Almost a half-century has passed since the brief presidency of John F. Kennedy illuminated the American political scene. His presence is still felt today. He had a special magnetism- flair, aspirations to great deeds, and contagious confidence. And his tenure in the White House occurred in the midst of dramatic world events and personalities. After an initial honeymoon with historians, many of whom were seduced by the Camelot myth, in recent years Kennedy has been more carefully scrutinized, resulting in a wide range of assessments of his presidency and his life.

Preface
Chapter 1: The Kennedy System
Chapter 2: Education
Chapter 3: World War II and Aftermath
Chapter 4: Congress and the 1952 Senate Election
Chapter 5: Senate Years
Chapter 6: Running for President
Chapter 7: The Bay of Pigs and Berlin
Chapter 8: Domestic Affairs and the Economy
Chapter 9: Civil Rights
Chapter 10: The Cuban Missile Crisis
Chapter 11: Vietnam
Chapter 12: Mind, Personality, and Image
Chapter 13: White House Life: Work and Family
Chapter 14: Women and Sex
Chapter 15: Searching for Peace
Chapter 16: Death in the Fall