JFK: History in an Hour

History In An Hour

by Sinead Fitzgibbon

Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, America’s youngest President, was assassinated barely one thousand days into his Presidency. In the fiftieth anniversary of his death, this is the story of the man who brought an aspirational new approach to American politics.

Born into the glamorous cast of Kennedys, JFK was propelled to political success despite family tragedy, disappointment and pressure. He engaged in a Space Race, averted the Cuban missile crisis and showed solidarity with the fledging civil rights movement. Throughout all he maintained a charismatic public image as son, brother and husband, despite his concealed personal failings and the chronic illness that beset him. History in an Hour provides a compelling and comprehensive overview of the man who epitomised the hopes of a decade and remains an influential figure to this day.

Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography

90 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 23, 2012

About the author

Sinead Fitzgibbon graduated from university with a degree in Economics, before leaving her native Ireland to work in investment banking in Sydney for six years.

She returned to the UK in 2007 to pursue her writing career. She has always loved history, literature and art – and spends most weekends browsing London’s multitude of museums, art galleries and bookshops.

Favourite author: Virginia Woolf
Favourite book: Mrs Dalloway
Favourite artist: Caravaggio
Favourite place: Victoria & Albert Museum
Favourite food: Chocolate
Favourite quote: "You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace." - Frank Mc Court, Angela's Ashes

Reviews

[Dr. Appu Sasidharan (Dasfill) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses."- John F Kennedy

JFK, America's youngest President, was in the chair for less than a thousand days. He managed to do many great things in such a short time, which we are even discussing today. This book discusses all the important events in his life in a concise manner.

"Don't let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief, shining moment that was known as Camelot.
There'll be great Presidents again ... but there will never be another Camelot." - Jacqueline Kennedy

[sarah eli · Rating 2 out of 5]

like "who was john f kennedy?" but for adults

also gave some slight propaganda vibes

[Omar Kassem · Rating 3 out of 5]

(JFK)هو الاختصار لاسم جون فيتزجيرالد كينيدي ، السياسي الامريكي المشهور والرئيس الخامس والثلاثين للولايات المتحدٍة الامريكية منذ عام 1961 وحتى اغتياله في سنة 1963

اتسمت فترة كيندي الرئاسية بالتوترات مع الدول الشيوعية ، كانت بدايتها من خلال زيادة عدد المستشارين العسكريين في فيتنام الجنوبية..
انتخب لرئاسة أمريكا كمرشح عن الحزب الديمقراطي وعمره في ذلك الوقت 43 عامًا وذلك في انتخابات عام 1960 والذي واجه فيه خصمه الجمهوري ريتشارد نيكسون ، وقد ربح في تلك الانتخابات بفارق ضئيل ،وهو أول أمريكي كاثوليكي روماني يصل لكرسي الرئاسة بينما جميع رؤساء الولايات المتحدة من مذاهب بروتستانتية مختلفة، وهو أصغر رئيس أمريكي منتخب.

من أقواله الشهيرة :
- الوقت المناسب لإصلاح السقف هو وقت سطوع الشمس.
- الحرية دون تعليم في خطر دائم، أما التعليم دون حرية فيذهب سدى.
- التغيير سنة الحياة، ومن يقصرون نظرهم على الماضي أو الحاضر سوف يخسرون المستقبل.

[Alok Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

engaging no
informative okay

[Lukasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historia zamachu na prezydenta Kennediego to temat na który nakręcono wiele filmów dokumentalnych oraz fabularnych. Szczególnie znany jest mi film reżyserii Olivera Stonea oraz dokument nakręcony przez Bogusława Wołoszańskiego. Także pobieżnie wiem w jakich okolicznościach zginął prezydent Kennedy. Mniej wiedziałem natomiast na temat jego życia zanim został prezydentem. Z tej pozycji można sporo się dowiedzieć na temat życia tego prezydenta. Pochodził z bardzo bogatej rodziny, w czasie Drugiej Wojny Swiatowej brał czynny udział w walkach jako oficer dowodzący łodzią. W heroiczny sposób uratował swoją załogę przed śmiercią podczas walk z Japończykami. Kennedy też pisał książki za co został nagradzany prestiżowymi nagrodami literackimi. Żył w cieniu swojego brata, i to właśnie jego brat miał zostać prezydentem, według życzenia ich ojca. John "Jack" Kennedy wszedł do polityki po Drugiej Wojnie Światowej, mając wielkie wsparcie finansowe ojca. Został wybierany najpiew do Kongresu a potem Senatu. Wreszcie wystartował w wyborach na prezydenta. Był charyzmtyczny, zawsze dokładnie się przygotowywał do wystąpień przed ludźmi i w telewizji. Jego charyzma a przede wszystkim dobra prezencja sprawiła iż pokonał Richarda Nixona w debatach telewizyjnych i zyskał większe zaufanie wyborców. Nie zasze odnosił sukcesy jako prezydent, szczególnie wielką porażką była inwazja Zatoki Świń. Był jednak wizjonerem i dzięki niemu zainicjowany został program wyprawy na Księżyc. Był dość wątłęgo zdrowia. Miał też sporo za uszami, zdradzał żonę, miał wiele romansów. Na pewno jednak wielką tragedią była jego śmierć. To wielka szkoda, że tak tragicznie zmarł. Myślę, że mógł o wiele więcej osiągnąć jako prezydent.

[Saurabh Pandey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost all the president of USA did something to be remembered in the history but one of the few who is still remembered by the news agencies is John F Kennedy, who happens to be 35th President of United States of America. Initially, he worked as a Junior Officer in United stated navy, from here he was transferred to sea and there he did a commendable job for which he was also awarded by the State.
After facing certain tragic events and due to constant health issue, John Kennedy joined politics owing to some unavoidable happenings. His tenure in the white house collided with the Cuban crisis, this was the time when the cold war was at its peak. Competition in the space was one such field where both USA and USSR were fighting with each other. President ensured extra fund for the NASA which proved to be a commendable step and changed the history of the Space world.
We can conclude that his tenure was full of ups and downs, which made things a little difficult for him.
A must-read for anyone who wants to read about the President who faced multiple challenges both personally and professionally in his life.

[Brian Haderspock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Precise.

It's a good read, with basic and introductory facts on JFK. It induces the reader to investigate more on the topic.

[René Toet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This small book is an interesting introduction to JFK. However, any in-depth detail is lacking surrounding topics such as the 'civil rights movement', the 'Cuban missle crisis' and the 'Vietnam war/policies'. Then again, for an introduction, this might not be expected per se.

[Theo Milos · Rating 2 out of 5]

JFK was called "Jack". He barely won the presidential election. When he was elected he became the youngest president in US history and the first Catholic president. He talked about the "new generation". Additionally, JFK was active in the question of Vietnam, Cuba, and the rights of blacks.

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

“A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on.”

[Edward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet. Would have been nice for it to have gone into a bit more detail on JFK's time as President and for it to mention his trip to Ireland as President but was limited by the nature of the book.

[Gemma Ireland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very very brief. Too short if you ask me.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of this collection of history books. They are short and sweet and Jonathan Keeble narrates it beautifully.

This book is great. It was a good overview of JFK's story.