Customer Reviews

Ask Not: The Inauguration of John F. Kennedy and the Speech That Changed America

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"Ask Not" is, without doubt, the most interesting addition to Kennedyana of recent years. Thurston Clarke, a gifted storyteller, takes the reader into a detailed journey into the lives of JFK, his family, friends and advisers on the hectic days of January 10-20, 1961, as Kennedy created an Inaugural address that, 43 years after it was delivered, hasn't lost any of its power and magic. At the center of this quest, Thurston introduces new evidence establishing that Kennedy, and not Ted Sorensen, was the author of the speech's most poetic, stirring and fascinating passages. If it is true that Sorensen has never written or said that he was the author of Kennedy's Inaugural, he has always mantained an ambigous position on the subject. Most historians and scholars have keep this ambiguity alive, and many still believe today that Sorensen was really the author of a message that defined the Kennedy era and launched America into the revolutionary and contradictory sixties.

Clarke writes a captivating day-to-day (almost hour-to-hour) account of when and how John F. Kennedy dictated or wrote the words and sentences that converged in one of the most important speeches of the twentieth century. From the moment during a flight on his private plane to his family's mansion in Palm Beach when he dictated to Evelyn Lincoln, his secretary, the core of the most beautiful lines of the speech, till the very moment when he made minor corrections as he was delivering it, this book reivindicates Kennedy's authorship. It also makes the case that the Inaugural can be seen as a philosophical and spiritual biography of JFK, tracing the origins of its ideas and setences not just to previous extemporaneous speeches delivered during his 1960 campaign, but also to episodes and experiences of Kennedy's life.

"Ask Not", of course, is comparable to "Lincoln at Gettysburg" by Garry Wills, which I think is the most fascinating book on Lincoln (and even speechwriting) ever written. But "Ask Not" can also be read as a shorthand biography that reveals not well-known insights on Kennedy's life and character. It's also a lofty reminder of how Americans lived the dawn of the Kennedy years, the neverending fascination about him and Jackie, his family, and a time when high-flying ideas were so close to politics that it seems almost unbelievable today.

There's no complacency in this book. You wiil find a good amount of well-docummented criticism on Kennedy, but reading it (and, of course, Kennedy's Inaugural once again), one cannot but make a comparison to the present state of not only political rhetoric, but politics in general, and sadly contemplate what has been lost.

Could "Ask Not", as "Lincoln at Gettysburg" did on 1993, win a Pulitzer? Certainly it has the right stuff. If you're a Kennedy fan, or a history buff, or enjoy speeches and speechwriting, or just love to read a very good book, get your hands and eyes on this one.

You must bring several grains of salt to the author's discussion of what exactly JFK might have been doing or thinking here or there, but the main premise (that JFK wrote the speech, not Sorenson) is convincingly laid out. Also, Clarke's overview of that Inauguration Day (Jan. 20, 1961) is fascinating...he provides great sixties details and a keen assessment of what people on that podium (such as his brief but vivid portrait of Mamie Eisenhower) thought about JFK, based on firsthand accounts, memoirs, conversations. Also, this is a good refresher on what real Democrats and real Republicans stood for in Kennedy's time. I really enjoyed reading this book.

I loved this book. As a New Englander who was only 6 years old at the time of the inauguration, I can no longer tell if I remember watching the Inaugural or if over the years seeing the newsclips and videos at the JFK Library have indelibly stamped his words in my brain. In any case, the book made me want to hear the speech again. A visit to the Library during my next visit to Boston may be in order.

One bone to pick. How is it that a regular person like me constantly finds errors in books that seem to be otherwise well-researched and the editors don't catch them? Henry Fonda's ex-wife who was at Joseph Alsop's party was named Afdera, not Alfreda. Errors like that drive me nuts.

I found it a fascinating book. Thurston Clarke's painstaking research and subsequent account of JFK's inaugural address recaptures a moment in time in a unique and intriguing way. I felt transported back to being ten years old, home from school due to heavy snow,watching the television coverage, but with the wisdom of Clarke's story on my side. My daughter, who obviously was not alive in 1961, but is a student of the history of the 60's, was similarly transfixed by Ask Not.

Thurston Clarke has created a well written account of both this impressive speech and the forces at play that caused it to have an enormous impact on a generation. It is a must read for anyone interested in better understanding the outpouring of altruism fostered by Kennedy's call to service.

This is a short, interesting, and satisfying read. It follows closely, and as factually as is possible, the development of this historic speech. I think it does a good job of finding and exploring the influences and authorship of the speech as well as the editing and construction of the speech - its amazing to see how much each word and phrase is considered, changed and laboured over.

Something which adds weight to the book, is the authors ability to depict the feeling and temper of the time. Kennedy obviously brought some new hope to America and was also just a very popular, charismatic figure. There are some good, revealing anecdotes which i have not come across in reading other kennedy books. The book goes into quite a bit of detail about a very short period of time which gives also a closer insight into their day to day lives and habits.

For mine, Kennedy comes across as an intelligent and sincere man. His ideals are admirable and i think he was the real author of this important speech. I'm not so interested in the complete and utter originality of Kennedy's ideas, what is more important is that he selected, developed and articulated them in a way that spoke directly to the world and will leave an indefinite mark.

Overall, a beaut little book, i really enjoyed it.

This is another wonderful book from Thurston Clarke, who is well known for his meticulous research, rich detail, funny anecdotes, powerful writing. Once again we, the reader, are pulled into a vivid story about which we already have strong memories and impressions. ASK NOT illuminates and refreshes and untangles our memories of Kennedy's inspiring and challenging words. We are reminded of how uplifted we felt on first hearing his inaugural address 45 years ago. Clarke's complete picture of the preparation for the speech and the inaugural celebrations bring alive a wonderful chapter in our history.

Being a fan of history,good speeches, presidential writings and also of J.F.Kennedy I felt that this would be a good book to read.His most important and most famous speech aside from perhaps his peace speech, the Kennedy inaugural has given rise to an ongoing debate from the time it was spoken to even now as various books continue to dissect and look at it from all angles.The crux of the matter is did Kennedy write it himself or did his principle speech writer Ted Sorensen.Unfortuately,I fear that debate will continue. From the authors point of view he seems convinced that Kennedy was the primary architect with Sorensen giving some support and help when needed.From the research I feel that this may be true, that the initial form and substance of what Kennedy wanted to get across to the public was initially framed by Sorensen but the substance,form,the way is was said, the phrasing and meter, final revisions and editing was all Kennedy.Does or can this book or any other for that matter definitively prove it one way or the other,well no it doesn't nor will any in the future.What the book does give you is a practically day by day almost minute by minute lead up to the actual event the preceeding weeks which led up to that cold January day are looked at and at times I felt I was actually there in the room with Kennedy as he agonized over every line.There were times when I felt the author introjected a bit much including things he could not have known or intimate conversations which were not included in the public record but nevertheless it was a good read. For those who enjoy as I do all things Kennedy you must read this.It was a truly hectic, heady time back then and as far as the actual speech goes it was one of the most beautiful inaugurals of all time clearly outlining Kennedy's goals for the new frontier.From the prepping, to the rewrites, the practice,the politics and seating plans, weather and Robert Frost's goofup due to sunglare at the start to what followed is all there.If you want an enjoyable look at that day and what went into it then read this book and go back to a more exciting hopeful America before it was cut short prematurely by some bullits.Once you start it you won't want to put it down.

The author's focus on the idea of America having a "national mission" reverberates through the work just as it did through Mr. Kennedy's career. Pushed most aggressively by publishing magnate Henry Luce (think Time Magazine), this is the idea that Americans had a singular destiny and should therefore come together around some great purpose the defines who we are as a nation and people. With the collapse of the Johnson years over Vietnam and the subsequent loss in faith in our leaders due to the war, presidential scandals and the fractionalization of American political life, it seems impossible to believe that there ever was a time when we could unite as a people around any great cause. (The space program might be the last time Americans united at length over any grand policy.) An intimate telling of the preparation of the defining speech of one of our most inspiring speakers, the book is a must for anyone trying to understand Mr. Kennedy and his times.

This was one of the best books i have read about J.F.K. and was taken back in to the 60's and as if i was there.So uplifting.