Joseph P. Kennedy, the powerful patriarch of the Kennedy dynasty, died in 1969, but the legacy he left behind has continued to fascinate, and puzzle, historians as well as his own descendants. David Nasaw paints a nuanced and complex portrait of the businessman, investor, and ambassador in his new book, “The Patriarch: The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy.”
Nasaw exposes Kennedy the businessman, the father and the government official, challenging many of the misconceptions that surround the elder Kennedy who made an impact on Wall Street, Hollywood, and Washington.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!