The life of John F. Kennedy has been examined from so many angles it would seem hard to conjure a fresh perspective on the man. Yet in Two Days in June, author and journalist Andrew Cohen managed to pique my interest within the first few pages. Cohen pinpoints the period from June 10–11, 1963, as pivotal in JFK’s presidency – the moment in which he found his moral purpose and “became president.” Two Days in June is a detailed description of Kennedy’s every move during those 48 hours, from mundane occurances to decisions with worldwide consequences.

At the heart of the book are two of Kennedy’s speeches. In the first, on June 10 at American University, Kennedy reminded Americans that the Soviets were regular people who were probably also yearning for peace. In the second, on June 11, delivered from the Oval Office hours after the University of Alabama was forcibly desegregated, Kennedy alerted his country to the notion that freedom belongs to all citizens, regardless of race. They could not trumpet freedom abroad (particularly in Vietnam) if they were not willing to extend the same privileges at home. Cohen does not quote too extensively from the speeches, but instead carefully dissects why their messages were so revolutionary.

Two Days in June is also an excellent portrait of America in the early 1960s, thanks to the wealth of details Cohen provides about everything else Kennedy did during that brief period. The Equal Pay Act was signed on June 10, which allows Cohen to examine attitudes toward women. Diplomatic visits to the White House lead to an analysis of America’s relationships with other countries. And Cohen’s explanation of a Vietnamese monk’s self-immolation, which Kennedy read about on June 11, is the clearest I’ve ever encountered.

This book is not only a wonderful character study of a president, it is also a fascinating look at a pivotal point in American history. Neither peace nor equality was going to just happen – the government was going to have to force both initiatives. That Kennedy didn’t live to do this remains a lost potential that haunts anyone inspired by his words.