This Dutton cover image shows “Countdown 60: The Behind-the Scenes Story of the 312 Day that Chanted America‘s Politics Forever”, by Chris Wallace and Mitch Weiss. (Dutton via AP).
“Countdown 1960: Behind-the-Scenes Stories of the 312 days that Changed America’s Politics Forever”, is a look back at a crucial period in U.S. History that has lessons for us today.
Chris Wallace, CNN’s news anchor, begins the book in 1960 when U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy from Massachusetts announced his candidacy for president during a divided period in American politics. We meet mobsters and Hollywood movie stars as well as labor bosses, Fidel Castro, Cuba‘s revolutionary leader.
The year was 1992, when the U.S. presidential campaign entered the modern age, with televised debating and slick advertisements. The achingly tight contest was similar to the current lead-up for the 2024 election, pitting Democratic Vice President Kamalah Harris against Republican Donald Trump.
There were accusations of voter fraud, and an election that was stolen. The results were so close that Americans stayed awake well past midnight to hear about the final count.
The book is the latest of Wallace’s popular history series “Countdown”, following his best-selling books “Countdown 1945: the Extraordinary Story of the Atomic Bomb, and the 116 Days That Changed the World” and “Countdown bin Laden : The Untold Story of the 247-Day Hunt to bring the Mastermind of 911 to Justice.”
Wallace, son of CBS broadcaster Mike Wallace takes us behind the scene to see the machinations that led to Kennedy being nominated over Lyndon B. Johnson who was later chosen as his running-mate. Kennedy became the first Catholic and youngest president of the United States.
Kennedy narrowly defeated Republican Richard M. Nixon who decided to not contest the results in spite of reports of voting irregularities. He said that he could think of no worse example for young countries trying to adopt free election.
The book reminds us that 1960 was a time of great danger for America. It was also a moment that the nation survived due to patriotism.
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