A Reporter at Large: Survival (The New Yorker Magazine, Vol. XX, No. 18, June 17, 1944, pages 27-38)

Author: [Kennedy, John Fitzgerald (1917-1963)] Hersey, John (1914-1993)
Title: A Reporter at Large: Survival (The New Yorker Magazine, Vol. XX, No. 18, June 17, 1944, pages 27-38)
Publication: (New York): (F. R. Publishing Corporation), 1944

Description: Magazine. Folio. 72 pages. Magazine covers have tape repairs along spine, and covers are detached from the bound magazine. Short tear at lower fore edge of the textblock, affecting most pages, though prior owner has tape-repaired this area in the JFK piece. The magazine is complete, and in good condition overall.

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 the PT-109 incident. Hersey was a Kennedy family friend, and this article was crucial in establishing the war hero image that launched JFK's political career when he won his first Congressional race two years later.

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 first appearance of the story in "The New Yorker" is unabridged and more uncommon than the condensed "Reader's Digest" version published two months later.

An important piece of Kennedy political strategy that ultimately influenced history.

Seller ID: 1762

Subject: History & Politics, Military History