Since 1963 when John F. Kennedy was shot down in Dallas, researchers
and investigators have come forth with information which challenges
earlier depictions of him as having been a person of high ethical
standards. The tabloid press has been filled with stories about his
liaisons with women other than his wife.In his book, Reeves
takes yet another look at Kennedy and offers his assessment of him as
an individual and as a president. His effort to shed more light on who
Kennedy actually was benefits from his having carefully studied
elements of Kennedy’s background which shaped his outlook on life and
his behavioral patterns.Not surprisingly, Reeves examines the
relationship between Kennedy and his father. As is already well known,
Joseph Kennedy made strong demands of his won and stressed the
importance of his winning the presidency at any cost. Based on his
findings, Reeves concludes that Kennedy was not at all the person whose
image he projected so successfully to the public.Seemingly
there was a noticeable discrepancy between his personal beliefs and his
public utterances, especially as concerns social values and beliefs.
That discrepancy comes to the fore in a review of Kennedy’s actions in
response to the growing cry among blacks for recognition of their civil
rights.The public will likely continue to be fascinated by
Kennedy. It’s well worth studying why and how he managed to deceive the
mass of the people about who he really was.