Remarkable diary kept by John F. Kennedy in his capacity as a special correspondent for Hearst Newspapers during the summer of 1945, containing twelve handwritten pages (on seven leaves), plus 49 typed pages (all single-sided). These 6 x 9.5 loose-leaf pages are housed in a black Trussell top grain cowhide binder. Originally sold in 2017 for $718,750, the diary originated from JFK's research assistant, Deirdre Henderson. For an in-depth analysis of the diary’s contents, including full transcriptions and images of each page, we recommend you refer to Henderson’s book, Prelude to Leadership.
Towards the close of World War II, Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy arranged for his 28-year-old war hero son to work for Hearst, allowing JFK to attend the opening session of the United Nations in San Francisco in May before traveling abroad to cover post-war Europe during the summer of 1945. Kennedy followed Prime Minister Churchill throughout England during his reelection campaign, then traveled to Ireland and France. He attended the Potsdam Conference with Navy Secretary James Forrestal, observed war ruins in Germany, and even viewed the charred remains of Hitler’s bombed out bunker in Berlin and the Führer’s infamous Berchtesgaden ‘Eagle’s Nest.’ Kennedy rightly observes Hitler's place in history as "one of the most significant figures who ever lived."
The diary opens with a handwritten page containing Kennedy's reflections on World War II: "Salana de Wolfgang once wrote: 'War is fatal to a democracy if beaten et(c).' This war has been won—we cannot lose our liberty at the hands of the enemy. But it is still a question whether we shall have it in our own hands. We have been gravely weakened by this war—our values have been changed as never before we have suffered the loss of nearly 8 hundred thousand young men—many of whom might be the leadership that we will so desperately want. To meet the challenges of the post war years we must show far greater concern for the new years of our country than we have ever shown in the past."
This initial passage informs much of the ensuing text, as Kennedy examines America's values and evaluates the nation's role in the post-war world. These insightful passages demonstrate Kennedy's strong grasp of global affairs and his interest in world politics. When Kennedy returned stateside, he established a residence in Boston and mounted a campaign for Congress. In a prescient handwritten entry of January 27th, Kennedy weighs his political future: "Conversation with Dan O'Brien, says I'll get murdered—no political experience—a personal district. Says I don't know 300 people personally...the attack on me will be inexperience...He is the first man to tell me that I can't win!" Contrary to O'Brien's assertion, Kennedy would be elected to the House of Representatives in 1946. Just fifteen years later, he would be inaugurated as president—and made responsible for dealing with the real-world outcomes of many of the thoughts and predictions made here.
Further handwritten pages offer some notes on legislative policies—housing, wages, social security—as well as a tidbit recorded from a conversation on politics, with an interesting observation on the autoworkers strike: "Strikes are due to Truman’s failure, to get G.M. to come through...Remember Roosevelt's principle that you have to keep politicians & policies apart." He also writes out some meaningful political aphorisms: "In politics you don't have friends—you have confederates. One day they feed you honey—the next will find fish caught in your throat. You can buy brains but you can’t pay—loyalty...'The best politician is the man who does not think too much of the political consequences of his every act'...Democratic party has survived because—Wilson—'it had a heart in its jacket.' 'The one great failure in American govt is the govt of critics.'"
The bulk of the diary's interest comes in Kennedy's typed entries, which are rife with astute observations on world politics in the aftermath of the war. JFK’s first assignment as a Hearst reporter was to attend the 'San Francisco Conference' in May-June 1945, which resulted in the formation of the United Nations. On July 10th, having observed the UN proceedings for weeks, Kennedy records startling predictions on Russia, including incredulous premonitions of the Cold War: "The clash with Russia...may be finally and indefinitely postponed by the eventual discovery of a weapon so horrible that it will truthfully mean the abolishment of all the nations employing it."
Kennedy then traveled to England to cover the first post-war British elections. His boyhood hero, Winston Churchill, was vying for reelection and lost in a fantastic upset. In an entry of June 21, 1945, Kennedy observes the triumph of the Labour Party, and offers unguarded commentary on capitalism and FDR: "Capitalism is on the way out—although many Englishmen feel that this is not applicable to England with its great democratic tradition and dislike of interference with the individual...Socialism is inefficient; I will never believe differently...Mr. Roosevelt has contributed greatly to the end of capitalism in our own country, not through the laws which he sponsored or were passed during his Presidency, but rather through the emphasis he put on rights rather than responsibilities." On June 30th, he mentions Dwight D. Eisenhower—eventually his presidential predecessor—with glowing praise: "General Eisenhower has taken a great hold on the hearts of all the British people."
Commenting on the political leanings of postwar Europe, the liberal Kennedy does not hesitate to observe the 'dangers of the left' in a powerful statement on July 2nd: "The great danger in movements to the Left is that the protagonists of the movement are so wrapped up with the end that the means becomes secondary...To maintain Dictatorships of the Left or Right are equally abhorrent no matter what their doctrine or how great their efficiency."
On July 24th, he discusses his first trip to his ancestral homeland—Ireland. Armed with extensive knowledge of Irish political, religious, and economic history, Kennedy used this trip to his advantage in preparation for his 1946 congressional run. On July 28th, Kennedy records some "Notes on France," offering insight into his political acumen: "People are disappointed with DeGaulle. He has not pleased any group (which may be a sign of fair government) and has made himself extremely unpopular with most. Any movement against DeGaulle will take the form of a swing to the Left—the victory of the Socialists in Britain may accentuate this swing."
One of the most significant events chronicled in the diary is the historic 'Big Three' meeting in Potsdam, Germany, which saw Churchill, Stalin, and Truman decide the fate of the post-war world. Attending on July 29th as a personal guest of Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal, Kennedy writes: "With Secretary of the Navy Forrestal...we drove...to Potsdam through miles of Russian soldiers." He goes on to voice his eerily insightful opinions on Russia and their threat to the world: "One opinion here is that the Russians are never going to pull out of their zone of occupation but plan to make their part of Germany a Soviet Socialist Republic...If a split among the Big Four develops...it will be serious. Germany will be unable to build...If we don’t withdraw and allow them to administer their own affairs, we will be confronted with an extremely difficult administrative problem. Yet if we pull out, we may leave a political vacuum that the Russians will be only too glad to fill."
Continuing through Germany, Kennedy witnesses the destruction of Berlin as he travels the streets, an experience that would hold great sway over his feelings on war: "The devastation is complete...the stench—sickish and sweet from dead bodies—is overwhelming." He even views the remains of Hitler’s bombed out bunker, expressing doubt that the Führer’s true body was recovered: "Hitler’s Reich Chancellery was a shell. The walls were chipped and scarred by bullets...The room where Hitler was supposed to have met his death showed scorched walls and traces of fire. There is no complete evidence, however, that the body that was found was Hitler’s body. The Russians doubt that he is dead." Time columnist Hugh Sidey, who knew Kennedy well, would later say of the 35th President, 'If I had to single out one element in Kennedy’s life that more than anything else influenced his later leadership it would be the horror of war.'
Winding down his time in Europe, Kennedy ends his trip with a visit to Berchtesgaden, the location of Hitler’s famed 'Eagles Nest' chalet. Reflecting on the scene, Kennedy records his shocking and prescient views of Hitler: "After visiting these two places, you can easily understand how that within a few years Hitler will emerge from the hatred that surrounds him now as one of the most significant figures who ever lived. He had boundless ambition for his country which rendered him a menace to the peace of the world, but he had a mystery about him in the way he lived and in the manner of his death that will live and grow after him. He had in him the stuff of which legends are made."
The diary is in very good to fine condition, with torn binder holes to a couple of the handwritten pages, some rubbing and toning to the pages written in pencil, and general wear. Accompanied by two vintage photographs from JFK's trip to Europe, as well as some reprinted photos of Kennedy from the era.
