REVIEW: JFK's Last Hundred Days by Thurston Clarke

 

I was inspired to read this book after my recent, and first, visit to the JFK Presidential Library in Boston, MA. This year was also the 60th anniversary of his tragic death. As the name not so subtly indicates, this is about the roughly three months leading up to his death; however, it is also deceptive as it also covers some of the major events and policies of his term in office and major events from his personal life.

Thurston Clarke meticulously researched this book - given the depth of what is covered and its detail, it must have taken quite some time - and yet, it wasn't terribly dry or boring. Clarke also doesn't shy away from the seamier and more...awkward...parts of JFK's personal life, such as his womanizing and his relationship with Jackie, including his cruelty to her after the death of a daughter in 1956 (when he was on a cruise that he nearly refused to cut short to return home to her - it still took him three days after their child's death to return). In the last three months of his life, Clarke recounts how his relationship with Jackie was transformed, in relation to the death of their son, Patrick (who is younger then John John and Caroline).  Also, Clarke details his transformation in domestic and foreign policies, particularly with regards to Cuba/USSR and civil rights. Based upon this book, I often wonder if we would have been entangled in Vietnam for as long as we were, if at all, if JFK had not died and had won a second term. 

The book was a good mix of anecdotes, which were the most interesting for me, and political discourse.  It wasn't too heavy handed and didn't get bogged down in too much political maneuvering or chatter. I liked getting a peak into the personality of a man that is somewhat legend for that period of history. This was a compelling and digestible book about the man, that I would encourage all to add to their collection.