FOREWORD

Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

PROLOGUE

William S. Butler

INTRODUCTION THE KENNEDYS AND ME The young investigative reporter meets and goes to work for both Robert and John F. Kennedy; the McClellan Committee; the presidential campaign of 1959.

CHAPTER ONE THE KENNEDY WHITE HOUSE An introduction to the personalities of Kennedy's staff, their job descriptions, and the working atmosphere of the Kennedy White House, especially concerning military matters.

CHAPTER TWO THE BAY OF PIGS The first crisis of the new administration; the mistakes that were made; the immediate reshaping of philosophy regarding military decision making and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

CHAPTER THREE CRISIS IN BERLIN The background of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union in Berlin; Kennedy's military position; the Berlin Wall and the specter of World War III.

CHAPTER FOUR SOUTHEAST ASIA The beginnings of American involvement and escalation; Kennedy's bold plan to create counterinsurgency forces for the U.S. military.

CHAPTER FIVE THE SPACE PROGRAM The military origins of the Mercury program; the public relations bonanza of successful launches.

CHAPTER SIX THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS The crisis that brought the world to the nuclear brink; the behind-closed-doors dialogue; the military response; the conclusion.

EPILOGUE THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY SPEECH The speech that was to initiate a new relationship with the Soviet Union; its effect; the promise that was cut short.

INDEX