A Time to Act

“The time has come for this Nation to fulfill its promise. . . .” John F. Kennedy was born one hundred years ago. As America’s thirty-fifth president, he often took bold actions: establishing a peace corps and challenging Americans to land on the moon. But on civil rights, it took the urging and the example of other courageous people—leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Jackie Robinson, and even students and children—to help him realize that the time to act was NOW.

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John F. Kennedy was born one hundred years ago. As America’s thirty-fifth president, he often took bold actions: establishing a peace corps and challenging Americans to land on the moon. But on civil rights, it took the urging and the example of other courageous people—leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Jackie Robinson, and even students and children—to help him realize that the time to act was NOW. On June 11, 1963, Kennedy's “big speech”—his civil rights address—was a game changer, and his efforts laid the groundwork for the Civil Rights Act of 1964; but our country's work is not finished.
Acclaimed author Shana Corey and New York Times Best Illustrated artist R. Gregory Christie deliver a fresh and deeply human look at one of our country’s most inspiring presidents, underscoring the greatness and fallibility of our leaders and how each one of us, no matter who we are, have the power to make a difference. With quotes from JFK’s speeches, detailed back matter, and a thought-provoking author's note, this biography offers a sensitive look at a tumultuous time in history and compelling questions about effecting positive change today. John F. Kennedy war während einer der bewegtesten Zeiten der amerikanischen Geschichte Präsident. Er konnte trotz seiner kurzen Amtszeit die Weichen für bedeutende Errungenschaften stellen: Er gründete das Friedenscorps, trieb das Raumfahrtprogramm voran und setzte sich für die Bürgerrechte ein. Kennedy war ein visionärer Politiker und eine faszinierende Persönlichkeit, hatte aber auch mit einigen menschlichen Schwächen und politischen Strukturen zu kämpfen. Shana Corey erzählt vom Werdegang des legendären Präsidenten und zeigt zugleich auf, dass es auch uns ganz gewöhnlichen Menschen möglich ist, die Welt zu verändern.