The Bay of Pigs is one of America's most infamous Cold War blunders, and it has been studied, debated, and dramatized endlessly ever since. Robert Dallek americabayblunder Change image and share on social
There's a certain clubbiness to the idea that you're an ex-president. You're no longer a politician. You're a statesman. Robert Dallek clubbinessidealong Change image and share on social
Presidential aspirants reach for the highest office to satisfy some yearning for greatness or even immortality. Robert Dallek aspirantgreatnesshigh Change image and share on social
With television, you can make anyone look larger than life. Robert Dallek largelifemake Change image and share on social
As someone who has more than a passing acquaintance with most of the 20th century presidents, I have often thought that their accomplishments have little staying power in shaping popular views of their leadership. Robert Dallek 20thaccomplishmentacquaintance share on social
John F. Kennedy went to bed at 3:30 in the morning on November 9, 1960, uncertain whether he had defeated Richard Nixon for the presidency. He thought he had won, but six states hung in the balance, and after months of exhaustive campaigning, he was too tired to stay awake any longer. Robert Dallek awakebalancebed share on social
Vietnam was a palpable failure. And of course, in retrospect, it was even more clearly a disaster and a failure than maybe people understood at the time. Robert Dallek disasterfailurepalpable Change image and share on social
From the moment he took office in January of 1961, Kennedy had been eager to settle the Cuban problem without overt military action by the United States. Robert Dallek actioncubaneager Change image and share on social
Once the public loses confidence in a president's leadership at a time of war, once they don't trust him anymore, once his credibility is sharply diminished, how does he get it back? Robert Dallek anymorebackconfidence Change image and share on social
Experience helped Richard Nixon, but it didn't save him, and it certainly wasn't a blanket endorsement. He blundered terribly in dealing with Vietnam. Robert Dallek blanketblunderdeal Change image and share on social
