The thesis is a long, complex analysis of the reasons for Britain's slow response to the rearmament of Germany. Its crux is the contention that men like Chamberiain and Baldwin do not carry the principal responsibility for Munich, but, rather, that Munich was caused by deeper forces inherent in democracy and capitalism. These forces Kennedy saw as apathy, concern with profits and security, pacifism, and fear of regimentation.

Kennedy concluded: "Most of the critics have been firing at the wrong target. The Munich Pact itself should not be object of criticism but rather the underlying factors, such as the state of British opinion and the condition of Britain's armaments which made 'surrender' inevitable. To blame one man, such as Baldwin, for the unpreparedness of British armaments is illogical and unfair, given the conditions of democratic government."

Kennedy graduated from Harvard in June, 1940--very much pleased with his senior year's work. In the Yearbook he listed his intended vocation as law. His Winthrop House room-mate Charles Rousmaniere (now chairman of the Harvard Alumni Fund) says Kennedy told most questioners that he wished to go into journalism. In truth, Kennedy was very much unsure about the future. He did not decide on a career in politics until after the destruction of his PT boat in the Pacific and the death of his brother Joe (who had been two years ahead of him at Harvard).

What Kennedy did not do at Harvard is as interesting as what he did despite the great amount of political agitation concerning the New Deal. Kennedy stayed out of politics and away from campus politicos. He was a member of the Catholic Club four years and attended church services regularly. He never joined the Young Democrats and attended hardly any political meetings at all. In Winthrop his room-mates were athletes and his conversation seldom touched politics, although he did give mild support to Roosevelt. In letters to his father he backed Joseph Kennedy's approval of Neville Chamberlain but he did not speak much about this to his friends.

Friends recall him as generally carefree and happy-go-lucky. Rousmanier says Kennedy was "very well-liked and admired" Another friend said Kennedy exuded "an aura of leadership even in personal affairs. If you were on his side, you were really in and that was tremendous. If you were not, he would woo you if he wanted you and could usually succeed in getting his way. If he didn't want you, he would cast you in outer darkness."

Along with these qualities, Kennedy had an excellent sense of humor. "If he had been nothing but a humorist," Cleveland Amory said, "he would have been famous."

The same magnetism and humor were apparent on Jan. 9, 1963, when as President-elect Kennedy visited Harvard Yard for the last time. "I am here to discuss your grades with President Pusey," Kennedy told the crowd that greeted him before a meeting of the Board of Overseers. "I shall represent your interests."

As President, Kennedy did not have time enough to maintain the same interest in Harvard he had taken while a Senator. However, he did make arrangements this summer for a continuing connection with the University. He signed an agreement with President Pusey for a museum and library of Kennedy Administration papers that will be built on the grounds of the Business School across the Charles River from Dunster House.

Tragically, this library will now be constructed much sooner than anticipated. It will perpetuate indefinitely the complicated tie between John F. Kennedy and his alma mater