Summary
Ask Not by Maureen Callahan explores the Kennedy family’s legacy and its effects on women in their circle. Callahan examines a history of toxic behavior across generations. She focuses on figures like Jacqueline Onassis and Marilyn Monroe, considering their roles and experiences within the Kennedy narrative.
Plot
Ask Not examines the Kennedy family's controversial history, emphasizing issues of abuse and exploitation. The narrative highlights women whose lives were significantly impacted by their ties to the Kennedy men, resulting in emotional and physical harm.
The story of Mary Richardson Kennedy, who married Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is notably tragic. She suffered emotional neglect and financial distress, leading to her suicide in 2012. Callahan reports that due to Bobby's financial decisions, Mary had to borrow money for basic needs. Her private struggles illustrate the influence the Kennedys exerted.
The book also covers the incident involving Mary Jo Kopechne, who died in the Chappaquiddick event. Ted Kennedy's delayed accident report is detailed, pointing to a broader pattern of negligence by the Kennedy men regarding women's lives.
Callahan revisits the lobotomy of Rosemary Kennedy, ordered by Joe Kennedy Sr., due to her being perceived as a liability. This decision reflects the family's measures to protect their public image, even at personal costs.
These accounts emphasize the lasting harm inflicted on women connected to the Kennedys, highlighting stories often overshadowed by the family's public image.
Profiles of women impacted by the Kennedys
Jacqueline Onassis
Jacqueline Onassis, married to John F. Kennedy, faced challenges from betrayal and trauma. As First Lady, she maintained public composure while enduring personal struggles. She experienced multiple miscarriages while suffering the shame of her husband’s repeated infidelity. Her adversity intensified after surviving Kennedy's assassination, which led to enduring psychological scars.
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe's involvement with John and Bobby Kennedy highlights the influence and issues within the Kennedy family. Callahan describes Monroe as caught in manipulation and neglect driven by political power. Her relationships with the Kennedys played a detrimental role, with lasting impacts after her death in 1962.
Mary Richardson Kennedy
Mary Richardson Kennedy exemplifies the emotional challenges within the Kennedy circle. As Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s wife, she faced distress that ended in her suicide. Her story details the psychological effects of alleged infidelities and emotional abuse, a pattern Callahan analyzes in the context of the family's dynamics.
Rosemary Kennedy
Rosemary Kennedy's life reflects familial betrayal. Joseph Kennedy Sr. ordered a lobotomy for her, resulting in her institutionalization. Callahan examines how the Kennedys prioritized reputation over Rosemary's wellbeing, revealing a harsh approach to preserving public image.
Themes
Misogyny within the Kennedy family
In Ask Not, Maureen Callahan examines misogyny within the Kennedy family, focusing on a gap between their public image and private behavior. Despite a polished facade, the Kennedys are described as having a history of abusing and exploiting women. Callahan outlines instances of both physical and emotional abuse involving women associated with the family.
One example involves Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy. Mary's discovery of Robert's diaries detailed his affairs, which humiliated her and worsened her depression. Instead of providing support, Robert allegedly mischaracterized her distress as a sign of mental instability.
Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., the family patriarch, reportedly set a precedent for his sons with his numerous affairs. Callahan discusses this systemic sexism and links it to events like Ted Kennedy's Chappaquiddick incident. Rather than facing scrutiny, media and legal strategies often depicted such actions as errors by inherently flawed individuals.
The myth of Camelot vs. reality
The Kennedy family is often associated with the myth of "Camelot," symbolizing ideals of nobility and charm. In Ask Not, Maureen Callahan argues the narrative conceals a harsh legacy of abuse and exploitation. Callahan provides evidence of the Kennedys' skill in maintaining a public image of integrity and charisma, while hiding instances of misogyny and abusive behavior.
The book contrasts the family's public portrayal with their private actions, offering a critical view of their history. Callahan discusses the deliberate manipulation of public perception aimed at protecting their reputation. Ask Not examines the "Camelot" mythology, reflecting on the dynamics of unchecked power and the impact of maintaining such narratives.
Quick facts
Ask Not was a #1 Sunday Times bestseller and recognized as a Waterstones Best Politics Book of 2024.
Maureen Callahan is a New York Times bestselling author known for her investigative journalism and electric prose.
Ask Not is described as a fierce exposé of the Kennedy family's legacy of misogyny, abuse, and exploitation.
Callahan challenges the romanticized narrative of the Kennedys, spotlighting women affected by the family's toxic legacy.
Ask Not reveals hidden histories of women such as Jacqueline Onassis, Marilyn Monroe, and Mary Jo Kopechne.
Rosemary Kennedy was lobotomized at the behest of her father Joe Kennedy, a fact kept hidden from siblings until after his death.
Ask Not examines scandals involving JFK’s promiscuity, including alleged sexual exploitation of White House staff.
Ted Kennedy's role in the Chappaquiddick incident, where he failed to immediately report Mary Jo Kopechne's drowning, is critically analyzed.
Callahan highlights how powerful family influence allegedly led to Michael Skakel's conviction for the murder of Martha Moxley being overturned.
Mary Richardson Kennedy's tragic struggle with depression and marital manipulation by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is extensively discussed.
JFK Jr.’s fatal plane crash is linked in the book to reckless behavior typical of the Kennedy lineage.
Ask Not redirects attention to the women's voices previously overshadowed by the media's favorable focus on the Kennedy men.
About the author
Maureen Callahan is a New York Times bestselling author and a seasoned investigative journalist. Her critically acclaimed books include Ask Not (2024), an expose of the Kennedy family focusing on the stories of victimized women, and American Predator (2019), following the hunt for Israel Keyes, one of the most ambitious and terrifying serial killers in modern history.
