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Examines John F. Kennedy's development as a communicator during his 18-year public career.

Table of Contents

Preface
Part I: The Early Years: Discovering His Public Voice, 1945-1952
Beginning the Political Journey: Being Worthy of Your Times
The First Campaign: Stumping the Neighborhoods
The Habit of Discussion and Debate: On the Way to Becoming a Senator
The Independent Voice of John F. Kennedy
The Senator from Massachusetts Speaks
Young Man in a Hurry
Three Speeches from Kennedy's Senatorial Career: 1953-1960: Vietnam, Algeria, Harvard Commencement Address
Campaigning for the Presidency, 1956-1960
Nationalizing a New England Accent: Beginning the Presidential Campaign, 1956-1960
Kennedy's Primary Campaigns: Wisconsin and West Virginia
The Presidential Campaign, Part I: Squaring Off on the Religion Issue
The Presidential Campaign, Part II: The First Presidential Televised Debates
Election Outcome: TV, Religion and African-American Influences
The President Communicates
The Inaugural Address: January 20, 1961
1961: A Year of Crisis, Steadfastness, and Innovation
Drama and Dialogue about Nuclear Suicide: The Cuban Missile Crisis
Words of Peace Change the Cold War Dialogue: To Win a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
Reaffirmation and Revitalization: Kennedy's Summer Tour of Europe, 1963: Ich Bin Ein Berliner
Kennedy and Vietnam: Public and Private Communication
Civil Rights: Kennedy Initiates a Second Reconstruction
A Television Presidency
Epilogue: John F. Kennedy as a Communicator
Bibliography
Index

About the Author

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.

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