Mrs. Kennedy and Me

An Intimate Memoir

By: Clint Hill, Lisa McCubbin Hill

Narrated by: Jeremy Bobb

Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

He called her Mrs. Kennedy. SHE called him Mr. Hill.

For four years, from the election of John Fitzgerald Kennedy in November 1960 until after the election of Lyndon Johnson in 1964, Clint Hill was the Secret Service agent assigned to guard the glamorous and intensely private Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. During those four years, he went from being a reluctant guardian to a fiercely loyal watchdog and, in many ways, her closest friend.

Now, looking back 50 years, Clint Hill tells his story for the first time, offering a tender, enthralling, and tragic portrayal of how a Secret Service agent who started life in a North Dakota orphanage became the most trusted man in the life of the First Lady who captivated first the nation and then the world.

When he was initially assigned to the new First Lady, Agent Hill envisioned tea parties and gray-haired matrons. But as soon as he met her, he was swept up in the whirlwind of her beauty, her grace, her intelligence, her coy humor, her magnificent composure, and her extraordinary spirit.

From the start, the job was like no other, and Clint was by her side through the early days of JFK's presidency; the birth of sons John and Patrick and Patrick's sudden death; Kennedy-family holidays in Hyannis Port and Palm Beach; Jackie's trips to Europe, Asia, and South America; Jackie's intriguing meetings with men like Aristotle Onassis, Gianni Agnelli, and André Malraux; the dark days of the year that followed the assassination; to the farewell party she threw for Clint when he left her protective detail after four years. All she wanted was the one thing he could not give her: a private life for her and her children.

Filled with unforgettable details, startling revelations, and sparkling, intimate moments, this is the once-in-a-lifetime story of a man doing the most exciting job in the world, with a woman all the world loved, and the tragedy that ended it all too soon - a tragedy that haunted him for 50 years.

©2012 Lisa McCubbin, Clint Hill (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"With clear and honest prose free of salaciousness and gossip, Hill (ably assisted by McCubbin) evokes not only a personality both beautiful and brilliant, but also a time when the White House was filled with youth and promise. Of the many words written about Jacqueline Kennedy, these are among the best." ( Kirkus)

Exceptional way to visit history! Excellent!

The writing, audio performances and overall presentation transported me to a painful time in our history that took place before I was born. Wow!

Heart warming and heart wrenching

It’s nice to hear a story that has no innuendo. Just what he saw and heard. An honest account of the things you never hear or see about the Kennedy family. No “Unnamed” sources, no “it was said”, just their lives. Thank you Mr Hill

My Memories

I tremendously enjoyed hearing Mr. Hill’s remarks on what had to be an incredible career. He was an essential and valuable part of a wonderful family who gave much to this country so very willingly. I can understand the emotional connection Mr. Hill had with the Kennedy family. He should feel no remorse, nothing but tremendous pride. From those of us that lived through the many tragedies of the Kennedy years, I thank you. Your story is well worth reading.

A beautiful story of history and friendship

I absolutely loved this book. It’s so beautifully told with humor, love and grace. It tells the history of a presidential era and the beautiful relationship between the First Lady and her secret service agent.
I highly recommend it.

Worth listening to

Very sad but true history nicely done. An unforgettable story by the man who lived to tell the tale.

WOW

Such a respectful story of Camelot! I inhaled this book and will recommend to others

Best read of 12 so far!

Where does Mrs. Kennedy and Me rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

1# on my list so far in 12.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Clint Hill

Have you listened to any of Jeremy Bobb’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

First one. I thought he hit it right on the money.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I found myself setting in my driveway not wanting to bookmark my iPhone app.

Any additional comments?

This amazing recount of the life and times of the Kennedy family was thrilling. I almost passed on this book after the negative review I read on Audible referring to the " narcissistic" view of the author. Putting yourself in his shoes and watching over Mrs Kennedy for three years and having direct interaction with Caroline and John JR. plus JKF was thrilling.This book put you right there. I laughed and cried with this one. Clint was a amazing person and one hell of a Secret Service Agent. I do not want to give a book report but after reading Steven Kings 11/23/63 this gave a realistic look at what it was like to be beside JBK from 61-64. Five stars!

Loved it!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Though I was born a few years after the Kennedy administration ended, I enjoyed this book very much. The writing, narrator, flow, everything, made it very enjoyable and I highly recommend it!

A different insight into a well-known story

If you could sum up Mrs. Kennedy and Me in three words, what would they be?

A dedicated professional

Who was your favorite character and why?

Clint Hill gives a first person account of his amazing years with the Kennedy family in the White house. I never really thought about the difficult and dedicated job of the Secret Service. The SS must leave their own family to travel for long periods of time, during holidays, etc. They had to protect the family at all times. Originally disappointed because he was "only" with Mrs. Kennedy and not the president, he came to respect and admire her. His emotional account of the days surrounding the Kennedy assassination is written from a perspective very few can give.

Which character – as performed by Jeremy Bobb – was your favorite?

The subtle change of the narrator's voice when he spoke as Mrs. Kennedy was enthralling. You knew each character by his inflections.

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

He had to live with the rich and famous on $16 a day.

Any additional comments?

Anyone who has read the many stories and theories around the Kennedy assignation will want to read this account from someone who had an personal relationship with the first-family.

Wonderful story

what a great book and insight to the Kennedy life and the white house life. well written and kept you engaged the entire time.