Chapter 20-21 Summary and Analysis

Acheson tried to block Kennedy from receiving the 1960 Presidential nomination. Kennedy consulted him after the election regarding the positions of State, Treasury and Defense. Acheson turned down the position of Ambassador to NATO. Kennedy offered the positions of State, Treasury or Defense Secretary to Lovett who refused for health reasons. Acheson, Lovett and McCloy all backed Rusk for Secretary of State. McCloy agreed to be a special adviser for arms control. Bohlen became the State Department's Soviet expert for Rusk.

Bohlen, Kennan and Harriman advised Kennedy to convene a summit meeting with Khurshchev. Harriman took an extensive tour of the Soviet Union and met with Khrushchev. He concluded that it would be possible to negotiate with Khrushchev. Harriman became a Roving Ambassador in the Kennedy Administration.

In Chapter Twenty One, Harriman is sent to Laos in preparation for talks...