The Kennedys at Cape Cod, 1944

So many years for the Kennedy family brought triumphs and tragedies, and 1944 was no exception. Yet it proved to be a pivot point for American history, too, and Leigh Straw has captured it with her vivid narrative of how Joe Kennedy Jr.’s death in World War II would launch his brother Jack into politics and ultimately the White House. You might think you know everything about the Kennedys, but read this compelling story to gain invaluable insights on how Camelot became JFK’s kingdom, rather than his brother Joe’s. * Barbara A. Perry, J. Wilson Newman Professor in Presidential Studies, University of Virginia’s Miller Center, USA * The summer of 1944 was an extraordinary time for the Kennedys and for America, and Leigh Straw captures the moment wonderfully in this absorbing narrative. With nuance and sensitivity, she deepens our understanding of a fraught—and consequential—moment in a family’s history. * Fredrik Logevall, Laurence D. Belfer Professor of History and International Affairs, Harvard University, USA *