Book: Two Days in June
Author: Andrew Cohen
Review: Louise Blais, consul general of Canada in Atlanta
Current events surrounding when one reads a book can greatly influence its interpretation by the reader. It can add layers of meaning and prompt deeper reflection. Such is the experience I had reading Two Days in June by Canadian author, journalist and professor Andrew Cohen.
This is a rich and vibrant chronicle of those historic 48 hours in June 1963 when JFK delivered two of his most daring speeches. The first, a call for peace versus the proliferation of nuclear arms, and the second on civil rights, resonated for me in the context of the new leadership in Canada. The pleas they contain for a positive path over fear and prejudice do encourage thoughts of undeniable parallels.
However, being a working diplomat, I will not venture any further exploration of what nonetheless spurred much thought for me personally.
Instead, let me focus on what struck me even more: Andrew Cohen’s ability in an hour-by-hour account, to weave in context with such ease, so the reader is taken through virtual footnotes in a seamless fashion. The writing style never feels contrived or overly scholarly, despite the obvious research rigor.
These two days thus become an open door shedding light on the entire Kennedy presidency and those figures who animated it. We learn as much about the president’s personal life and his daily routine as we do about matters of state, all in velvety detail. Yet, despite the abundance of information in these accounts of meetings, calls, personal moments and even a dinner party, I did close the book several times to query the Internet in search and of biographies for some of the characters such as the pivotal speechwriter Ted Sorenson, Vivian Malone, Mary Meyer (whose murder after JFK’s assassination was a discovery for me) and William T. Gossett. The past can have many faces. These mini research pauses only enhanced my journey reading this book.
In this study, Cohen does attempt to strike a harmonious balance in terms of the two interwoven challenges at hand: the threat of nuclear war with the Soviets and the challenge of achieving racial equality in America. Both quests share similarities which did not go unexplored by the author. Yet, because of the order of the two bookend speeches, naturally, the confrontation involving Gov. Wallace at the University of Alabama and the radio address that quickly followed on civil rights receives the most attention. For me, this was of considerable value given my current diplomatic posting in the Southeast. Those more interested in the Cold War will perhaps want to complement this book with further readings.
One last note, I would highly recommend listening to both speeches again before starting the book. The author thankfully does not dissect or over-analyze them. Plenty other volumes have done that. Yet, having their words fresh in mind as you read the context that gave them life provided much satisfaction.
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