The story of John F. Kennedy's actions following the destruction of his 80-foot wooden-hulled boat in the Solomon Islands in 1943 has been told many times, in countless histories and biographies. Bestselling author Ballard (Finding the Titanic), who runs the Institute for Exploration, a nonprofit organization specializing in deep-sea research, offers a unique view, leading an expedition this past spring to find PT 109. Using accounts from Kennedy, surviving crew members and navy officers, he re-creates the days before the collision up until the rescue. It's a powerful presentation, and the details about the ship and the conditions of the remote island they eventually ended up on in the South Pacific nearly 60 years ago are fascinating. Ballard tells how Kennedy swam nearly two miles to safety and heroically saved his crew, describes the Solomon Islands themselves ("there is no patch of ocean and earth quite like this anywhere else in the world") and ends with a technical, though lucid, account of his own efforts to recover the ship. Complete with photographs from the expedition, archival photos and an introduction by Sen. Ted Kennedy, this captivating book should appeal to history buffs and Kennedy fans alike and could be an engaging introduction to PT 109's story and Kennedy lore for younger readers. Photos, maps. (Nov.)
