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Incomparable Grace: JFK in the Presidency
Acclaimed author and historian Mark K. Updegrove, head of the LBJ Foundation and presidential historian for ABC News, offers an illuminating account of John F. Kennedy’s brief but transformative tenure in the White House.
Nearly sixty years after his death, JFK still holds an outsize place in the American imagination. While Baby Boomers remember his dazzling presence as president, millennials more likely know him from advertisements for Omega watches or Ray Ban sunglasses. Yet his years in office were marked by more than his style and elegance. His presidency is a story of a fledgling leader forced to meet unprecedented challenges, and to rise above missteps to lead his nation into a new and hopeful era.
Kennedy entered office inexperienced but alluring, his reputation more given by an enamored public than earned through achievement. In this gripping new assessment of his time in the Oval Office, Updegrove reveals how JFK’s first months were marred by setbacks: the botched Bay of Pigs invasions, a disastrous summit with the Soviet premier, and a mismanaged approach to the Civil Rights movement. But the young president soon proved that behind the glamour was a leader of uncommon fortitude and vision.
A humbled Kennedy conceded his mistakes, and, importantly for our times, drew important lessons from his failures that he used to right wrongs and move forward undaunted. Indeed, Kennedy grew as president, radiating greater possibility as he coolly faced a steady stream of crises before his tragic end.
Incomparable Grace compellingly reexamines the dramatic, consequential White House years of a flawed but gifted leader too often defined by the Camelot myth that came after his untimely death.
Nearly sixty years after his death, JFK still holds an outsize place in the American imagination. While Baby Boomers remember his dazzling presence as president, millennials more likely know him from advertisements for Omega watches or Ray Ban sunglasses. Yet his years in office were marked by more than his style and elegance. His presidency is a story of a fledgling leader forced to meet unprecedented challenges, and to rise above missteps to lead his nation into a new and hopeful era.
Kennedy entered office inexperienced but alluring, his reputation more given by an enamored public than earned through achievement. In this gripping new assessment of his time in the Oval Office, Updegrove reveals how JFK’s first months were marred by setbacks: the botched Bay of Pigs invasions, a disastrous summit with the Soviet premier, and a mismanaged approach to the Civil Rights movement. But the young president soon proved that behind the glamour was a leader of uncommon fortitude and vision.
A humbled Kennedy conceded his mistakes, and, importantly for our times, drew important lessons from his failures that he used to right wrongs and move forward undaunted. Indeed, Kennedy grew as president, radiating greater possibility as he coolly faced a steady stream of crises before his tragic end.
Incomparable Grace compellingly reexamines the dramatic, consequential White House years of a flawed but gifted leader too often defined by the Camelot myth that came after his untimely death.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published April 12, 2022
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2344 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
August 2, 2022
"While he is remembered more for what he stood for than what he actually achieved, his example has endured. Beyond the Camelot and the might-have-beens, Kennedy the man, in all his strengths and defects, virtues and vices, shows us what is possible in leadership - offering us not an unrealistic, unattainable ideal but an earthly standard from several generations past." -- page 288
While Updegrove's Incomparable Grace may not offer anything necessarily new or earth-shattering about John F. Kennedy's oft-discussed and much-dissected '1,000 days' (actually 1,036 in total) in the Oval Office - churls might be tempted to call it a sort of Reader's Digest condensed version of his presidency - it was still a exceedingly smooth little volume, clocking in at just under 300 pages. It was a rather fair-minded job-related biography - again, concentrating near solely on JFK's sadly never-completed first term as president during 1961 to 1963 - that fairly mentions the successes (averting crisis in the 'Missiles of October' incident, energizing the U.S. involvement in the 'space race') alongside the lackluster moments (the 'Bay of Pigs' fiasco, his serial philandering, the concealed major health issues) in equal measure. Without getting too bogged down in minutiae or other excessive details, the author presents a clear picture of persons / events and remains objective.
While Updegrove's Incomparable Grace may not offer anything necessarily new or earth-shattering about John F. Kennedy's oft-discussed and much-dissected '1,000 days' (actually 1,036 in total) in the Oval Office - churls might be tempted to call it a sort of Reader's Digest condensed version of his presidency - it was still a exceedingly smooth little volume, clocking in at just under 300 pages. It was a rather fair-minded job-related biography - again, concentrating near solely on JFK's sadly never-completed first term as president during 1961 to 1963 - that fairly mentions the successes (averting crisis in the 'Missiles of October' incident, energizing the U.S. involvement in the 'space race') alongside the lackluster moments (the 'Bay of Pigs' fiasco, his serial philandering, the concealed major health issues) in equal measure. Without getting too bogged down in minutiae or other excessive details, the author presents a clear picture of persons / events and remains objective.
January 23, 2024
When a history of the Kennedy presidency is covered in only 288 pages it might be considered a lightweight work. In this case that would be wrong for
Incomparable Grace
is a concise history of the 1000 days of his presidency. It is well-written and flows nicely making it an easy read and covers all the important events.
Any history of the Kennedy presidency will note the lack of legislative accomplishments. In part this was due to a Congress dominated by Southern Democrats that opposed his progressive agenda, most of all Civil Rights. But it was also the result of his lack of interest in how the legislative process worked. As a Congressman and Senator he paid little attention to how bills were passed. Frequently during his many illnesses and absences staff would vote in his place.
However, the public did not seem to mind:
He was the “antithesis of a politician”. Unlike his maternal grandfather, John “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald, he was not a hand-shaking, back-slapping, baby-kissing politician. He sought to portray a sense of conviction, intelligence and integrity.
The issue of Civil Rights and Kennedy is also described. The Freedom Riders were seen as a distraction by Kennedy and sending the world the wrong message. It provided America’s cold war enemies a source for propaganda. The Kennedys with their upper-class upbringing in New England had little experience with Black Americans. Kennedy equated the oppression faced by Blacks to the prejudice that the Irish had faced which wasn’t anything like the slavery and deep-seated bigotry faced by Blacks. However, that all changed in May of 1963 when Bull Connor, the Commissioner of Public Safety for the city of Birmingham, Alabama, attacked civil rights demonstrators including young children with fire hoses and police attack dogs. An attack which was televised on the news and then viewed by Kennedy and the rest of the world. Kennedy began to see civil rights as a moral cause.
Any study of American History in the 1960s must include the Vietnam War. And any examination of that war needs to consider the role of the Kennedy presidency. This book describes the state of the involvement of the United States just prior to Kennedy’s assassination. Kennedy’s style was one of patience and keeping his options open. His triumph over the Cuban Missile Crisis had shown his restraint and cool head. After the Bay of Pigs fiasco he consistently refused the advice of the military “Brass Hats” and the CIA. The “What-If” question of whether Kennedy would have pursued the Vietnam War can never be answered with certainty.
Today sixty years after his death the Kennedy legend continues to captivate, helped in part by the Camelot myth his wife and friends have created. He inspired us with hope for what the future might have been had he survived. He showed us that leadership is not an unrealistic ideal. In his inauguration speech he called out the best in all of us. This book shows his maturity as president during his short time in office.
This would be the book I would recommend for anyone wanting a quick summary of his short time as president. Not all the details of his presidency are covered, but the topics chosen here are covered well. There is still the Kennedy glow here, but the warts are also described.
Any history of the Kennedy presidency will note the lack of legislative accomplishments. In part this was due to a Congress dominated by Southern Democrats that opposed his progressive agenda, most of all Civil Rights. But it was also the result of his lack of interest in how the legislative process worked. As a Congressman and Senator he paid little attention to how bills were passed. Frequently during his many illnesses and absences staff would vote in his place.
However, the public did not seem to mind:
“[T]he image as a young, vigorous president and his dedicated band of acolytes was enough for Americans to believe that the country was moving in a positive direction. Image was Kennedy’s currency, and he radiated it in spades.”
(Page 60)
He was the “antithesis of a politician”. Unlike his maternal grandfather, John “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald, he was not a hand-shaking, back-slapping, baby-kissing politician. He sought to portray a sense of conviction, intelligence and integrity.
The issue of Civil Rights and Kennedy is also described. The Freedom Riders were seen as a distraction by Kennedy and sending the world the wrong message. It provided America’s cold war enemies a source for propaganda. The Kennedys with their upper-class upbringing in New England had little experience with Black Americans. Kennedy equated the oppression faced by Blacks to the prejudice that the Irish had faced which wasn’t anything like the slavery and deep-seated bigotry faced by Blacks. However, that all changed in May of 1963 when Bull Connor, the Commissioner of Public Safety for the city of Birmingham, Alabama, attacked civil rights demonstrators including young children with fire hoses and police attack dogs. An attack which was televised on the news and then viewed by Kennedy and the rest of the world. Kennedy began to see civil rights as a moral cause.
Any study of American History in the 1960s must include the Vietnam War. And any examination of that war needs to consider the role of the Kennedy presidency. This book describes the state of the involvement of the United States just prior to Kennedy’s assassination. Kennedy’s style was one of patience and keeping his options open. His triumph over the Cuban Missile Crisis had shown his restraint and cool head. After the Bay of Pigs fiasco he consistently refused the advice of the military “Brass Hats” and the CIA. The “What-If” question of whether Kennedy would have pursued the Vietnam War can never be answered with certainty.
Today sixty years after his death the Kennedy legend continues to captivate, helped in part by the Camelot myth his wife and friends have created. He inspired us with hope for what the future might have been had he survived. He showed us that leadership is not an unrealistic ideal. In his inauguration speech he called out the best in all of us. This book shows his maturity as president during his short time in office.
This would be the book I would recommend for anyone wanting a quick summary of his short time as president. Not all the details of his presidency are covered, but the topics chosen here are covered well. There is still the Kennedy glow here, but the warts are also described.
September 18, 2022
Incomparable Grace is an excellent portrait of the Kennedy presidency. It is relevant, thought-provoking, and surprisingly easy to read when reading most such books are like slogging through a swamp. The focus of the book is unquestionably of the presidential years though, of course, some background is often given with regard to earlier years.
It is an evenhanded biography which neither relegated itself to elevating JFK nor to denigrating him. It presents him as all too human with early growing pains as he assumed the presidential mantle and awkwardly faced down Nikita Krushev, with a difficulty with marital fidelity that expressed itself with young interns, with gangster’s mistresses, and of course with the bombshell herself, none of which was a secret to the Secret Service or to Jackie herself.
The book addresses issues chronologically, beginning with the standoffs with the Soviet Union and the mistake that was the Bay of Pigs, showing how decisions were arrived at and how the Bay Of Pigs was a disaster from the start with little visible US support and a misreading of the situation in the island. The standoffs with the Soviets continued in later chapters with the Cuban Missile Crisis, which perhaps was a result of the earlier debacle, and JFK’s maturing to the role as the world teetered in the brink of an all it nuclear war. Later in the book, the standoffs with the Soviets continue as Kennedy enters West Berlin after the Wall went up and declares I am. Berliner.
The other recurring issue for Kennedy was the Civil Rights movement, which he wished at first would wait until his second term when he would have a more free hand. The book chronicles how the Civil Right leadership responded that they could not wait any longer and eventually captured Bobby Kennedy’s ear and then the President’s ear. Indeed, with the violence in Birmingham and other hot spots, federal troops were needed to maintain order.
All in all, a top-notch book bringing to life the Kennedy years and the quick maturation of a man who was quick becoming a stand-out leader before his untimely demise in Dallas.
It is an evenhanded biography which neither relegated itself to elevating JFK nor to denigrating him. It presents him as all too human with early growing pains as he assumed the presidential mantle and awkwardly faced down Nikita Krushev, with a difficulty with marital fidelity that expressed itself with young interns, with gangster’s mistresses, and of course with the bombshell herself, none of which was a secret to the Secret Service or to Jackie herself.
The book addresses issues chronologically, beginning with the standoffs with the Soviet Union and the mistake that was the Bay of Pigs, showing how decisions were arrived at and how the Bay Of Pigs was a disaster from the start with little visible US support and a misreading of the situation in the island. The standoffs with the Soviets continued in later chapters with the Cuban Missile Crisis, which perhaps was a result of the earlier debacle, and JFK’s maturing to the role as the world teetered in the brink of an all it nuclear war. Later in the book, the standoffs with the Soviets continue as Kennedy enters West Berlin after the Wall went up and declares I am. Berliner.
The other recurring issue for Kennedy was the Civil Rights movement, which he wished at first would wait until his second term when he would have a more free hand. The book chronicles how the Civil Right leadership responded that they could not wait any longer and eventually captured Bobby Kennedy’s ear and then the President’s ear. Indeed, with the violence in Birmingham and other hot spots, federal troops were needed to maintain order.
All in all, a top-notch book bringing to life the Kennedy years and the quick maturation of a man who was quick becoming a stand-out leader before his untimely demise in Dallas.
March 17, 2022
I learned about politics when I was nine years old and a friend asked me who my parents were voting for. If we weren’t for Kennedy, it meant we were Protestants and going to hell. I had no idea what she was talking about. I was clueless about politics and religion. I had to go home and ask my mom. She was voting for Kennedy, but we were going to hell anyways.
I was ten when the adults were riveted to the television, fearful of nuclear war. Now I know that was the Cuban Missile Crisis. We had a drill at school where we filed into the school basement and sat along the walls. And when I was eleven, I walked home from school in tears, and a few days later we gathered around the television to watch Kennedy’s funeral.
These moments were my earliest knowledge of the world beyond my family and school friends.
As an adult, I have struggled with the image and the reality of President John F. Kennedy. He was wildly popular and deified after his death, and yet he has been revealed as a very flawed man. Exactly what is his legacy? Was he a good leader, or a failure? What is his legacy?
Incomparable Grace by Mark K. Updegrove is an insightful, concise consideration of JFK’s presidency, his strengths and his weaknesses. This very readable and enjoyable history is a great introduction.
JFK come into the presidency with a number of challenges in place, civil and economic and international. The generals were more hawkish toward the Soviets. The economy was stalling. As a democrat, he needed to keep the Southern vote while reacting to the Civil Rights movement. America needed to respond to the Soviet’s advancements in space. Few thought that he had the experience to met the challenges.
JFK’s mishandling of the Bay of Pigs, Updegrove shows, led to Khrushchev to send missiles to Cuba. JFK’s equanimity successfully brought resolution. He was slow in responding to Civil Rights and Vietnam, perhaps waiting until reelection to take more controversial steps. He stood up to US Steel president Roger Blough when he proposed to raise steel prices, forcing him to capitulate. (Blough was a college friend of my grandfather!) The move was seen as anti-business, causing markets to plummet.
Updegrove reminded me of why JFK was so well liked and inspirational. He was young and good-looking. His wife was glamorous and intelligent and a trendsetter. Photographs showed them as a happy family. His speeches and vision were inspirational. He represented a new America, a younger America, a more hopeful America. He had a moral vision for America.
So let us begin anew–remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never feat to negotiate.
President Kennedy’s Inaugural Address quoted in Incomparable Grace by Mark J. Updegrove
Even when he failed, he took responsibility, making him even more likeable.
Patriarch Joe Kennedy set the standard for being a Kennedy, which included womanizing, JFK’s great moral failing; he became involved with a teenaged White House college intern. Reliance on family loyalty was a Kennedy creed; JFK’s brother Bobby became his Attorney General and nearly a co-president. In life-long continual pain, JFK never complained, tapping into the Kennedy pride of strength.
Who was this man, and why has he consistently be rated as one of the best presidents? Updegrove quotes JFK’s statement, “All I want people to say about me is what they said about John Adams–He kept the peace.” It’s a good legacy.
I received a free egalley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
I was ten when the adults were riveted to the television, fearful of nuclear war. Now I know that was the Cuban Missile Crisis. We had a drill at school where we filed into the school basement and sat along the walls. And when I was eleven, I walked home from school in tears, and a few days later we gathered around the television to watch Kennedy’s funeral.
These moments were my earliest knowledge of the world beyond my family and school friends.
As an adult, I have struggled with the image and the reality of President John F. Kennedy. He was wildly popular and deified after his death, and yet he has been revealed as a very flawed man. Exactly what is his legacy? Was he a good leader, or a failure? What is his legacy?
Incomparable Grace by Mark K. Updegrove is an insightful, concise consideration of JFK’s presidency, his strengths and his weaknesses. This very readable and enjoyable history is a great introduction.
JFK come into the presidency with a number of challenges in place, civil and economic and international. The generals were more hawkish toward the Soviets. The economy was stalling. As a democrat, he needed to keep the Southern vote while reacting to the Civil Rights movement. America needed to respond to the Soviet’s advancements in space. Few thought that he had the experience to met the challenges.
JFK’s mishandling of the Bay of Pigs, Updegrove shows, led to Khrushchev to send missiles to Cuba. JFK’s equanimity successfully brought resolution. He was slow in responding to Civil Rights and Vietnam, perhaps waiting until reelection to take more controversial steps. He stood up to US Steel president Roger Blough when he proposed to raise steel prices, forcing him to capitulate. (Blough was a college friend of my grandfather!) The move was seen as anti-business, causing markets to plummet.
Updegrove reminded me of why JFK was so well liked and inspirational. He was young and good-looking. His wife was glamorous and intelligent and a trendsetter. Photographs showed them as a happy family. His speeches and vision were inspirational. He represented a new America, a younger America, a more hopeful America. He had a moral vision for America.
So let us begin anew–remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never feat to negotiate.
President Kennedy’s Inaugural Address quoted in Incomparable Grace by Mark J. Updegrove
Even when he failed, he took responsibility, making him even more likeable.
Patriarch Joe Kennedy set the standard for being a Kennedy, which included womanizing, JFK’s great moral failing; he became involved with a teenaged White House college intern. Reliance on family loyalty was a Kennedy creed; JFK’s brother Bobby became his Attorney General and nearly a co-president. In life-long continual pain, JFK never complained, tapping into the Kennedy pride of strength.
Who was this man, and why has he consistently be rated as one of the best presidents? Updegrove quotes JFK’s statement, “All I want people to say about me is what they said about John Adams–He kept the peace.” It’s a good legacy.
I received a free egalley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
April 21, 2022
For the reader who doesn’t know a whole lot about Kennedy or why he continues to have such allure in American culture, "Incomparable Grace" is the perfect book.
It’s slim (under 300 pages), always readable, and provides just the right context about both the personal and the political lowlights and highlights.
The only problem is that "Incomparable Grace" doesn’t offer much new or uniquely interesting for someone who’s read a lot about our presidents. I read the whole thing, but most of it served as either a reminder or compressed digest of what I’ve read elsewhere.
If you need a JFK primer, this is a good option. If you’re looking for more of an in-depth treatment, I think Frederick Logevall’s new book or Robert Dallek’s "An Unfinished Life" will remain the go-to titles.
It’s slim (under 300 pages), always readable, and provides just the right context about both the personal and the political lowlights and highlights.
The only problem is that "Incomparable Grace" doesn’t offer much new or uniquely interesting for someone who’s read a lot about our presidents. I read the whole thing, but most of it served as either a reminder or compressed digest of what I’ve read elsewhere.
If you need a JFK primer, this is a good option. If you’re looking for more of an in-depth treatment, I think Frederick Logevall’s new book or Robert Dallek’s "An Unfinished Life" will remain the go-to titles.
April 27, 2022
INCOMPARABLE GRACE:
JFK IN THE PRESIDENCY
by Mark K. Updegrove
Dutton
Pub Date: Ap 26
I've read much on the entire Kennedy clan and found this history of JFK's short time as President to be impactful and absorbing. Written by the head of the LBJ Foundation, Mark Updegrove, it is well-researched, deftly written, and a must-read for anyone intrigued by JFK and American presidential history.
Thanks to the author, Dutton, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
#incomparablegracejfkinthepresidency
#MarkUpdegrove #Dutton #NetGalley
JFK IN THE PRESIDENCY
by Mark K. Updegrove
Dutton
Pub Date: Ap 26
I've read much on the entire Kennedy clan and found this history of JFK's short time as President to be impactful and absorbing. Written by the head of the LBJ Foundation, Mark Updegrove, it is well-researched, deftly written, and a must-read for anyone intrigued by JFK and American presidential history.
Thanks to the author, Dutton, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
#incomparablegracejfkinthepresidency
#MarkUpdegrove #Dutton #NetGalley
November 6, 2022
This new book on John F Kennedy by Mark Updegrove is a beauty.
Superbly written, tight (at only 288 pages) and so easy to read, it focuses almost exclusively on his time in office and only lightly touches on what led him there.
Kennedy’s place in the pantheon of presidents is a tough one to land on - Updegrove’s book makes it much easier to understand why he is so high in the rankings despite less than three years in the job.
This is no hagiography either, clearly outlining JFK’s numerous flaws. But on balance, can’t disagree with where he lands with his portrayal of him.
Loved this book and will certainly read his book on LBJ from a few years ago.
Superbly written, tight (at only 288 pages) and so easy to read, it focuses almost exclusively on his time in office and only lightly touches on what led him there.
Kennedy’s place in the pantheon of presidents is a tough one to land on - Updegrove’s book makes it much easier to understand why he is so high in the rankings despite less than three years in the job.
This is no hagiography either, clearly outlining JFK’s numerous flaws. But on balance, can’t disagree with where he lands with his portrayal of him.
Loved this book and will certainly read his book on LBJ from a few years ago.
May 22, 2023
“Each evening, from December to December, before you drift to sleep upon your cot. Think back on all the tales that you remember…of Camelot.
Ask every person if he’s heard the story and tell it strong and clear if he has not, that once there was a fleeting wisp of glory called Camelot.”
“Camelot (Reprise)” from the Broadway musical.
It was Jackie Kennedy, less than one week after the assassination of her husband, who crafted the fairytale of their days in the White House when she told an interviewer that her husband’s favorite Broadway musical was “Camelot.”
“Don’t let it be forgot that for one brief, shining moment there was Camelot,” she quoted from the musical.
And from there, the correlation between JFK’s presidency and the Court of King Arthur was born, then quickly grew, more and more in the decades since the late president’s passing in 1963.
And in my opinion, Mark K. Updegrove’s “Incomparable Grace” further built on that legacy while at the same time, telling the story in a new way to a new generation.
There is so much I could say about Updegrove’s achievement, but I’ll restrict myself to the way he presented the great cast of characters in this amazing telling of real history. These included: “Black Robert,” the Assistant President, the “Winston Churchill of Asia,” The First Ladies’ approach to White House restoration, “More Scholarship than Re-Decoration,” the “James Bond, Anti-Castro Caper,” and the Civil Rights Leader’s “Ink for Jack” campaign. There was McGeorge “We Can’t Get You to Sit Still” Bundy, the “I Could Do Better” eleven-year-old Jackie, and later the “White-Gloved and Whispery, Refined and Reserved,” First Lady she became.
The villains were plentiful as well, these included: The Jingoistic “Brass Hats,” “Big Minh’s Coup,” and the band of geniuses who came up with the idea of the “Cuban Toilet Paper Air Drop,” as an effective strategy to curb enthusiasm for Castro’s “Moscow Friendly” dictatorship.
Hopefully that gives you an idea of how colorful the stories were surrounding the White House of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Mark Updegrove captured the essence of these special times and did so in a way that I kept forgetting that I was reading a presidential biography.
Five enthusiastic stars!
Ask every person if he’s heard the story and tell it strong and clear if he has not, that once there was a fleeting wisp of glory called Camelot.”
“Camelot (Reprise)” from the Broadway musical.
It was Jackie Kennedy, less than one week after the assassination of her husband, who crafted the fairytale of their days in the White House when she told an interviewer that her husband’s favorite Broadway musical was “Camelot.”
“Don’t let it be forgot that for one brief, shining moment there was Camelot,” she quoted from the musical.
And from there, the correlation between JFK’s presidency and the Court of King Arthur was born, then quickly grew, more and more in the decades since the late president’s passing in 1963.
And in my opinion, Mark K. Updegrove’s “Incomparable Grace” further built on that legacy while at the same time, telling the story in a new way to a new generation.
There is so much I could say about Updegrove’s achievement, but I’ll restrict myself to the way he presented the great cast of characters in this amazing telling of real history. These included: “Black Robert,” the Assistant President, the “Winston Churchill of Asia,” The First Ladies’ approach to White House restoration, “More Scholarship than Re-Decoration,” the “James Bond, Anti-Castro Caper,” and the Civil Rights Leader’s “Ink for Jack” campaign. There was McGeorge “We Can’t Get You to Sit Still” Bundy, the “I Could Do Better” eleven-year-old Jackie, and later the “White-Gloved and Whispery, Refined and Reserved,” First Lady she became.
The villains were plentiful as well, these included: The Jingoistic “Brass Hats,” “Big Minh’s Coup,” and the band of geniuses who came up with the idea of the “Cuban Toilet Paper Air Drop,” as an effective strategy to curb enthusiasm for Castro’s “Moscow Friendly” dictatorship.
Hopefully that gives you an idea of how colorful the stories were surrounding the White House of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Mark Updegrove captured the essence of these special times and did so in a way that I kept forgetting that I was reading a presidential biography.
Five enthusiastic stars!
January 17, 2022
Reviews
Incomparable Grace: JFK in the Presidency by Mark K. Updegrove is a wonderful nonfictional account and in depth look at the events that took place specifically during his time in the White House. It is excellent!
I love anything Kennedy. I have read numerous history, nonfiction, biographies, memoirs of not just former President Kennedy, but also Jackie, his family, and their legacy. So, of course I could not wait to delve into a book that took a magnifying glass to the events, actions, outcomes and legacies involving his years as President.
This gem covers not only professional, but also personal events that affected and helped shape his time in office. The author clearly has done his research and gives a balanced and honest look at his struggles, strengths, weaknesses, progression, and presents it in an easy to follow and understand form.
I devoured this book in two days and cannot recommend it enough for anyone fascinated with American history, Presidential history, and of course history involving JFK himself. A great addition!
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Dutton/Penguin Group for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts immediately upon publication on 4/12/22.
Incomparable Grace: JFK in the Presidency by Mark K. Updegrove is a wonderful nonfictional account and in depth look at the events that took place specifically during his time in the White House. It is excellent!
I love anything Kennedy. I have read numerous history, nonfiction, biographies, memoirs of not just former President Kennedy, but also Jackie, his family, and their legacy. So, of course I could not wait to delve into a book that took a magnifying glass to the events, actions, outcomes and legacies involving his years as President.
This gem covers not only professional, but also personal events that affected and helped shape his time in office. The author clearly has done his research and gives a balanced and honest look at his struggles, strengths, weaknesses, progression, and presents it in an easy to follow and understand form.
I devoured this book in two days and cannot recommend it enough for anyone fascinated with American history, Presidential history, and of course history involving JFK himself. A great addition!
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Dutton/Penguin Group for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts immediately upon publication on 4/12/22.
July 8, 2022
For transparency sake, I am a long held admirer of JFK and that era. He was the president of my boyhood. I celebrated my ninth birthday on November 22, 1963. Needless to say it was my most memorable birthday to date. I even recall the presents I received. I recall the day most accurately and when and where I was told of the assassination. Having said that, I am well aware of JFK's flaws and shortcomings. Mr. Updegrove delves into that part of Kennedy's life and his chronic health issues as well. What I thoroughly enjoyed about this book was the author's honesty about the man and his notable "Hollywood aura" and Kennedy's charisma and his affection with everyday, working people.
November 19, 2022
Incomparable grace was a good book. It examines the presidency of John f Kennedy
March 2, 2022
This book is mainly focused on Kennedy’s years in the White House. It is a good overview of those years and is well written and a quick read. I have read several books about JFK that go into more depth that this one and ones that focus on particular actions in his administration. This is a good book for those who are looking for a quick read about the Kennedy Presidency.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook and my nonfiction book review blog.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook and my nonfiction book review blog.
June 6, 2022
The book was interesting but there was some false information. The author claimed that Mrs. Kennedy was a graduate of American University in DC. In fact according to George Washington University, the JFK Library, and Google Mrs. Kennedy graduated from George Washington University.
Read
June 24, 2022Probably shouldn’t have wasted so much time on this when it was already pretty evident (early on) that it’s not as comprehensive or as detailed as the Logevall book! By no means an impressionistic portrait, but skates over the key/crucial era: the childhood/upbringing/formative years. And felt like a shallower, incomplete reflection of jfk’s identity, family, and values
(And will anything ever be as in-depth as the >900-page biography of Dwight D. Eisenhower I read a few years ago?)
(And will anything ever be as in-depth as the >900-page biography of Dwight D. Eisenhower I read a few years ago?)
December 22, 2025
A quick biography mostly of the presidency of JFK. Perfect book for people who aren't as familiar with JFK and his presidency, but I found it to be a nice refresher on the topics of the day. There was some background on his personal life, including multiple references to his infidelity (including one disturbing one with a 19 year old woman that I had never heard before), but overall it mostly focused on the political and international affairs of the day.
June 7, 2022
I always love history written with some literary flair! This fair and balanced account of Kennedy’s administration was fascinating and highly readable!
June 14, 2023
Great, balanced look at JFK’s presidency. Many people remember him for his charisma and charm, but most can’t tell you a thing about his presidency. This book that is just under 300 pages examines his presidency in an easy to read manner. I highly recommend!
July 9, 2023
It would appear that every decade a new set of books on the JFK presidency appears around the anniversary of his assassination. As the early 1960s retreat further into history and out of living memory, the old assumptions were reexamined with potential changes in perspective. 2023, marking six decades, is no exception, with Mark K. Updegrove's Incomparable Grace being among the new titles.
As a life-long reader about JFK's thousand days in the Oval Office, I can't claim that there's much that's new to be gleamed from reading this volume. Perhaps unsusprising, given how much has been written in the past sixty years and the book's general look at the administration. It is however, an immensely readable look at JFK's presidency seperated from the Camleot mythology and examining what was accomplished versus the vision offered. For those either new to the topic, curious thanks to the recent anniversary, or simply looking for a refresher on JFK, Updegrove's book is well worth a read. And even those familair with the topic will find a highly readable account of JFK's time in the White House, as well, even if there's not much new here.
As a life-long reader about JFK's thousand days in the Oval Office, I can't claim that there's much that's new to be gleamed from reading this volume. Perhaps unsusprising, given how much has been written in the past sixty years and the book's general look at the administration. It is however, an immensely readable look at JFK's presidency seperated from the Camleot mythology and examining what was accomplished versus the vision offered. For those either new to the topic, curious thanks to the recent anniversary, or simply looking for a refresher on JFK, Updegrove's book is well worth a read. And even those familair with the topic will find a highly readable account of JFK's time in the White House, as well, even if there's not much new here.
July 16, 2022
Have any of ya'll read a Kennedy book? Just shocked as to why this is so highly rated.
September 6, 2022
It was a tough read?
April 30, 2022
Normally, I don’t like books that micro-analyze a few years of a famous person’s life. And let’s face it: I know so much about JFK and his presidency, would there be any new information provided in Incomparable Grace? The short answer is no, there’s no new information here, but it is presented in a way that reflects upon the time we live in now. So that makes it new in a way.
There’s a brief biography of John F. Kennedy leading up to his role as President of the United States. Growing up in a large Irish Catholic family, serving in the south Pacific during World War II where his boat was sunk, serving in Congress and the Senate without any major distinctions to his name, before being catapulted to the big stage: leader of the Free World.
The early part of his presidency was a disaster with the Bay of Pigs invasion and his first summit with Soviet Premier Krushchev. But the thing that’s important to know, and what’s telegraphed in this book, is that Kennedy learned something from each mistake so it wouldn’t happen again. Through that growth became a man more confident in his abilities, able to handle whatever was thrown his way, more calculated and level-headed than he had been before.
It’s interesting that now we see that Kennedy wasn’t so big on the Civil Rights Movement until his brother, Bobby, moved him there. He wanted nothing to do with it because he might lose the southern Democrats in the 1964 election. But events pushed him out of his comfort zone to urge for a Civil Rights Amendment and an end to the violence on blacks in the south.
I’m always fascinated reading of Kennedy’s handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis. I’m even more fascinated by the way he handled the Soviets given the current circumstances with Russia. Our house was built right after the Cuban Missile Crisis, and we have a 12 x 12, 12-inch thick concrete bomb shelter in our house. It’s proved useful whenever there’s severe weather and we’re forced to the basement, and the extra storage room is great, but I can’t help but think back to a time when the threat of bombing America was an abstract thing and not reality.
Like I said, there’s nothing new here, but the book shows how Kennedy grew as a leader and as a husband and father during his time in the White House. And of course, it makes one wonder what the future could have been like had Dallas 1963 had never happened.
There’s a brief biography of John F. Kennedy leading up to his role as President of the United States. Growing up in a large Irish Catholic family, serving in the south Pacific during World War II where his boat was sunk, serving in Congress and the Senate without any major distinctions to his name, before being catapulted to the big stage: leader of the Free World.
The early part of his presidency was a disaster with the Bay of Pigs invasion and his first summit with Soviet Premier Krushchev. But the thing that’s important to know, and what’s telegraphed in this book, is that Kennedy learned something from each mistake so it wouldn’t happen again. Through that growth became a man more confident in his abilities, able to handle whatever was thrown his way, more calculated and level-headed than he had been before.
It’s interesting that now we see that Kennedy wasn’t so big on the Civil Rights Movement until his brother, Bobby, moved him there. He wanted nothing to do with it because he might lose the southern Democrats in the 1964 election. But events pushed him out of his comfort zone to urge for a Civil Rights Amendment and an end to the violence on blacks in the south.
I’m always fascinated reading of Kennedy’s handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis. I’m even more fascinated by the way he handled the Soviets given the current circumstances with Russia. Our house was built right after the Cuban Missile Crisis, and we have a 12 x 12, 12-inch thick concrete bomb shelter in our house. It’s proved useful whenever there’s severe weather and we’re forced to the basement, and the extra storage room is great, but I can’t help but think back to a time when the threat of bombing America was an abstract thing and not reality.
Like I said, there’s nothing new here, but the book shows how Kennedy grew as a leader and as a husband and father during his time in the White House. And of course, it makes one wonder what the future could have been like had Dallas 1963 had never happened.
April 14, 2022
Incomparable Grace
JFK in the Presidency
by Mark K. Updegrove
Pub Date 26 Apr 2022
PENGUIN GROUP Dutton, Dutton
Biographies & Memoirs
I am reviewing a copy of Incomparable Grace through Penguin Group, Dutton and Netgalley:
Almost sixty years after his death, JFK still holds a large place in the American Imagination. While Baby Boomers remember his dazzling presence as president, millennials more likely know him from advertisements for Omega watches or Ray Ban sunglasses. But his his years in office were marked by more than his style and elegance. His story was that of a fledgling leader forced to meet unprecedented challenges, and to rise above missteps to lead his nation into a new and hopeful era.
When Kennedy entered office he was unexperienced but alluring his reputation more given by an enamored public than earned through achievement. In this gripping new assessment of his time in the Oval Office. In Incomparable Grace Updegrove reveals how JFK’s first months were marred by setbacks: the botched Bay of Pigs invasions, a disastrous summit with the Soviet premier, and a mismanaged approach to the Civil Rights movement. But it wasn’t long before the young President proved that behind the glamor was a leader of uncommon fortitude and vision.
Kennedy was humbled and admitted his mistakes and, importantly for our times, drew important lessons from his failures that he used to right wrongs and move forward undaunted. Kennedy grew as president, radiating greater possibility as he coolly faced a steady stream of crises before his tragic end.
If you’re looking for a great biography that paints a vivid picture of John F Kennedy, and his presidency.
I give Incomparable Grace five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
JFK in the Presidency
by Mark K. Updegrove
Pub Date 26 Apr 2022
PENGUIN GROUP Dutton, Dutton
Biographies & Memoirs
I am reviewing a copy of Incomparable Grace through Penguin Group, Dutton and Netgalley:
Almost sixty years after his death, JFK still holds a large place in the American Imagination. While Baby Boomers remember his dazzling presence as president, millennials more likely know him from advertisements for Omega watches or Ray Ban sunglasses. But his his years in office were marked by more than his style and elegance. His story was that of a fledgling leader forced to meet unprecedented challenges, and to rise above missteps to lead his nation into a new and hopeful era.
When Kennedy entered office he was unexperienced but alluring his reputation more given by an enamored public than earned through achievement. In this gripping new assessment of his time in the Oval Office. In Incomparable Grace Updegrove reveals how JFK’s first months were marred by setbacks: the botched Bay of Pigs invasions, a disastrous summit with the Soviet premier, and a mismanaged approach to the Civil Rights movement. But it wasn’t long before the young President proved that behind the glamor was a leader of uncommon fortitude and vision.
Kennedy was humbled and admitted his mistakes and, importantly for our times, drew important lessons from his failures that he used to right wrongs and move forward undaunted. Kennedy grew as president, radiating greater possibility as he coolly faced a steady stream of crises before his tragic end.
If you’re looking for a great biography that paints a vivid picture of John F Kennedy, and his presidency.
I give Incomparable Grace five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
September 17, 2022
5-
I actually listened to the audiobook, but that edition was not offered by Goodreads, and I did not see a way to add it to their choices.
I have very mixed feelings about JFK and his abbreviated presidency. He was elected during my last year of high school, and I was thrilled with this new, charismatic, articulate, young president (comparatively young--I was 17 so he was only youthful in my eyes compared with the ancient politicians of that time). I totally bought into the Camelot mythology; Kennedy could do no wrong, and his sudden shocking assassination in 1963 solidified my deification of him for years.
Of course, I learned in time of his flagrant affairs, serious undisclosed medical issues, continual drug usage, and grave political missteps. He and his perfect family were not as they presented themselves. I have read several detailed books in order to sort all of it out and eventually came to the conclusion that he was a flawed human being who was feckless and arrogant at times while brilliant and courageous in other important circumstances.
The even-handedness Mark K. Updegrove brought to his work is the reason this rather short account of Kennedy's brief presidency impressed me. He accurately sketched the man, revealing with fairness the various aspects of his accomplishments and personality, positive and negative. For me it brought back the man and his place in our history. It would also serve as a valid introduction to those yet unfamiliar with them. This book is a survey rather than a deep discussion or analysis of a man and time that were pivotal in my young life. I enjoyed listening to it.
I actually listened to the audiobook, but that edition was not offered by Goodreads, and I did not see a way to add it to their choices.
I have very mixed feelings about JFK and his abbreviated presidency. He was elected during my last year of high school, and I was thrilled with this new, charismatic, articulate, young president (comparatively young--I was 17 so he was only youthful in my eyes compared with the ancient politicians of that time). I totally bought into the Camelot mythology; Kennedy could do no wrong, and his sudden shocking assassination in 1963 solidified my deification of him for years.
Of course, I learned in time of his flagrant affairs, serious undisclosed medical issues, continual drug usage, and grave political missteps. He and his perfect family were not as they presented themselves. I have read several detailed books in order to sort all of it out and eventually came to the conclusion that he was a flawed human being who was feckless and arrogant at times while brilliant and courageous in other important circumstances.
The even-handedness Mark K. Updegrove brought to his work is the reason this rather short account of Kennedy's brief presidency impressed me. He accurately sketched the man, revealing with fairness the various aspects of his accomplishments and personality, positive and negative. For me it brought back the man and his place in our history. It would also serve as a valid introduction to those yet unfamiliar with them. This book is a survey rather than a deep discussion or analysis of a man and time that were pivotal in my young life. I enjoyed listening to it.
July 26, 2022
This rating is not so much for how I enjoyed it as much as it would be unfair to give it any other. What I mean by that is that for me, as someone who has read A LOT about different presidents, including Kennedy, there is nothing new here. However, for someone looking for a brief and breezy synopsis of the Kennedy presidency that touches well on all the major points, this is perfection. It's written in an engaging manner and the cherry on top was that, in the audiobook, quotations from some speeches (mostly from Kennedy but some others like LBJ) are replaced by actual audio from the speech. I adore it when the audiobook medium is enhanced with additions like that. It's probably why I finished it after I realized I wasn't going to learn anything new, and it lacked the nuance and finer detail I appreciate. Updegrove is certainly a fan of Kennedy (the title gives it away) but I think he does try to drive home the point that Kennedy was a man with flaws (although the point is that he should be respected more for than the paragon he became after his assassination). Folks who are presidential enthusiasts can skip it unless they feel like a trip down JFK memory lane, but I can't think of another Kennedy book I've read that streamlines the major players and events of his presidency so well for the general interest.
April 29, 2022
Incomparable Grace is the story of JFK's Presidency. Each time I read about about a President, I am always amazed I learn something new that I had not read or heard before. I was not disappointed in this book. Author and historian Mark K. Updegrove, head of the LBJ Foundation and presidential historian brings more information that gives us an insight in a different way than the previous books I have read. I was only eight when JFK was assassinated, so my memories are solely of his funeral, but it is ingrained in my memory.
The more I read I find he was not a perfect man, and yet we expect so much from the people we elect. We also vilify them when they don't live up to those expectations. The job itself does not come with a manual and they hit the ground running as soon as they arrive with ideals of how much they will change things for the better. Seldom does the outgoing President have everything tied up with a nice bow, having left nothing undone. In spite of this, for the short time JFK was in office he left his mark and will be revered.
This was a wonderful detailed story full of intimate details for those who love history and especially JFK.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
The more I read I find he was not a perfect man, and yet we expect so much from the people we elect. We also vilify them when they don't live up to those expectations. The job itself does not come with a manual and they hit the ground running as soon as they arrive with ideals of how much they will change things for the better. Seldom does the outgoing President have everything tied up with a nice bow, having left nothing undone. In spite of this, for the short time JFK was in office he left his mark and will be revered.
This was a wonderful detailed story full of intimate details for those who love history and especially JFK.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
April 27, 2022
One of the clearest memories of my childhood was being taken by my mother to her polling place to see her vote for John F Kennedy for president. And of course I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard about his assassination. My mother cried all weekend, and I remember the dignified bearing of Mrs Kennedy which helped the entire nation make our way through the trauma.
"Incomparable Grace," by Mark Updegrove, tells the history of the Kennedy presidency. This is not a long book, and at first I was apprehensive that it would gloss over too much, but I was pleasantly surprised. Updegrove does not cover the minutiae of events but rather he writes about Kennedy himself, and how he grew into his presidency. I kept thinking about how much our nation and the world lost when he died.
This is an excellent book. For those who know a lot of the history,it is an interesting look at the material from a different view. For those new to the subject it is a useful primer. Well-written and even-handed, I can heartily recommend it.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
"Incomparable Grace," by Mark Updegrove, tells the history of the Kennedy presidency. This is not a long book, and at first I was apprehensive that it would gloss over too much, but I was pleasantly surprised. Updegrove does not cover the minutiae of events but rather he writes about Kennedy himself, and how he grew into his presidency. I kept thinking about how much our nation and the world lost when he died.
This is an excellent book. For those who know a lot of the history,it is an interesting look at the material from a different view. For those new to the subject it is a useful primer. Well-written and even-handed, I can heartily recommend it.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
May 16, 2022
This easy to read volume will be especially valued by those seeking an introduction to the Kennedy Presidency. This is neither the canonization of a martyr, nor a sensationalist expose' of JFK's personal character flaws. The latter is noted, and rightly so and citing no less than the late Hugh Sidey. While JFK's Bay of Pigs Disaster, his reluctance to champion Civil Rights, and his inexperienced shock meeting early Soviet threats are detailed, overall we see a young leader growing and maturing. As a child I recall my mother's fear during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and my parents'-my family's-relief when the worst passed. (Even then we did not know the full extent of the worst, thank God.) The next autumn, as a child in Catholic school, I recall the fear, grief and yes tears at his assassination. A leader, not a saint. A visionary constrained by domestic and political reality and geo political threat. Here is a wonderful survey and account of a thousand days. I have heard Updegrove speak at Francis Marion University, and he is an absorbing presence. I enjoyed this volume. Read the footnotes and welcome bibliography for sources providing fuller accounts of JFK.
May 12, 2022
It's a book about the Kennedy presidency that you'll actually finish and won't just leave on the shelf. It's quick and accessible but still full of anecdotes and interesting details. Making it the perfect book for a vacation, or a gift for a birthday or college graduate.
It's JFK's legacy through a series of vignettes (Cuba, Berlin, Birmingham, Vietnam, the March on Washington) curated by a historian, Mark Updegrove, who knows what to put in and why these stories still matter. MLK, LBJ, and Bobby are present throughout the chapters. The soaring Kennedy rhetoric is in here ("We choose to go to the moon", "Let them come to Berlin", etc...), but so is the decision making and Kennedy's human side. President Kennedy is mortal in this book and not infallible. The flaws aren't left out. And that gives you a fuller accounting of who he was and why. And why JFK is still relevant today. For all his faults private and public, Kennedy was graceful under pressure, he kept the peace, and he moved America forward. And that's a powerful example told here in a way that feels new again.
It's JFK's legacy through a series of vignettes (Cuba, Berlin, Birmingham, Vietnam, the March on Washington) curated by a historian, Mark Updegrove, who knows what to put in and why these stories still matter. MLK, LBJ, and Bobby are present throughout the chapters. The soaring Kennedy rhetoric is in here ("We choose to go to the moon", "Let them come to Berlin", etc...), but so is the decision making and Kennedy's human side. President Kennedy is mortal in this book and not infallible. The flaws aren't left out. And that gives you a fuller accounting of who he was and why. And why JFK is still relevant today. For all his faults private and public, Kennedy was graceful under pressure, he kept the peace, and he moved America forward. And that's a powerful example told here in a way that feels new again.
July 25, 2022
Reading more non fiction is one of my goals for this year. I need goals around the genre because I typically find it so dry and written in a way that does not engage. Not so here. With strong pacing and insightful analysis of JFK and the people who surrounded him, the book left me with a stronger understanding of the period and the people of Kennedy’s presidency. Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis, the Berlin Wall, Vietnam, the space race, the Cold War, civil rights, and so much more coalesced in a new way for me through the lens of this single leader and his short time in the presidency. The audio version is particularly good as it incorporates clips of Kennedy’s own voice in many instances.
October 7, 2023
I really really really did not want to read a book about JFK. But it was selected by my new book club and it seemed short. And while I still have very little interest in JFK, this book was really easy to read and very well written (oddly enough the opposite of the last book club book that I thought was about a very interesting subject, but poorly written). While it is chronological, the short chapters are organized thematically making for something easy to pick up and put down.
Written after the metoo movement, this could have been even harsher on his moral character, but I did appreciate the contemporary lens into his personal and political life. I learned a lot about global events of the era and appreciated JFK’s willingness to learn.
Written after the metoo movement, this could have been even harsher on his moral character, but I did appreciate the contemporary lens into his personal and political life. I learned a lot about global events of the era and appreciated JFK’s willingness to learn.
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