JFK'S 1ST BOOK PUBLISHED 74 YEARS AGO TODAY
New York City (JFK+50) Why England Slept, twenty-three year old John F. Kennedy's first book,was published here in New York City 74 years ago today, August 1, 1940, by Funk, Inc.
The book, adapted from Mr. Kennedy's senior thesis at Harvard University, was an analysis of Great Britain's delay in building up its military while Adolf Hitler's Third Reich was in the process of rearming.
The title of the book is based on the 1938 work "While England Slept" by Winston Churchill.
The introduction is written by Henry R. Luce of Time Magazine.
Mr. Luce writes:
"In recent months there has been a certain amount of alarm concerning the 'attitude' of the younger generation. If John Kennedy is characteristic of the younger generation--and I believe he is--many of us would be happy to have the destiny of the Republic handed over to his generation at once."
Why England Slept sold 80,000 copies in Britain and the United States. Proceeds from sales in the U.K. were donated to the town of Plymouth which had been bombed by the German air force.
According to a 2005 book review available at www.TaoYue.com...
"'Why England Slept' is not overwhelmingly brilliant....but it does provide an intriguing glance at the attitude of 1940 and at the formative years of a legendary American political figure of the 20th century.
Kennedy's articulate style forms a lucid account of all the facts and occasionally flashes into a foreshadowing of future brilliance."
JFK SPOKE AT NAVAL ACADEMY 51 YEARS AGO
Annapolis, Maryland (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy, a veteran of the United States Navy during World War II, addressed, as commander-in-chief, a new class of midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy fifty-one years ago today, August 1, 1963.
President Kennedy said:
"I can think of no more rewarding a career. You will have a chance to serve the cause of freedom and your country all over the world.
This is a hard job...but I think it develops...those qualities which we like to see in our country, which we take pride in...
Your service is needed....your opportunities are unlimited...and...if I were a young man in 1963 I can imagine no place to be better than right here at this academy...beginning a career of service to the United States.
Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy'".
U.S. PATROL TORPEDO BOATS ACTIVE IN SOLOMON ISLANDS 71 YEARS AGO TODAY
Solomon Islands, South Pacific (JFK+50) Japanese bombers raided the Rendova Harbor PT base on Lombardi Island here in the Solomon Islands seventy-one years ago today, August 1, 1943.
The purpose of the attack was to clear the way for five Japanese warships, called "The Tokyo Express" by American sailors, running from the northern Solomon Islands to Vila to the south.
At 6:30 p.m. local time, fifteen patrol-torpedo (PT) boats were sent out by the United States Navy.
One of these boats was PT-109 commanded by Lt. (j.g.) John F. Kennedy.
All 15 PTs reached their designated stations by 8:30 p.m.
New York City (JFK+50) Why England Slept, twenty-three year old John F. Kennedy's first book,was published here in New York City 74 years ago today, August 1, 1940, by Funk, Inc.
The book, adapted from Mr. Kennedy's senior thesis at Harvard University, was an analysis of Great Britain's delay in building up its military while Adolf Hitler's Third Reich was in the process of rearming.
The title of the book is based on the 1938 work "While England Slept" by Winston Churchill.
The introduction is written by Henry R. Luce of Time Magazine.
Mr. Luce writes:
"In recent months there has been a certain amount of alarm concerning the 'attitude' of the younger generation. If John Kennedy is characteristic of the younger generation--and I believe he is--many of us would be happy to have the destiny of the Republic handed over to his generation at once."
First Edition
Original Price $2
Why England Slept sold 80,000 copies in Britain and the United States. Proceeds from sales in the U.K. were donated to the town of Plymouth which had been bombed by the German air force.
According to a 2005 book review available at www.TaoYue.com...
"'Why England Slept' is not overwhelmingly brilliant....but it does provide an intriguing glance at the attitude of 1940 and at the formative years of a legendary American political figure of the 20th century.
Kennedy's articulate style forms a lucid account of all the facts and occasionally flashes into a foreshadowing of future brilliance."
Reprint from the JFK Library
$86.95 (2011 price)
JFK SPOKE AT NAVAL ACADEMY 51 YEARS AGO
Annapolis, Maryland (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy, a veteran of the United States Navy during World War II, addressed, as commander-in-chief, a new class of midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy fifty-one years ago today, August 1, 1963.
President Kennedy said:
"I can think of no more rewarding a career. You will have a chance to serve the cause of freedom and your country all over the world.
This is a hard job...but I think it develops...those qualities which we like to see in our country, which we take pride in...
Your service is needed....your opportunities are unlimited...and...if I were a young man in 1963 I can imagine no place to be better than right here at this academy...beginning a career of service to the United States.
Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy'".
Navy Recruiting Poster
U.S. PATROL TORPEDO BOATS ACTIVE IN SOLOMON ISLANDS 71 YEARS AGO TODAY
Solomon Islands, South Pacific (JFK+50) Japanese bombers raided the Rendova Harbor PT base on Lombardi Island here in the Solomon Islands seventy-one years ago today, August 1, 1943.
The purpose of the attack was to clear the way for five Japanese warships, called "The Tokyo Express" by American sailors, running from the northern Solomon Islands to Vila to the south.
At 6:30 p.m. local time, fifteen patrol-torpedo (PT) boats were sent out by the United States Navy.
One of these boats was PT-109 commanded by Lt. (j.g.) John F. Kennedy.
All 15 PTs reached their designated stations by 8:30 p.m.
JFK and Crew of PT109
