The Patriarch: The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy Paperback – Illustrated, 30 April 2015

I must say, I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. I think, being Jewish, Joseph Kennedy has always been, in my mind, the Nazi sympathizing, antisemitic head of one of America's most famous and influential families. Nasaw, however, has spent a large part of this book examining Kennedy's time as Ambassador to the Court of St. James, his views on appeasement, Hitler, and Jews, in general. According to him, Kennedy wasn't so much a Nazi sympathizer, as he was a strong believer that for America's sake it was better to work with Hitler, than against him. Nasaw spends some time emphasizing that Kennedy did not agree with the Nazi regime and especially its overly enthusiastic discrimination of Jews. He brings as proof a letter his son Joe Jr. wrote, in which Joe Jr praises the Nazis and condones their treatment of Jews (p.200), whereby Kennedy agrees with his son's analysis yet responds that the treatment of the Jews is a little too excessive. Nasaw also shows many places where Kennedy tried to help Jewish refugees, yet at the same time he points out that Kennedy didn't really spend much time or thought on it, as he felt there were much more important issues to worry about. In my mind, it seems, the author is attempting to reshape our conventional understanding of Kennedy, but I'm not so sure he's been that successful. Kennedy definitely shared some fascist beliefs, which the author doesn't delve much into, and he was definitely no fan of Jews. Putting these together, I'm not sure Kennedy has been totally cleared of these labels, but it seems there is definitely a lot more to think about. That said, two of Kennedy's children asked Nasaw to write the book, so although he denies this affected his research, I think it would definitely shape the way he portrays their father.The author has obviously brushed over some of the more negative aspects of Kennedy's life. For example, at Bethlehem Steel he apparently caused a huge strike and was forced into a lesser position, despite the achievements Nasaw points out. And his homelife wasn't so simple either. Rose clearly was much more aware of his womanizing than the author lets on and she even left him for a bit before her father convinced her to return.As for the book itself, the writing is very good, although I enjoyed the political and personal bits much more than the business sections, and I truly felt sorry for the man who eventually lost four children and who never visited his eldest daughter again after the early 1940s. It was very intriguing to hear how his foundation spent so much money on behalf of retarded children, an issue that was plainly dear to his heart, yet he could never bring himself to visit his daughter in the years after her failed lobotomy.Kennedy was a complex, intriguing figure. There were many things to like about him, and a great many more things not to, but his biography is well worth a read.

This book looks thoroughly at the life, and times, of Joseph P Kennedy, the driven head of the Kennedy clan, which produced a number of... significance(?).The book is very thorough, and pretty balanced investigation of his life (save the period at the end of his life, when he was terminally ill). He is portrayed as a ruthless individual who loved, but put a lot of pressure, on his children. The book discusses all his children, including Rosemary, in some detail. When they aren't being discussed, Kennedy's business, and political dealings, are discussed in a similar amount of detail. The result was that you might end up thinking he couldn't get on the right side of some issues, if he tried.There were some incongruities. In the audiobook, for example, one acolyte is described as having committed suicide, while the book said he died in a swimming pool. This makes me wonder if there are some things that I missed that were inaccurate too.All in all, however, it was an interesting read.

I wish I had read this book before any other `s pertaining to the Kennedy`s.This book suggests there was never any link or friendships with organised crime or assistance in vote fraud also it is very hard to believe Kennedy (snr) being a self made man needed anything from the mob.Yes he clearly used his money to pave the political way for his children but any wealthy parent would do the same.His only crime in my eyes was with daughter Rosemary, who should never have been lobotomised but I also believe his stroke leaving him without speech must have made him realise Rosemary`s outcome.A very factual and true account of this remarkable but cursed family.Reading between the lines it is fairly obvious the demise of Jack and Bobby was the CIA but I wouldn't be surprised if the Vatican was involved.

Very well written book. I am always drawn to biographies written by historians as they tend to be the most informative. This one is no exception. Nasaw delves incredible detail and has written a book that is well worth the read. His views are largely invisible throughout the book in an attempt to just paint the picture without judgement.Things have most likely changed nowadays but it is amazing how well you can understand someone by their personal hand-written letters. Emails are just not the same

thoroughly enjoyed this book, being interested in Joe Kennedy for years. some facts were a little hazy and are certainly arguable but overall this is a great read.

I originally purchased the first volume of Fredrik Logevall' s JFK Coming of age in the American Century and Amazon suggested The Patriarch as a companion read.The biography of Joseph P. Kennedy is extremely well told and it provides the context for his sons ability to serve in Public Service as they were set up to be independently wealthy so they would not have to worry about an income.Joseph P was a self-made man working against the prejudices towards the Irish of the times. His life covers significant business and political aspects of the first half of the 20th century and though he was on the wrong side of history regarding his actions and beliefs in the Second World War, his sons were able to overcome this and succeed in politics in the 50s and 60s before the assinations of both Jack and Bobby.Highly recommended as a well written book and useful as a comprehensive background to the Kennedy story.

Amazing portrayal of greed fueled by skill.

Libro muy ameno e ilustrativo

If the story of the Kennedy dynasty were not true, some brilliant and highly imaginative fiction writer would sooner or later concoct it. It would be terrific fodder for a good old-fashioned television mini-series, although it would no doubt be faulted for being too unrealistic and far-fetched.In current usage, "amazing" is the most over-taxed word in the English language, but - truly - the history of this family is nothing short of "amazing.""The Patriarch" is the story of Joseph P. Kennedy, the progenitor of a political empire. Joseph P., of Irish descent, was not the first Kennedy who trod these shores, but it is with this remarkable figure that the story really begins.Although not exactly born into poverty (his father was a small-time local Boston politician), Joseph P. was the epitome of the self-made man and, to that extent, this is a uniquely American saga. (Note: It didn’t hurt that he married very well, to the daughter of the mayor of Boston.)Joseph P. Kennedy had an unparalleled career and is, arguably, one of the most fascinating personages in the history of the U.S....certainly in the history of capitalism. And it is all laid out in painstaking, well-researched detail in this marvelous masterpiece.In the course of a mind-bogglingly varied and ambition-driven career - which involved banking, Hollywood and film-making, a position with the Federal Maritime Commission, Wall Street and stock brokerage, a presidency at the newly formed Securities and Exchange Commission, and [...stop to catch breath...] an American ambassadorship to Great Britain during one of the most dramatic periods of history - Kennedy amassed great wealth and became filthy rich back in the day when being filthy rich really meant something.Upon retiring from public life, he worked diligently behind the scenes to push his sons toward success. Reading the last few chapters of this book and about the jaw-dropping tragedies that befell the clan (especially Joe Jr., Rosemary, “Kick,” Jack and Bobby), I couldn't help thinking about literary themes such as "hubris" and the "sins of the fathers." Even the fable of Icarus - who dreamed of flying to the sun but, alas, came too close - entered my mind.Throughout my reading of this book, I was struck - and really quite touched - by Kennedy's unstinting devotion to his family. How a man with his schedule and responsibilities found the time to sit down and actually compose letters to his nine children from whatever part of the country (or world) he happened to be in at that time just defies belief. (Imagine a busy parent doing anything so "quaint" in today's world.) These letters supply much of the raw material for this opus."The Patriarch" is a massive tome (almost 800 pages), a monumental undertaking and a magnificent achievement. My only complaint was that it sometimes got bogged down in arcane economics and politics that put it beyond the reach of ordinary humans like me, but that says more about my own shortcomings than any shortcomings of this impressive work.In his introduction, author David Nasaw explains how the Kennedy family approached him to write this book about their…well…patriarch. That being the case, no doubt the author had access to materials (personal letters in particular) that would not have otherwise been available. I suspect, on the other hand, that because he knew where his bread was buttered, so to speak, the author may have been guilty of a certain amount of white-washing vis-à-vis the allegations of bootlegging, insider trading, influence-peddling and mob dealings that plagued and perhaps tarnished Kennedy's legend.Bottom line: For anyone who - like myself - has harbored a lifelong fascination with the Kennedys, this book is like a primer. An extremely well-written and astonishingly detailed work.

Sehr interessant manchen wusste ich noch nicht von den Kennedies. Eine tolle familie aber viel Tragödien in der familie. Weiter so.