An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963
Encyclopedia
An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917–1963 is a biography of the 35th president of the United States
, John F. Kennedy
(JFK), who was assassinated in 1963
. It was written by Robert Dallek
, a professor at Boston University
. Robert Dallek researched JFK for five years by tapping National Security Archives, oral histories, White House
tapes, and medical records so that he could write this. Dallek contends that historians have under-estimated JFK's achievements especially with foreign policy
.
JFK was part of a prominent Boston
family. The death of JFK's older brother during World War II
eventually paved the way for his political career. His father was involved in his political career such as helping him become senator. In the mid-1950s, after defeating Henry Cabot Lodge
and leaving the United States Congress
to be a senator
, he was closer to becoming president. JFK had medical problems and he used drugs to control them such as antispasmodics and antibiotics. He also used painkillers for his back and drugs to treat Addison's disease
. He sometimes took up to eight medications a day. A committee of three Kennedy associates refused to give people his medical records for decades, but they decided to give it to Robert Dallek. The book does not have a complete record of his medical history.
, vendetta
, gossip
, acuity, sympathy
and scholarly detachment.
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
(JFK), who was assassinated in 1963
John F. Kennedy assassination
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the thirty-fifth President of the United States, was assassinated at 12:30 p.m. Central Standard Time on Friday, November 22, 1963, in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas...
. It was written by Robert Dallek
Robert Dallek
Robert Dallek is an American historian specializing in American presidents. He is a recently retired Professor of History at Boston University and has previously taught at Columbia University, UCLA, and Oxford...
, a professor at Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
. Robert Dallek researched JFK for five years by tapping National Security Archives, oral histories, White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
tapes, and medical records so that he could write this. Dallek contends that historians have under-estimated JFK's achievements especially with foreign policy
Foreign policy
A country's foreign policy, also called the foreign relations policy, consists of self-interest strategies chosen by the state to safeguard its national interests and to achieve its goals within international relations milieu. The approaches are strategically employed to interact with other countries...
.
JFK was part of a prominent Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
family. The death of JFK's older brother during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
eventually paved the way for his political career. His father was involved in his political career such as helping him become senator. In the mid-1950s, after defeating Henry Cabot Lodge
Henry Cabot Lodge
Henry Cabot "Slim" Lodge was an American Republican Senator and historian from Massachusetts. He had the role of Senate Majority leader. He is best known for his positions on Meek policy, especially his battle with President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 over the Treaty of Versailles...
and leaving the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
to be a senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, he was closer to becoming president. JFK had medical problems and he used drugs to control them such as antispasmodics and antibiotics. He also used painkillers for his back and drugs to treat Addison's disease
Addison's disease
Addison’s disease is a rare, chronic endocrine disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce sufficient steroid hormones...
. He sometimes took up to eight medications a day. A committee of three Kennedy associates refused to give people his medical records for decades, but they decided to give it to Robert Dallek. The book does not have a complete record of his medical history.
Earlier books
The Independent in its assessment has stated that earlier volumes were unimpressive. Many of the books written since JFK's assassination were written to debunk him especially for his womanizing. There are also books that include hagiographyHagiography
Hagiography is the study of saints.From the Greek and , it refers literally to writings on the subject of such holy people, and specifically to the biographies of saints and ecclesiastical leaders. The term hagiology, the study of hagiography, is also current in English, though less common...
, vendetta
Feud
A feud , referred to in more extreme cases as a blood feud, vendetta, faida, or private war, is a long-running argument or fight between parties—often groups of people, especially families or clans. Feuds begin because one party perceives itself to have been attacked, insulted or wronged by another...
, gossip
Gossip
Gossip is idle talk or rumour, especially about the personal or private affairs of others, It is one of the oldest and most common means of sharing facts and views, but also has a reputation for the introduction of errors and variations into the information transmitted...
, acuity, sympathy
Sympathy
Sympathy is a social affinity in which one person stands with another person, closely understanding his or her feelings. Also known as empathic concern, it is the feeling of compassion or concern for another, the wish to see them better off or happier. Although empathy and sympathy are often used...
and scholarly detachment.