I have read many biographical accounts of the life of John F. Kennedy but this is by far the best that I have read. It is thorough, tells the backstory of the characters that effected his growing up years and of the world and the country throughout each time period in his life. I hadn't read many accounts of this most famous of presidents about his childhood and specifically about his time in schools from his younger years until his boarding school year. This one gives detailed account not just of Kennedy but of his friends and the relationships he had with them and the other adults in his life. It details how little his parents were involved in those years, their extreme wealth, the many houses they called home, and the intricacies of the complicated marriage of Joe and Rose. The complicated relationships in Kennedy's relationships with women is also included. In addition, there is a great deal about Joe Jr. and the competition John felt with him and how that helped shape his character and later life including his ambitions. For fans of Kennedy and this time period in history this is a great read and one you will not want to miss. It is the first in a series that you will enjoy. Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review #NetGalley#JFK by Fredik Logevall..

A well written biography of JFK of his young years leading up to his presidency.It is also a book that includes his family their interaction.Well written full of interesting personal moments.I enjoyed this look into J F Ks young years and looking forward to reading the next book about his Presidency.#netgalley#jfk

As I began reading, I felt like I already knew the story of JFK. I watched his funeral on TV, read many books about him, toured the Dallas Museum ( textbook deporitory) and also visited his Presidential Library in Boston. I was wrong. This very in-depth volume 1 of JFK, Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917- 1956 by Pulitzer Prize winning author Fredrick Logevall blew me away! This volume explains the first 39 years of the second Kennedy son, covering the time from his birth to when he decided to run for president. It describes him from the sickly youngster that struggled with school to the more serious political leader.

I don't believe I have ever read a more thorough or well-written biography. The book is filled with background information and interviews from family and friends. Joseph and Rose Kennedy's lives are described in full detail as well as some information about their parents. The Kennedy siblings are included as themselves and also their relationship with Jack. Photos from the Kennedy Presidential Library are also included, which I always appreciate.

I enjoyed the later chapters where his adult life and friendships are detailed, but I think the boyhood years were my favorite, Any Kennedy buff will love this book and anyone interested in history will appreciate how Logevall weaves the history of the time into the telling of the story of one of our most famous US presidents.

I have read much about JFK throughout the years as I am old enough to remember his White House years and the horrific was his assassination. I am always interested in more information about him. However, I am now at 6% read. and so far the book is about Joe Kennedy. Well written, but I fear that the rest of the book will similarly spend too much time on things not related to or important to the life of JFK.

Needs editing. Huge chunks.

An excellent book. Well researched and balanced in its presentation..the author gives a fair presentation of the future president and his family. Given it's close knit make up, it has a tendency to be a group biography at times. That doesnot adversely affect it though. It gives you a clearer picture of JFKs development.

Not going to lie. JFK biography fatigue has definitely set in. It feels like we know JFK from every angle imaginable thanks to the work of numerous biographers and historians. But in reading JFK on a road trip to Alabama, I realized that I had a gapping hole in my JFK knowledge. Much of my reading is centered on the 1960 Presidential Election and his presidency with surface knowledge of his upbringing.

Enter Fredrick Logevall who has my goodwill Embers of War his awesome history of Vietnam. He takes the reader from JFK’s birth to around 1957 when he became a definitive national force. Logevall is able to move deftly from seeming to paint him as a youthful lightweight smart and undisciplined to a playboy prone to legitimate bouts of deep affection. In other moments, he’s depicted as this courageous and heroic man of steel who wasn’t afraid to go against even blood when he knew that he was right.

This is by far the most balanced least nostalgic portrait of JFK that I have ever read.

I’ve read many books on the charismatic but enigmatic Jack Kennedy. Yet none reveal him as “fully fleshed” as he appears in Fredrick Logevall’s brilliant new bio.

This first of two volumes spans Kennedy’s life from birth ‘til his decision to run for President. The Pulitzer Prize winning Logevall also weaves in Midcentury history with skill and insight.

Well-written, finely researched and totally engaging, JFK is highly recommended for Kennedy buffs, political junkies and lovers of the 20th Century.

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 08 Sep 2020

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Random House and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#JFK #NetGalley

This is the first of a two part biography. There is not much new here if you are an avid student of the Kennedys. This book covers the history of the family prior to JKF's birth and afterwards along with being a biography of the primary subject. Large sections of the book focus on current events taking place during the time periods covered in this biography. I found these to be a little tedious at times as I am a history buff, but those not exposed to a great deal about the Kennedy family and JFK in particular will find this book to be pretty interesting.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog.

A fascinating look at JFK. I really enjoyed the section on his formative years in Bronxville and Hyannis Port and the "life lessons" that were an integral part of growing up as a Kennedy. Old Joe had a tremendous influence on his children ("win, at all costs, coming in second place doesn't count") and Rose, in her quiet way, also had a profound effect. She steered the dinner party conversations toward current topics, history, geography and literature and encouraged all her children to read. Her nine children were expected to be well versed in current events and she even made copies of articles she expected the children to read and discuss at dinner. JFK's European trip with Lem Billings was also entertaining and illustrative. Even if you've think you've read everything new and fascinating about the Kennedy family, you haven't! A terrific book (to use one of the Kennedy family's favorite adjectives.) Highly recommend.

Even though I lived through them as a young kid , the 1960s, I can still remember where I was as I guess everyone does at a time like that. But for those who want a significant, real, honest history of JFK then this is it. It covers his early life, growing up in Boston, his childhood. college days, basically what made the man that he was. He was an intelligent and charismatic individual, always giving his attention to whoever he was talking to because he wanted to learn. The book proceeds and reveals his courage and such a brave man during his world war II service. I learned so much more than I knew of the family and I didn’t think that would happen when I started this book (thanks publisher & netgalley) I was hooked from the first as it was not boring and made me feel as if he had a huge amount of pain, surgeries , doctor visits all his life but still went on.
Joe Kennedy, bought the presidency for his son. That made for a lot of pressure on Jack Kennedy who seemed to be a caring individual. It also lets you question that if it had not been for the money and name of his family how far could he realistically have gotten in the race to the White House. Honestly I did not like his father and after you read this book I think you might agree with me.
This outstanding biography I recommend highly It is a must read for students and those who enjoy debating and discussing issues in open forums. A must read for Kennedy followers. My mom is 84 and she has kept up with all the Kennedy family to this day. She knows who has died in the family, cousins, siblings And I came to believe the family had a curse on it as my mom was always saying another family member had died.
I was let out of school early that day, I was in 4th grade and my brother and I rode our bikes to school every day and I came into the house after school to find my mom crying while ironing. Yes she did a lot of ironing and she was devastated. We watched the news and tried to learn what had happened to our president. He would be the same age as my parents if he had lived. It is sad.

JFK by Frederick Logevall is the first part of a two-part volume set chronicling the life and times of John F. Kennedy from his birth to just before his quest for presidency.

Being a huge history fan, as well as a huge fan of the Kennedy family, I have read a great many books (fiction and nonfiction) on this fascinating group of individuals, so of course I was excited to tackle this gem. I enjoyed being reintroduced to a few facts and exploits that I had somehow forgotten in past readings, but what makes this book special is the inclusion of the world and current events that occurred during each of these milestones that frame and influence the thoughts, ideals, and actions of JFK. Being able to see these really place a lot of things that we already know in a new light. It was a great, and unique, perspective that really makes this book special.

Obviously, I am impressed with this book and the author’s immense research that makes it the great read that it is. I truly look forward to the second book.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

This first volume in a proposed two-volume set offers a detailed account of JFK’s life from birth through his decision to run for the presidency. What makes this biography different from previous books by other authors is the focus on US and world events that affected JFK’s life and decisions. This is a worthy addition to any collection of biographies of American presidents and general US historical figures.