In Harm's Way: JFK, World War II, and the Heroic Rescue of PT 109

Gr 4–8—In this account of John F. Kennedy's survival following the destruction of his patrol torpedo (PT) boat, Martin provides readers with an exciting and detailed tale. Kennedy, the second son of millionaire and ambassador to Britain, Joseph Kennedy, was a naval officer who sought combat duty. While he was patrolling in PT 109, his boat was damaged in a collision with a Japanese destroyer and set adrift. For the next six days, Kennedy and his surviving crew diligently tried to get rescued while stranded on a desert island. Coconuts were their only nourishment. Due to Kennedy and his crew's tireless efforts, the men were finally returned to U.S. lines. Martin's account is readable and complemented with photographs. However, readers may pause at Martin's reference to "pidgin English" in describing the linguistic abilities of the Solomon Islands' Indigenous people, as no context is provided. That flaw aside, this book provides an exciting read. For those whose interest in President Kennedy was piqued with Shana Corey's A Time to Act: John F. Kennedy's Big Speech, this title offers insight into the young man and how his war experiences affected his subsequent political career.