White House by the Sea

A Century of the Kennedys at Hyannis Port

By: Kate Storey

Narrated by: Kathe Mazur

Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

“Impeccably researched…captivating!” —Elin Hilderbrand * “A well-paced history.” —The New York Times Book Review * “Fascinating…with new details and well-sourced reporting.” —Associated Press

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! The intimate, multigenerational story of the Kennedy family as seen through their Hyannis Port compound on Cape Cod—the iconic place where they’ve celebrated, mourned, and bonded—based on more than a hundred in-depth interviews by a Rolling Stone editor and journalist Kate Storey.

Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, is synonymous with the Kennedy family. It is where, for a hundred years, America’s most storied political family has come to celebrate, bond, play, and grieve. It is also the setting of so many events we remember: JFK giving his presidential acceptance speech, Jackie speaking with a Life magazine reporter just days after her husband’s assassination, Senator Edward Kennedy seeking refuge after the Chappaquiddick crash, Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger tying the knot—and even Conor Kennedy courting pop star Taylor Swift. Anyone who has lived in, worked at, or visited the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port has had a front-row view to history. Now, with extraordinary access to the Kennedy family—and featuring more than fifty rarely-seen images—journalist Kate Storey gives us a remarkably intimate and poignant look at the rhythms of an American dynasty.

Drawing from a wealth of conversations with family members, friends, neighbors, household and security staff, Storey presents a rich and textured account of the Kennedys’ lives in their summer refuge. From the 1920s, when Rose and Joseph P. Kennedy rented then bought a home known as The Malcolm Cottage, to today, when many Kennedys have purchased their own homes surrounding what’s now called The Big House, this book delivers many surprising revelations across the decades, including what matriarch Rose considered the family’s greatest tragedy, the rivalrous relationship between brothers Jack and Joe, details about Jackie’s life at the compound, and previously unknown glimpses into JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s loving and ill-fated relationship.

“Engaging and…intimate anecdotes that often stand in contrast to predominant, media-created perceptions...Readers will come away with new insights and due appreciation for this uniquely American dynasty” (Booklist, starred review).

©2023 Kate Storey (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

loved this mental to better vacation

loved this audible. made me get back into the Kennedy legacy. I've visited the .ennedy Compound and loved this book

A personal look at the Kennedys

Loved this book and the Narrator. The Narrator had such a soothing voice, I could listen to her even when I was sleepy. This book is different than all the other Kennedy books I have read, it’s personal. It puts you there with them sharing their lives. It’s a must read. I recommend it,

Loved it!

This book sums up everything you need to know about the Hyannisport days of the Kennedy’s.

Behind the scenes

Great job bringing the behind the scenes history of this famous family to life! And excellent reminder of memories we baby boomers hold of Camelot.

Great!!!

If you’re interested in the Kennedys life as I am, this book is for you!! I loved every minute and couldn’t put it down!!! Makes you long for the days of Camelot!!!

Experience History as Insider

I loved this book. Everyone knows the history. You heard it on the radio. Watched it on TV. Read about it books. But what if you were there after the media left and it was just the family celebrating the triumph or dealing with tragedy? This book takes you there. It’s quite extraordinary.

Nice Kennedy book

Enjoyed the sweet story of life in Hyannis Port with the Kennedy’s. Worth the read.

Fantastic Detail

I thoroughly enjoyed this great book. The details and stories were very interesting and I never expected to learn so much.

A Story That Sticks to Its Title

The book stays true to it's title. It carefully ties every major Kennedy event back to the home BASE of Hyannis Port. The book patiently navigates through the decades of triumph and tragedy and keeps Hyannis Port as the family center for celebrating and mourning. Beginning with the Irish Boston roots of the Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys, and ending with geat- grandchildren of Rose and Joe, White House By the Sea is well-edited and detailed. Listening to the story is like watching a movie with front row seats.

Just OK

Not a lot of new information, already knew most of the Kennedy info. given in the story, it was just ok.