From School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up--A well-written, thoughtful, and evenhanded look at Kennedy's leadership and legacy. Goldman shows readers the discrepancy between the glowing image promoted by his family and supporters, and the reality of his often-mediocre presidency and less-than-shining personal life. Although the author offers biographical details, he spends most of his time on his subject's political career and presidency, and devotes entire chapters to the Bay of Pigs, civil rights, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Vietnam. The last chapter is both a literature review of historians' judgments of Kennedy and an analysis of his legacy, where Goldman explains how an ``immeasurable quality'' has profoundly influenced American politics even as it has become clear that style often triumphed over substance. The few black-and-white photos add little to the text and all of the titles for suggested reading are for adults. Readers will also need some background to appreciate this book, which will limit its use. Barbara Harrison and Daniel Terris's A Twilight Struggle (Lothrop, 1992) is more attractive and better suited to middle level readers; Judie Mills's John F. Kennedy (Watts, 1988) is more detailed and personal for YAs. However, neither has the superior analysis found in this book.
Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO
Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
