If Kennedy Lived

The First and Second Terms of President John F. Kennedy: An Alternate History

By: Jeff Greenfield, Jeff Greenfield - introduction

Narrated by: Tom Stechschulte

From one of the country’s most brilliant political commentators, the bestselling author of Then Everything Changed, an extraordinary, thought-provoking look at Kennedy’s presidency—after November 22, 1963.

November 22, 1963: JFK does not die. What would happen to his life, his presidency, his country, his world?

In Then Everything Changed, Jeff Greenfield created an “utterly compelling” (Joe Klein), “riveting” (The New York Times), “eye-opening” (Peggy Noonan), “captivating” (Doris Kearns Goodwin) exploration of three modern alternate histories, “with the kind of political insight and imagination only he possesses” (David Gregory). Based on memoirs, histories, oral histories, fresh reporting, and his own knowledge of the players, the book looked at the tiny hinges of history—and the extraordinary changes that would have resulted if they had gone another way.

Now he presents his most compelling narrative of all about the historical event that has riveted us for fifty years. What if Kennedy were not killed that fateful day? What would the 1964 campaign have looked like? Would changes have been made to the ticket? How would Kennedy, in his second term, have approached Vietnam, civil rights, the Cold War? With Hoover as an enemy, would his indiscreet private life finally have become public? Would his health issues have become so severe as to literally cripple his presidency? And what small turns of fate in the days and years before Dallas might have kept him from ever reaching the White House in the first place?

As with Then Everything Changed, the answers Greenfield provides and the scenarios he develops are startlingly realistic, rich in detail, shocking in their projections, but always deeply, remarkably plausible. It is a tour de force of American political history.

An interesting look at what might have been

I appreciated all the research and detail that went into making this sharp, speculative retrospective. The plausibility of the events depicted draws you into what can only be described as a parallel universe of possibility.

Just imagine how different as a people we would be without Vietnam and Watergate. It is so compelling that one might want a follow up book, further exploring this alternate time line. We'll done.

Excellent Alternative Account

Very well done. In a way - especially with Vietnam - I wish it would have happened this way.
The author's research made for a totally believable story and the narrator's very slight accent changes were believable without being caricature.
And the very last scene with Jackie is priceless.

Not My Usual

Ordinarily, I'd avoid this type of book like the plague. However, I came across an interview appearance with Michael Beschloss and Jeff Greenfield on YouTube, maybe at the JFK Library? As someone who was a child when JFK was murdered, I've always had some interest, beginning with Manchester's masterpiece in the sixties. Mr. Greenfield constructs a perfectly plausible account of 'what if'. I did like that he still had JFK getting shot in Dallas, just not dying or having to leave office. I'm an LBJ fan but feel certain he would've had to resign in scandal in '64 had he not become president. As Greenfield stated in the interview, RFK would've also had a far different take in life than what he had because of his brother's murder. I enjoyed this thoroughly--now back to REAL history.../

Another great Alternate History pick.

What made the experience of listening to If Kennedy Lived the most enjoyable?

The narration. Not good with accents, but overall, impressive.

What did you like best about this story?

The overall plotline.

What about Tom Stechschulte’s performance did you like?

The narration is excellent, even if he's very bad with accents.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Some of it made me laugh, like the toast at RFK's birthday.

Any additional comments?

A must-have for any Alternate History fans.

Fascinating but Fanciful

Would you listen to If Kennedy Lived again? Why?

Yes - it repays close analysis

Would you be willing to try another book from Jeff Greenfield? Why or why not?

Yes

What does Tom Stechschulte bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

An intelligent reading but also a lightness of touch

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

How early Ronald Reagan entered the picture

Any additional comments?

It is quite kind to Kennedy and maybe some of that is wishful thinking