Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye: Memories of John Fitzgerald Kennedy

by Kenneth P. O'Donnell

An intimate portrait of an iconic American from the men closest to him.

As a politician, John F. Kennedy crafted an image that inspired and thrilled millions—and left an outsize legacy after his tragic murder. Only a select inner circle was privy to the man behind Camelot.

In Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye, Kenneth P. O’Donnell and David F. Powers, two members of Kennedy’s “Irish Mafia,” give an unflinching, honest, and intimate portrayal of the Kennedy family and JFK’s presidency. As they recount Kennedy’s journey from his charismatic first campaign for Congress to his rapid rise to national standing, culminating on a November day in Texas, O’Donnell and Powers reveal the inner workings of a leader still mourned today.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Presidents, Memoir, Politics, American History

434 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Kenneth P. O’Donnell (1924–1977) was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in March 1924, and was the founding member of what the press dubbed the “Boston Irish Mafia,” which also included David F. Powers and Larry O’Brien. His father was the famed Holy Cross football coach Cleo O’Donnell. Kenneth O’Donnell became a bombardier pilot, a war hero, and a graduate of Harvard University, where he played football with Robert F. Kennedy. He was later inducted into Harvard’s football hall of fame, and many of his records remain unbroken to this day.

O’Donnell met John F. Kennedy in 1946, and through his relationship with Bobby Kennedy, became John Kennedy’s top political aide from that point forward. During the 1960 political campaign, he worked hand in glove with Jack and Robert Kennedy as they developed the “Kennedy machine” and drove it to victory.

Once in the White House, John Kennedy named O’Donnell special assistant and appointment secretary; nobody got to see Jack Kennedy without first going through O’Donnell. He was with Kennedy that fateful afternoon in Dallas, Texas, in 1963.

After Kennedy’s death, O’Donnell stayed on for one year in the same role with then-president Lyndon Johnson. He also became executive director of the Democratic National Committee and is credited with helping to create the modern DNC. He later left Washington to return to Boston, where he ran for governor in 1966, losing in a very tight race. Later, as a political consultant, he worked with senators Robert F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey. He remained close to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis throughout his life, helping her to establish the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. He also remained a close friend and advisor to Bobby Kennedy.

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes you wonder what his presidency would have been like had he lived under the ever watchful eye of current media.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently watched the documentary The Kennedys' Irish Mafia (2016) and it prompted me to finally get to this Kennedy memoir written by two of the insiders: O'Donnell, David Powers with journalist Joe McCarthy. I saw complaints about this being a whitewash and expected as much, but, honestly, I have had plenty of revelations and conspiracies. With a peek into Camelot, there is also some interesting history: Dave Powers "who was watching the president and Connally carefully during the shooting" thinks there were four shots at the assassination being three hits and a miss. Also, "Kennedy had made up his mind not to involve any American combat troops or planes in this fight [Bay of Pigs Invasion] between two Cuban political factions even though the rebels had his approval and the support and direction of his government's Central Intelligence Agency. When the reports of failure came from the beachhead, he refused to give in to his military advisers, who had accepted his earlier order against any American participation in the invasion, but now argued that we had to change the plan and send in American reinforcements to beat Castro and save the prestige of the United States. Kennedy firmly disagreed. As sorry as he felt for the stranded rebels on the beaches, he preferred the embarrassment of defeat to the use of American military force against a small and independent nation."

On a lighter note, I appreciate his love for poetry, both reading and reciting it, including this excerpt from a poem by Domingo Ortega:

Bullfight critics ranked in rows
Crowd the enormous Plaza full;
But he’s the only one who knows—
And he’s the man who fights the bull.

The penultimate chapter tracking the life up to the assassination feels like Kennedy was crossing off a bucket list as if he knew subconsciously of his pending demise: tips with no political or negative political value for pure enjoyment to Ireland and Rome and making such potentially politically harmful decisions as a draw down of troops in Vietnam and his Kennedy's 'yes' to Wheat For Russia.

[Neil Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read many JFK books and thought I would listen to the audible version of this book just to round out my collection. I found this book to be different. Since the author was right with JFK through his rise to power and during all of his time as President, he documented a more intimate and personal account than most more scholarly historical accounts. This made the book very engaging and interesting. It is, of course, a "friendly" account but it is also detailed and provides a unique perspective. At this time when our country hungers for real leadership, it is encouraging to hear how the Presidency could be. Being strong in the Cold War while avoiding war, challenging the country to go to the moon, stretching what would be politically wise to move civil rights ahead, this is truly what a great America looked like. It is depressing to see how far we have fallen but also encouraging to think that perhaps great leaders are still somewhere in our country's future who, though imperfect, will have vision and honor.

[Stephen Terrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a personal observation book written by Kenneth P. O'Donnell and David Powers, two of JFK's insiders from the beginning of his first campaign for Congress, through riding in the motorcade directly behind JFK's limousine on that fateful day in November, 1963.

This is not an objective history. Nor is it a complete history. Written in 1972, less than a decade after the assassination, O'Donnell and Powers (co-authors, although the story is written with O'Donnell as the narrator) wrote from their perspective of admiration for their hero. There are no inside dirt -- nothing about the later-revealed affairs or drugs used to ease Kennedy's excruciating back pain. But there is much about the inner-workings of JFK and the Kennedy White House.

Is is an unvarnished history? No. But it is full of insight about JFK, his career, his thought processes, his relationships, and his keen sense of political insight and judgment that saved the US from nuclear war in October 1962.

It is a very worthwhile read.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read several books on JFK previously but never got around to this one until now. It turns out this account is the source material for so many of the anecdotes I read in the other books. Written by two of his closest friends and aides, it provides an engaging, personal account of Kennedy's political career.

[Richard Walden · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very laudatory even adulatory portrait of JFK by two of his oldest political; friends and aides. Many 'insider' details. I'm a HUGE JFK fan, but that being said, certain of his shortcomings, flaws, and miscues are ignored. The prose is leaden. Chris Matthews' "Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero," is a much better read.

[Mary-Jo Havlicek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A personal and intimate story of Kennedy's "Irish Mafia" buds. Kenneth P. O"Donnell and David F. Powers wrote a telling account of their friendship, revealing theirperspect of events and the life of Kennedy.

[Josh Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book proovide candid insights to the drama that unfolded dirrin the Camelot years. Offered insight that was at times crtical of yhose with whom he interactef.
I found the points offered aboug lyndon jobndon interestin snd will push me to read how the jkhnson people the same eventd

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's so obvious from the very beginning how much O'Donnell loved JFK and loathed LBJ, it gave me a little pause reading the rest of the book and trying to determine if certain sections were overloaded with bias. It is an easy read and well written and complete nevertheless.

[Bertia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has easily been my favorite Kennedy book. Great read. I highly recommend it.

[Charlene McGrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good to get the perspective of the two men who worked closely with President Kennedy. They had alot of respect for JFK which I appreciated.

[Gregg Puluka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read to get the real back story from a good friend of Jack.

[Tim Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by his aid Kenneth O'Donnell, it talks about the story of JFK thru the assassination. Great historical read.

[Nicko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather hagiographic at some points, but overall a good read on a great man.

[Melinda Battaile]

Great book but definitely rose colored glasses on the authors.

[Jim Cramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Release all of the records related to this leaders death! The American public deserve no less. Excellent read.

[Jim Swike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected more from the author. I didn't learn much. Maybe you will feel differently. Enjoy!

[Deepika · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing I wished is that this book had pictures! Overall, Interesting account of jfks presidency and the events leading up to and after his death.

[Teresa Lawler · Rating 4 out of 5]

JFK

I first read this book when I was in junior high. Lots of interesting anecdotes along with what could have been.

[Maureen O'Donnell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whitewashed .... bad

[Pete daPixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three authors are credited with contributing their memoirs in 'Johnny We Hardly Knew Ye', first published in 1970. Kenny O'Donnell, Dave Powers and Joe McCarthy, political aides to JFK through his campaigns and elections to Congress in 1946, to the Senate in 1952 and 1958, his Presidential campaign and election in 1960, and through his White House years to November '63.
Although this is a fascinating and very poignant memoir, it is also somewhat inclined to sanctify.
The narration comes from O'Donnell, who documents Kennedy's political journey from Boston to Dallas, with all the momentous intrigue of the 'New Frontier', told with the insight of these privileged insiders. However, since 1970, many other publications have exposed another side of Camelot that O'Donnell and Powers have omitted. There are many references to JFK and Powers' noon sojourns to the White House swimming pool, but no mention of any female participants. The authors avoid any mention of liaisons with Hollywood sex bombs, White House interns or Mafia molls, which have since been exposed in print.
Perhaps the most perfidious omission relates to the murder in Dealey Plaza. Both O'Donnell and Powers, who rode in the Secret Service follow-up car, only feet behind the presidential limousine fail to express their true impressions of the shooting in Dallas.
In his political memoirs, Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil writes that Kenneth O’Donnell said he was sure he had heard two shots that came from behind the fence on the grassy knoll. “I told the FBI what I had heard, but they said it couldn’t have happened that way and that I must have been imagining things. So I testified the way they wanted me to.” O’Neil reports that Dave Powers, who was present when O’Donnell made this statement, said he had the same recollection of the shots.
No profiles in courage in this book then....yet a valued history none the less.

[Sanjeev · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book originally came out in 1970 and is now available in Kindle edition. Kenny O'Donnell and Dave Powers were 2 of the Kennedy's' closest aides who worked with him from 1946 until his death, they were in the car right behind when Kennedy was shot, and after his death both of them worked with Jackie Kennedy and helped her establish the presidential library.

This is an intimate and flattering portrait of Kennedy that reveals him in all the bright colors: how intelligent, witty, hard working, relentless and compassionate John Kennedy was. It deals mostly with his work life, his politics, his campaigns, and his mastery of foreign policy.

There is not much about his personal life in this book. Kennedy's contact with Frank Sinatra and his mafia connections is referenced only once; and no mention of his affairs like we know from book by Mimi Alford Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath. At one point they hint that Kennedy disappeared for half an hour at his inaugural ball, but that's about all. We know from Mimi Alford's Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath that Dave Powers was Kennedy's partner in womanizing - more like his pimp. But Powers himself is totally mum about that.

This book is an adulatory view of Kennedy from up close, but only his shiny side. Makes a good read though.

[Lucia Cervera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, is the best description of Kennedy's presidency, writen by an honest person.

[Ronald Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authors Kenneth P. O'Donnell and David F. Powers were both recruited as aides to JFK early in his political career and remained in his service until that fatal day in November 1963. This book addresses the assassination right away, and the remainder of the book is a chronological collection of their memories of him. Their recollections are often humurous, though they also describe the emotionally salient stresses of the times, both national and geopolitical.

Though we can assume the authors filtered out any details that would of reflected unfavorably on their man, there is still a wealth of interesting tidbits regarding the inner workings of the Kennedy family and the JFK administration. Most of these facts have been part of more complete Kennedy biographies, but they are more interesting coming from the people who witnessed them personally.

The authors repeatedly expressed their surprise at the growth of Kennedy's popularity following actions which had been condemned by the pundits or experts as unwise or political suicide. His rapid rise to national prominence and the charisma that drew huge crowds worldwide are aspects which were recently recalled when his brother, Senator Ted Kennedy, compared the hope his brother inspired to that of presidential candidate Barack Obama.

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was already an admirer of John F. Kennedy before I read this book, but came away with an even more favorable opinion of him afterwards. "Johnny We Hardly
Knew Ye" is a sometimes maudlin labor of love by two of his former aides. We see the human side of JFK, and also get a revealing glimpse into the obnoxious personality of Lyndon B. Johnson, who comes off looking pretty bad here. Especially revealing is the curious way LBJ acted in the immediate aftermath of the assassination. The bitterness O'Donnell and Powers felt towards Johnson still comes through loud and clear, over a decade later. Any fan of JFK, or anyone interested in American political history, would really enjoy this book.

[Penny Pennella · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is essentilaly a love story from Kenny O'Donnell and Dave Powers. Kenny takes the narrative and gives us an insiders look into how the candidate made his mark and how the Preisdent ran his office. there are so many poignant kemories from these two men of the large and small incidents throughout Kennedy's all too short time as candidate and President. The memories of Kennedy's trip to Ireland and his visit, unannounced, to his sister Kick's grave on his way home thoroughly captivated me. The part at the end about all that was lost when he was killed and the origin of the term "Johnny we hardly knew ye" were especially touching.
I not only enjoyed the book, I loved it.

[Leroy Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was published in 1970 and I bought it on April 27th of 1974. It got set to the side and I never read it until now. Kenneth O'Donnell writes about John Kennedy's political years, from his first run for the House in 1946 until his death in 1963. What comes through is O'Donnell's admiration of John Kennedy (and Jackie). His analysis of what went on during the Cuban missile crisis and other major events of the time are worth reading. Unfortunately, it also brings back feelings of what might have been if Kennedy had not been killed.

[trell · Rating 5 out of 5]

fond memoirs from two of kennedy’s top aides, undoubtedly full of bias but tremendous fun. very light-hearted, and certainly fully correct about LBJ being a rat bastard. the first chapter is deeply upsetting, as o’donnell and powers’ recollection of kennedy’s death is strikingly visceral, but it’s very intentionally the opening of the book so that the darkest piece isn’t the end, which works well. also bittersweet to read now, for the same reason

[Linda Still · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is certainly a must if you are politically motivated. I voted for Kennedy, but found much to like about him in this book. I didn't care so much about the machinations of politics but loved learning so much more about him personally. Imagine, JFK was shy!?!?!? Really? He covered it well. Liked learning about the decision making process that he used regarding the Bay of Pigs, The Cuban Missile Crisis and his interactions with Russia. Kennedy was gone much too soon.

[Bryan McCullick · Rating 4 out of 5]

an insider's view, admittedly done by two guys close to the subject, but still lots of good stories. vivid and honest descriptions of what happened during the first campaign for congress up to the presidency.