tim naftali, thanks for joining us on our set. what's the importance of a book festival like this in the world of, the literary world? >> guest: first of all, peter, it's a pleasure to be here. first of all, it's proof that you can have a good literary discussion in good weather. the second is that this is an opportunity for people to listen to authors talk about their books, talk about the ideas that inform their books and respond to questions. you know, when you write a book, you're not sure who's going to read it. you put a book out there, and it move ofs around and goes to public libraries, some people buy it, so this is not a one-way street here. this is not just authors talking at people, it's people who have read their books asking them questions and sharing their stories and explaining how their books, what their books meant to them. so it's a love fest. >> host: well, as a presidential historian i want to ask about a couple of recent books that have come out and get your take. david rem nick's is writing a new biography o

river side, you are on with tim naftali. >> caller: right, river side is building up, you know. i was wondering, president kennedy, i was listening to a preview about letters to jackie. why do you think he came off as being so popular and it's just a shame that somebody had to take his life. there's always somebody there when somebody has progressive ideas that has to stop these people. the world would be a better place if they'd stay out. i'd like your opinion on why he captivated people all over the world. thank you very much and god bless. >> guest: thank you very much. it's a great question. i have to say i'm working my next presidential book will be about john f. kennedy. i think kennedy represented an entire generation of americans who were first lieutenants in world war ii. the country -- we call them the greatest generation now or we have in the last 10 years, that whole generation was coming into its own in the 1960s. john kennedy was a charming, attractive, and strong representative for that generation. so when he was cut down so young, it was a slap not simply against

we will kick off with an author kawlija with presidential historian tim naftali the author of several books and serves as the director of the richard nixon library in nearby yorba linda. he will be followed in about 30 minutes by nomi prince about the 2008 financial crisis. she is also based in california and is a scholar with the demos think tank. then the first author panel of today is called quote polk history rising above oppression." offers the attorney, richard ressa and jeffrey robinson will be participating. and during the short break after that panel, we will ask you what he would like to see on book tv. then at about 3:30 eastern time, 12:50 pacific, another author panel, "struggle for a better tomorrow" is the name of that panel and that will be followed by a call-in with sociologist at usc and the author of quote culture of your stock quote written ten years ago but has been released on its tenth anniversary. ..