JFK: Public, Private, Secret

By: J. Randy Taraborrelli

Narrated by: J. Randy Taraborrelli, Robert Petkoff

NAMED ONE OF AMAZON EDITORS' BEST BOOKS OF JULY!

From the New York Times bestselling Kennedy historian and author of Jackie: Public, Private, Secret comes the other side of the story—her husband’s: JFK: Public, Private, Secret.

In this definitive portrait of John Fitzgerald Kennedy—one of America’s most consequential and enigmatic presidents—J. Randy Taraborrelli delivers a deeply researched and authoritative biography. More than the story of a presidency, this is an intimate study of a man whose public triumphs were shaped—and at times overshadowed—by the complex realities of his private life, from his legendary family to his marriage to Jacqueline Kennedy.

Drawing from hundreds of interviews conducted over twenty-five years—as well as candid, firsthand oral histories from the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Presidential Library, rare internal reports from the Secret Service, detailed files from the National Archives, and intelligence documents from both the CIA and FBI. This is JFK as never before captured by history: brilliant yet fallible, revered yet human—a figure whose legacy continues to shape America and the world.

Groundbreaking Revelations Include:

• A marriage defined by both devotion and distance—and Jackie’s quiet but firm rules regarding her husband’s infidelities.
• The romance that posed a potential national security risk—JFK’s deep connection with Inga Arvad, a woman he considered his great love, brought to an abrupt end due to FBI concerns over her ties to Nazi intelligence.
• The long-awaited truth about Marilyn Monroe—uncovered at last through the firsthand account of one of her closest confidantes, shattering decades of speculation and exposing the reality of her deeply complicated connection to JFK.
• The woman who might have changed history—Joan Lundberg, the mistress JFK turned to during the darkest time in his marriage, whose clandestine relationship with him threatened to derail his entire political career.
• The Mafia’s role in his rise to power—a definitive account that separates fact from fiction and lays bare the extent of organized crime’s involvement in JFK’s election.
• A presidency tested by betrayal and crisis—why JFK felt undermined by his own cabinet during the Bay of Pigs fiasco, and how he ultimately seized control of his administration during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The JFK presented in Taraborrelli’s definitive biography is a complex and endlessly fascinating historical figure—despite, and perhaps even because of, his many flaws.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2025 J. Randy Taraborrelli (P)2025 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"A profoundly humanized portrait ... With more than 25 years of historical research on which to draw, Taraborrelli’s powerfully resourced biography offers incomparable observations ... Decades later, as the U.S. and the world again finds itself teetering on the brink of existential crisis, the ethos demonstrated through Kennedy’s public speeches and private musings resonates even more deeply."—Booklist, starred review

“A compelling read with standout quality and originality that reveals the much-discussed personal side of JFK’s life via Taraborrelli’s … impeccable research … A riveting exploration for the millions of readers still fascinated by the Kennedy family’s dynamics and legacy.”—Library Journal, starred review

“Taraborrelli eschews sensationalism, casting doubt on several lurid Kennedy legends … [an] entertaining take on a great American soap opera.”—Publishers Weekly

Riveting & Remarkable

So exquisitely written, this story is a lesson in history, humanity, the power of family and the inevitable complications of both love & life.

excellent narrator

fascinating details that sometimes contradict accepted information. interesting character studies of Kennedy family. Great narrator.

Insightful

I have read several books about JFK and this is by far and away the most extensive and insightful and I trust, honest book I have read.

Interesting

It seemed a bit embellished but good overall in the end. Much accurate, and new, information given

A Must Read! Outstanding!

This book was wonderful. As part of the “duck and cover” generation, the content resonated deeply with me and stirred my heart. Some things we knew. Some things we only thought we knew. And some things we didn’t know at all. It was surprising on so many levels.

Well researched and beautifully written, the narration was outstanding, bringing Mr. Taraborrelli’s words vividly to life. In addition to learning so much about our beloved JFK, I came to understand that the goodness of our heroes and their flaws are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

The real conundrum is this: how do we reconcile those opposing characteristics within ourselves? That, of course, speaks more to who we are than to who they were.

Thank you, Randy. This book will stay with me for a long time.

Thoughtful, fair, and brand new anecdotes

No easy task digging up new stuff on the most written about public figure in recent history. Nonetheless it’s a yeoman’s effort and very interesting intimate story of President Kennedy, his wife and immediate family including Jackie’s parents who get lots of attention here. Well worth reading. The narrator is easy on the ear but has atrocious pronunciation of any foreign word or name.

JFK : a great but troubled man

Loved it. Thought we knew everything about the man no surprise, there were so much. Jackie however was a true heroine in every sense of the word.

JFK - Real

Just a interesting story retold in a very human story! Shows the evolution of a person.

Very Interesting

I was very surprised by the amount of new details about JFK. He was the most interesting person ever in so many ways.

Perfect and non Perfect

Complete description of many great plans but with obvious character flaws, very perplexing family life