Perspective

Similar to his previous book on the Kennedy Presidency (One Thousand Days), Schlesinger is as much a victim of his background and biases as all authors who write biographies of individuals with whom they have had personal and intimate friendships. While much of the work is written in the third person, there is a significant amount of first person commentary and opinion, particularly in the form of response to criticism of Kennedy's politics and actions. His decision to run for his party's nomination in 1968, for example, was seen by many as impulsive and a result of selfish opportunism, and Schlesinger finds a need to devote two complete chapters to the complexities of the internal struggle he insists occurred before Kennedy's decision was ultimately made. As well, the reader will find a wealth of original source material, in the form of conversations and letters, to confirm the numerous facets...