So many years for the Kennedy family brought triumphs and tragedies, and 1944 was no exception. Yet it proved to be a pivot point for American history, too, and Leigh Straw has captured it with her vivid narrative of how Joe Kennedy Jr.'s death in World War II would launch his brother Jack into politics and ultimately the White House. You might think you know everything about the Kennedys, but read this compelling story to gain invaluable insights on how Camelot became JFK's kingdom, rather than his brother Joe's.

Barbara A. Perry, J. Wilson Newman Professor in Presidential Studies, University of Virginia's Miller Center, USA

The summer of 1944 was an extraordinary time for the Kennedys and for America, and Leigh Straw captures the moment wonderfully in this absorbing narrative. With nuance and sensitivity, she deepens our understanding of a fraught-and consequential-moment in a family's history.

Fredrik Logevall, Laurence D. Belfer Professor of History and International Affairs, Harvard University, USA

The Kennedys at Cape Cod, 1944 is a compelling micro-biography that explores a crucial turning point in the life of the Kennedy family, which saw them tumble from America's golden family to one riven by tragedy and self-destruction. Leigh Straw's meticulous research is matched by her acute storytelling skills.

Paula Byrne, author of Kick: The True Story of Kick Kennedy, JFK's Forgotten Sister and the Heir to Chatsworth

Playing historical “what if” is an intriguing parlor game, and while Straw does ponder those alternatives, her microhistory cogently examines the actual outcomes of the ordeals that plagued the [Kennedys] for decades.

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