Review of The Making of the President 1960 by Theodore H. White

Theodore H. White’s The Making of the President 1960 is a captivating journalistic account of one of the most dynamic presidential elections in U.S. history. White offers readers a first-hand glimpse into the campaign machinery of some of the most prominent figures in 20th-century American politics, including John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon B. Johnson. His access to the inner workings of these campaigns, particularly Kennedy’s, provides an intimate view of the candidate’s strengths, weaknesses, and the broader political questions of the era.

White is clearly fascinated by Kennedy, and much of the book reflects a sense of admiration for Kennedy’s leadership, his modern, media-savvy image, and the energetic campaign operation led by his brother Robert F. Kennedy. This enthusiasm, while engaging, at times skews the portrayal of Kennedy’s competitors, leaving figures like Nixon and Johnson with a certain ambivalence. Johnson’s pivotal role in carrying the South for Kennedy and his mastery of the legislative process are notably underplayed, revealing White’s focus on the telegenic appeal Kennedy brought to the new era of media-driven politics.

While White captures the mystique of Kennedy’s rise, reading this book alongside other works like Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72, Nixonland, and Robert Caro’s The Years of Lyndon Johnson offers a more nuanced understanding of this era. Figures like Nixon and Johnson, despite their later historical significance, were perhaps underestimated by the journalistic world White inhabited. As a political analyst, I found it essential to recognize the varied political genius that each president brought to the table—Kennedy’s image management, Johnson’s legislative prowess, and Nixon’s foreign relations acumen.

Overall, The Making of the President 1960 is a compelling and significant read. White’s narrative is more than just a historical account—it is a snapshot of the early 1960s political zeitgeist, one that has contributed to the lasting mythology surrounding the Kennedy presidency. The book is an excellent complement to more comprehensive analyses of the period, even as it reflects the biases and limitations of its time.