Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed

by Maureen Callahan

Kennedy men have been valorized and lionized for nearly a century, but the women they’ve broken, tormented, raped, murdered, or left for dead have never really been part of their legacy. They must be. None of this is history. As William Faulkner wrote, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”

She wanted powerful and famous men to see past the sex symbol and realize that Marilyn Monroe had substance. She always carried a book with her, a serious one. A big one. Ulysses. She didn’t understand it but didn’t realize that almost no one did.

the uncomplaining Cool Girl.

She was given no last name.

Sad sad sad sad sad

no title, no hierarchy or power structure could impede anyone from comforting and distracting a newly fatherless little boy who had just turned three.

What had Rosemary done? She had been such a good girl.