Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversation on Life with John F. Kennedy

When remembering Jacqueline Kennedy, there are two images most Americans recall: her signature bouffant hair and string of pearls, or her pink ensemble with a pillbox hat covered in her husband’s blood.  But what happened when she left the White House?  Who was she after JFK’s death?  This grieving widow, mother, daughter, and friend gave a series of interviews to Arthur Schlesinger, Jr, in 1964 recalling historic moments in her husband’s presidency with the intention of documenting these first-hand accounts while they were still fresh in her memory.  These interviews, along with photographs of the Kennedys and a foreword by their daughter Caroline Kennedy, were released in 2011 as the book Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy for the 50^th anniversary of President Kennedy’s inauguration.

Schlesinger, a historian, became acquainted with the Kennedys while he and JFK attended Harvard together.  He later worked on the Kennedy presidential campaign as a speechwriter.  His own personal memoir of this time won him a Pulitzer Prize in 1965 as the book A Thousand Days.  Schlesinger’s closeness with the family gave him unfettered access to a very private Jacqueline in her darkest days.  The trust built between them can be felt in these interviews – she quietly seeks his advice before recounting certain events, and candidly talks through private moments with him. 

I give Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy 4 out of 5 stars.  I chose the audio version of this book partially to match the audio version of my last review (Jackie and Maria) and partially because I love hearing historical figures give their story in their own voice.  These taps, being 50 years old, have been restored, but there are still portions that were difficult to understand.  Several moments in these interviews were duplicated and the discussion did feel circular at times.  However, these interviews give a remarkable look at Jacqueline Kennedy’s personality, even through her grief.  I also enjoyed the realness of these tapes – several times the Kennedy children interrupted the interviews, you could hear environmental sounds like cars or planes, and they pause at one point to refill their drinks.

I recommend this book for readers interested in a behind-the-scenes look at one of the well-known presidencies and first families.  If you enjoyed My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsberg, you will love this book as well.  I have listened to the audio versions of both and loved them both.  Given the heavier discussions of politics, historical events, and death, this book may be best suited for audiences over 13.

I chose Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy for the Nonfiction portion of the Booklist Queen reading prompt “A Fiction and Nonfiction Pairing”.  My fiction choice was my review posted yesterday: Jackie and Maria, a historical fiction novel about Jacqueline’s later life starting with the presidency and continuing through her marriage to Aristotle Onassis.  After spending the last week and a half with this remarkable woman, I am sad to move on to other characters.  If you are interested in learning more about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, I would suggest listening to including both of these in your reading!

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What I’m Reading

• Current print book: Quentins, Maeve Binchy
• Current audio book: The Secret Adversary, Agatha Christie
• Book I’m most looking forward to: Lonesome Dove, Larry McMurtry