Title: Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath
Author: Mimi Alford
First published October 19, 2012
198 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780812981346 (ISBN10: 0812981340)
Rating: 3.55
Overview
Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath by Mimi Alford is a captivating memoir of a young intern’s secret love affair with the most powerful man in the world.
When nineteen-year-old Mimi Beardsley arrived in Washington, D.C., she never expected to meet the President, let alone become his mistress. The allure of the charismatic President was too strong for Mimi to resist, and she found herself trapped in a double life of a college student and a secret lover.
This memoir is a powerful reflection of the struggles that Mimi faced as she tried to keep her secret hidden, only to be haunted by it for years after the President’s assassination. With this unflinchingly honest account of her life, Mimi Alford finally unburdens herself and reclaims the truth.
This edition includes a special Q&A, in which the author reflects on the intense media attention surrounding the book’s initial release.
About the Author
Meet Marion “Mimi” Alford, an American author who gained fame for her book, Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath.
In it, she recounts her relationship with the iconic US President, which took place when she was a 19-year-old intern working in the White House. Originally published in 2011, Alford’s book provides a glimpse into the secret world of one of America’s most influential leaders, and offers readers a unique perspective on a pivotal moment in the country’s history.
Editoral Review
Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath by Mimi Alford is a memoir that details the author’s alleged affair with President Kennedy during her time as a White House intern.
First published on October 19, 2012, the book falls under the genre of political memoir and has historical significance, as it sheds light on one of the most well-known political scandals in American history. Alford’s memoir opens with her first day as a White House intern and quickly moves into her interactions with President Kennedy.
She details the affair in explicit detail, recounting their sexual encounters with a great deal of intimacy. The memoir also describes the aftermath of the affair, including the secrecy and shame that Alford felt in the years following.
Despite the salacious details of the affair, the book also touches on larger themes, such as power dynamics, sexual harassment, and gender inequality in the workplace. It is also a commentary on the culture of the time, where extramarital affairs among powerful men were accepted and often ignored by society.
In terms of the quality of the writing, Alford’s memoir is well-written, engaging, and easy to read. However, the focus on the affair may limit the book’s appeal to certain audiences.
Additionally, some readers may find Alford’s decision to recount her sexual encounters with President Kennedy in such detail uncomfortable or unnecessary. Overall, Once Upon a Secret is a compelling memoir that provides a unique perspective on the Kennedy presidency and the culture of the time.
Readers interested in political scandals, American history, or memoirs in general will find this book to be a page-turner. However, those looking for a more polished, literary memoir may be disappointed.
Therefore, the book earns three out of five stars.
