JFK: A Personal Story

Although such wonderful interviewees as the Washington Post's Ben Bradlee, Kennedy biographer Richard Reeves, economist John Kenneth Galbraith, and Time editor Hugh Sidey enliven sections of yet another account of John F. Kennedy's life, the narrative which traces Kennedy's rise from a sickly Irish-Catholic youth to President of the United States is curiously flat. Which is not to say that Camelot devotees will find this biography utterly lacking in charms. The first half, in particular, offers some interesting commentary on Kennedy's college years, and the latter half, mercifully, not only doesn't dwell on the assassination, there's not even a single frame from the Zapruder film. A strong optional purchase. Aud: J, H, C, P. (R. Pitman)