As We Remember Her: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in the Words of Her Family and Friends

by Carl Sferrazza Anthony

A personal portrait of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis features interviews with her closest family, friends, and colleagues, and contains personal family photos and memorabilia, such as her own drawings and poetry

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

384 pages, Hardcover

First published May 21, 1997

Reviews

[Irina]

A nice collection of personal anecdotes about Jackie shared by her friends and family. I found it worth reading for it gave some insights into her private and regular, day-to-day part of life. A few of her friends mention Jackie not wanting to write her memoir despite the encouragement from many close to her. It is a pity for sure, but “As We a Remember Her” can be seen as an alternative. Like Rachel Cusk’s “Outline” a personal life story told through the words of others sometimes is even more revealing than a regular autobiography.

[Rho · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking to read an objective biography of Jacqueline Kennedy this is not the book you want to read. It is a keepsake tribute book written soon after her death with personal memories of those who knew her. This book has captured the essence of her life. There is great incite into her JFK years - the public did not realize at the time how truly intelligent she was and also interested in politics as well as the arts. Also there is great inspiration to be found in her post political life/ post JFK years as well. It portrays her as an adventurous, spirited woman who was uncomfortable with being vaulted into an American icon by her adoring public. She was an inspiration and role model for all of us.

[Kricket · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography is extremely riveting but perhaps a bit too worshipful- of course no one is going to say anything BAD about Jackie O in an interview with her biographer. She really was a fascinating figure: she was shy and defended her privacy, but used her power for good as much as possible. She was kind, smart, helpful, powerful, intriguing- but I would have liked to see a bit more humanity in the book. I don't like to think of so many women who admire her believing that this kind of perfection is obtainable.
Also interesting for me to read this at the same time I'm going through 'The Feminine Mystique'- because Jackie was married right into that context, and she gave up a lot in order for JFK to have the spotlight, and to be a "good wife." The book doesn't go into JFK's infidelities except vaguely, probably out of respect for Jackie, but it's strange not to get the whole story. When Jackie later married Aristotle Onassis, she again gave up many things she wanted to do because Ari told her that "greek wives don't work.' Incidentally, the biographer grew up in the same era of the feminine mystique, which is probably why he puts Jackie on such a pedestal. Again, this still makes for an excellent and insightful read...just maybe not one hundred percent real.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book when I got this random interest in learning more about Jackie Kennedy. As a public figure that the world was obsessed with I wanted to know more about her than her "fashion sense" and "proper demeanor". I really enjoyed reading this book and learning more about her through her own words and the words of her friends and family. It was easy for me to see why she was such an amazing person. She had a lot of tragedies in her life and yet she kept going and living. She is someone I admire, for her strength, for her desire for knowledge and education, and for her individuality. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning a little bit more about Jackie O, as well as to the well seasoned Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis veteran.