Rising Star, Setting Sun: Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and the Presidential Transition That Changed America
John T. Shaw
(Author)
21,000+ Reviews
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Description
A monumental new history reveals how the transition of power from Eisenhower to Kennedy marked more than a succession of presidents--it was the culmination of a generational shift in American politics, policy and culture. After winning the presidency by a razor-thin victory on November 8, 1960 over Richard Nixon, Dwight D. Eisenhower's former vice president, John F. Kennedy became the thirty-fifth president of the United States. But beneath the stately veneers of both Ike and JFK, there was a complex and consequential rivalry. In Rising Star, Setting Sun, John T. Shaw focuses on the intense ten-week transition between JFK's electoral victory and his inauguration on January 20, 1961. In just over two months, America would transition into a new age, and nowhere was it more marked that in the generational and personal difference between these two men and their dueling visions for the country they led. The former general espoused frugality, prudence, and stewardship. The young political wünderkid embodied dramatic themes and sweeping social change. Extensively researched and eloquently written, Shaw paints a vivid picture of what Time called a "turning point in the twentieth century" as Americans today find themselves poised on the cusp of another watershed moment in our nation's history.
Product Details
Price
$29.95
$27.85
Publisher
Pegasus Books
Publish Date
May 01, 2018
Pages
336
Dimensions
6.1 X 1.3 X 9.1 inches | 1.15 pounds
Language
English
Type
Hardcover
EAN/UPC
9781681777320
BISAC Categories:
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About the Author
John T. Shaw is the author of four previous books, including most recently JFK in the Senate: A Pathway to the Presidency. He's covered Congress for Market News International for nearly twenty-five years, and has also been a contributing writer for the Washington Diplomat and has been a guest on PBS NewsHour and C-SPAN. He lives in Washington D.C.
Reviews
A focused history of the period between Election Day 1960 and Inauguration Day 1961.
essential and entertaining reading for anyone interested in the American presidency.--Betty K. Koed, Historian
With telling details and anecdotes, a keen understanding of the principals and their times, and a vigorous narrative that sweeps the reader through his story, Shaw provides a colorful and constructive account of American democracy at work.
While Shaw ostensibly focuses on the transition period between the two administrations exiting and entering the White House, his sweeping book covers much more ground. Shaw's elegant style and attention to history serve as a reminder of that peaceful transition that was a turning point in the 20th century.
A gripping examination of the transfer of power between Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy at a critical moment in history.
Even though John Shaw's superbly-written narrative concentrates on the transition from Dwight Eisenhower to John Kennedy, he has accomplished far more by characterizing the strengths and weaknesses of these two epochal figures throughout their presidential years.--Irwin F. Gellman author, The President and the Apprentice
Shaw's account deftly balances anecdote and analysis, making this a valuable read for those interested in both J.F.K. the pol and J.F.K. the person.
A captivating account of Kennedy's often overlooked formative years in the Senate. A fascinating read.--Senator Robert Casey of Pennsylvania [praise for 'JFK in the Senate']
essential and entertaining reading for anyone interested in the American presidency.--Betty K. Koed, Historian
With telling details and anecdotes, a keen understanding of the principals and their times, and a vigorous narrative that sweeps the reader through his story, Shaw provides a colorful and constructive account of American democracy at work.
While Shaw ostensibly focuses on the transition period between the two administrations exiting and entering the White House, his sweeping book covers much more ground. Shaw's elegant style and attention to history serve as a reminder of that peaceful transition that was a turning point in the 20th century.
A gripping examination of the transfer of power between Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy at a critical moment in history.
Even though John Shaw's superbly-written narrative concentrates on the transition from Dwight Eisenhower to John Kennedy, he has accomplished far more by characterizing the strengths and weaknesses of these two epochal figures throughout their presidential years.--Irwin F. Gellman author, The President and the Apprentice
Shaw's account deftly balances anecdote and analysis, making this a valuable read for those interested in both J.F.K. the pol and J.F.K. the person.
A captivating account of Kennedy's often overlooked formative years in the Senate. A fascinating read.--Senator Robert Casey of Pennsylvania [praise for 'JFK in the Senate']
