Items related to Ask Not: The Inauguration of John F. Kennedy and the...
A close-up on one of American history’s most splendid events, JFK’s inaugural week, and the creation of the speech that inspired a generation and brought hope to a nation
"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." On the January morning when John F. Kennedy assumed the presidency and stood to speak those words, America was divided. Citizens around the world were torn by fears of war. Kennedy’s speech—called the finest since Lincoln at Gettysburg, the most memorable of any 20th-century American politician—did more than reassure: It changed lives, marking the start of a brief, optimistic era of struggle against “tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.”
Ask Not is a beautifully detailed account of the week leading up to the inaugural which stands as one of the most moving spectacles in the history of American politics. At the heart of the narrative is Kennedy’s quest to create a speech that would distill American dreams and empower a new generation. Clarke’s portrait of JFK during what intimates called his happiest days is balanced, revealing the president at his most dazzlingly charismatic (and cunningly pragmatic). As the snow gradually covers Washington in a blanket of white, as statesmen and celebrities arrive for candle-lit festivities, Kennedy—an obsessed perfectionist—pushes himself, his family, and advisors to the limit—to create greatness, to find the words which captured what he most truly believed and, as it happened, which far outlasted his own life. For all who seek to understand the fascination with all things Kennedy, the answer is here. Ask Not explains the phenomenon to the heart and mind.
"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." On the January morning when John F. Kennedy assumed the presidency and stood to speak those words, America was divided. Citizens around the world were torn by fears of war. Kennedy’s speech—called the finest since Lincoln at Gettysburg, the most memorable of any 20th-century American politician—did more than reassure: It changed lives, marking the start of a brief, optimistic era of struggle against “tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.”
Ask Not is a beautifully detailed account of the week leading up to the inaugural which stands as one of the most moving spectacles in the history of American politics. At the heart of the narrative is Kennedy’s quest to create a speech that would distill American dreams and empower a new generation. Clarke’s portrait of JFK during what intimates called his happiest days is balanced, revealing the president at his most dazzlingly charismatic (and cunningly pragmatic). As the snow gradually covers Washington in a blanket of white, as statesmen and celebrities arrive for candle-lit festivities, Kennedy—an obsessed perfectionist—pushes himself, his family, and advisors to the limit—to create greatness, to find the words which captured what he most truly believed and, as it happened, which far outlasted his own life. For all who seek to understand the fascination with all things Kennedy, the answer is here. Ask Not explains the phenomenon to the heart and mind.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
Praise for "JFK's Last Hundred Days "(2013):
"A real page-turner... makes for a great and stimulating vacation read... deftly weav[es] together the private, personal, and intimate with the public, the political, and the-then-secret public and political, makes one want to keep reading to find out even more of the scoop."
"--Daily Beast"
"[A] compelling portrait of one of the towering figures of 20th-cnetury America."
"--Christian Science Monitor"
"There will be few, if any, contributions more entertaining and informative than Thurston Clarke's comprehensive chronological telling of his last 100 days in office."
"--Financial Times"
"A fascinating analysis of what was... and what might have been."
"--Booklist"
"Demonstrates that three often painful years in office had taught Kennedy valuable lessons... Clarke delivers a thoroughly delightful portrait."
"--Kirkus "(starred)
"A graceful, bittersweet chronicle... Clarke clearly admires Kennedy but does not ignore his flaws... an absorbing narrative."
"--Library Journal"
"Camelot devotees will relish insider details, from descriptions of an obviously depressed Vice President Johnson 'growling at anyone who disturbed him' to dismissive jabs at Sen. Barry Goldwater taken from the president's official diary."
"--Publishers Weekly"
"Thurston Clarke has done the seemingly impossible: he has found a revealing new angle of vision on John F. Kennedy that brings the president and his times back to vivid life. This is excellent narrative history."
"--"Jon Meacham, "New York Times" bestselling author of" Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power"
"Clarke makes the drama, the excitement, and the dark side of Camelot seem like only yesterday--indeed, you feel as though you're right there, in the Kennedy White House, at Hyannis Port, and aboard Air Force One with JFK, today."
--Strobe Talbott, President, Brookings Institution
"
Praise for "JFK's Last Hundred Days "(2013):
"A real page-turner... makes for a great and stimulating vacation read... deftly weav[es] together the private, personal, and intimate with the public, the political, and the-then-secret public and political, makes one want to keep reading to find out even more of the scoop."
"--Daily Beast"
"[A] compelling portrait of one of the towering figures of 20th-cnetury America."
"--Christian Science Monitor"
"There will be few, if any, contributions more entertaining and informative than Thurston Clarke's comprehensive chronological telling of his last 100 days in office."
"--Financial Times"
"A fascinating analysis of what was... and what might have been."
"--Booklist"
"Demonstrates that three often painful years in office had taught Kennedy valuable lessons... Clarke delivers a thoroughly delightful portrait."
"--Kirkus "(starred)
"A graceful, bittersweet chronicle... Clarke clearly admires Kennedy but does not ignore his flaws... an absorbing narrative."
"--Library Journal"
"Camelot devotees will relish insider details, from descriptions of an obviously depressed Vice President Johnson 'growling at anyone who disturbed him' to dismissive jabs at Sen. Barry Goldwater taken from the president's official diary."
"--Publishers Weekly"
"Thurston Clarke has done the seemingly impossible: he has found a revealing new angle of vision on John F. Kennedy that brings the president and his times back to vivid life. This is excellent narrative history."
"--"Jon Meacham, "New York Times" bestselling author of" Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power"
"Clarke makes the drama, the excitement, and the dark side of Camelot seem like only yesterday--indeed, you feel as though you're right there, in the Kennedy White House, at Hyannis Port, and aboard Air Force One with JFK, today."
--Strobe Talbott, President, Brookings Institution
"A fascinating, close-up look at the final dramatic months of a young president's life. Thurston Clarke's portrait of Kennedy is masterful in this compelling convergence of history and biography."
--Bob Herbert, Distinguished Senior Fellow at Demos and former Op-Ed Columnist for the "New York Times"
"The three-months before President John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas were frenetic times: civil rights, Vietnam, Berlin and reelection were on his mind. Thurston Clarke's "JFK's Last Hundred Days" does a marvelous job of reliving Camelot's fragile promise. Clarke is a masterful storyteller and able researcher. This book sings. Highly recommended."
--Douglas Brinkley, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Cronkite"
Praise for JFK s Last Hundred Days (2013):
"A real page-turner makes for a great and stimulating vacation read deftly weav[es] together the private, personal, and intimate with the public, the political, and the-then-secret public and political, makes one want to keep reading to find out even more of the scoop."
Daily Beast
"[A] compelling portrait of one of the towering figures of 20th-cnetury America."
Christian Science Monitor
"There will be few, if any, contributions more entertaining and informative than Thurston Clarke's comprehensive chronological telling of his last 100 days in office."
Financial Times
"A fascinating analysis of what was and what might have been."
Booklist
"Demonstrates that three often painful years in office had taught Kennedy valuable lessons Clarke delivers a thoroughly delightful portrait."
Kirkus (starred)
"A graceful, bittersweet chronicle Clarke clearly admires Kennedy but does not ignore his flaws an absorbing narrative."
Library Journal
"Camelot devotees will relish insider details, from descriptions of an obviously depressed Vice President Johnson 'growling at anyone who disturbed him' to dismissive jabs at Sen. Barry Goldwater taken from the president s official diary."
Publishers Weekly
"Thurston Clarke has done the seemingly impossible: he has found a revealing new angle of vision on John F. Kennedy that brings the president and his times back to vivid life. This is excellent narrative history."
Jon Meacham, New York Times bestselling author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power
Clarke makes the drama, the excitement, and the dark side of Camelot seem like only yesterday indeed, you feel as though you re right there, in the Kennedy White House, at Hyannis Port, and aboard Air Force One with JFK, today.
Strobe Talbott, President, Brookings Institution
"A fascinating, close-up look at the final dramatic months of a young president's life. Thurston Clarke's portrait of Kennedy is masterful in this compelling convergence of history and biography."
Bob Herbert, Distinguished Senior Fellow at Demos and former Op-Ed Columnist for the New York Times
"The three-months before President John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas were frenetic times: civil rights, Vietnam, Berlin and reelection were on his mind. Thurston Clarke's JFK's Last Hundred Days does a marvelous job of reliving Camelot's fragile promise. Clarke is a masterful storyteller and able researcher. This book sings. Highly recommended."
Douglas Brinkley, New York Times bestselling author of Cronkite"
Praise for JFK's Last Hundred Days (2013): "A real page-turner... makes for a great and stimulating vacation read... deftly weav[es] together the private, personal, and intimate with the public, the political, and the-then-secret public and political, makes one want to keep reading to find out even more of the scoop."
--Daily Beast "[A] compelling portrait of one of the towering figures of 20th-cnetury America."
--Christian Science Monitor "There will be few, if any, contributions more entertaining and informative than Thurston Clarke's comprehensive chronological telling of his last 100 days in office."
--Financial Times "A fascinating analysis of what was... and what might have been."
--Booklist "Demonstrates that three often painful years in office had taught Kennedy valuable lessons... Clarke delivers a thoroughly delightful portrait."
--Kirkus (starred) "A graceful, bittersweet chronicle... Clarke clearly admires Kennedy but does not ignore his flaws... an absorbing narrative."
--Library Journal "Camelot devotees will relish insider details, from descriptions of an obviously depressed Vice President Johnson 'growling at anyone who disturbed him' to dismissive jabs at Sen. Barry Goldwater taken from the president's official diary."
--Publishers Weekly "Thurston Clarke has done the seemingly impossible: he has found a revealing new angle of vision on John F. Kennedy that brings the president and his times back to vivid life. This is excellent narrative history."
--Jon Meacham, New York Times bestselling author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power "Clarke makes the drama, the excitement, and the dark side of Camelot seem like only yesterday--indeed, you feel as though you're right there, in the Kennedy White House, at Hyannis Port, and aboard Air Force One with JFK, today."
--Strobe Talbott, President, Brookings Institution "A fascinating, close-up look at the final dramatic months of a young president's life. Thurston Clarke's portrait of Kennedy is masterful in this compelling convergence of history and biography."
--Bob Herbert, Distinguished Senior Fellow at Demos and former Op-Ed Columnist for the New York Times "The three-months before President John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas were frenetic times: civil rights, Vietnam, Berlin and reelection were on his mind. Thurston Clarke's JFK's Last Hundred Days does a marvelous job of reliving Camelot's fragile promise. Clarke is a masterful storyteller and able researcher. This book sings. Highly recommended."
--Douglas Brinkley, New York Times bestselling author of Cronkite
About the Author:
"A real page-turner... makes for a great and stimulating vacation read... deftly weav[es] together the private, personal, and intimate with the public, the political, and the-then-secret public and political, makes one want to keep reading to find out even more of the scoop."
"--Daily Beast"
"[A] compelling portrait of one of the towering figures of 20th-cnetury America."
"--Christian Science Monitor"
"There will be few, if any, contributions more entertaining and informative than Thurston Clarke's comprehensive chronological telling of his last 100 days in office."
"--Financial Times"
"A fascinating analysis of what was... and what might have been."
"--Booklist"
"Demonstrates that three often painful years in office had taught Kennedy valuable lessons... Clarke delivers a thoroughly delightful portrait."
"--Kirkus "(starred)
"A graceful, bittersweet chronicle... Clarke clearly admires Kennedy but does not ignore his flaws... an absorbing narrative."
"--Library Journal"
"Camelot devotees will relish insider details, from descriptions of an obviously depressed Vice President Johnson 'growling at anyone who disturbed him' to dismissive jabs at Sen. Barry Goldwater taken from the president's official diary."
"--Publishers Weekly"
"Thurston Clarke has done the seemingly impossible: he has found a revealing new angle of vision on John F. Kennedy that brings the president and his times back to vivid life. This is excellent narrative history."
"--"Jon Meacham, "New York Times" bestselling author of" Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power"
"Clarke makes the drama, the excitement, and the dark side of Camelot seem like only yesterday--indeed, you feel as though you're right there, in the Kennedy White House, at Hyannis Port, and aboard Air Force One with JFK, today."
--Strobe Talbott, President, Brookings Institution
"
Praise for "JFK's Last Hundred Days "(2013):
"A real page-turner... makes for a great and stimulating vacation read... deftly weav[es] together the private, personal, and intimate with the public, the political, and the-then-secret public and political, makes one want to keep reading to find out even more of the scoop."
"--Daily Beast"
"[A] compelling portrait of one of the towering figures of 20th-cnetury America."
"--Christian Science Monitor"
"There will be few, if any, contributions more entertaining and informative than Thurston Clarke's comprehensive chronological telling of his last 100 days in office."
"--Financial Times"
"A fascinating analysis of what was... and what might have been."
"--Booklist"
"Demonstrates that three often painful years in office had taught Kennedy valuable lessons... Clarke delivers a thoroughly delightful portrait."
"--Kirkus "(starred)
"A graceful, bittersweet chronicle... Clarke clearly admires Kennedy but does not ignore his flaws... an absorbing narrative."
"--Library Journal"
"Camelot devotees will relish insider details, from descriptions of an obviously depressed Vice President Johnson 'growling at anyone who disturbed him' to dismissive jabs at Sen. Barry Goldwater taken from the president's official diary."
"--Publishers Weekly"
"Thurston Clarke has done the seemingly impossible: he has found a revealing new angle of vision on John F. Kennedy that brings the president and his times back to vivid life. This is excellent narrative history."
"--"Jon Meacham, "New York Times" bestselling author of" Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power"
"Clarke makes the drama, the excitement, and the dark side of Camelot seem like only yesterday--indeed, you feel as though you're right there, in the Kennedy White House, at Hyannis Port, and aboard Air Force One with JFK, today."
--Strobe Talbott, President, Brookings Institution
"A fascinating, close-up look at the final dramatic months of a young president's life. Thurston Clarke's portrait of Kennedy is masterful in this compelling convergence of history and biography."
--Bob Herbert, Distinguished Senior Fellow at Demos and former Op-Ed Columnist for the "New York Times"
"The three-months before President John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas were frenetic times: civil rights, Vietnam, Berlin and reelection were on his mind. Thurston Clarke's "JFK's Last Hundred Days" does a marvelous job of reliving Camelot's fragile promise. Clarke is a masterful storyteller and able researcher. This book sings. Highly recommended."
--Douglas Brinkley, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Cronkite"
Praise for JFK s Last Hundred Days (2013):
"A real page-turner makes for a great and stimulating vacation read deftly weav[es] together the private, personal, and intimate with the public, the political, and the-then-secret public and political, makes one want to keep reading to find out even more of the scoop."
Daily Beast
"[A] compelling portrait of one of the towering figures of 20th-cnetury America."
Christian Science Monitor
"There will be few, if any, contributions more entertaining and informative than Thurston Clarke's comprehensive chronological telling of his last 100 days in office."
Financial Times
"A fascinating analysis of what was and what might have been."
Booklist
"Demonstrates that three often painful years in office had taught Kennedy valuable lessons Clarke delivers a thoroughly delightful portrait."
Kirkus (starred)
"A graceful, bittersweet chronicle Clarke clearly admires Kennedy but does not ignore his flaws an absorbing narrative."
Library Journal
"Camelot devotees will relish insider details, from descriptions of an obviously depressed Vice President Johnson 'growling at anyone who disturbed him' to dismissive jabs at Sen. Barry Goldwater taken from the president s official diary."
Publishers Weekly
"Thurston Clarke has done the seemingly impossible: he has found a revealing new angle of vision on John F. Kennedy that brings the president and his times back to vivid life. This is excellent narrative history."
Jon Meacham, New York Times bestselling author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power
Clarke makes the drama, the excitement, and the dark side of Camelot seem like only yesterday indeed, you feel as though you re right there, in the Kennedy White House, at Hyannis Port, and aboard Air Force One with JFK, today.
Strobe Talbott, President, Brookings Institution
"A fascinating, close-up look at the final dramatic months of a young president's life. Thurston Clarke's portrait of Kennedy is masterful in this compelling convergence of history and biography."
Bob Herbert, Distinguished Senior Fellow at Demos and former Op-Ed Columnist for the New York Times
"The three-months before President John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas were frenetic times: civil rights, Vietnam, Berlin and reelection were on his mind. Thurston Clarke's JFK's Last Hundred Days does a marvelous job of reliving Camelot's fragile promise. Clarke is a masterful storyteller and able researcher. This book sings. Highly recommended."
Douglas Brinkley, New York Times bestselling author of Cronkite"
Praise for JFK's Last Hundred Days (2013): "A real page-turner... makes for a great and stimulating vacation read... deftly weav[es] together the private, personal, and intimate with the public, the political, and the-then-secret public and political, makes one want to keep reading to find out even more of the scoop."
--Daily Beast "[A] compelling portrait of one of the towering figures of 20th-cnetury America."
--Christian Science Monitor "There will be few, if any, contributions more entertaining and informative than Thurston Clarke's comprehensive chronological telling of his last 100 days in office."
--Financial Times "A fascinating analysis of what was... and what might have been."
--Booklist "Demonstrates that three often painful years in office had taught Kennedy valuable lessons... Clarke delivers a thoroughly delightful portrait."
--Kirkus (starred) "A graceful, bittersweet chronicle... Clarke clearly admires Kennedy but does not ignore his flaws... an absorbing narrative."
--Library Journal "Camelot devotees will relish insider details, from descriptions of an obviously depressed Vice President Johnson 'growling at anyone who disturbed him' to dismissive jabs at Sen. Barry Goldwater taken from the president's official diary."
--Publishers Weekly "Thurston Clarke has done the seemingly impossible: he has found a revealing new angle of vision on John F. Kennedy that brings the president and his times back to vivid life. This is excellent narrative history."
--Jon Meacham, New York Times bestselling author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power "Clarke makes the drama, the excitement, and the dark side of Camelot seem like only yesterday--indeed, you feel as though you're right there, in the Kennedy White House, at Hyannis Port, and aboard Air Force One with JFK, today."
--Strobe Talbott, President, Brookings Institution "A fascinating, close-up look at the final dramatic months of a young president's life. Thurston Clarke's portrait of Kennedy is masterful in this compelling convergence of history and biography."
--Bob Herbert, Distinguished Senior Fellow at Demos and former Op-Ed Columnist for the New York Times "The three-months before President John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas were frenetic times: civil rights, Vietnam, Berlin and reelection were on his mind. Thurston Clarke's JFK's Last Hundred Days does a marvelous job of reliving Camelot's fragile promise. Clarke is a masterful storyteller and able researcher. This book sings. Highly recommended."
--Douglas Brinkley, New York Times bestselling author of Cronkite
THURSTON CLARKE has written nine books of fiction and non-fiction, including Pearl Harbor Ghosts and California Fault, a New York Times notable book. His articles have been published in Vanity Fair, Glamour, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. He is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and received the Lowell Thomas Award for travel literature.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherMacmillan Audio
- Publication date2004
- ISBN 10 1593975511
- ISBN 13 9781593975517
- BindingAudio CD
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