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The Wit and Wisdom of JFK: Wisconsin Edition

  • L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, Riverview Room 400 Eau Claire Street Eau Claire, WI, 54701 United States (map)

B.J. Hollars

If you weren’t able to join us for Hollars’s live event or are interested in watching it again, click below to watch the recording.


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.

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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.


Earlier Event: October 18
Arshay Cooper: Calling People In
Later Event: October 19
Small in Size, Big in Personality