Appreciating the Kennedy credo of courage, judgment and dignity
By Lily Geismer May 5 at 10:25 AM
Lily Geismer is a professor of U.S. history at Claremont McKenna College and author of “Don’t Blame Us: Suburban Liberals and the Transformation of the Democratic Party.”
Writing on the 20th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s death, historian William Leuchtenburg in 1983 predicted, “Like the fair youth on Keats’s Grecian urn, Kennedy will be . . . ‘for ever young,’ beyond the power of time and the words of historians.” “JFK: A Vision for America” commemorates the centennial of Kennedy’s birth, and it is jarring to imagine that he might have been that old. The compilation of speeches, essays and remembrances, however, shows that Leuchtenburg’s observation has not been entirely borne out. The book successfully opens Kennedy up to the assessment of present-day commentators and reveals both his historical significance and the relevance of his messages for our time.
Co-edited by Kennedy’s nephew Stephen Kennedy Smith and historian Douglas Brinkley, “JFK” brings together truly impressive contributors from a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives and partisan affiliations. From Elizabeth Warren, Samantha Power, John McCain, Henry Kissinger and Paul Krugman to Gloria Steinem, Conan O’Brien, Dave Eggers and Robert Redford, the contributors offer compelling commentary on Kennedy’s speeches.
It is clear that substantial time and thought went into the assembly and organization of this volume. In addition to the speeches and essays, the collection includes hundreds of formal and informal photographs of Kennedy, reproductions of personal ephemera such as report cards and annotated drafts of speeches, as well as timelines of key events in the history of the United States and the Kennedy family. The design at times makes “JFK” more closely resemble a scrapbook than an academic monograph. Still, the speeches and essays are filled with serious insights. Topics range from international development, globalization and fiscal policy to civil rights, art, religion and the environment, which together show the breadth of Kennedy’s ideas and the extent of their impact.
Despite the array of pictures capturing Kennedy and his family’s signature glamour and charisma, the structure of the book draws more attention to Kennedy’s substance than to his style. By emphasizing his speeches, editors especially underscore Kennedy’s love of language and ideas. The book’s approach also shines light on some of JFK’s lesser-known remarks, such as his Senate speeches denouncing Western imperialism and as president calling for a more liberal immigration policy.
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