JFK & the Muckers of Choate

A Real-to-Life Novel

By: Scott Badler

Narrated by: Dave Cavanaugh

In the turbulent times of a young man's high school experience, one must find his way, make himself known to his peers, and most of all, establish himself in the oftentimes hostile world he is trapped in. JFK & the Muckers of Choate takes a look at John F. Kennedy's time in high school at Choate, a preppy, Waspish all-boys boarding school.

As a Catholic at a time when anti-Catholic sentiment was rampant, JFK found that his four years in this Connecticut institution were much more jagged, complicated, and high-stakes than he expected. Why? It turned out that the future president actively defied Choate's sometimes authoritarian rulers, and in his own personal rebellion, associated himself with and led a number of similarly minded iconoclasts who wound up as his closest companions, both then and afterward.

JFK's chaotic and adventure-filled high school days, as narrated by JFK himself, not only tell us a great deal about an important, yet largely unchronicled, stop on his rapid journey to the presidency, but because it's entirely based on real events, offer us a thoroughly enjoyable and illuminating look at a charismatic American icon whom most listeners will adore, many for the first time.

©2022 Scott Badler (P)2022 Bancroft Press

Muckers is a tremendous listen!

We all have read about JFK as the Massachusetts Senator, the courage he showed as president, and his heartbreaking assassination. We have all read about his charisma, his beautiful bride and children, and his White House antics.

But i know I have never read about JFK as a young man, where his charisma was in a formative state and it was not clear he would be special at all. This book provides a window into this fascinating time. It captures his friendships and relationships with his family, friends, and Choate classmates. Furthermore it presents his health challenges and his problems with stupid authority. So much of this brought a smile to my face!

Dave Cavanaugh did a fantastic job narrating the book. He has an excellent Boston-Kennedy accent, and a beautifully resonant voice that he successfully adapts to many characters in the book. Furthermore he is playful with hoots and hollers that the book avails. The production is top shelf.

I just hope Scott Badler writes a sequel based on JFKs college years and that these years have their own edge like that provided by the Muckers at Choate!