First published 2013
John F. Kennedy was killed nearly fifty years ago, yet his influence remains powerful across American politics and culture. Political scientist Larry Sabato, who came of age during the Kennedy era, investigates how JFK's brief presidency shaped every commander in chief who followed him. Sabato draws on previously unseen materials to reexamine the assassination itself, then presents the most comprehensive public opinion survey ever conducted about a historical figure. Working with pollsters Peter Hart and Geoff Garin, he reveals how different generations view Kennedy today. The book demonstrates that JFK's policies and image have guided presidential decisions in unexpected ways across five decades. A recent Gallup survey ranked Kennedy above all nine of his successors in job approval, despite his truncated time in office. Sabato explores whether this enduring admiration stems from Kennedy's actual achievements or from the tragic circumstances of his death. The study captures how the assassination continues to influence American political consciousness and presidential behavior.
Genres: biography, history, 20th-century, political-science, 21st-century, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-fiction, political-thriller
Period: 20th Century, 21st Century
624 pages · Hardcover · Bloomsbury USA