Joe A. Esposito’s book, Dinner in Camelot, illuminates what must surely be America’s greatest gathering to celebrate intellect and achievement. At first glance, the book’s scope seems rather limited – a single evening gathering at the Kennedy White House that took place on April 29, 1962. That perception fades quickly, however, as Esposito artfully walks the reader through the attendee list, one brimful with dozens of American (and one Canadian) Nobel Prize winners and others who were or would become icons. He connects and reveals these unique individuals in interesting, thought-provoking ways.
The context was as unprecedented as the event. No one could escape the tension created by Cold War’s nuclear arms race, by the recent, disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion and by growing demands for racial equality and civil rights. The guests and their hosts represented a nexus of themes that shaped the latter half of the twentieth century. Katherine Tupper Marshall, for example, stood in for her late husband, General George C. Marshall, the remarkable man whose leadership helped win World War II and rebuilt Europe after its end. She sat in a special place of honor at the President’s table, as did Mary Welsh Hemingway, the recent widow of Ernest Hemingway. Robert Frost was there, near the end of his long life, to honor his many contributions to American poetry. The future was represented as well by the likes of author William Styron, civil rights activist James Baldwin and a host of others.
Many of the attendees were outspoken and controversial. Linus Pauling, for example, had written a scathing letter to the President criticizing the testing of nuclear weapons and, even on the day of the dinner, marched in protest in front of the White House. J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man without whom we likely would not have been a nuclear power, also was there. In the eyes of many Oppenheimer had become a persona non grata, stripped of any official platform because of his outspoken views against nuclear proliferation and the suspicion that they engendered. The President, however, believed in him and sought to restore his reputation. The dinner was part of that effort.
Some of the most interesting passages are those that reveal personalities and personal relationships. We glimpse Jackie’s spunk and fiercely protective nature in the presence of those critical of her husband as well as her sense of humor. Esposito reaffirms our reverence for her intellect and dignity. We learn the very personal reason why Pauling and Oppenheimer, once friends, parted ways. We get a foreshadowing of the debate between James Baldwin and Robert Kennedy.
Esposito interweaves layers that include the journeys of those attending (planes, trains and automobiles,) seating arrangements at the dinner, the menu and wine choices and a sampling of the dinner conversations. Esposito even used photographs of the room to infer what guests would have seen from their seats, around the rooms and through the windows. We learn about the more intimate after-party and its social and political dynamics. Short of having attended the event itself, this reviewer can think of no better way to share the experience than to read Dinner in Camelot.
Dinner in Camelot offers much more than that. It shines new light on a magnificent moment in America. It takes the reader back to when intellect was celebrated and not maligned. In retrospect, we know the profound tragedies and triumphs that were soon to come – missiles in Cuba, the yet incomplete quest for equality and civil rights, unfathomably sad assassinations, failure in Viet Nam, success on the Moon, etc. But, on that one extraordinary night, forever fixed in time and memory, in what would later aptly be described as “Camelot,” America reminded the world what a free people could achieve.
Enjoy fast, FREE delivery, exclusive deals and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
| Price | New from | Used from |
|
Audible Audiobook, Unabridged
"Please retry" |
$0.00
| Free with your Audible trial | |
|
Audio CD, MP3 Audio, Unabridged
"Please retry" | $27.29 | — |
- Read with Our Free App
-
Audiobook
$0.00
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
What do customers buy after viewing this item?
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Videos
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
Videos for this product
1:37
Click to play video
The Nobel dinner at the White House, April 29, 1962
Joseph A. Esposito
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
