Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy

By: Caroline Kennedy - foreword, Michael Beschloss - introduction

Narrated by: Jacqueline Kennedy, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. (interviewer), Caroline Kennedy (foreword), Michael Beschloss (introduction)

Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1964, Jacqueline Kennedy recorded seven historic interviews about her life with John F. Kennedy. Now, decades later, these conversations can be heard in this digitally remastered eight-and-a-half-hour audio program. This audiobook includes the foreword written and read by Caroline Kennedy; introduction written and read by historian Michael Beschloss and the photos from the hardcover book, as well as complete annotations from Michael Beschloss, both in downloadable PDF format.

Shortly after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, with a nation deep in mourning and the world looking on in stunned disbelief, Jacqueline Kennedy found the strength to set aside her own personal grief for the sake of posterity and begin the task of documenting and preserving her husband’s legacy. In January of 1964, she and Robert F. Kennedy approved a planned oral-history project that would capture their first-hand accounts of the late president as well as the recollections of those closest to him throughout his extraordinary political career. For the rest of her life, the famously private Jacqueline Kennedy steadfastly refused to discuss her memories of those years, but beginning that March, she fulfilled her obligation to future generations of Americans by sitting down with historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., and recording an astonishingly detailed and unvarnished account of her experiences and impressions as the wife and confidante of John F. Kennedy. The tapes of those sessions were then sealed and later deposited in the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum upon completion, in accordance with Mrs. Kennedy’s wishes.

The resulting eight-and-a-half hours of material comprise a unique and compelling record of a tumultuous era, providing fresh insights on the many significant people and events that shaped JFK’s presidency, but also shedding new light on the man behind the momentous decisions.

As told by Mrs. Kennedy, here are JFK’s unscripted opinions on a host of revealing subjects, including his thoughts and feelings about his brothers, Robert and Ted, and his take on world leaders past and present, giving us perhaps the most informed, genuine, and immediate portrait of John Fitzgerald Kennedy we shall ever have. Mrs. Kennedy’s urbane perspective, her candor, and her flashes of wit also give us our clearest glimpse into the active mind of a remarkable First Lady.

In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy’s inauguration, Caroline Kennedy and the Kennedy family are now releasing these beautifully restored recordings with accompanying annotations and photos from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library as well as other sources. Introduced and annotated by renowned presidential historian Michael Beschloss, these interviews will add an exciting new dimension to our understanding and appreciation of President Kennedy and his time and make the past come alive through the words and voice of an eloquent eyewitness to history.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2011 Caroline Kennedy, John Schlossberg, Rose Schlossberg, and Tatiana Schlossberg (P)2011 Hyperion (packaging elements only)

Jacqueline's voice as a young widow-

Jacqueline Kennedy's words directly from her when she was still a young widow in her thirties --gave me a unique sense of of the time, place and person. The quality of the tapes was not great, and the content sometimes rambled, but the overall experience was a sense of intimacy with a historic person. I got much more insight to the times and person--there were interruptions by her children--very poignant and reminder that our icons were real people living both a daily and yet extrordinary life. Biggest aha for me was Jacqueline's undeveloped sense of feminism and a "woman's role"--which Carolyn notes in the forward she subsequently changed. All in-- a unique experience for a person who enjoys history.

Disappointing.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I understand that Jacqueline Kennedy was fairly young and newly widowed when these tapes were made but, really, how snarky and nasty can even a 1950s high society wife be? This has significantly changed my opinion of Jacqueline Kennedy and not for the good. The historical background information and perspective, while clearly warped, is the only reason I continued after the first hour of the listening to her snarky, back-biting and mean-spirited comments about at least half of the people and situations.

Was Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy worth the listening time?

Maybe.

Any additional comments?

I'm not sure whether or not Caroline Kennedy should be commended for allowing her mother's words been heard without editing, nasty comments and all. I'm not sure I would have wanted her memory sullied by her own words. It's sad.

Classic Jackie

I wish the conversations were a little more personal than political.
But I enjoyed hearing Jackie's accent, style, thoughts, impressions & beliefs.

Interesting

It is very kind of Caroline & the Kennedy's to share. Found parallels with Bill O'Reilly's "Killing Kennedy".

Fabulous!

It’s riveting to hear Jacqueline Kennedy’s voice… months after her husband’s assassination… amazing to hear her view on people & events… I enjoyed this audio immensely

Listen like a fly on a wall..

I found it to be a true character study, not so much of the president, but of the first Lady herself.

WOW.

One of the most private "public" people in US history gets a voice, and what a voice. So often we have to listen to the past through the filter of the opinion of someone else. It is incredibly revealing and refreshing to hear a perspective of the Kennedy White House from one to the two people most intimately connected with it, and not somebody who was not even born when the events took place. She pulls no punches either. There are no sacred cows of 20th century American or world politics that Jackie is afraid to discuss and giver her or her late husbands opinion on. I think in the spring of 1964 Jacqueline Kennedy felt she did not need to blunt her words about anyone for any reason. Thanks to her daughter and family for letting us listen in.

My humble opinion

If you could sum up Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy in three words, what would they be?

Is an excellent work. The clarity and fidelity are not the best, but we have to considered the time and technology of the day. It is fascinating to hear how they thought, how they feel and their first hand experience with the relevant people that shaped our world.

This is a must for people of all ages interested in politics, physiology, sociology, filosophy, and all other human arts. Thanks to Caroline Kennedy for sharing this with us

Almost like being in the room with Mrs. Kennedy

What made the experience of listening to Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy the most enjoyable?

Provides an almost real feel including background noises that makes it seem like you are in the room

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jackie

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

the sense of being there particularly with the pauses, ice tinkling in glasses, matches striking

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Come listen to history

Absolutely priceless

Would you consider the audio edition of Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy to be better than the print version?

So thankful that Jackie chose to record her thoughts on the presidency. Her commitment to the preservation of history is very clear, even amidst her grief at the time. Really fascinating insights on history and her personality. Although, I could listen to her read the phone book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy?

How she stated that she hated the French! So candid.