Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero

By: Chris Matthews

Narrated by: Holter Graham

“What was he like?”

Jack Kennedy said the reason people read biographies is to answer that basic question. With the verve of a novelist, Chris Matthews gives us just that. We see this most beloved president in the company of friends. We see and feel him close-up, having fun and giving off that restlessness of his. We watch him navigate his life from privileged, rebellious youth to gutsy American president. We witness his bravery in war and selfless rescue of his PT boat crew. We watch JFK as a young politician learning to play hardball and watch him grow into the leader who averts a nuclear war.

What was he like, this person whose own wife called him “that elusive, unforgettable man”? The Jack Kennedy you discover here wanted never to be alone, never to be bored. He loved courage, hated war, lived each day as if it were his last.

Chris Matthews’ extraordinary biography is based on personal interviews with those closest to JFK, oral histories by top political aide Kenneth O’Donnell and others, documents from his years as a student at Choate, and notes from Jacqueline Kennedy’s first interview after Dallas. You’ll learn the origins of his inaugural call to “Ask what you can do for your country.” You’ll discover his role in the genesis of the Peace Corps, his stand on civil rights, his push to put a man on the moon, his ban on nuclear-arms testing. You’ll get, more than ever before, to the root of the man, including the unsettling aspects of his personal life.

As Matthews writes, “I found a fighting prince never free of pain, never far from trouble, never accepting the world he found, never wanting to be his father’s son. He was a far greater hero than he ever wished us to know.”

©2011 Chris Matthews (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Written from Admiration point of view

Chris Matthews is obviously a great admirer of President Kennedy. Every situation presented gives JFK the benefit of the doubt that he was right, and made the right decision. I don’t think that he spent enough time contemplating the indecision that went into his decisions, nor do I accept that his response was always correct. JFK is known to have been wishy washy on civil rights - it was RFK that spurred the action. That is glossed over in this story. And there are other instances that Matthews gave him the high road, when he was known to have been as ruthless as they come. I enjoyed this book. But I have some skepticism as to its objective accuracy.

Great Book

I thought the book gave great stories that I had not heard before and personal anecdotes. It inspired me to run for office and get into politics.

Read it!

The narrator tried to sound like JFK. Didn’t work for me. Overall his reading was quite flat. Chris Matthews book was fine. Looking forward to his Bobby book.

Nothing new here.

Would you try another book from Chris Matthews and/or Holter Graham?

Absolutely.

If you’ve listened to books by Chris Matthews before, how does this one compare?

First time listener to his books.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Fast spaced, but accents were fake and some were ridiculous sounding.

Did Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero inspire you to do anything?

No.

Any additional comments?

I should have known that Matthwes was too awed by his subject to write an honest biography. He could not help editing out the unpleasant side of his subject. Much information was left out to protect Kennedy. For example, it would have been interesting to learn more about the serious disagreement betweeen Kennedy and his co-author, Ted Anderson, over the authorship of Kennedy's famous book during his illness when he was still a senator. I am glad Matthews didn't go into the womanizing--we've all hard enough about that.

Starry Eyed

JFK is an absolutely fascinating character. Matthew's gives some insight into that character. unfortunately he doesn't throw many hard balls but instead a lot of softies. It's just a bit too forgiving and praising. But if you're a JFK fan you'll find plenty to make you feel good about him.

Chris Matthews, Knock it Out the Park!!!

My fanscination with Kennedys over the years have always been something I love to explore. This book DID NOT disappoint me, it's very insightful and very well done. I have a better appreciation for Jack Kennedy for all he endured. He was one of our greatest american presidents that's for sure....an ELUSIVE HERO.

Thank you, Chris!

Outstanding, detailed history

Great book for anyone interested in history, politics and what drove jfk
I could not put it down

Perpetuating myths

While it was good to learn some of the deep background on familiar events, this paean to JFK glosses over some of his serious failings. I was amazed that the book talked about how he had barely eked out a win in the popular vote in 1960 over Nixon, while not even mentioning the Electoral results. The adulation for Teddy which snuck in at very end was a sop to the intended audience that was almost over the top. Overall, an interesting take, with not much new on the character my dad (also born in 1918) always referred to as the Fornicator in Chief.

What Do We Want From A President?

I was born 9 years after the death of President Kennedy. Having recently read Stephen King’s new novel “11.22.63” I was interested to take a closer look at our 35th President.

I’m not an ardent Chris Matthews fan; while I tend to lean to the left, I find his show to be a little one-sided for my taste. Since I know he is a huge fan of this President, I wasn’t sure if the book might be a bit one sided as well; but it was not. It was a fascinating look at a very multi-faceted politician.

What do we want from a President? I thought I had a general idea of what *I* wanted, but this book made me question a great deal of my previous beliefs. For me, this book crystallized the idea that when it comes to the Presidency, perhaps some of the same qualities that I might normally consider unpleasant actually contribute to someone being an effective leader. I ended this book with a lot of new questions about my own opinions and beliefs, and I think that’s never a bad thing.

While I have always liked books narrated by Holter Graham, this book was not meant to be read by him. It was meant to be read by Chris Matthews, who wrote the book. I have no idea why Mr. Matthews did not narrate (he did record the forward to the book) but it was to the books detriment.

In short, I learned a great deal and the book gave me a lot to think about. I recommend it heartily.

JFK, My hero regardless!

Inspiring, memorable, gripping, history at it's relevance best. A must read, history drafts our future.