JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956 by Fredrik Logevall

JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956 by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Fredrik Logevall is the first of a two-volume biography of John F. Kennedy, also known as “Jack.” In it, Logevall takes a picture of a famous yet elusive U.S. president and breaks it down into several candid stories that flesh out Jack first as a person and then as a leader. 

It provides an extensive background of the Kennedys with their humble beginnings as working-class Irish immigrants to their subsequent rise to power in Boston politics. More importantly, JFK introduces Jack’s younger years in a refreshing light: a neglected second son, a respected writer, an impressive Harvard student, and a selfless war hero. The years covered in this volume span Jack’s birth in 1917 to his vice-presidential nomination loss in 1956 that launched his political career to a national level. 

The chronicling of these events and the significant, often-overlooked ones in-between, gives readers a more profound understanding of the Jack they’ll read about in volume 2, which accounts his presidency and assassination.

JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956 received a 4.6-star rating on Goodreads and a 4.8-star rating on Amazon. David M. Kennedy of The New York Times Book Reviews claims that no other author has written a biography “better or more thoroughly.” The Economist called it “masterful,” and The Guardian claimed it’s “superb.”

In this comprehensive look into JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956 by Fredrik Logevall, you'll gain insight with this essential resource as a guide to aid your discussions. Be prepared to lead with the following:
• More than 60 “done-for-you” discussion prompts available

• Discussion aid which includes a wealth of information and prompts

• Overall brief plot synopsis and author biography as refreshers

• Thought-provoking questions made for deeper examinations

• Creative exercises to foster alternate “if this was you” discussions

And more!

Please Note: This is a companion guide based on the JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956 by Fredrik Logevall not affiliated to the original work or author in any way and does not contain any text of the original work. Please purchase or read the original work first.