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)

Interesting to hear Jackie's take

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

I like memoirs. These particular interviews by Schlesinger were very timely, and I was happy to hear Jackie's voice express her understanding of what happened in the White House. Juxtaposed with what we now know about Jack's philandering, it was interesting to hear her criticize other roving fellas.It was a true time-capsule view of our culture and societal norms of the sixties. Obviously a "sharp" woman, Jackie never thought of stepping out of line, it seems. The problem with the book? I wanted her to answer the question of why in the world she married such a (seemingly) sleasy guy like Aristotle Onasis. Just kidding...please don't write to tell me I'm nuts...!

What other book might you compare Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy to and why?

I don't think there is another book to compare. Many people write memoirs long after-the-fact; I don't know of any spoken narrative with such immediacy to such a wrenching crime as the murder of one's spouse.

What aspect of the narrators’s performance would you have changed?

It is too bad that it was recorded on equipment available, but the sound quality was necessarily below what we are today accustomed to hear.

Some interesting parts

I liked the beginning of the interview, at the end it got sort of boring. I think it talked more about the people JFK surrounded himself with - not a whole lot of JFK himself but there is still a lot about him just not as much as I thought there would be. But I still admire JBK for these interviews

FABULOUS

To be able to hear Jackie’s voice talk about her life in the White House is amazing.

Very personal insight from a very private person.

Very personal insight from a very private person. You can read many books on Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, but to hear her views, opinions, and total devotion to her husband in her own words is mesmerizing. You hear and feel who I she truly was as a person. Shortly after her husband's assassination, it is clear that she can pull herself together with such class and dignity to talk about the early years of her and JFK 's experiences of campaigning for the Senate of Massachusetts and then the presidency. Not many people in her situation would be capable privately let alone in the public eye. A surreal look back in time for those born after JFK and the 1960's regarding conversations about her brother in law, RFK, and Martin Luther King, Jr., who were still alive at that time. What it was like to be a woman in the early 1960's and how close it came to nuclear war with the Cuban missle crisis. It was a snippet of going back in time.

Very interesting!

I would recommend this to anyone interested in the Kennedys. She was very bright & forthcoming in these tapes of their life experiences. So sad to think how he was struck down and the aftermath of it all!

Jackie speaks!

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

I waited for this version to come out so I could listen on my kindle. You also get a pdf of some gorgeous pictures of the family and all the footnotes. Nothing is left out.
This is definitely the best version available!

What other book might you compare Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy to and why?

Any living history project would compare, it's just that what Mrs. Kennedy says makes her human and very vivid in my mind. The Kennedy's have always been a passion of mine and this book is so illuminating. Warts and all!

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

No characters, everyone plays themselves. Mrs. Kennedy is wonderful but the saddest moment is when John comes in and says,

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There are so many human moments in this book I don't know which one was the best. Mrs. Kennedy telling us that Mamie Eisenhower didn't want to give her a White House tour as is customary. And then calling at the last moment right after Jackie got out of the hospital having John-John and taking her on a two hour tour, not allowing her to sit down and rest. Unbelievable!

The insider's view of the Bay of Pigs and the Missile crisis were riveting listening. She felt her job was to be there for the President in case he needed to unwind so he rarely talked about work in his home time.

Mrs. Kennedy's views on state leaders, Khrushchev, De Gualle, McMillan, Wilson, etc. are so revealing and interesting. When she heard about the Russian space dogs having puppies she jokingly asked for one, and one day a dog appeared at the White House and the President said.

Any additional comments?

I recommend this to any US history buff, any fan of politics and any one who loved the Kennedys and miss the fact that this time will never come again.

Hmmmmmm......wasn't that impressed

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I know things were different in the 60's....but have a hard time relating to Jackie... thought she was more of an independent woman ...

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

loved the information of President Kennedy's reactions to different historic figures... glad he didn't like De Gaulle ... sad that when he finally met Winston Churchill and it was too late to hold a conservation because of his age.... loved the Truman stories....was really interested in Khrushchev and Missile Crisis...

How could the performance have been better?

I hate to say this... but she was always being

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

maybe

Any additional comments?

Loved the forward with Caroline...

Very Interesting But Tad Too Much Spin on Occasion

The Kennedy's have always interested me so I was. naturally, very keen to listen to this historic recording. Whilst I found it fascinating to listen to Jacqueline Kennedy's stories of her encounters with world famous figures I became. for some reason. rather irritated with her constant burnishing of her husband's image. This struck me as being a bit too much spin from time to time on the part of a dutiful wife. Of course one recognizes that the role of women in society has changed beyond recognition since the 1960's and her narrative probably reflects the general outlook of her day. However, I agree wholeheartedly with Caroline Kennedy's foreword that it would have been great to know more about her own political opinions as opposed to the opinions of JFK. That said, I found this to be a great audio recording and well worth the listen. On a number of occasions the children's voices are caught on tape and listening to the childish voice of John Jr is very sad and poignant.

Intriguing

What did you like best about Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy? What did you like least?

I wouldve rather it be more about her personal life then about all the politicians around her and John

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

You cant change history but again I would love to know more about Jackie then John

What aspect of the narrators’s performance would you have changed?

None

Could you see Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes and I think they already made a movie with katie Holmes

love to hear her story in her words

beautiful memories, I'm happy she shared them with the world. I appreciate that she took the time to do this at such a painfull time.