Hostage to Fortune: The Letters of Joseph P. Kennedy

by Joseph P. Kennedy

The previously unpublished letters of Joseph Kennedy offer new insights into the man who fathered so many great Americans as they capture his relationships with his wife, children, and the great figures of his age, including Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Pope Pius XII, and Charles Lindbergh, among others. Reprint.

Genres: History, Politics, Biography, Nonfiction

800 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

If one needs to get info on the Kennedys, this is the book to read. All other books I have read on the Kennedys reference the letters written between them. This book has all the letters.

[Lib DM · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this fascinating because you get the Kennedy family (and others) perspective on current events as they unfolded. Of course, there were times I just shaked my head with how incorrect the father was (war won’t happen, it’ll be a short war, Churchill not a leader , etc) but I had to remind myself hindsight is 20/20. And that’s why it was intriguing.

The moments I felt quite moved was when one day Kick and Joe were writing letters full of buoyant life and vigour and then the next day the letters stopped.

A great read for Kennedy fans.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved revisting some of the history from this time period. Also, I liked seeing some of th letters between the parents and the children.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this volume right before reading Ted Kennedy's autobiography. Contrasting Joseph Kennedy's letters from London and Senator Kennedy recollections of his father made intriguing reading. Joseph Kennedy comes across in his letters as a caring father, always writing to his children, but Ted Kennedy's childhood was unhappy as he changed schools constantly, as his parents followed the sun. Yet his love for them shines through, and he often quotes his father's advice to him.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my kind of book!