Viewfinder: Book Club Welcomes Chris Matthews

Thursday evening, hosted its first meeting of 2012. And, as promised, this year's club is living up to its quality reputation.

In a sold-out show at the , which ran from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday evening, Smerconish welcomed his first guest of the year, MSNBC's Chris Matthews.

Matthews, whose presence generated a full house—including one man who claimed he and Matthews were schoolmates, and arrived with his old yearbook in tow—had much to talk about.

Thursday's topic of discussion? Matthews' new book, Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero, which has become a New York Times bestseller since its late 2011 release.

Guests filed into the with copies of the book, anxiously waiting for the post-show book-signing.

One of Smerconish's initial questions to Matthews asked, why pen a book about a public figure whose life has been chronicled extensively by others?

"I knew I could do it," said Matthews, citing numerous ties to Kennedy's inner circle. "As a reporter, one thing I've learned is, you've got to be in (your work completely)."

According to the book's inside jacket, "We see this most beloved president in the company of friends. We see and feel him close-up, having fun and giving off that restlessness of his. We watch him navigate his life from privileged, rebellious youth to gutsy American president."

Besides giving fans a chance to meet Matthews and get their books signed, a surprise announcement sent a cheer across the theater.

"Tonight's show is being recorded (as part of a segment that will later) air in movie theaters across America," boomed a woman's voice over the loudspeakers.

While Smerconish's first book club of 2012 went out with a bang, he promises each of the year's six book clubs will be equal in merit.

Next up? On March 7, Michael Smerconish's Book Club will feature five celebrated authors in one night, under the same roof.

Visit Smerconish's official book club website for more information or to purchase tickets.