Kennedy. Theodore C. Sorenson. Significant Sentences. Continued.

Significant sentences from Kennedy by Theodore Sorenson, a history of the words and philosophy of President Kennedy. Continued.

Why this blog?

The purpose of this blog is to provide significant sentences from complete books.

So far, I have included signficant sentences from Only Yesterday by Frederick Lewis Allen, a history of the Roaring 20s; Walden by Henry David Throeau, On Writing Well by Zinsser and Kennedy by Theodore Sorenson, a special assistant to the President.

Why have I selected these books? I have enjoyed them. The sentences I have selected from these books help to deepen the understanding of the ideas in the books. I selected the sentences because of their ideas.

In the case of Kennedy, I am hoping that those who see Kennedy as only a philanderer will realize the wisdom and reasonable approach that he took in guiding the Presidency during his 1000 days. He is one of the most articulate presidents in history.

Sorenson on the Cuban Missile Crisis: "I had prepared a four-page memorandum outlining the areas of agreement and disagreement, the full list of possibilities and (biggest of all) the unanswered questions." p. 773.

Sorenson: "On Thursday afternoon subcommittees were set up to plot each of the major courses in detail...kind of blockade...likely Soviet response...U.S. responses to Communist responses." p. 776.

Sorenson: "He [JFK] liked the idea of leaving Khrushchev a way out, of beginning at a low level that could be stepped up." p. 780.

Sorenson: "The moral of this crisis: 'While defending our own vital interests, nuclear powers must avert those confrontations which bring an adversary to a choice of either a humiliating retreat or a nuclear war." p. 783.

JFK "...adopted the term 'quarantine' as less belligerent and more applicable to an act of peaceful self-preservation than 'blockade.' " p. 783.