John Kerry: A Portrait (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "John Kerry was born on December 11, 1943..." (more)
Key Phrases: John Kerry, David Thorne, Fifth District (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

While there's no doubt that this collection of photographs of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry is partisan, Butler's 70 images nevertheless reveal a side of Kerry that is rarely seen in the news: his private demeanor. According to his introductory essay, Butler met Kerry at a party in 1964, and the two became close friends who kept in touch while Kerry served in Vietnam. In 1969, the friendship extended into a political partnership when Butler agreed to handle the media for Kerry's first campaign (for the Third Congressional District in Massachusetts). They were so short on staff, however, that Butler not only managed the campaign's media, he also took its publicity photos. Accordingly, this book contains plenty of b/w shots of idealistic, 20-something Kerry crafting speeches in modest headquarters, learning to circulate with the public, finding a common cause with the Vietnam Veterans Against the War and generally finding his feet in a world dominated by players decades older than he. The photos that are most revelatory, however, are the ones taken off the campaign trail: images from Kerry's marriage to Julia Thorne in 1970, from their joint honeymoon with friends in Jamaica, from his marriage to Teresa Heinz in 1995 and from vacations with his two daughters. It's fascinating to see the genuine affection Kerry evinces when he drops his campaign face and relaxes among his friends. Now a professional news photographer and film director, Butler is working on the big Kerry bio-pic due for release this fall. If that film hits big in the box office, it could well send this book up the bestseller lists.
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Product Description

This timely book of photographs features intimate, never-before-seen photos of John Kerry--from his return from Vietnam, to the rise of his political career, to his family life--all documented by photographer and Kerry confidante George Butler.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch (September 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821262033
• ISBN-13: 978-0821262030
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,041,064 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seeing Kerry , October 16, 2004

By	E. B. Ransom (Brighton UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

These photographs will appeal to those who like to use images to spark their imagination. There is one picture taken in 1972 at a peace rally in Bryant Park, NY. Kerry and Butler were sheltering from the rain in the back of a truck. The hydrolic lift on the truck starts up and rises. On it are John Lennon and Yoko Ono, seemingly levitating right there in front of them! After it reached full height, and the couple stepped into the truck; Butler says he called out to Lennon who turned and he took the picture. What a moment! You could just hear the opening lines of Gimme Some Truth (I'm sick and tired of hearing things From uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocritics...All I want is the truth Just gimme some truth.......
Butler is not my favorite photographer but as a photo-journalist/film maker, he certainly makes the case for whoever his subject is. The message I got from these pictures? Kerry is a "Do-er". I got closer to knowing him from seeing these images. Am I glad I got the book? I'd have to say - Yes! I recommend it to anyone who wants to get past the talk and to the man. You can make up your own mind after that!
For the record - I was not a bonafide fan of the man and the book was sent to me as a gift -

6 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A John Kerry love fest, September 28, 2004

By	G. Pergament "mytukatz" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is great for anyone who believes John Kerry should be the next president. I do not believe any book that fawns over the candidates, and this book is no exception. I had trouble getting through it. If you love the man and want to hear only glowing positives, this book is for you.

2 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Portrait of a Loser, January 30, 2005

By	George Snyder "KKK_Kerry is a Big Loser" (Warrington, Pa) - See all my reviews

Isn't it funny how John Kerry always has a camera ready for certain occasions? If nothing else this book demonstrates that John Kerry had set his political ambitions as far back as 1964 when he first met George Butler.

And who is George Butler? His only meaningful success came in the 1970's covering the subculture sport of bodybuilding and a rising personality named Arnold Schwarzeneggar, a man who Butler would later betray ala Judas by creating lies about Arnold having been associated with Nazi's in Europe during Schwarzeneggars successful campaign for governor of California in 2003. Of course Butler would become very involved in John Kerry's bid for President just months later and would go on the talk show circuit on behalf of Kerry.

It would appear as though both George Butler and John Kerry were opportunists and are big losers.