Becoming JFK: A Profile in Communication

(Hardback)

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John F. Kennedy began his political communication in the neighborhoods of the Eleventh Congressional District of Massachusetts, using informal more than formal speaking as he learned to speak and began his career as a political leader. For 18 years he practiced the art of communication that is so intrinsic to the art of politicsspeeches, small group deliberation, stump speaking in campaigns, radio and television press conferences, debates, and interviews. Silvestri describes the political and social contexts that shaped Kennedy's earliest efforts as a communicator and politician until his death in 1963. His first campaign became the blueprint for his future political contests; his warnings as Congressman and Senator about Vietnam and Algeria proved prophetic. Kennedy's greatest communication tests involved his persuasion of the public that a Roman Catholic had the right to run for President, his memorable Inaugural Address to a world deadlocked in nuclear stockpiling, his deliberation in the Cuban Missile crisis, his eloquent reasoning for peaceful measures and conciliatory attitudes through his address at American University, his advocacy of civil rights, and his televised presidencyhistorical firsts for a charismatic American leader of the nuclear half of the 20th century. Scholars, students, and other researchers as well as lay readers will find this study of JKF, political communication, and recent American history fascinating and instructive.

Reviews

The strength of Professor Silvestri's book is in fulfilling the promise implied in its title. This is a fine presentation of the evolution of John F. Kennedy's political thought and rhetorical prowess.-Rhetoric & Public Affairs
"The strength of Professor Silvestri's book is in fulfilling the promise implied in its title. This is a fine presentation of the evolution of John F. Kennedy's political thought and rhetorical prowess."-Rhetoric & Public Affairs

Author Bio

VITO N. SILVESTRI is Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies at Emerson College, Boston, MA, and President of Professional Communication Skills for Professionals./e He has taught speech and communication studies for 40 years and has served as consultant to business and non-profit organizations. In 1998 he was awarded the Theodore C. Sorensen Research Fellowship from the Kennedy Library Foundation. He has written a number of articles on John F. Kennedy.