History Extra podcast The summer that changed everything for the Kennedys
Dec 10, 2025
Join historian Leigh Straw, author of *The Kennedys at Cape Cod, 1944*, as she delves into a transformative summer for the Kennedy family in 1944. With eldest son Joe Jr. in perilous wartime missions and Kathleen causing a scandal, family dynamics shift dramatically. Leigh explores sibling rivalries and their father's ambitions, revealing how personal tragedy and societal pressures shaped the political legacy of Jack Kennedy. Her insights illuminate how this fateful summer set the stage for a future U.S. presidency.
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Family Tragedy Shapes Political Destiny
- The Kennedy family story reads like Greek tragedy with recurring themes of hubris, privilege and loss.
- Leigh Straw frames 1944 as a turning point that reshaped their political destiny and public myth-making.
A Nine-Child Political Household
- The Kennedys had nine children led by Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose, with repeated names signalling familial reverence.
- Leigh Straw lists each sibling and nicknames to show household hierarchy and roles within the clan.
Privilege Fueled Discipline And Ambition
- The Kennedy children were raised with strict routines enforced by household staff as well as parents.
- Privilege combined with disciplined schedules shaped their public polish and competitive sibling dynamics.
