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JFK, Conservative Hardcover – October 15, 2013

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 113 ratings

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A startling reconsideration of John F. Kennedy’s record and achievements

John F. Kennedy is lionized by liberals. He inspired LBJ to push for landmark civil rights laws. His “New Frontier” promised new spending on education and medical care for the elderly. His champions insist he would have done great liberal things had he not been killed by Lee Harvey Oswald.

But what if we judge him by the lengthy record of his actual political career, in historical perspective? What if this hero of liberals was, in fact, the opposite of a liberal?

As Ira Stoll convincingly argues, by the standards of both his time and our own, John F. Kennedy was a conservative. His two great causes were anticommunism and economic growth. His tax cuts, which spurred one of the greatest economic booms in our history, were fiercely opposed by his more liberal advisers. He fought against unions. He pushed for free trade and a strong dollar. And above all, he pushed for a military buildup and an aggressive anticommunism around the world. Indeed, JFK had more in common with Ronald Reagan than with LBJ.

Not every Republican is a true heir to Kennedy, but hardly any Democrats deserve that mantle. JFK, Conservative is sure to appeal to conservative readers — and will force liberals to reconsider one of their icons.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"An informative analysis of the ways in which J.F.K. did indeed evince his conservative side—he was very religious, open to a free market unencumbered by governmental interference, and staunchly anti-Communist." - Publishers Weekly"Insightful and well-researched...This volume will appeal to readers seeking an unvarnished appraisal of Kennedy policymaking." -Library Journal "Stoll makes a solid case by carefully scouring the record. A compelling textual study of how JFK became all things to all people." - Kirkus"A wonderfully mischievous analysis...Stoll’s lively disputation offers a distinctive contribution to the debate." - New York Times Book Review "Provocative and compelling...Ira Stoll has succeeded in changing our very perception of Kennedy as one of liberalism’s heroes." -- The Weekly Standard

"Stoll convincingly argues that the president – despite his iconic status among liberals – had more in common with Republicans of the Reagan era." -- The Brooklyn Eagle

"All the more brilliant, then, is JFK, Conservative, Ira Stoll’s new biography. Stoll cracks the surface of progressive nostalgia and digs up facts that others have left covered over. He shines his miner’s flashlight on material that challenges the progressive stereotype and brings to light nuggets of information and resources that no one else has retrieved." -- Forbes

"Mr. Stoll makes a strong case that in 1960 ‘the anti-Communist, anti-big government candidate was John F. Kennedy. The one touting government programs and higher salaries for public employees was Richard Nixon,’ he writes.” -- The Wall Street Journal

"Stoll, author of a fine biography of Samuel Adams and former managing editor of the New York Sun, makes a strong case that conservatives should stake a claim to President Kennedy as one of their own. JFK, Conservative is a finely crafted brief for this interpretation — and it comes close to winning the case… Stoll makes a strong case that JFK was neither the idealistic liberal of legend nor even the pragmatic liberal that the historical consensus suggests he was…[An] excellent study." -- The National Review

"Loony" -- The New Yorker

“[Stoll] assembles sufficient evidence that his book’s title is not merely provocative.” --  George Will, The Washington Post

“JFK, Conservative is an eminently readable book, providing substantial and convincing evidence, both pro and con, as to how we should judge Kennedy’s politics. Stoll does a particularly admirable job in his devil’s advocacy, bringing forth much source material from Kennedy’s liberal supporters as a counter-balance to his thesis...Stoll’s book proves eye opening and enjoyable in showing that there were aspects of JFK’s ideology worth admiring, much to the chagrin of his leftist champions.” -- The Blaze
 
“I guarantee you this one's not going to be studied at the universities any time soon, so we need to study it in our own life.” -- Glenn Beck
 
 “It is the best book of nonfiction I have read this entire year. It is provocative. It makes you rethink a lot of things. It changes what you thought you always knew.” -- Jack Riccardi, KTSA Radio, San Antonio
 
 “It’s overdue…I’m surprised no one has written this directly about JFK until now...Great book.” – Howie Carr, WRKO Radio, Boston

From the Inside Flap

A startling reconsideration of John F. Kennedy s record and achievements

John F. Kennedy is lionized by liberals. He inspired LBJ to push for landmark civil rights laws. His New Frontier promised new spending on education and medical care for the elderly. His champions insist he would have done great liberal things had he not been killed by Lee Harvey Oswald.

But what if we judge him by the lengthy record of his actual political career, in historical perspective? What if this hero of liberals was, in fact, the opposite of a liberal?

As Ira Stoll convincingly argues, by the standards of both his time and our own, John F. Kennedy was a conservative. His two great causes were anticommunism and economic growth. His tax cuts, which spurred one of the greatest economic booms in our history, were fiercely opposed by his more liberal advisers. He fought against unions. He pushed for free trade and a strong dollar. And above all, he pushed for a military buildup and an aggressive anticommunism around the world. Indeed, JFK had more in common with Ronald Reagan than with LBJ.
Not every Republican is a true heir to Kennedy, but hardly any Democrats deserve that mantle.
JFK, Conservative is sure to appeal to conservative readers and will force liberals to reconsider one of their icons.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; First Edition (October 15, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0547585985
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0547585987
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.97 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 113 ratings

About the author

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Ira Stoll
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Ira Stoll is editor of The Editors and author of Samuel Adams: A Life. He was vice president and managing editor of the New York Sun, which he helped to found, from its debut in 2002 until its demise in 2008. Before that he was a consultant to the editorial page of the Wall Street Journal, North American editor of the Jerusalem Post, editor of Smartertimes, Washington correspondent and then managing editor of the Forward, and a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. He is a graduate of Harvard, where he was president of the Harvard Crimson. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and informative, providing a clearer understanding of JFK's political views. They appreciate the well-researched content and the author's stance that he was a staunch anti-communist who understood the dangers of government excess.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

16 customers mention "Readability"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written and interesting. They say it's a good read for those interested in modern politics.

"This is a well written book that finally brings out the truth about JFK's real political beliefs and his plans for the future of America and it's..." Read more

"Great book. Ready reference of JFK's conservative bona fides...." Read more

"interesting book. A lot of us long knew that JFK was a supply sider on tax cuts, was anti-communist and a defense hawk...." Read more

"Great book and compilation of facts on who JFK really was. I think that everyone should read this book to understand his true place in history...." Read more

11 customers mention "Enlightened content"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and thought-provoking. They appreciate the well-researched content and clear explanations of key facts about JFK. The book is concise and interesting, with JFK's own words used effectively.

"...Students of history can find in this book a clearer understanding of what it meant to be a conservative Democrat dedicated to God, country and..." Read more

"Mr. Stoll, expertly and methodically - using JFK's own words in his writings and speeches - builds a solid case for a President who is fiscally..." Read more

"a terrific analysis of the Kennedy Administration and JFK's career prior to the White House...." Read more

"Great book and compilation of facts on who JFK really was. I think that everyone should read this book to understand his true place in history...." Read more

3 customers mention "Stance of the author"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's stance. They find JFK to be anti-communist and a conservative who understood the dangers of government excess. The book provides a ready reference of JFK's conservative bona fides.

"Great book. Ready reference of JFK's conservative bona fides...." Read more

"JFK was a staunch anti-communist who understood the dangers of government excess and of a perception of military weakness...." Read more

"...Not radical liberals like today. Good book." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2014
    This is a well written book that finally brings out the truth about JFK's real political beliefs and his plans for the future of America and it's place in world politics. For far too long the Progressive Liberal Movement has claimed JFK as one of their own when in reality he would have despised what they stand for and the direction they have taken this country in.JFK would be criticized for being too conservative today even among some Republicans.He felt that Communism was the biggest threat to the free world,he also believed that the US should lead the world in the fight against Communism.He believed in lower taxes and in the support if small business.He felt that Americans should ask themselves how they can serve their Country instead of asking the Country to provide for their every need. He was a strong believer in God and believed that America was capable of achieving anything it put it's mind to.He put us on the moon even after he was gone. To quote JFK, " Not because it is easy but because it is hard."
    These are just some of the conservative ideals that JFK had that this book brings to light. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the real JFK, not the man the liberals have tried to make him out to be with the revisionist version that they have offered for far too long.Mr. Stoll has done a wonderful job in saving the real JFK for future generations to admire. - Floyd Smith
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2017
    Great book. Ready reference of JFK's conservative bona fides. Highly recommended to those looking to educate themselves of his genuine philosophical contributions to our country. Students of history can find in this book a clearer understanding of what it meant to be a conservative Democrat dedicated to God, country and family. I've already gifted over a dozen copies to friends and family.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2016
    Mr. Stoll, expertly and methodically - using JFK's own words in his writings and speeches - builds a solid case for a President who is fiscally conservative, a man of faith, one who understands the value of a strong military yet inspires people to dream. Mr. Stoll brings into focus JFK's enormous influence on his successors - especially Reagan - something today's republicans may find shocking. I found this book illuminating and easy to read. Kudos to Mr. Stoll for this important contribution to political literature.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2024
    interesting book. A lot of us long knew that JFK was a supply sider on tax cuts, was anti-communist and a defense hawk. Still, there is evidence that he was pro-life, based on an interview, even before abortion was a political issue.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2014
    I was just out of high school when JFK was killed. Therefore, I was just entering into a time of political awareness. I did not know his ideas on politics. Since then, I only heard from other sources of his liberal standing. NOT SO. This book opened my eyes to what being a Democrat in the 50s and 60s meant to some in that party. Things have really changed. The "Greatest Generation" had the political viewpoints of the current Republicans today.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2015
    a terrific analysis of the Kennedy Administration and JFK's career prior to the White House. JFK was in many respects a conservative Democrat, both on defense and economic policy. He was the type, like Harry Truman and Scoop Jackson, no longer seen today. Those type Democrats are now......republicans.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2014
    Great book and compilation of facts on who JFK really was. I think that everyone should read this book to understand his true place in history. Not as an icon for the Democratic Party, but as an icon for what the Republican/Conservatives should stand for today.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2014
    Great read for those interested in modern politics. This book should piss off liberals that believe JFK was one of them. Even his liberal cabinet members hated communism as much as JFK the Conservative. His economic policies paved the way for prosperity of our country.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Tdotkewlboi
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting perspective but not the complete picture...
    Reviewed in Canada on June 17, 2014
    Ira Stoll has tried very hard here to cherry pick the speeches and actions of JFK to lend credence to his argument that Kennedy was a conservative in liberal disguise but the heavy reliance on religious references and the suggestion that his fiscal conservatism is somehow proof of this is specious at best.
    Kennedy was a pragmatist first and foremost and followed policies he felt he could best achieve. He was unwilling to take certain risks and positions on issues unless he felt the public sentiment was there to support the cause. I believe this best explains his initial lacklustre performance on civil rights but on matters pertaining to the Cold War, JFK was beginning to shift his positions even more profoundly by the time of his death. For instance, Stoll references JFKs June , 1963 American University speech highlighting the phrase "we find communism profoundly repugnant as a negation of personal freedom and dignity" while in the same paragraph Kennedy says that "no government or social system is so evil that it's people must be considered as lacking in virtue..."
    Kennedy then goes on to say in the same speech that "world peace does not require that each man love his neighbour, that they can live in mutual tolerance submitting disputes to a just and peaceful settlement and that history teaches us enmities between nations does not last forever."
    I believe Kennedy's views on many issues were evolving by late 1963 and we should be very cautious about assuming where it would've ended up by 1968 had he lived to see two full terms in office

    One thing is for certain, JFK would likely never have endorsed Reagan's policies that ultimately led to a massive increase in debts and deficits while reducing taxes that ultimately had to be raised again to pay for his programs.
    Therefore Stoll has written a very partisan piece in which although factual, is only one piece of the puzzle of the Kennedy presidency.