Joseph Alsop (1910–1989)

The memoirs of longtime political columnist Joseph Alsop V, written at a point when he was in his final illness. The best part of the book is his often-hilarious recounting of his upbringing in rural Connecticut and his adventures at Groton and Harvard. His early journalistic career, and his experiences in China during the Second World War are also quite interesting. Where the book tends to fall down is his coverage of the post-war period, where his snippy dismissals of Dwight Eisenhower, and his frankly embarrassing gushing over John Kennedy, make one wonder. It's also interesting that Alsop avoids the post-Kennedy era, though Platt (the as told to person) does cover it in the epilogue, when Alsop's vigorous defense of the Johnson administration's handling of Vietnam made him a target. Not very brave of Alsop to duck that, I think.… (més)

2810 "I've Seen the Best of It" Memoirs, by Joseph W. Alsop with Adam Platt (read 17 Dec 1995) Alsop was born 11 Oct 1910 in Avon, Conn., his mother being the daughter of Theodore Roosevelt's sister (so his mother was Eleanor Roosevelt's first cousin). He went to Groton and Harvard, was a columnist till 1974, and died 28 Aug 1989. These memoirs were written during the two years before his death by Adam Platt. I found them sketchy, but they finished strong. He was a fervent admirer of JFK, and these memoirs effectually end with JFK's death. Alsop continued to fervently support the Vietnam War and ended up thoroughly embittered against the trend of the 1960's, though he did not like Nixon. He says the reason Eisenhower (of whom he has little good to say) generally supported Kennedy's acts while Kennedy was president is because Kennedy did not prosecute Sherman Adams when proof Adams was taking cash from Goldfine came to light after Adams retired--Adams died 27 Oct 1986. This book is gossipy but usually fun to read. He says the best book written on the 1937 Court fight was the book he wrote with Turner Catledge: The 168 Days. I would read it if I could find it.… (més)