Victor Lasky
Encyclopedia
Victor Lasky was a conservative columnist
in the United States
who wrote several best-selling books. He was syndicated by North American Newspaper Alliance
.
, in which the authors argued in favor of Whittaker Chambers
over Alger Hiss
.
He was one of the first journalists to write a critical view of President John F. Kennedy
. His 1963 book JFK: The Man And The Myth also took a negative viewpoint of the popular young president. Lasky questioned Kennedy's wartime heroics on the PT-109
and claimed he had a lackluster record as a congressman
and senator
. Lasky also wrote a similar negative book about Robert Kennedy.
Lasky's most controversial book was It Didn't Start With Watergate published in 1977. The author argued that the scandal that drove Richard Nixon
from office was little more than a media event. He believed that the press disliked Nixon and subjected him to unfair scrutiny no other president had ever experienced. Lasky also claimed that Franklin D. Roosevelt
had used wiretaps on political opponents as well as John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson
.
Lasky professed the greatest political "crime of the century" was not Watergate but what he describes as the "theft" of the 1960 Presidential election.
In 1979, Lasky wrote another controversial work called Jimmy Carter: The Man And The Myth, asserting that Carter
was one of the most inept presidents of all time.
Lasky's last work was Never Complain, Never Explain (1981), a biography of Henry Ford II.
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
who wrote several best-selling books. He was syndicated by North American Newspaper Alliance
North American Newspaper Alliance
The North American Newspaper Alliance was a large newspaper syndicate that flourished between 1922 and 1980.Founded by John Neville Wheeler, NANA employed some of the most noted writing talents of its time, including Grantland Rice, Joseph Alsop, Michael Stern, Lothrop Stoddard, Dorothy Thompson,...
.
Life
He came to prominence first with his book Seeds of Treason, co-authored with Ralph de ToledanoRalph de Toledano
Ralph de Toledano was a major figure in the conservative movement in the United States throughout the second half of the 20th century.-Early years:...
, in which the authors argued in favor of Whittaker Chambers
Whittaker Chambers
Whittaker Chambers was born Jay Vivian Chambers and also known as David Whittaker Chambers , was an American writer and editor. After being a Communist Party USA member and Soviet spy, he later renounced communism and became an outspoken opponent later testifying in the perjury and espionage trial...
over Alger Hiss
Alger Hiss
Alger Hiss was an American lawyer, government official, author, and lecturer. He was involved in the establishment of the United Nations both as a U.S. State Department and U.N. official...
.
He was one of the first journalists to write a critical view of President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
. His 1963 book JFK: The Man And The Myth also took a negative viewpoint of the popular young president. Lasky questioned Kennedy's wartime heroics on the PT-109
Motor Torpedo Boat PT-109
PT-109 was a PT boat last commanded by Lieutenant, junior grade John F. Kennedy in the Pacific Theater during World War II...
and claimed he had a lackluster record as a congressman
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
and senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. Lasky also wrote a similar negative book about Robert Kennedy.
Lasky's most controversial book was It Didn't Start With Watergate published in 1977. The author argued that the scandal that drove Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
from office was little more than a media event. He believed that the press disliked Nixon and subjected him to unfair scrutiny no other president had ever experienced. Lasky also claimed that Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
had used wiretaps on political opponents as well as John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
.
Lasky professed the greatest political "crime of the century" was not Watergate but what he describes as the "theft" of the 1960 Presidential election.
In 1979, Lasky wrote another controversial work called Jimmy Carter: The Man And The Myth, asserting that Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
was one of the most inept presidents of all time.
Lasky's last work was Never Complain, Never Explain (1981), a biography of Henry Ford II.
See also
- Floyd Abrams and the McCarthy documentary case
- Helen WhitneyHelen WhitneyHelen Whitney is an award-winning producer for the American Broadcasting Company.She produced a documentary called American Inquisition, which became the subject of a very famous case about First Amendment rights...
- Luella MundelLuella MundelLuella Mundel was the subject of a documentary by Helen Whitney called American Inquisition. The program examined how McCarthyism had affected the small town of Fairmont, West Virginia. Victor Lasky, "the rightwing journalist" who rose to prominence in the McCarthy era, sued ABC over his...