JFK: the man behind the myths
Historian Mark White unpacks JFK’s life and presidency, from his bold leadership in foreign policy to his reckless private behaviour

Published: April 9, 2025 at 8:00 AM
John F Kennedy remains one of America’s most iconic presidents – his life and untimely death wrapped in both mythology and conspiracy. But how much of his legacy is based in reality, and how can his reputation be understood more than 60 years after his presidency ended? Speaking to Elinor Evans, historian Mark White unpacks JFK’s leadership, his glamorous carefully curated image, and the stark contrast between his private and political life.
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Mark White is the author of Icon, Libertine, Leader: The Life and Presidency of John F. Kennedy (Bloomsbury Academic, 2024).
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