The Ambassador

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Acclaimed biographer Susan Ronald uncovers the controversial tenure of Joseph P. Kennedy as US Ambassador to Great Britain on the brink of World War II. Sworn in on February 18, 1938, Kennedy's appointment shocked the Establishment due to his Irish roots, staunch Catholicism, and outspoken nature. Initially welcomed by the British, he quickly fell out of favor with the White House, State Department, and British Government. Kennedy believed Fascism was the future and misrepresented US foreign policy and direct instructions from FDR. Disowned by Americans, he was exploited by both the British and the Nazis. Through meticulous research and newly available sources, Ronald confirms that Kennedy was a Fascist sympathizer and anti-Semite, prioritizing his family's advancement above all. The biography also reveals the Kennedy dynasty's ambitions as they sought to integrate into high society in London, aiming to establish themselves as America's first family. Thorough and engaging, this account delves into a darker side of the Kennedy patriarch, promising to spark attention and controversy.