Profiles in Courage. By John F. Kennedy. First Edition, First Printing. Harper. New York, 1956.

Profiles in Courage ranks among the best books by any American president. Penned when Kennedy was a young senator (with assistance from ghost-writer Ted Sorensen), Profiles in Courage features eight biographies of prominent American senators who demonstrated profound courage during periods of adversity. Biography subjects include John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Robert Taft, and others. The book became an immediate bestseller after its release in early January of 1956 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 1957. It is essential reading for American political historians and civil servants. It advocates for stronger spines among American political leadership.

This first edition, first printing is in very good condition. In the original quarter cloth, very good with only rubbing and soiling to edges and corners. Text block very good, only soiling to bottom edge and gift inscription to front free endpaper. M-E printing code indicating first printing. In the original dust jacket, very good with creases, rubbing, and foxing to edges. Minor sticker residue to back panel. Price clipped.

A very good first edition of Profiles in Courage.