these medicines available to him.'ĭallek says there were no conditions set on his use of JFK's medical records in the hopes that the author would paint the former president in a more positive light. He probably never could have been president if he didn't have. Maybe he was able to compartmentalize, but my medical friends tell me that, in fact, taking the medicines allowed him to function at so high a level. But the author concludes the drugs were 'no impediment' to being an effective president.ĭallek tells NPR's Juan Williams that after reviewing tapes and transcripts of Kennedy during the 13 days of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, 'I found him to be cogent and lucid and as on top of the issue as any president could have been. Some are disputing the book's assertion that Kennedy's presidency was not damaged by his risky sexual behavior and bad health.ĭallek writes that the president took many prescription drugs, including amphetamines, sedatives, testosterone and codeine. Kennedy 1917-1963, has also sparked a debate among his fellow historians. But Robert Dallek's book, An Unfinished Life: John F.

1952.Ī new book on President Kennedy has attracted attention because of the disclosure that he had sex with a White House intern. Kennedy, whose lifelong medical problems included osteoporosis of the lumbar spine, is seen on crutches, ca.

Robert dallek kennedy