Title: Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy
Author: Jacqueline Kennedy
First published September 14, 2011
368 pages, Illustrated Book and CD Set
ISBN: 9781401324254 (ISBN10: 1401324258)
Rating: 3.95
Overview
Jacqueline Kennedy’s Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy is a poignant tribute to the life and legacy of the 35th President of the United States.
In 1964, Jacqueline Kennedy recorded seven historic interviews about her life with John F. Kennedy.
For the first time, these interviews can be read in a deluxe, illustrated eBook. Shortly after her husband’s assassination, Jacqueline Kennedy found the strength to document and preserve her husband’s legacy.
She sat down with historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. in March of 1964 and recorded an astonishingly detailed and unvarnished account of her experiences and impressions as the wife and confidante of John F. Kennedy.
The resulting eight and a half hours of material comprises a unique and compelling record of a tumultuous era, providing fresh insights on the many significant people and events that shaped JFK’s presidency but also shedding new light on the man behind the momentous decisions. With an introduction and annotations by renowned presidential historian Michael Beschloss, these interviews offer a captivating glimpse into the active mind of a remarkable First Lady and provide an exciting new dimension to our understanding and appreciation of President Kennedy and his time.
Editoral Review
Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy, published in 2011, offers a unique perspective on the life of one of America’s most beloved presidential couples.
Compiled by historian Michael Beschloss, this book is a compilation of interviews that Jacqueline Kennedy conducted with Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., shortly after the assassination of her husband, President John F.
Kennedy. In this book, Jacqueline Kennedy provides an intimate portrait of the Kennedy White House, revealing details of her husband’s leadership style, their family life, as well as their hopes and fears for the future.
The interviews also provide a rare opportunity to hear Jacqueline Kennedy’s views on topics such as the Civil Rights Movement, Cuba, and the Cold War. The book offers a fascinating insight into the role of the first lady and how Jacqueline navigated the challenges of life in the public eye.
As a historical document, Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy is a treasure trove of information.
The interviews capture the mood of the country and give a sense of the profound impact President Kennedy had on American culture. It is also a fascinating insight into the life of one of America’s most revered first ladies and her contribution to the political and cultural landscape of the nation.
The writing in this book is engaging and the stories are compelling. The conversations between Jacqueline Kennedy and Arthur M.
Schlesinger Jr. are vivid and profound, and the book is structured in a way that makes it easy to read. The author, Michael Beschloss, has done an excellent job of compiling and editing the interviews to create a cohesive narrative.
One of the strengths of this book is its focus on character development. Through the interviews, we get to know John and Jacqueline Kennedy in a way that is not often portrayed in history books.
We see how they interacted with one another, the pressures they faced, and the personal sacrifices they made in service to their nation. If there is a weakness to this book, it is that it can seem a bit one-sided.
The interviews are conducted by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., a personal friend of the Kennedys, and so there may be a tendency to gloss over some of the more negative aspects of their presidency.
However, this is a minor criticism, and overall the book is an extraordinary achievement. For those who are interested in American history, politics, or the Kennedy family, Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F.
Kennedy is a must-read. It offers a rare opportunity to hear the first lady’s own words and provides a window into the life of one of America’s most iconic couples.
I highly recommend this book and give it a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars.