title: A Question of Character : A Life of John F Kennedy
author: Thomas Reeves
description: This riveting biography by a University of Wisconsin history professor explores John Kennedy's character, assesses its influence on his presidential decisionmaking and brings into focus the discrepancy between the Camelot image and the man himself. Reeves reveals how indifferent Kennedy was to the moral and legal objections to the Bay of Pigs invasion, the overthrow of the Diem regime in South Vietnam, and plans for the assassination of Fidel Castro. There is a wealth of new material here concerning JFK's often precarious health, his relationship with his wife, his flagrant philandering. Reeves concludes that Kennedy abused his high position for personal self-gratification, that his reckless liaisons with women and mobsters were "irresponsible, dangerous, and demeaning to the office of chief executive." By the author of The Life and Times of Joe McCarthy , this is a solidly researched look at John Kennedy's morals or his lack thereof. History Book Club main selection. <br />Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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  # The Invisible Ray
  
  
  ### Arthur B. Reeve
  
  
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  "I won't deny that I had some expectation from the old man myself."
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Kennedy's client was speaking in a low, full-chested vibrating voice, with
  some emotion, so low that I had entered the room without being aware that any
  one was there until it was too late to retreat.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  "As his physician for over twelve years," the man pursued, "I certainly had
  been led to hope to be remembered in his will. But, Professor Kennedy, I can't
  put it too strongly when I say that there is no selfish motive in my coming to
  you about the case. There is something wrong—depend on it."
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Craig had glanced up at me and, as I hesitated, I could see in an instant that
  the speaker was a practitioner of a type that is rapidly passing away, an old-
  fashioned family doctor.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Dr. Burnham, I should like to have you kno