret's also provides a particularly engrossing chapter on the young JFK during his years at Choate and offers the best introduction to Inga Arvad (one of Kennedy's romantic interests who was thought to be a German spy) that I've seen. In addition, Perret expertly introduces and dissects Jackie Bouvier's complex and often perplexing personality.
But, overall, Geoffrey Perret's biography of John F. Kennedy provides more pitfalls than promise. Readers new to JFK may find this a buoyant, lively, fast-paced and relatively uncomplicated sojourn through Kennedy's life. But a more experienced audience will find Perret's biography too breezy, unsophisticated and lacking in penetrating analysis and character development.
Overall rating: 3 stars
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I've always been fascinated with JFK. This book flays him open and exposes all of his faults. No man and no president is perfect. The one thing that bothered me througout the book was the lurid focus on his sex life. I felt icky reading the details in here. Not necessary!
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"JACK: A Life Like No Other" is a fairly straightforward biography of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States. The reader is taken through the various phases of JFK's life and career. It was a life fraught with many challenges and perils, highs and lows. Throughout his life, JFK suffered from a variety of illnesses (e.g. chronic back pain which became steadily worse over time, jaundice, scarlet fever, malaria, and Addison's Disease) that would have humbled a lesser person. Indeed, on 3 different occasions, JFK had been administered the final rites by the Catholic Church. And as if by a miracle, JFK not only survived but endured. "From an early age he had known something that few rich men's sons ever learn this side of serious illness: there is no wealth but life."
While this was an easy book to read, there were some glaring errors in it that were enough for me to give it a lower grade than other books about President Kennedy I had enjoyed reading and valued for the knowledge they gave me about this singularly unique individual and statesman who had the capacity to inspire millions of people to their best efforts, and in the process, become better human beings. (Furthermore, the author's contention that President Kennedy's death was attributable to a single assassin - Lee Harvey Oswald - I don't agree with at all. Perret leaves the reader in the midst of that fatal motorcade in which the President and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy took center stage on November 22, 1963, summing up the book with a novelistic flourish that struck me as somewhat overwrought.)
While this was an easy book to read, there were some glaring errors in it that were enough for me to give it a lower grade than other books about President Kennedy I had enjoyed reading and valued for the knowledge they gave me about this singularly unique individual and statesman who had the capacity to inspire millions of people to their best efforts, and in the process, become better human beings. (Furthermore, the author's contention that President Kennedy's death was attributable to a single assassin - Lee Harvey Oswald - I don't agree with at all. Perret leaves the reader in the midst of that fatal motorcade in which the President and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy took center stage on November 22, 1963, summing up the book with a novelistic flourish that struck me as somewhat overwrought.)
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#108 of 120 books pledged to read during 2018
If you haven't read any books on John F. Kennedy, this is a great "condensed" one-volume version of his life from beginning to end. I have read many books on him, so I kept noticing many missing details. But if you just want the basics, I think this was written exceedingly well.
If you haven't read any books on John F. Kennedy, this is a great "condensed" one-volume version of his life from beginning to end. I have read many books on him, so I kept noticing many missing details. But if you just want the basics, I think this was written exceedingly well.
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Returned by Library. A Great resource for research and / or term paper. Enjoy!
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Fantastic book - complete research, amazing citations, grounded in fact and impossible to put down.
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Really three and a half stars. I have read many many biographies of JFK and thought there wasn't anything else to learn. Wrong! The author seems to bring a different, deeper perspective to the book gleaned from among other things JFK's family history and his belief he would not live a long life. I did finish feeling his marriage was pretty much loveless on both sides. And that he was far more conservative than his legend would have us believe.
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