Open main menu

A Day That Changed History: The Assassination of John F Kennedy by Tracey Kelly


I have a vivid memory of hearing about the assassination of John F Kennedy. He was young, charismatic and a hope for the future after the old guard who seemed to have been in power for ever - and then he was gone. Books on JFK are easy to find - you'll find our favourites here, but it's rather more difficult to find a book which puts Kennedy and what happened into context, so I was delighted to receive a copy of A Day That Changed History: The Assassination of John F Kennedy.

A Day That Changed History: The Assassination of John F Kennedy by Tracey Kelly

1445123576.jpg
Buy A Day That Changed History: The Assassination of John F Kennedy by Tracey Kelly at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Category: Children's Non-Fiction
Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Sue Magee
Reviewed by Sue Magee
Summary: Kennedy's life and death put into context with some excellent supporting images.
Buy? Yes Borrow? Yes
Pages: 48 Date: July 2013
Publisher: Franklin Watts
ISBN: 978-1445123578

Share on: Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn



The book begins with Kennedy's birth in May 1917 and quickly takes us through his family, privileged upbringing, war service, entry into political life and marriage. By the time that he came to the presidency we're aware of his advantages - well educated, war hero and prize-winning author - but also of his problems - Addison's disease and back pain. The upside of his time in office - the strengthening of civil rights, the establishment of the Peace Corps and NASA's Apollo programme are all there, but so is the debacle of the Bay of Pigs, the University of Mississippi riots and the Cuban Missile Crisis, all explained in simple language and supported by good images.

The assassination is dealt with sensitively, with images restricted to the before and after, including the death of Lee Harvey Oswald and there are references to the many conspiracy theories which have surrounded the assassination. In the years which follow, the deaths of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy, brother of JFK, are examined along with the legacy of JFK's short presidency.

It's a quick read, ideally suited to those who are old enough to be aware of world affairs and despite the sad topic the ending is positive, focusing as it does on the successes which the presidency brought and the inspiration which it gave to future generations.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

For more non-fiction books aimed at children we can recommend Alan Turing (Real Lives) by Jim Eldridge.

Please share on: Facebook Facebook, Follow us on Twitter Twitter and Follow us on Instagram Instagram

Buy A Day That Changed History: The Assassination of John F Kennedy by Tracey Kelly at Amazon You can read more book reviews or buy A Day That Changed History: The Assassination of John F Kennedy by Tracey Kelly at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
Buy A Day That Changed History: The Assassination of John F Kennedy by Tracey Kelly at Amazon You can read more book reviews or buy A Day That Changed History: The Assassination of John F Kennedy by Tracey Kelly at Amazon.com.

Booklists.jpg A Day That Changed History: The Assassination of John F Kennedy by Tracey Kelly is in the Top Ten Books on President John F Kennedy.

Comments

Like to comment on this review?

Just send us an email and we'll put the best up on the site.