Scott Badler

The untold journey of an icon in the making, Becoming JFK skillfully brings to life the adventurous but consequential early year of John. F. Kennedy. From his transformative experiences in Europe on the brink of war that leads to his first bestseller to his own controversial heroism as skipper of the doomed PT-109, Kennedy is always where the action is. That includes cavorting with a suspected Nazi who is the love of his life, to the opposition of his father, Ambassador to England Joseph Kennedy and the US government. The book is also a lens into the dynamic, often tumultuous Kennedy family where Jack's older, but hot-headed brother, Joe is expected to be the first Catholic President. Groundbreaking revelations prove that by the time Joe has died in the war, Jack had already passed him. There would be no President Kennedy without the PT-109 episode, but readers will be see that Kennedy was negligent before the catastrophe, but that his guilt may have led him to make superhuman effort that helped save his crew. When he returns from the war, mature but war weary, Jack covers the founding of the United Nations in San Francisco then begins his political career as he campaigns for a congressional seat office. With a collection of rare photos, Becoming JFK invites readers to see a more intimate younger side of one of America's most beloved presidents. 

JFK & the Muckers of Choate is available at Amazon.com and B&N.com.