The Patriarch

October 1, 2012
The father of Jack, Bobby, and Teddy (plus six others) was not a bootlegger, nor does any evidence link him to the Mafia, writes Nasaw, refuting two longstanding rumors. But Joseph P. Kennedy (1888–1969) was possibly the worst U.S. ambassador to Great Britain ever, so committed to appeasing Hitler that FDR cut him out of the diplomatic loop. Kennedy won the post because he was one of the few businessmen to support the New Deal, creator of pioneering financial regulations as the first chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He knew all about manipulating stocks, having parlayed the modest affluence of his father, an East Boston ward heeler, into a fortune in the market. Kennedy was a wonderful father himself, although he and his wife, Rose, led almost completely separate lives. Nasaw (Andrew Carnegie), a history professor at the CUNY Graduate Center, does a fine job of capturing Kennedy’s fiery personality and his eventful, ultimately tragic life, watching Jack rise to the presidency, suffering a stroke but living long enough to see two of his sons assassinated. But the book is much too long and oddly focused; Kennedy’s three-year ambassadorship occupies more than 25% of the text. The reams of fascinating material would have been better served by more careful shaping. Agent: Andrew Wylie, the Wylie Agency.

Acclaimed history professor Nasaw provides a well-researched and absorbing biography of the pessimistic Kennedy. The subject's varied roles as a financial speculator, real estate tycoon, U.S. ambassador, and movie studio owner are explored in great detail. Malcolm Hillgartner's understated narration is spot-on for the task. His tone conveys authority, and his proper emphasis and pacing keep the listener engaged. Involved with virtually all of the significant worldwide events of his time, Kennedy tirelessly pursued many roles, including SEC chairmanship. Nasaw had the benefit of complete access to the family's personal papers. Ambitious, unbridled, and relentless, this father of a U.S. president is presented in a sweeping and comprehensive work. W.A.G. (c) AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine

March 15, 2013

Kennedy, father of a U.S. President and eight other remarkable children, was a complex man. He was Boston-Irish from a privileged background but far exceeded his forebears in moneymaking and ambition both for himself and his children. For his offspring, he was always there--a family man extraordinaire. On other fronts he greatly admired British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain--they both wanted to avoid a devastating war--up to a point and made an impact on Hollywood as founder of RKO Pictures, absorbing in the process a distrust of Jews that affected the rest of his life. Kennedy was also a philanderer but discrete about it to the point that his wife, Rose, didn't believe the rumors. There's much else to tell, and Nasaw tells it. Reader Malcom Hillgartner mimics the Boston accent we know from the president very nicely, as well as those of many other characters, especially the British. Both success and tragedy followed Kennedy, and the text is presented in a way that listeners can feel their impact. VERDICT With the 50th anniversary of JFK's death approaching, any related titles will be in demand. Recommended.--Don Wismer, Trustee Emeritus, Cary Memorial Lib., Wayne, ME

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