Profiles in Courage.

signed & inscribed by the author

'A man does what he must, in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures - and that is the basis of all human morality.' (Kennedy, Profiles in Courage)

A handsome copy of John F. Kennedy's most famous book, Profiles in Courage which earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 1957. At this time, Kennedy was a Junior Senator from Massachusetts, yet the publication and reception of this book helped fuel his quest for presidency which would be successful five years later. It contains the inspiring accounts of eight American patriots John Quincy Adams to George Norris, rousing the American public to remember the great pillars of their country and the courage required to unify a country.

This particular copy is signed by Kennedy and inscribed to Peggy and Sebastian 'Buster' Ruggeri, who served with Kennedy in the airforce during WWII: 'To Peggy & Buster Ruggeri, / with my best regards and thanks / from their old friend / John Kennedy'.

First edition, later printing, signed & inscribed by the author; 8vo (220 x 150 mm); 8 pages of black & white photogravures, contemporary newspaper clipping and other later sheets inserted relating to JFK's campaign and the Ruggeri family, stain to lower margin of pp58-59, not affecting text, occasional light crease to corners, else unmarked internally; publisher's quarter black morocco over blue cloth boards, lettered and lined in gilt to spine, some light wear to extremities, red white and blue dust-jacket, some minor losses to edges, primarily at extremities, two tears to upper panel, one partially repaired with tape, though both largely unnoticeable when laid flat, some light marks to upper and lower panel (as usual with age), else very good; [xxii], 266pp.