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Jack
Previous biographies of John F. Kennedy have been based almost entirely on newspaper files and personal recollections. Geoffrey Perret's Jack is both the first comprehensive one-volume biography of JFK and the first account of his life based on the extensive and important documentary record that has finally become available, including Kennedy's personal diaries, hundreds of hours of taped conversations from the White House, recently declassified government documents, extensive family correspondence, and crucial interviews sealed for nearly forty years. The result is a gripping, accurate, and ultimately moving portrait of America's most charismatic president.Jack provides much-needed context and perspective on Kennedy's bewilderingly complex personality. It offers an even-handed account of the seamy side of his life - orgies and abortions, health and drug problems - along with valuable insights into JFK's truly idealistic and visionary character.Jack presents a compelling account of the volatile relationship between Kennedy and his wife, including Jackie's attempt to divorce him, move to Hollywood, and become a film star. At the same time Perret explains how, together, they created the Kennedy style.Jack reveals how the restless, innovative Kennedy was able to overturn more than a hundred years of political tradition, forge the modern political campaign, and, once in the White House, modernize the presidency. His success was so complete that all serious presidential candidates since 1960 have sought to compare themselves to JFK, not challenging his legacy but embracing it.Jack is filled, too, with numerous revelations, such as the true story behind the lobotomy of JFK's sister Rosemary. And here, for the first time, is a comprehensive account of Kennedy's numerous and varied ailments from childhood on, including his back problems.Perret describes how JFK got the two most important decisions of his administration his handling of the Cuban missile crisis and his stance on civil rights. As to Vietnam, Kennedy did not believe it was worth fighting for, and in the last months of his presidency he began formulating a secret plan for neutralization and withdrawal - if he won the 1964 election. But that, of course, was not to Convinced he would die young, Kennedy foresaw that a violent death would claim him. Throughout his brief time in the White House he was haunted by a vision of a man standing at a window, looking down at him, holding a rifle. A Life Like No Other is a book like no other. Here, at last, John F. Kennedy seems to step off the page in all his vitality, charm, and originality.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
11 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Geoffrey Perrett
19 books16 followersGeoffrey Perrett is an author who writes about American history. His work focuses primarily upon the political dynamics that influence strategic and tactical military decisions, as well as broader political themes. He has published over thirteen books dealing with a variety of topics, among them the U.S. Presidency - including several biographies of iconic Presidents such as John F. Kennedy and Ulysses S. Grant - leading American military commanders such as Douglas MacArthur, and pivotal American military engagements.
Perrett was born in the UK and went on to serve in the U.S. Army for 3 years. Later he studied at Long Beach City College and then obtained his undergraduate degree summa cum laude from the University of Southern California in 1967. He was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He obtained his postgraduate degree from Harvard University in 1969 and then studied law at the University of California at Berkeley.
Perrett was born in the UK and went on to serve in the U.S. Army for 3 years. Later he studied at Long Beach City College and then obtained his undergraduate degree summa cum laude from the University of Southern California in 1967. He was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He obtained his postgraduate degree from Harvard University in 1969 and then studied law at the University of California at Berkeley.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 6, 2019
"JACK: A Life Like No Other" is a fairly straightforward biography of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States. The reader is taken through the various phases of JFK's life and career. It was a life fraught with many challenges and perils, highs and lows. Throughout his life, JFK suffered from a variety of illnesses (e.g. chronic back pain which became steadily worse over time, jaundice, scarlet fever, malaria, and Addison's Disease) that would have humbled a lesser person. Indeed, on 3 different occasions, JFK had been administered the final rites by the Catholic Church. And as if by a miracle, JFK not only survived but endured. "From an early age he had known something that few rich men's sons ever learn this side of serious illness: there is no wealth but life."
While this was an easy book to read, there were some glaring errors in it that were enough for me to give it a lower grade than other books about President Kennedy I had enjoyed reading and valued for the knowledge they gave me about this singularly unique individual and statesman who had the capacity to inspire millions of people to their best efforts, and in the process, become better human beings. (Furthermore, the author's contention that President Kennedy's death was attributable to a single assassin - Lee Harvey Oswald - I don't agree with at all. Perret leaves the reader in the midst of that fatal motorcade in which the President and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy took center stage on November 22, 1963, summing up the book with a novelistic flourish that struck me as somewhat overwrought.)
While this was an easy book to read, there were some glaring errors in it that were enough for me to give it a lower grade than other books about President Kennedy I had enjoyed reading and valued for the knowledge they gave me about this singularly unique individual and statesman who had the capacity to inspire millions of people to their best efforts, and in the process, become better human beings. (Furthermore, the author's contention that President Kennedy's death was attributable to a single assassin - Lee Harvey Oswald - I don't agree with at all. Perret leaves the reader in the midst of that fatal motorcade in which the President and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy took center stage on November 22, 1963, summing up the book with a novelistic flourish that struck me as somewhat overwrought.)
April 13, 2013
I liked this biography of JFK. It was very readable and took care to give you the historic background to the many 20th century events that shaped his life and presidency. It didn't ignore the salacious details of his life but didn't dwell on them either. It gave you a better picture of his often precarious health then one would ever imagine looking at him. In the end, I was sad that it appeared that he and Jackie did not have a mature, loving marriage. And that he was killed just when he seemed to be growing into the presidency.
May 1, 2017
https://bestpresidentialbios.com/2017...
“Jack: A Life Like No Other” by Geoffrey Perret was published in 2001, two years following the release of his biography of Dwight Eisenhower and four years after his biography of Ulysses Grant (both of which I have previously read and reviewed). Perret is a historian, the author of nearly a dozen books and served for three years in the U.S. Army.
Somewhat to my surprise, Perret's book was reportedly the first single-volume cradle-to-grave biography of JFK. Soon to appear, though, were at least two additional (and far more thorough) biographies of Kennedy authored by Robert Dallek and Michael O'Brien.
Perret's biography immediately proves unpretentious, easy to read and almost casual. About two-thirds of this 400-page book is allocated to Kennedy's life up through his presidential campaign, with the balance allocated to his 1,037-day presidency. But throughout its run the biography proves uneven in emphasis, inconsistent in its grammatical style (often switching between present and past tense) and only occasionally leaves the impression it is delivering serious and consequential history.
This biography is generally organized chronologically although some topics are presented thematically (particularly during JFK's presidency). Readers familiar with Kennedy's life will take this in stride; others are prone to becoming confused by the approach and may find the narrative more challenging to follow than expected.
The discussion of Kennedy's significant lifelong medical issues is less sophisticated than in later-published biographies and tends to understate their impact on his daily life. In addition, Perret undermphasizes the roles played by Kennedy's siblings and colleagues in his personal and political lives. And while it is true that JFK's life was filled with an abundance of garish impropriety, Perret seems to enjoy wallowing in the muck and Kennedy's sex life takes up more space in this book than the entire last year of the Kennedy presidency.
But the book's deepest flaw is that it lacks the penetrating insight, deep analysis and colorful character development of the best presidential biographies. This biography is not without virtue, but the most insightful moments are reserved for the last fifty pages when the author begins dissecting Kennedy, his motivations and what he learned during his presidency.
Perret's also provides a particularly engrossing chapter on the young JFK during his years at Choate and offers the best introduction to Inga Arvad (one of Kennedy's romantic interests who was thought to be a German spy) that I've seen. In addition, Perret expertly introduces and dissects Jackie Bouvier's complex and often perplexing personality.
But, overall, Geoffrey Perret's biography of John F. Kennedy provides more pitfalls than promise. Readers new to JFK may find this a buoyant, lively, fast-paced and relatively uncomplicated sojourn through Kennedy's life. But a more experienced audience will find Perret's biography too breezy, unsophisticated and lacking in penetrating analysis and character development.
Overall rating: 3 stars
“Jack: A Life Like No Other” by Geoffrey Perret was published in 2001, two years following the release of his biography of Dwight Eisenhower and four years after his biography of Ulysses Grant (both of which I have previously read and reviewed). Perret is a historian, the author of nearly a dozen books and served for three years in the U.S. Army.
Somewhat to my surprise, Perret's book was reportedly the first single-volume cradle-to-grave biography of JFK. Soon to appear, though, were at least two additional (and far more thorough) biographies of Kennedy authored by Robert Dallek and Michael O'Brien.
Perret's biography immediately proves unpretentious, easy to read and almost casual. About two-thirds of this 400-page book is allocated to Kennedy's life up through his presidential campaign, with the balance allocated to his 1,037-day presidency. But throughout its run the biography proves uneven in emphasis, inconsistent in its grammatical style (often switching between present and past tense) and only occasionally leaves the impression it is delivering serious and consequential history.
This biography is generally organized chronologically although some topics are presented thematically (particularly during JFK's presidency). Readers familiar with Kennedy's life will take this in stride; others are prone to becoming confused by the approach and may find the narrative more challenging to follow than expected.
The discussion of Kennedy's significant lifelong medical issues is less sophisticated than in later-published biographies and tends to understate their impact on his daily life. In addition, Perret undermphasizes the roles played by Kennedy's siblings and colleagues in his personal and political lives. And while it is true that JFK's life was filled with an abundance of garish impropriety, Perret seems to enjoy wallowing in the muck and Kennedy's sex life takes up more space in this book than the entire last year of the Kennedy presidency.
But the book's deepest flaw is that it lacks the penetrating insight, deep analysis and colorful character development of the best presidential biographies. This biography is not without virtue, but the most insightful moments are reserved for the last fifty pages when the author begins dissecting Kennedy, his motivations and what he learned during his presidency.
Perret's also provides a particularly engrossing chapter on the young JFK during his years at Choate and offers the best introduction to Inga Arvad (one of Kennedy's romantic interests who was thought to be a German spy) that I've seen. In addition, Perret expertly introduces and dissects Jackie Bouvier's complex and often perplexing personality.
But, overall, Geoffrey Perret's biography of John F. Kennedy provides more pitfalls than promise. Readers new to JFK may find this a buoyant, lively, fast-paced and relatively uncomplicated sojourn through Kennedy's life. But a more experienced audience will find Perret's biography too breezy, unsophisticated and lacking in penetrating analysis and character development.
Overall rating: 3 stars
December 6, 2019
A little too obsessed with JFK's sex life to the expense of any real analysis of the more important and major events of his time in office.
August 6, 2017
A bit of a tough read if you are a JFK fan, and most of my generation probably are. I was 13, in 7th grade art class, when the news came over the school public address system that JFK had been shot. Almost everyone alive that day remembers where they were and what they were doing when the news was announced. After that, it seems like everyone just accepted that he was a great man and a great president. This book exposes much of that myth, and the conflicted and complicated man that JFK was. His health issues were far more varied and serious than I had known. The rumors of his sex life have always been around, but whoa, I had no idea. His presidential legislative accomplishments were few, but thank God he was president in October, 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crises. One wonders what would have happened had someone else been president at that moment in history. The world was literally at the brink of catastrophic nuclear war, and but for his leadership it could have, probably would have, turned out very badly. Maybe for that alone he deserves the reputation of a great president. (Some argue, not without a modicum of justification, that the Cuban Missile Crises arose in the first place due to missteps by JFK early in his presidency, but that is for a whole different discussion.)
But if you decide to read this book, beware that it was not the intent of the author to place JFK on a pedestal. JFK had many flaws, and almost certainly would not be electable in today's political age; not from either party. Would he be held in such high esteem had he not be assassinated? After reading this book, I have some thoughts on it. But I will leave it to other readers to make their own decisions on that question.
But if you decide to read this book, beware that it was not the intent of the author to place JFK on a pedestal. JFK had many flaws, and almost certainly would not be electable in today's political age; not from either party. Would he be held in such high esteem had he not be assassinated? After reading this book, I have some thoughts on it. But I will leave it to other readers to make their own decisions on that question.
October 7, 2020
A well-researched "new" biography (including information about JFKs multiple physical issues and his larger-than-life sex drive) that gives much more detail about the man himself instead of just his accomplishments. By utilizing his personal papers, diaries and letters to friends and family, a truer portrait of JFK is painted than those written in the 1960s or 1970s. The dark underbelly of his father is mentioned time and time again, but does not take over the book like it took over Jack's career. A fascinating read that kept me from putting it down.
November 16, 2018
#108 of 120 books pledged to read during 2018
If you haven't read any books on John F. Kennedy, this is a great "condensed" one-volume version of his life from beginning to end. I have read many books on him, so I kept noticing many missing details. But if you just want the basics, I think this was written exceedingly well.
If you haven't read any books on John F. Kennedy, this is a great "condensed" one-volume version of his life from beginning to end. I have read many books on him, so I kept noticing many missing details. But if you just want the basics, I think this was written exceedingly well.
January 15, 2024
Most entertaining book I’ve read on JFK. Focuses more on his personality and who he was, than on getting every event in his life and presidency down in detail. Noticed a few tiny errors in facts here and there but the overall quality of the book lies in its ability to make you feel like you got a glimpse into JFK “the person”, which is something no other Kennedy book I’ve read has done.
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January 6, 2024I've always been fascinated with JFK. This book flays him open and exposes all of his faults. No man and no president is perfect. The one thing that bothered me througout the book was the lurid focus on his sex life. I felt icky reading the details in here. Not necessary!
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July 6, 2025There are many better biographies of JFK out there. This book is pedestrian except for where it tries to be salacious. JFK was a multidimensional man but the author fails to capture that, and in doing so misses much of what makes JFK so fascinating.
May 18, 2021
It's okay. The prose is a little purple on occasion and the bias is really obvious, plus the treatment of communists whenever they show up is juvenile, but thorough on the details about Jack's life.
April 13, 2023
Returned by Library. A Great resource for research and / or term paper. Enjoy!
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August 9, 2025how did Jackie do it
July 22, 2011
I felt that the book was well-written and contained many seemingly well-researched facts. But I prefer history that focuses on the person and their relationships with others rather than the events that surround them. I skimmed through some sections in the beginning because they were rather dry and bogged down with tedious facts. The chapters dealing with Kennedy and his immediate family were very interesting.
This would be a great book for someone who is very interested in Kennedy's public and foreign policy. A good deal of the book focuses on politics and life in Washington.
I'd say JFK and the other players are depicted fairly and accurately. At times, dialogue is presented that gives insight to JFK's sense of humor. I wish there was more of that so I could get a better sense of him as a person. Joe, Rose, and Jackie are sometimes painted in an unfavorable light.
This is a more academic biography than others books I've read on the Kennedys. Some read like tabloid tell-alls. This one has footnotes that list many reputable sources, including Kennedy's own writings.
I was a little bothered by the last couple of paragraphs that briefly described the assassination. I find it hard to believe that a person, who obviously has devoted a great deal of time researching Kennedy, seems to fully embrace the "magic bullet" theory. Perret even goes on to write that Oswald was "doing this for Cuba." Of course, I understand this was not a book on the assassination conspiracy, but on his life.
The book leaves little out of his life. It truly is womb to tomb.
This would be a great book for someone who is very interested in Kennedy's public and foreign policy. A good deal of the book focuses on politics and life in Washington.
I'd say JFK and the other players are depicted fairly and accurately. At times, dialogue is presented that gives insight to JFK's sense of humor. I wish there was more of that so I could get a better sense of him as a person. Joe, Rose, and Jackie are sometimes painted in an unfavorable light.
This is a more academic biography than others books I've read on the Kennedys. Some read like tabloid tell-alls. This one has footnotes that list many reputable sources, including Kennedy's own writings.
I was a little bothered by the last couple of paragraphs that briefly described the assassination. I find it hard to believe that a person, who obviously has devoted a great deal of time researching Kennedy, seems to fully embrace the "magic bullet" theory. Perret even goes on to write that Oswald was "doing this for Cuba." Of course, I understand this was not a book on the assassination conspiracy, but on his life.
The book leaves little out of his life. It truly is womb to tomb.
March 7, 2018
(⭐⭐)
Il mio professore di Storia Contemporanea era solito ripetere, con malcelato disprezzo nella voce, che John Fitzgerald Kennedy fosse strato il presidente americano più sopravvalutato, "perché era belloccio ed è morto giovane".
E confesso che parte della mia ammirazione per JFK si fondava esattamente su questi due superficiali motivi, per cui,, sebbene il libro in sé non mi abbia entusiasmata, è servito quantomeno ad un rapido ripasso della storia americana del tempo.
Il difetto principale di questa biografia è il fatto di concentrarsi per lo più sulle circostanze storiche nelle quali Kennedy era inserito, dilungandosi in particolare economici e burocratici che possono fare la felicità del lettore già esperto, ma finiscono per allontanare ed annoiare chi come me desiderava più avvicinarsi alla psicologia del personaggio, più che alla sua agiografia.
Il mio professore di Storia Contemporanea era solito ripetere, con malcelato disprezzo nella voce, che John Fitzgerald Kennedy fosse strato il presidente americano più sopravvalutato, "perché era belloccio ed è morto giovane".
E confesso che parte della mia ammirazione per JFK si fondava esattamente su questi due superficiali motivi, per cui,, sebbene il libro in sé non mi abbia entusiasmata, è servito quantomeno ad un rapido ripasso della storia americana del tempo.
Il difetto principale di questa biografia è il fatto di concentrarsi per lo più sulle circostanze storiche nelle quali Kennedy era inserito, dilungandosi in particolare economici e burocratici che possono fare la felicità del lettore già esperto, ma finiscono per allontanare ed annoiare chi come me desiderava più avvicinarsi alla psicologia del personaggio, più che alla sua agiografia.
March 30, 2013
Really three and a half stars. I have read many many biographies of JFK and thought there wasn't anything else to learn. Wrong! The author seems to bring a different, deeper perspective to the book gleaned from among other things JFK's family history and his belief he would not live a long life. I did finish feeling his marriage was pretty much loveless on both sides. And that he was far more conservative than his legend would have us believe.
January 17, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. I learned a lot about the Kennedys not just JFK. I learned so much about Jack that I had never suspected. The Cuban issues of his presidency were amazing! I never knew how involved the US military was in this conflict. Also the why of our involvement in Vietnam was very interesting.
March 6, 2015
It fascinates me that both Jack Kennedy and Jackie still fascinate me. And I flip flop from thinking Jack was bad and good. The more I read about all our historical figures….the more I realize I can’t judge any of them. But back to the Kennedy time….I suppose the reason is the he was the first president I remember. This was an excellent historical account.
October 2, 2007
An entertaining read, especially if you like a mix of history and biography. The author kind of glosses over some details or issues surrounding JFK and the book's conclusion is a little truncated, but it is a good read.
February 4, 2010
This is an engaging biography about JFK. I don't know enough to "fact check" this book, but it is well written and presents an interesting take on JFK's life. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading biographies that have a little flare.
April 10, 2014
A fantastic read that is both compelling and revealing of a man that did much to shape the course of history in this century. Through well written prose and insightful revealing of JFK's personal life we learn about the man as a whole; his greatest qualities, and his worst.
July 6, 2013
One of my favorite JFK biographies. He had quite a life and people forget that there was a complex person who existed long before he ever ran for office. Oh, and he was an introvert. Ha! Score one for my side.
January 25, 2009
A broad brush of a biography that does a nice job of summarizing the highs and lows of Kennedy's life, from his courage in war to his marital troubles to the mixed record as president.
March 28, 2009
Insight into who Jack Kennedy was beyond the public persona. Validated the stories about his sexual escapades and revealed his extremely poor health. Still a favorite icon for me.
July 31, 2009
Fantastic book - complete research, amazing citations, grounded in fact and impossible to put down.
August 16, 2010
Biography of JFK based on & taped conversationsa & personal diaries.
November 18, 2011
If you have an affinity towards JFK you'll like this book. It is a lighter read than "The Kennedy Men" but still gives a good look into his life.
August 20, 2013
I found the book very enjoyable and easy to read
December 27, 2014
really enjoyed this,changed my view of Rose and Jackie Kennedy, it ends very poetically for something so violent.it pulls no punches about JFK but you still like him...recommend to anyone to read
March 15, 2016
I would rather have kept a few of my illusions about JFK. With his frenetic attempts to live around his life-long health problems what he was sure would truncated life, I just felt sorry for him.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews