[Rarebooks] fs: Two scarce Kennedy items

[Back Creek Books]

Greetings Booklovers,

We are pleased to offer these two important JFK pieces:
~
(No. 7270 )  [Kennedy, John F.] Hersey, John. A REPORTER AT LARGE: SURVIVAL 
(PAGES 27-38, NEW YORKER MAGAZINE, VOL. XX, NO. 18, JUNE 17, 1944).
New York: F. R. Publishing Corporation, 1944. Magazine, Quarto, 72 pages, 
color & black and white illustrations, ads. Very Good.
      This is a complete, original issue of the 'New Yorker' magazine 
containing the first appearance of John Hersey's story of John F. Kennedy 
and PT-109. Hersey was a Kennedy family friend, and this article was crucial 
in establishing the war hero image that launched JFK's political career in 
1946. The PT boat Kennedy commanded in the Pacific was rammed by a Japanese 
destroyer and sunk in 1943. While there was no doubt that young Lt. Kennedy 
acted with heroism after the sinking, many veteran PT commanders suspected 
that negligence caused the incident in the first place since a PT boat was 
much faster and more maneuverable than a large destroyer. Indeed, this is 
the only time a PT-boat was sunk after being rammed by the enemy in World 
War II. This 'New Yorker' appearance is unabridged and more scarce than the 
condensed 'Reader's Digest' version published two months later. This copy of 
the magazine remains in very good condition. No significant wear, but a 
prior owner has reinforced the covers along the spine with black cloth tape. 
A handsome example of this essential Kennedy item....... $250.00
- Photo(s), secure ordering: 
http://www.tomfolio.com/mall/backcreekbooks/bookdetails.asp?book=7270
~
(No. 2996 )  [Kennedy, John F.] Hersey, John. SURVIVAL: FROM A PT BASE IN 
THE SOLOMONS COMES THIS NIGHTMARE EPIC OF THE WILL-TO-LIVE (READER'S DIGEST, 
V. 45, AUGUST 1944, PAGES 75-80).
Pleasantville: Reader's Digest Assoc., Inc., 1944. Magazine, Duodecimo, 128 
pages. Very Good.
      Complete issue of Reader's Digest magazine containing John Hersey's 
story of John F. Kennedy and PT-109. To put it simply, this is the article 
that launched Kennedy's political career. Hersey, a Kennedy family friend, 
first published this flattering account in the 'New Yorker.' But Joe 
Kennedy, unhappy with the New Yorker's relatively small circulation, pressed 
editor Paul Palmer for this appearance in the much more widely read 
'Reader's Digest.' It was a shrewd move, and this condensed version of the 
PT-109 incident proved crucial to Kennedy's early political success. Indeed, 
this version was reprinted for each of JFK's subsequent campaigns, including 
his 1960 presidential run. As to the story itself, few would argue that 
young Lt. Kennedy acted heroically in his efforts to rescue his men after 
his PT boat was rammed by a Japanese destroyer. But veteran PT commanders 
were incredulous that Kennedy's fast and highly maneuverable PT-109 had 
failed to evade the ramming in the first place. In fact no other PT boat was 
ever rammed by an enemy ship before or after Kennedy's, and he narrowly 
escaped court-martial for the incident. The magazine is bound in green 
printed covers with a stapled binding. There is some silverfishing at lower 
fore edge of front cover, a bit of soil to rear cover, and corner creases to 
lower fore corners of first several leaves....... $125.00
- Photo(s), secure ordering: 
http://www.tomfolio.com/mall/backcreekbooks/bookdetails.asp?book=2996

><///(*>   ><///(*>    ><///(*>    ><///(*>
Terms:
All books fully guaranteed and returnable if not as described. Normal
domestic shipping $5.00 for the first book, $1.25 each additional book or
volume. Shipping charges for other carriers or international delivery quoted
individually upon inquiry. Payment accepted by credit card (V,MC,Amex,
Discover), check, money order, or PayPal.

Thank you for your interest.

Best regards,

Rock
Back Creek Books
Post Office Box 3540, Annapolis, MD 21403, U.S.A.
Tel. 410-626-1363 or toll free 877-626-1363 -  Fax. 815-425-8542
Web: http://www.backcreekbooks.com  ~  Email: admin at backcreekbooks.com
-- 
Military & Naval History, Americana, Nautical & Maritime, Marylandiana
 ~ New arrivals: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/index.php
 ~ Books wanted: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/wants.php
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today's featured book from our stock at the booksellers' cooperative, 
TomFolio.com:
 Mayer, Edgar.  'The Curative Value of Light: Sunlight and Sun-Lamp in 
Health and Disease.'
 Details and secure ordering: 
http://www.tomfolio.com/mall/backcreekbooks/bookdetails.asp?book=2399
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Absurdity, n.: A statement or belief manifestly inconsistent with one's own 
opinion.' - Ambrose Bierce