Rating: 
Summary: The New Frontier Revisited
Review: Several themes permeate this work of investigative journalism. The arrogance of wealth, the conceit of position, and the mendacity of politicians stagger the casual reader. It is complete folly to elevate any president to the mythic realms of "Camelot." Presidents should be viewed as three-dimensional human beings subject to the common limits of that predicament.John Kennedy's personal life was not circumspect, and his political methods not always clean and honorable. It is astonishing by current standards, but his personal peccadilloes had the tacit approval of the news media and the U.S. government agencies (i.e., the FBI) that enabled him to continue his reckless double life after becoming president. The Kennedy family had the money and influence to achieve power. According to this book, the sons perpetuated the sins of the father. The people described in the book viewed reckless personal behavior an entitlement of their family name. It is a sharp contrast to the familiar public image of grace, refinement, and charm of the Kennedy White House that was typical of the early '60s. Differentiating between fact and rumor is the challenge of reading investigative journalism, especially a book that tells of the moral turpitude of a major public figure. The author's research is exhaustive and builds a compelling case. The lengthy footnotes and other digressions documenting the authenticity of the sources can annoy the reader by disrupting a smooth narrative. The Freedom of Information Act made vital records available in the '90s that were off limts in the '60s. These sources lend credibility to the book's assertions. The dismayed disillusionment of the Secret Service agents is easy to believe, for example, after they observed the fraternity house behavior of JFK and his cronies that occurred in the White House when the First Lady was out of town. The book's tone is objective in spite of the tabloid level topics. For comic relief there is the description of the Kennedy brothers' feud with Fidel Castro. JFK and Robert Kennedy viewed the Bay of Pigs fiasco as a personal affront to the Kennedy aura. They cast Castro in the role of the scruffy villain, not an unreasonable image for him. The CIA's fantastic retaliation plots are the stuff of some hack writer's spy thriller. The "Spy vs Spy" antics eventually came to nothing, but the bemused reader can only wonder how the U.S. government could consider such absurdities. Exploding fountain pens! Good grief! Reading this book is both fascinating and repulsive, a very unsettling experience that destroys the "Camelot" image of the Kennedy era. The central theme of John F. Kennedy's morally ambiguous personal life is riveting. Let the reader beware!
Rating: 
Summary: It's Just History
Review: As a child of the 60's, I grew up adoring the Kennedy family and like millions of others, wept when JFK died and Camelot was shattered. Life went on and we kept our fond memories close to our hearts. Then came Seymour M. Hersh. THE DARK SIDE OF CAMELOT is a perfect title for this book. It is very well written and most certainly is a "page turner" investigation of the Kennedy's before and during John's presidency. JFK was charming, charismatic, rich and the most powerful man in the free world. That is a deadly combination - especially when the press (unlike today) turn their backs or do not report everything they see and hear. Mr. Hersh has written a book that exposes the warts and moles of the Kennedy clan without bashing. He simply presents the information as it was told to him by the people who were there. It's been a long time, we've all grown up and it's time to see how it really was. Does the book change my feelings about Camelot? Not in the least, and I don't believe that was Mr. Hersh's intent. It's just history.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Journalism
Review: This book is well worth reading. I have never been a Kennedy-hater, nor an apologist, but think that this book is important and accurate in dispelling the annoying Camelot myth. Americans should be offended, not just morally, but because JFK compromised American security unhesitatingly. I strongly disagree with repeating sentiments in previous reviews. This is not just a rehash; there is much new supporting evidence, and added material. Also, this is not based on "rumors." Hersh is explanatory about sources to the point that it impedes the narrative -- but is important to his credibility. I give the book four stars because the style leaves a little to be desired, but is still quite agreeable. The content is above reproach. A generation of people who did not live through the assassination do not buy into the concept of "American royalty" -- bought, not earned -- and do not hold a man of youth, beauty and intelligence above the basic standards of decency and statesmanship.
Rating:
Summary: THE BOOK WAS TRUE AND TO THE POINT
Review: Mister hersh did a fine job with a in a no nonsince way. I would like to talk to him about a book I am trying to write about the bay of pigs and my part in it I think He would be the best one to co write it with me and would add the help I need to finish it. my book is called [shattered dreams]by auther Pastor Joe H. Hill
Rating:
Summary: Our own century's answer to England's Charles II.
Review: Hersh's biography paints a portrait of John F. Kennedy that looks very much like diarist Samuel Pepys' sketches of the younger Charles Stewart, the hardheaded, brilliant, complex and promiscuous king who led Restoration England's version of Camelot in the late 1600s. It shows that viewing the guts of the political process, like the making of sausage, may not be pleasant for the squeamish. Which, frankly, is why I'm only an engineer, not a statesman.
Rating:
Summary: Pure Brilliant,
Review: I have had the pleasure of reading this book and I love books on JFK, but this is truthfull and an exciting read, I hadn't long finished this book when I began it again.
Rating: 
Summary: It's hard to make the Kennedy story boring...
Review: A poorly written "investigative" piece using circumstantial evidence to support its condemnation of the Kennedy family. Other novels and biographies have been able to tell the story of the Kennedys' corruption without sounding fanatical in its obsession with obscure facts and events. The writer sounds almost petulant.
Rating:
Summary: Truth ,nothing but the truth, thank God!!
Review: Finally ,someone had the courage to tell the truth about a family who was as power crazy as Hitler every thought about being ,The corruption of this family has brought a curse on all thier generations for years to come , I despise their name and saw through their act years ago , since JFK is Bill Clintons hero I`m suprized that he is still alive . Boy we sure live in a different time , Don`t we ?
Rating:
Summary: JFK had two very different sides/on both he was a real man
Review: The book merely confirmed what had been rumored for so long. JFK, like so many before him, and some after, liked all the things power can bring.We must all realize that powerful men, men of position and men of money can and do use both to bring about any desired outcome. I was not appalled to read anything in Hersh's book. The book is well researched and well written. Whether everything is true, matters not. The picture is quite clear. As we watch the Clinton story unfold, this might have been JFK if things had been different. I am still a great fan of the late president and nothing I read caused me reason for concern.We do need more books like this. I think its time we get to look at both sides of our leaders. Not that I think we need perfect people to run our country, I just think we need put our money and energy into something besides watching hearings and buying tee shirts with a message. get the book and get the facts and move on.
Rating:
Summary: Muckraking, but there is much muck to rake
Review: Another nail in the coffin of the Kennedy legend, or perhaps a stake through the heart. The best chapter is the Cuban Missile Crisis which according to Hersh resulted from the obsessive attempts of the Kennedy brothers to overthrow the Castro regime including the use of assassination. This prompted protective measures by the Soviet Union. The Kennedys don't look so good, neither do Robert McNamera, and Dean Rusk, who Hersh claims lied to Congress when asked if there was a deal to swap missiles in Cuba for US missles in Turkey. I thought lying to Congress is a crime, remember Iran-Conta. No book on JFK would be complete without discussing his his sexual exploits. I think Hersh deals with this topic appropriately. For example, his affair with Judith Cambell Exner transcends the merely personal because it made JFK vulnerable to blackmail. Exner acted as a personal carrier for messages and money between JFK and Chicago mobster Sam Giancana. Once she delivered a satchel of money to Sam under the watchful eye of Martin Underwood, who I have seen relate this story on national television. Then there are the romps with Ellen Rometsch, Washington DC prostitute, native of East Germany and former member of a Communist Party group there. Unfortunately for JFK Ellen gossiped and the Kennedy people had their hands full covering that one up. No doubt Kennedy defenders will dismiss all this as a bunch of lies and attack Hersh for trying to tarnish the image of their icon. One thing is for sure, JFK would never survive the background check for security clearance if he were an ordinary citizen.
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