An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy 1917-1963An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy 1917-1963
Score Modern
What it's about
Robert Dallek tells the life of John F. Kennedy, drawing on medical records released for the first time. They show that behind the image of youthful vigor, Kennedy suffered from serious illnesses, including Addison's disease and constant back pain, and took many medications. Dallek follows him from a rich, competitive family through the war, politics, the presidency and Dallas.
Why it's worth reading
It spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times list. It's a balanced, revealing one-volume biography.
You'll love it if you liked
Profiles in Courage
The Best and the Brightest
American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880-1964Good to know
It covers his affairs and his health frankly.
By the numbers
- Readers43 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller38 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #239 of the 290 memoirs and biographies we rank
- #1109 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #2048 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story
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Quick answers
Is An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy 1917-1963 worth reading?
Yes. It spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times list. It ranks #2,048 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 63.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy 1917-1963 about?
Robert Dallek tells the life of John F. Kennedy, drawing on medical records released for the first time. They show that behind the image of youthful vigor, Kennedy suffered from serious illnesses, including Addison's disease and constant back pain, and took many medications. Dallek follows him from a rich, competitive family through the war, politics, the presidency and Dallas.
How long does it take to read An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy 1917-1963?
About 21 hours (848 pages), or about 6 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy 1917-1963?
If you liked it, try Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy, The Best and the Brightest by David Halberstam or American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880-1964 by William Manchester.