Dr. Barnabas T. Bynum's New School Musical Revue and Travelling Minstrel Show

Writer David Pietrusza examines the 1960 presidential campaign in his new book 1960 LBJ vs. JFK vs. Nixon (The epic campaign that forged three Presidencies). At times scholarly, at times journalistic (harking back to a time when serious journalism was treated seriously), and at times tabloid style; Pietrusza weaves a narrative that concludes with the election of JFK. An otherwise fine book is marred at times with innuendo, gossip, and rumors. For example, Pietrusza uses as one of his sources Frank Sinatra's valet/personal assistant. What did Frank supposedly do? He was used as a courier by the mob to deliver large sums of cash to the Kennedy campaign. Of course we know from a number of reputable sources that this campaign was probably not run cleanly especially when you add Joseph P. Kennedy and his millions into the mix. But Pietrusza's Sinatra allegation is never definitively proven along with other assertions he makes based on dubious sources. Pietrusza is far more successful in analyzing broader political themes such as twice defeated presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson's hold on the democratic party as late as 1960 and the sobering warnings from without and within the Republican party concerning a Richard Nixon presidency. Also the Nixon/Kennedy debates are examined in detail. Everyone remembers the first debate. But what about the other three? Pietrusza fills us in. LBJ is often depicted as a helpless despondent bystander in this great campaign. Pietrusza's final chapter summarizes the fate of each man in spectacular prose which makes me want to forgive him for his previous lapses.