Countdown 1960

The Behind-the-Scenes Story of the 312 Days that Changed America's Politics Forever

By: Chris Wallace, Mitch Weiss

Narrated by: Dylan Baker, Chris Wallace

A riveting new work and fresh take on the lead-up to the presidential election of 1960, drawing timely parallels to the choice Americans face in 2024

It’s January 2, 1960: the day that Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy declared his candidacy; and with this opening scene, Chris Wallace offers readers a front-row seat to history. From the challenge of primary battles in a nation that had never elected a Catholic president, to the intense machinations of the national conventions—where JFK chose Lyndon B. Johnson as his running mate over the impassioned objections of his brother Bobby—this is a nonfiction political thriller filled with intrigue, cinematic action, and fresh reporting. Like with many popular histories, readers will be familiar with the story, but few will know the behind-the-scenes details, told here with gripping effect.

Featuring some of history’s most remarkable characters, page-turning action, and vivid details, Countdown 1960 follows a group of extraordinary politicians, civil rights leaders, Hollywood stars, labor bosses, and mobsters during a pivotal year in American history. The election of 1960 ushered in the modern era of presidential politics, with televised debates, private planes, and slick advertising. In fact, television played a massive role. It allowed voters to see the candidates’ appearances. More than 70 million Americans watched one or all four debates. The public turned to television to watch campaign rallies. And on the night of the election, the contest between Kennedy and Nixon was so close that Americans were glued to their televisions long after dawn to see who won.

The year 1960 was a deeply contentious, perilous time for America. It also was a moment our nation survived due to courage, leadership, and patriotism.


* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF that contains selected photos from the book.

Enthusiastic delivery

The countdown format was very interesting. It really delivered a nail-biting thriller that allowed the reader/listener to become really involved. The performer presented slight accents, and softer tones for women’s quotes. Very enjoyable.

Always a fascinating story

No real insights here. It’s really reporting facts with little analysis. If you’re relatively new to the JFK thing, then you’ll love this. It’s all there: Joe Kennedy and his ambition for his sons, JFK’s reckless womanizing/adultery, Bobby’s ruthless and effective management of the campaign, Nixon and the debates, Sinatra, Judith Campbell, Sam Giancana, Daley and Chicago, LBJ, possibly stolen election and Nixon’s refusal to challenge the results “for the good of the country.”

If you are familiar with all this, you’ll find little that is new, however compelling the story. If you want a political science book, read Theodore White’s “The Making of a President, 1960.” Written in 1962, It’s a Little dated and clunky in parts, but still a seminal work and a deeper dive.

The reader was good, not great. His Richard Nixon voice was spot on. His JFK, not so much.

Great story - interesting and great pace

Overall a great book. Insightful and interesting. I never knew that there was so much corruption and fraud surrounding JFK’s election. What a shame, but what a story. Great read (or listen). Narrator did a great job even with the voices. Would definitely recommend

Bad imitations of voices

I am an avid and long term JFK scholar…and I did learn a few things listening to this informative book

Countdown 1960 - Compelling History

Chris Wallace in Countdown 1960 has provided a compelling behind-the-scenes popular history of the Nixon/Kennedy presidential election campaign with many fascinating personal details of. Nixon's and Kennedy's personal lives.