These Few Precious Days: The Final Year of Jack with Jackie

by Christopher Andersen

The New York Times bestselling author presents the most famous couple in the world in their last year together, answering lingering questions about this still-mesmerizing marriage.Jack and Jackie Kennedy were the emblem of a generation. Their wealth, beauty, elegance, and youth were revered by the public—and still are to this day. The forty-six-year-old president and his glamorous thirty-three-year-old wife may have had everything, but one question remains: After the affairs and the humiliations and the triumphs and tragedies, in the end—at that moment when Jack was killed with Jackie at his side—did the President and his First Lady truly love each other?



Packed with revelations about the First Couple, These Few Precious Days will amaze the world with the whole story of Jack and Jackie’s final year together.

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

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 23, 2013

About the author

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Christopher Peter Andersen is an American journalist and the author of 32 books, including many bestsellers. A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Andersen joined the staff of Time Magazine as a contributing editor in 1969. From 1974 to 1986 Andersen was senior editor of Time Incorporated's People Magazine. He has also written for a wide range of publications, including The New York Times, The New York Daily News, Life, and Vanity Fair.

While his early nonfiction books veered from psychology (The Name Game) to true crime (The Serpent's Tooth) to art collecting ('The Best of Everything', with former Sotheby's chairman John Marion), he is best known for his controversial biographies. Between 1991 and 2011, he published 14 New York Times bestselling biographies. Andersen wrote Mick: The Wild Life and Mad Genius of Jagger to mark the 50th anniversary of the Rolling Stones in July 2012. The book quickly became Andersen's 15th New York Times bestseller.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In These Precious Few Days we get an intimate view into why President Kennedy and First Lady Jackie loved each other and how they were working to overcome the serious problems in their marriage. I've always found this book to be the saddest Kennedy book. It covers the last year of President Kennedy's life. The most heartbreaking part is in that year he was actually starting to become a better husband, President, and person. It makes me sad to think of the great things he could have accomplished.

I'm as you all should know obsessed with The Kennedys. I don't know why. I just have been since I was a teenager. Unlike most people who are obsessed with The Kennedy's I'm not at all interested in The Kennedy Assassinations and thankfully this book doesn't delve into the assassination. I can not imagine how Jackie survived everything she went through. In August of '63 her newborn baby boy died hours after being born. That would be a nightmare for most people but unfortunately just 3 months later Jackie would experience an even more hellish nightmare when she witnessed her beloved husband's brains being blown out. Jackie was a strong woman and she loved her husband despite his many many faults.

I highly recommend These Precious Few Days to Kennedy lovers like me.

A Book for all Seasons Book Club

[Jeanette (Ms. Feisty) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a few books about Jack and Jackie, but they were written by people who didn't want to sully the memories with the trashy secrets. This is the first one I've read that laid it all out -- the good, the bad, and the nunya business smut.

People who've already read other Kennedy tell-alls were disappointed by this book, saying it's derivative and told them nothing new. I was well aware of Jack's philandering in a general sense, and the fact that Jackie was willing to overlook it as long as she wasn't publicly humiliated. However, I didn't know the extent of Jack's "girling", and how blatant and unrepentant he was about it.

The biggest surprise for me was the extensive use of amphetamines by both Kennedys. They had a doctor whose name I've already forgotten, and he dosed them up regularly with a special pick-me-up cocktail, keeping them high as kites and energized so they could keep up their crazy-paced lifestyle.

But it's not all smut and juicy gossip. There are poignant family moments and more charming details about Caroline and John Jr. than I've seen in other books. The only reason I cannot give the book five stars is because the opening scenes depicting Jack's assassination are far too graphic and in poor taste. I can tolerate the juicy gossip about the Kennedy marriage, but I think it's disrespectful to include gruesome details of what was such a horrific event for those who were present.

If you prefer to maintain your happy Camelot illusions, this is a book you'll want to avoid. Read Clint Hill's Mrs. Kennedy and Me An Intimate Memoir instead.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so fascinated by the Kennedys, especially JFK and Jackie, so naturally I just had to read this.

I liked this book a lot but there were a few things I didn’t like. First of all, the title is misleading. This book is about the entirety of their relationship, not just their last year together. Another thing was that it was a bit too gossipy. It talked about JFK’s extramarital affairs a lot. Aside from these things, I did enjoy the inside look that this book provided. JFK and Jackie were truly one of a kind.

[KOMET · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page, the drama conveyed in this book commands your attention and grabs it. For those of us who were not alive during the presidency of John F. Kennedy, it seems almost like a fairy tale the lives that he and his wife lived from the time of their marriage in 1953 to his assassination in Dallas 10 years later.

This book reads almost like a novel, which may be off-putting to those readers expecting a more rigorous, scholarly narrative of events. But let me hasten to add that the author interviewed for this book scores of people --- most of them now deceased --- who knew the Kennedys intimately. (The Acknowledgement section provides a listing of all the people the author interviewed whose lives were closely intertwined with both Kennedys. The author also availed himself of oral histories.) So, the book itself is robust and stands on its own. I found myself transfixed and enthralled by the photos in the book, which show the Kennedys in a variety of places throughout their married life. And though both were distinctive persons in their own right, each came to value the strengths they possessed as a couple. (Indeed, the death of their infant son Patrick in August 1963 brought them closer together.) Anyone who enjoys reading richly textured biographies will love this book.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although These Few Precious Days appeared at first to be a light, gossipy, easy-to listen-to-book, it caused me to think deeply and seriously about some issues of public concern. Although I had read most of it before in previous Kennedy accounts, getting a complete picture of the way these people actually lived, utterly destroyed any remaining vestiges of the Camelot myth that might have survived 50 years since that unforgettable November day when JFK died so violently. I know for certain that I would not have liked either Jack or Jackie in spite of the glittering, sophisticated image they presented to the world. Both were incredibly self-absorbed, self-indulgent individuals who encouraged and enabled these traits in each other. I felt completely duped, although I was clearly not alone. According to this author, they fooled much of the press and some of their closest friends as well.

What probably most shocked me was discovering the extent to which JFK was dependent upon drugs in his daily life; this while he was responsible for life and death decisions involving the entire world! Granted many of the substances now illegal were not prohibited at the time, but really, common sense would tell anyone that this combination of psychotropic chemicals injected daily would be a very bad idea for anyone! If there was no harm in them, why was the President’s and First Lady’s frequent use of these substances kept secret from the public? Why not share the good news so the whole country could function at a “higher level?” It’s obviously because the Kennedys knew, and those close to them also knew, that this behavior was reckless and wrong on so many levels.

As president, JFK did much that I favor including his handling of The Cuban Missile Crisis, establishment of The Peace Corps, and his speech on Civil Rights. He made mistakes, but on the whole, he showed potential to be a great president. However, his time was too short to accomplish his many goals, and no one will ever know if his precarious health would have stood up for another five years, especially with his heavy dependence on various stimulants, painkillers, and steroids. His sudden, violent death changed me and our country profoundly. This book was actually quite sad, taken as a whole, in spite of its apparent frivolous tone. Jack and Jackie were very flawed people, and Camelot never existed, not in fifth century England and certainly not in mid-twentieth century America. I do recommend reading this book for perspective.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just cannot resist books about Jack and Jackie. There aren’t any new revelations, discussion of conspiracy theories; this is strictly about Jack and Jackie.

This book had a personal feel, as if you were the fly on the wall. At least for me it did. It was very light on politics, nothing heavy duty, more on what Jack and Jackie were doing and feeling. It seemed a compilation of comments from those who knew them and interacted with them.

This is the first book that had more of Caroline and John (which were quite fun). John was quite the handful, and Caroline enjoyed playing big sister. I did find it amusing that Jack wanted to try bottle feeding Caroline and lost interest very quickly.

A few interesting facts here and there such as the cigarette brand Jackie smoked.

Two things that stuck with me that I didn’t know; JFK specifically asked Jackie to wear the Pink Chanel suit in Dallas; and that Jackie was handed red roses in Dallas instead of the usual yellow. The red roses must have been signal to somebody.

I love the title…"September Song” is a favorite of mine too.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read many books about the Kennedys, so I found this to be a good general intro. It’s incredibly sad, as expected, and full of weird facts, like JFK preferring to take his coffee with loads of sugar (something Jackie referred to as “nauseating”). I was also surprised to learn that Marilyn Monroe seriously thought that JFK was on the verge of divorcing Jackie and marrying her instead.

Also unsurprising was JFK being an asshole to Jackie on the regular. Of particular note was the excerpt about Jackie having a miscarriage while JFK was partying it up on a Mediterranean yacht. He didn’t see how coming home would fix anything, until his friends suggested that he should probably take care of his wife if he wanted to run for president. What a keeper.

Anyway, I would definitely recommend this for anyone looking to get an introduction to the Kennedys. The book says that it’s a study of Jack and Jackie’s final year together, but it does cover more time than that.

See more of my reviews: Blog // Instagram

[Penny McGill · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, it WAS a book about JFK and Jackie, which I love. It wasn't a book that told me anything I hadn't already read before, which I really don't love. Written by a former editor at People magazine and it reads like an article from one of their issues, just a little bit longer.

I felt like he was making too much of recent 'discoveries' to sell this book as a new angle on their marriage and that wasn't really enough of a hook. Certainly any marriage has different periods and it's possible to see another side of it but it wasn't worth 308 pages with a sketchy section on 'Sources and Chapter Notes'.

Glad I read it but I won't suggest it to anyone. If I come across someone who is really keen on all things Camelot then I'll say they might like to read it but I'll give them some editorial. He mentions Clint Hill's recent memoir of his life as Jackie's secret service agent and quotes him frequently. I preferred Clint Hill's book to this one and will steer all fans of JFK in that direction instead.

[Carmen · Rating 2 out of 5]

What sets These Few Precious Days apart from other books about Jack and Jackie Kennedy is not its content, but its tone. Christopher Andersen closes the distance between the reader and the subjects, making it feel as if you were reading about characters in a novel and not long-dead historical figures. He treads a fine line between intimate and gossipy, sometimes without success, but thankfully he doesn’t go as far as other writers (I’m looking at you, C. David Heymann).

The trouble is these characters are impossible to like. John F. Kennedy was amoral, misogynistic, sordid, inconsiderate, and countless other unflattering adjectives. Leaving Jackie alone after suffering a stillbirth is bad enough, but then he tries to outdo himself by pressuring his pregnant wife into exhausting activities for his political career, by leaving his wife alone to have their child (again), by taking the virginity of a teenage White House intern in Jackie’s bed, by following a woman he likes in his car to her house, by having one of his lovers sing suggestively to him for everyone to see, by having others do his bidding and then letting them take the blame, by using his children to boost his image, by presenting himself as a great statesman when everything was handed to him on a silver platter - Daddy’s wealth and influence made him president, Ted Sorensen wrote his bestseller book and most famous speeches, brother Bobby cleaned up his messes... I could go on, but there’s a limited number of characters in these reviews.

Although Jackie wasn’t as bad as Jack, she could also be problematic. After the stillbirth, she reportedly accepted money as a bribe to stay married, instead of having some self-respect and leaving Jack to face the consequences of his actions for once. When she became First Lady, she dedicated herself to important causes, such as doing scavenger hunts for antiques to decorate the White House and hosting parties so decadent that they could rival those of pre-revolutionary France.

Jackie was also a devoted wife and mother, almost slavishly devoted to Jack. She seemed to find any excuse for him, despite the pain he inflicted on her (oh, Jack inherited his unfaithfulness from his father, Winston Churchill shunned him because he was quite gaga by then, blah blah blah). I read in another book -maybe it was Edward Klein’s All Too Human- that theirs was an S&M relationship, with Jack as the sadist and Jackie as the masochist. That seems fitting.

She also had the attitude of a spoiled brat. Letitia “Tish” Baldridge, a childhood friend and her social secretary for most of the Kennedy administration, recalls that Jackie often refused to cooperate, which prompted Tish to quit in May 1963. Just as an example, Jackie skipped several commitments citing doctor’s orders, including the annual congressional wives’ brunch, but the next day the papers were filled with photos of her attending a ballet performance at the New York’s Metropolitan Opera. Although Tish used her credibility with the press corps to run interference for her boss, sometimes she had to tell her “You just have to do this.” Jackie’s answer was “I don’t have to do anything” and stormed off to complain to Jack like a girl would with her father. After Tish left, Jackie appointed another childhood friend, Nancy Tuckerman, as social secretary, because she was timid and wouldn’t push her into anything. With all this information, I wonder why Jacqueline Kennedy didn’t go down in history as another Mary Todd Lincoln. I suppose it’s because her extravagances were less outrageous in peacetime (on United States soil, of course. Vietnam was a different beast).

In terms of personality, she was a mystery even to her friends: her mood swings were disconcerting and difficult to handle, but it doesn’t take a professional to realize they were symptoms of deep-rooted problems. One of them could be her obsession with appearances, which culminated with the fairytale she sold to the world as Camelot. I have wondered if it was deliberate or if she was deluded enough to believe it. Some anecdotes point to the latter - Jackie pushed unpleasant things out of her mind, as she wrote to Roswell Gilpatric. But the truth always comes out, and it was Jackie’s fault that people felt deceived by the lie they had been fed. She had set the stage for disappointment.

Another of Jackie’s problems could have been that she considered the White House a gilded cage. She had never been interested in politics (she was privileged enough to afford it), and after her marriage, she was expected to go along with whatever her husband would pursue with no say in the matter. So naturally, Jackie came to resent her duties as First Lady. That could explain her childish tantrums.

In the end, I just don’t see Jack and Jackie’s relationship as a great love story. I can believe they grew closer after the death of their son Patrick (which is by far the most moving chapter of the book), but for me, they remain a cautionary tale of what couples should avoid. Not even Jackie’s talent for public relations could make me buy into it.

[Terrie Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

"These Few Precious Days: The Final Year of Jack with Jackie" was not what the title leads the reader to believe!

I was expecting a lot of intimate details about Jack and Jackie's relationship during the last year they were together. What a let-down! What this book contained was a rehash of information that has already been out there for years - about both of them. And, it's not just about their "final year" together! It's about their entire relationship from the very beginning. The "final year" is not covered until you have already read about two-thirds of this book!

Additionally, I listened to the Audiobook and it was strange hearing the narrator, who was male, quote Jackie using his deep voice to imitate Jackie's whisper of a female voice. This is an Audiobook that could definitely have used two narrators, a male and a female, if for no other reason than out of respect for Jack and Jackie!

[Francesca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Il titolo è un po’ fuorviante. Comprai questo libro incuriosita proprio dal tema che, mi aspettavo, essere più centrato sull’ultimo periodo di vita di JFK. Non è proprio così. Il libro percorre, più o meno sommariamente, la storia della breve presidenza di JFK. Si lascia leggere, ma non aggiunge molto di più rispetto alla generosa bibliografia già letta sull’argomento. Se però si è appassionati del personaggio, e della vicenda che lo lega, allora da acquistare e conservare nella collezione.

[Lauren DeMers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I'm glad I didn't buy this book...Thank you library. "These Few Precious Days-The Final Year of Jack with Jackie" was an ok book but I felt that it was a rehash of a couple of other books I've recently read, namely "Jacqueline Kennedy:Historic Conversations..." and "Mrs. Kennedy and Me" plus probably a few I haven't read. I would come across a paragraph and I would think, "Well that's right out of 'Mrs. Kennedy...'" This might be a decent book for people just starting to read about JFK and Jackie Kennedy.

I have a small problem with the title though. "These Few Precious Days-The Final Year of Jack with Jackie" is a bit misleading because their final year together was finally discussed in the last 1/3 of the book. The book is more about their entire relationship.

I don't regret reading it, but I'm glad I didn't buy it.

[Alexandra A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so fascinated by the Kennedys so of course I just had to read this. A beautiful, hard to put down book. How these two endured tragedy after tragedy i do not know. I wish they had more time together. I wish their life, marriage and an entire era didn’t end so bloody and violently. Without a doubt this last year had brought them so much closer together and they would have flourished.

“They were so much alike, even the names Jack and Jackie: two halves of a single whole. “

5 stars! One of the greatest biographies I’ve ever read.

[Rita Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a senior in college, a first year teacher, a graduate student and a librarian in Puerto Rico so I had no idea of JFK's unfaithfulness, the amphetamine Injections that helped create the aura of magic, and yet there was a sweetness in the love story of Jack and Jackie that really touched my heart. Too bad we can't go back to the days of more privacy and civility than we experience in the 21at century.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book which was a more intimate look at the First Family and revealed more about JFK's relationship with Jackie and his children. It showed a very human side to the President and that he really cared for his family. The focus was on the private man not the politician.

[Judith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too much smut. The title is misleading. Only a small part of the book is about the last year of the Kennedy marriage. Most of the book is none of our business!

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was recommended this book by a friend. I really knew very little about the Kennedy's lives other than the obvious parts covered in history class. This was a real eye-opener! When my friend told me it covered his extensive affairs and their use of methamphetamines, I had my doubts. I still hold some doubt that 100% of this book was true, but seriously if only 50% was, it was still a shocking read knowing this was how the White House and Presidency ran in the 60's. Perhaps it's not really much different than now (including the tons of money!). Dang, they were LOADED.

For as happy as history has always portrayed their White House years and marriage (except of course for the death of their baby), there were so many trials and tragedies in their family. Their interpretation of marriage was incredibly different, but it sounds like the norm in their society. She was an unbelievably strong woman; I really don't know how she held it together after losing her baby and husband 4 months apart.

Really a good, fast read. I did gloss over a lot of the names bc it got confusing. and wasn't always necessary to know each person. It was so odd to read about famous Hollywood, authors, songwriters, performers and other legends running in the same circles, or having dinners or parties together. Made you realize what movers and shakers they were. Also made you realize they lived in a completely different universe as far as their society and culture. It's hard to fathom a lifestyle like theirs, not just the money, but the infidelities, the doctors, the trips, the self-centeredness, (heck she spoke 4 languages!). Even taking a daily 2 hour nap!

It's really good to know the human side of the history story. Tells you a whole lot more about the man and lady they were.

[Koren · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who prefer to keep this president on a pedestal I would recommend not reading this book. Neither JFK or Jackie were perfect by any means. I knew that JFK had an affair with Marilyn Monroe. This book lists so many more. The story of the loss of 3 babies was heartbreaking. Somehow, through all their faults, we still love them and find their presidency magical. I dont think there is anything in this book that you couldn't find somewhere else if you have read other bios on JFK. It was a quick read for me.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Few Precious Days:The Final Year of Jack with Jackie transports the reader back to the days of JFK reign in the White House and the public hearts. Instead of offering more myth, Camelot is peeled back . A steady look at the faulty,idealistic man who was President humanizes the Kennedy legend. Jackie is more relatable. While I found little new in this book, it is quite engaging and easy to sail through. Reading this book is like being part of family viewing them with open eyes and compassion.

[Clint · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book which portends to be about the last year between Jack and Jackie Kennedy should concentrate on that year, but most of it covered the years leading up to that last year. That’s not to say it wasn’t gossipy and interesting, but I had read most of what was in this book in previous titles. And I wasn’t convinced from the evidence the author presented that a significant change had occurred in the year (though losing a newborn child would be a monumental event).

[Kathleen Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and engaging

[Lisa Tangen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook. Beautifully written and well told. The only drawback to audio is not seeing the pix.

[Kristy♡]

A great inside look about the Kennedys life and marriage. It was really informative, and I also learned some new things from it.

[Ashlyn Hunt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like most Americans I've always been intrigued by the Kennedy Family. The money, power, beauty, excess, all the stuff of a great Greek tragedy. The element that fascinates me the most, probably because I'm a fictional writer, is the elucidation of a family curse. Whether true or not, the mere mention of it rings of the Corleone brood. And who doesn't love the delicious train-wrecks of The God Father's Dynasty?

I read Those Few Precious Days at the time of the recent Kennedy Assassination Anniversary because it felt like it was time to indulge into more of the gossip angle of the JFK and Jackie-O imagery. Always I've been drawn to the political and tragic chapters of their lives. It was time for a different perspective. I must say, after finishing this very intimate, very revealing novel my opinion of this power couple of the past is now rather tarnished. If what was presented in this book is factual, both JFK and Jackie-O were vain, self-seeking, power mongers who put on the greatest display of American trickery via fashionable clothes, phony smiles, and deceptive portraits, fooling the people to believe that perfection derived from good breading, style, and the very falsified display of theatrical love I've ever heard of. The Edwardian Era comes to me: money, status equals an overindulgence of life.

I'm disappointed in who they were. It was an eye opener for me. But then again, what celebrity, whether political or Tinsel Town really is who they are marketed to be? Of course, this demonstration of unflattering light didn't entirely make this novel an unsatisfactory read. I was however disappointed in Christopher Anderson's style of textbook timeline via who said what. I guess I wanted more of a story rather than a play-by-play of he-said she-said only to then be minimalized by the author. I’m sorry, but if Jackie-O’s sister slept with JFK, there is no justification for this immoral act no matter how the author tried to down play it. ~AH

[Kristen Freiburger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written and thoroughly researched. I had to write a paper about the Kennedy's in college and quickly became fascinated with the conspiracy theory. I've read countless books on the subject and also specifically about both Jack and Jackie. I never bought into the "Camelot" sham and thought they were both selfish, rotten people. This book drives home both attributes loud and clear. (People were dying right and left surrounding them....sound familiar in the current upcoming election?) After reading this book I can finally say I DON'T CARE! There are numerous parties that could have killed him. A good read for anyone wanting it all brought together in one book.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for what it was, a look into the personal lives of JFK and Jackie. I was surprised to learn that Jackie Kennedy could be mean-spirited and teasing, I guess she is sanctified so much today that her humanly traits are never discussed.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it and have added it to my Kennedy/Jacqueline library......oh did I mention I'm a bit of a Kennedy/Jacquelineophile??

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a very good book very touching to see their relationship grow and for him to finally realize what a gem of a wife he had

[Judy Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: These Few Precious Days: The Final Year of Jack and Jackie
Author: Christopher Andersen
Stars: ****
Time Period: 1962-1963
Genre: Biography
Location: Washington D.C, Hyannis Port
The Reader: Robertson Dean
Storyline: From the Goodreads description, modified for SEO
#1 New York Times bestselling biographer “Christopher Andersen has a real track record when it comes to celebrity bios.…He looks at Jack and Jackie Kennedy during their final year, pondering aloud whether after all the triumphs and betrayals they still loved each other” (Library Journal­).
They were the original power couple—outlandishly rich, impossibly attractive, and endlessly fascinating. Now, in this rare, behind-the-scenes portrait of the Kennedys in their final year together, #1 New York Times bestselling biographer Christopher Andersen shows us a side of JFK and Jackie that we’ve never seen before. Tender, intimate, complex, and, at times, explosive, theirs is a love story unlike any other—filled with secrets, scandals, and bombshells that could never be fully revealed until now.
Major Characters:
Jack - He was an anomaly. He appeared hail and healthy but needed daily injections. He appeared to be 100% philanderer but during his last year he seemed to leave that all behind him. In this book Jack seems to be maturing...sometimes it takes longer for some people. He was not his father’s first choice for public office but he agreed to be his father’s second choice even though he probably would have chosen another path for himself. He was King Arthur in Camelot.
Jackie - The wife of a famous man, that was her desire according to the book. Maybe it was the time but I wonder if she had other “solo” dreams for herself. She certainly seemed to be her own person, defying Jack if she chose. She was strong enough to stand up to the Kennedy clan and strong enough to be show bravery after losing her second child. I think Jackie held up her half of the Camelot power couple.


The Review:
Sometimes knowing how the story ends makes it more difficult to read and this book was no different. Christopher Andersen begins the book with the worst thing, the assassination, and then begins the story. It was wonderful until the end of the year began to be discussed. You know what’s coming and your heart stops.
The Kennedys were so well known I wondered what this book had to say about their last year and I wasn’t disappointed.
I learned more than I expected. The fact that both Jack and Jackie were treated by their Dr. Feelgood. The fact that Jackie often went against Jack’s wishes. The fact that Jackie was often gone for state occasions and that other Kennedy women stood in for her. And learning that they really did seem to love each other especially that last year. So poignant, so sad. So really sad.
The reader was a man and had to improvise the women’s voices. His Jackie voice was pretty good, I could sometimes even see her saying the words. I don’t think adding the breathiness was a distraction. I think a man was what this book required and Robertson Dean did a worthy job.
Recommendation:
I gave this book 4 stars (I very seldom give 5 stars.) I was working nights when Kennedy was assassinated and had to be awoken to be told he was killed. For some reason, I’ve always felt I let them down by not be awake when he died. If you miss the possibilities of what they could have accomplished then this might be a good one for you.

[Kerry · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not give away this book, I deleted it. That felt good. This book was SO BAD. I was surprised when I saw that it was by Christopher Andersen, maybe he is like V.C. Andrews now and is dead but other people are using his name to write lazy bios of famous icons.

SO, no spoiler thanks to Zapruder, but the opening of this book says, okay, you are here for the assassination right? Let's get right to it. Jackie. Roses. Copious bleeding from the head. Brain in Jackie's hand. Brain on trunk of car. Brain oozing out of Jack's head. Trauma room. Blood on floor. Blood spurting from Jack's head. Blood on Jackie's suit. She is not changing it. Okay, literally NOTHING new here and the writing is terrible. I write better than this and I am NOT a good writer.

Gross. Was this written by a 5th grader? Was this auto generated by AI using all the millions of words already written about the same exact thing but dumbed down?

Bad. Bad. Bad.

Luckily for you, you can VERY easily (if you made the mistake of buying this book) tear off the pretty front cover that likely drew you in and tape it to the front of William Manchester the Death of a President and read that. Every other lazy Kennedy bio writer ripped off from that overly sentimental look at JFK and Jackie. William Manchester writes beautifully.

He was the one that wrote "in a gesture of infinite grace" that so many people stole in their own renditions of the exact same thing.

This book sucks. I said I had a compatibility issue so Amazon took it back. They won't take it back if you say it sucks but if you say it has an error they will. So, this book was not compatible with my brain.

p.s. also brain handed off to Clint Hill. Also, brain left on road someone found it later. That was news to me but makes sense if you think about how physics works.