Senker, Cath. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Senker, Cath.  Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Capstone/Heinemann      2014  64p   ISBN 978-1-4329-7637-8  series: Days of Decision  ms/hs  E-BN Nonfiction 

October 1962 was a time of great fear throughout the United States and the world.  U.S. intelligence agencies discovered that the Soviet Union had constructed  bases in Cuba and planned to arm them with nuclear missiles.  President Kennedy was faced with the prospect of a nuclear war between the superpowers that would effectively destroy them both.  The author begins this fine book with biographical information on JFK, a synopsis of the political situations at the beginning of his presidency that led to this point, his choice of options and their likely consequences, and a brief discussion of the personalities of the major participants.  The book is remarkably nonjudgmental, non-sensationalized, and objective in its presentation of information.  It offers a thoughtful and realistic look at this most dangerous time in American history and is enhanced by contemporary photographs, primary source quotations, maps, timelines, informative fact boxes, and “What do you think?” sidebars that involve the reader in the decision-making process.  The book continues with an overview of the crisis and the possible outcomes to the various choices.  It ends with an extensive timeline, chapter notes, a glossary, a bibliography of books, a list of web sites and DVDs, and an index.

Summary: Days of Decision offers a thoughtful and realistic look at the Cuban Missile Crisis, a most dangerous time in American history.  The book is enhanced by contemporary photographs, primary source quotations, maps, timelines, informative fact boxes, and “What do you think?” sidebars that involve the reader in the decision-making process.                        

Cuban Missile Crisis                                         --Susan Ogintz