What do you think?
Rate this book
The Kennedys at War: 1937-1945
A dramatic, fascinating–and revisionist–narrative detailing how America’s first family was changed utterly during World War II. First-rate history grounded in scholarship and brought to life by a critically acclaimed author.
From breathless hagiographies to scandal-mongering exposés, no family has generated more bestselling books than the Kennedys. None of them, however, has focused on the watershed period of World War II, when the course of the family and its individual members changed utterly. Now, in an engaging narrative grounded in impeccable scholarship, Edward J. Renehan, Jr., provides a dramatic portrait of years marked by family tensions, heartbreaks, and heroics. It was during this time that tragedy began to haunt the family–Joe Jr.’s death, the untimely widowhood of Kathleen (a.k.a. “Kick”), Rosemary’s lobotomy. But it was also the time in which John F. Kennedy rose above the strictures of the clan and became his own man.
In the late 1930s, the Kennedys settled in London, where Joseph Kennedy, Sr., was serving as ambassador. A virulent anti-Semite and isolationist, Kennedy relentlessly and ruthlessly fought to keep America out of the war in Europe. His behavior as patriarch in many ways mirrored his public style. Though he was devoted to the family, he was also manipulative and autocratic. In re-creating the intense and tension-filled interactions among the family, Renehan offers riveting, often revisionist views of Joseph Sr.; heir apparent Joe Jr.; Kick, the beautiful socialite; and Jack, the complex charmer. He demonstrates that Joe Jr., although much like his father in opinion and character, was driven to volunteer for a deadly mission in large part because of his fury at Jack’s seemingly easy successes. Renehan also delves into why Kick, a good Catholic girl, chose to abandon her religion for the chance to enter the fairytale world of the British aristocracy, only to suffer a horrendous tragedy.
It is Renehan’s reassessment of Jack, however, that is particularly striking. In subtly breaking away from his domineering father over the issue of World War II, Renehan argues, Jack began to forge the character that would eventually take him to the Oval Office. Going behind the familiar (and accurate) image of JFK as a reckless playboy, Renehan shows us a young man of great intelligence, moral courage, and truly astonishing physical bravery.
From the Hardcover edition.
From breathless hagiographies to scandal-mongering exposés, no family has generated more bestselling books than the Kennedys. None of them, however, has focused on the watershed period of World War II, when the course of the family and its individual members changed utterly. Now, in an engaging narrative grounded in impeccable scholarship, Edward J. Renehan, Jr., provides a dramatic portrait of years marked by family tensions, heartbreaks, and heroics. It was during this time that tragedy began to haunt the family–Joe Jr.’s death, the untimely widowhood of Kathleen (a.k.a. “Kick”), Rosemary’s lobotomy. But it was also the time in which John F. Kennedy rose above the strictures of the clan and became his own man.
In the late 1930s, the Kennedys settled in London, where Joseph Kennedy, Sr., was serving as ambassador. A virulent anti-Semite and isolationist, Kennedy relentlessly and ruthlessly fought to keep America out of the war in Europe. His behavior as patriarch in many ways mirrored his public style. Though he was devoted to the family, he was also manipulative and autocratic. In re-creating the intense and tension-filled interactions among the family, Renehan offers riveting, often revisionist views of Joseph Sr.; heir apparent Joe Jr.; Kick, the beautiful socialite; and Jack, the complex charmer. He demonstrates that Joe Jr., although much like his father in opinion and character, was driven to volunteer for a deadly mission in large part because of his fury at Jack’s seemingly easy successes. Renehan also delves into why Kick, a good Catholic girl, chose to abandon her religion for the chance to enter the fairytale world of the British aristocracy, only to suffer a horrendous tragedy.
It is Renehan’s reassessment of Jack, however, that is particularly striking. In subtly breaking away from his domineering father over the issue of World War II, Renehan argues, Jack began to forge the character that would eventually take him to the Oval Office. Going behind the familiar (and accurate) image of JFK as a reckless playboy, Renehan shows us a young man of great intelligence, moral courage, and truly astonishing physical bravery.
From the Hardcover edition.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published May 14, 2002
5 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Edward J. Renehan Jr.
23 books16 followersCurrently publishing as Edward Renehan
Edward John Renehan, Jr. (born c 1956) is a publisher, consultant and writer, and onetime professional musician. He made headlines in 2008 when he was convicted of document theft.
Edward John Renehan, Jr. (born c 1956) is a publisher, consultant and writer, and onetime professional musician. He made headlines in 2008 when he was convicted of document theft.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 20, 2019
This is the best-written Kennedy book I've read - the meticulous detail about Joe Sr.'s failure to understand the threat from Hitler all the way to the enshrouding of why PT-109 was hit in the first place is excellent reading. The author is funny in a way I don't expect from historical writers and I enjoyed this all the more. He portrays the Kennedys as I think they really were, using research and evidence to neither deify nor demonize them (as many books do) but show them as real and conflicted people. I'm sorry I waited so long to read this and recommend it to anyone who likes a good historical read, especially about the WWII era getting so much attention now.
March 23, 2011
Too many books on the Kennedys tend to skip over the war years, or just focus on Kennedy Senior's time as Ambassador, so this book is refreshing in that its sole focus on what the Kennedy family, and that means all the Kennedys, were doing during those years. My only criticism is that it's very heavily skewed towards Kennedy Senior, and Joe, Kick and Jack, with only cursory mentions of Rose, Teddy, Bobby, Eunice, Pat, Jean and Rosemary. I understand that none of them were actually actively involved in the war, but some more information of what they were doing and how the war affected them would have been nice. But that's a small criticism. This is very well-written, without being hyper-criticial or hagiographic, as so many biographies of the Kennedys tend to fall between. It's particularly strong when highlighting the rivalry between Joe and Jack, and it's one of the rare books I've read that doesn't try and gloss over Rosemary's very existence.
June 3, 2021
I really did like this one. A book about one of the most famous family of all times, focusing only on the years from 1937 to 1945. What I found interesting was lots of stuff. We have here more then just JFK and how he became a hero during the war, but there is also a lot about his older brother Joe jr. his life and his fate during the war, and Joe sr. who became an ambassador in London with the idea it would be best to make peace with Hitler as he would surely win if confronted otherwise. Of other Kennedy's the almost oldest sister Kathleen or Kick as she was nicknamed, is mentioned again and again. And then there is Rosemary and her ill fate. You got to read this book if you are interested in a history with a lots of drama.
September 1, 2022
I haven't read this book cover-to-cover, but I have read a lot of it as a research source; I think that qualifies me to say that it is very thorough in its coverage of the run-up to World War II, and thoroughly plumbs a diverse array of sources to cover Ambassador Kennedy's thoughts and actions and the reactions to them from different quarters. Whether it is White House gossip or reactions from students in Britain who attended his talks, it is in here and it is juxtaposed. Very good source.
October 6, 2020
Excellent read
Enjoyed every chapter and found the research by the author thorough. Must read for those interested in the Kennedy dynasty
Enjoyed every chapter and found the research by the author thorough. Must read for those interested in the Kennedy dynasty
March 5, 2017
This was a great picture of the Kennedy family. It is a great look into what made the family something that became so fascinating. For anyone interested in defining the Kennedy family this book is a must read. The author covered the topics thoroughly without getting boring.
February 28, 2008
Obama might be all about change like JFK --but like John McCain, JFK was a war hero first. This book tells that story (and some trash on the larger Kennedy family.)
July 9, 2015
Great Read
It's a great read bringing to light great insight into the people instead of the customary sterile reports of their daily lives.
It's a great read bringing to light great insight into the people instead of the customary sterile reports of their daily lives.
March 10, 2016
Very interesting! Information I had not yet heard about the Kennedy family.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews