B.J. Hollars: The Wit and Wisdom of JFK - Wisconsin Edition

A part of the 2024 Chippewa Valley Book Festival!

While President Kennedy is well-known for his political feats, less is known of his wit and wisdom, both of which contributed to his campaign style throughout the 1960 Wisconsin primary. The campaign was filled with folly, from mistaken identity, to stand-up jokes, car trouble to Jackie Kennedy posing with hams. Wisconsin provided Kennedy plenty of opportunities to transform mishaps into humor, and in doing so, he found the wisdom of laughing at oneself and winning over Wisconsin voters in the process. Learn of Kennedy's comedic style, and how he harnessed humor for political power.

About the Author

B.J. HOLLARS is the author of several books, most recently Wisconsin for Kennedy: The Primary That Launched a President and Changed The Course of History, and Year of Plenty: A Family's Season of Grief. He and his film partner, Steve Dayton, have also completed a documentary When Rubber Hit the Road. He is the founder and executive director of the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild, as well as a professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and a columnist for The Leader-Telegram. He lives a simple existence with his family.

Learn more about B.J. Hollars at bjhollars.com.