Ask Not

The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed

De: Maureen Callahan

Narrado por: Gabra Zackman

From New York Timesbestseller Maureen Callahan, a fierce, character-driven exposé of the real Kennedy Curse—the family’s generations-long legacy of misogyny, murder, and mayhem.

The Kennedy name has long been synonymous with wealth, power, glamor, and—above all else—integrity. But this carefully constructed veneer hides a dark truth: the pattern of Kennedy men physically and psychologically abusing women and girls, leaving a trail of ruin and death in each generation’s wake. Through decades of scandal after scandal—from sexual assaults to reputational slander, suicides to manslaughter—the family and their defenders have kept the Kennedy brand intact. Now, in Ask Not, bestselling author and journalist Maureen Callahan reveals the Kennedys’ hidden history of violence and exploitation, laying bare their unrepentant sexism and rampant depravity while also restoring these women and girls to their rightful place at the center of the dynasty’s story: from Jacqueline Onassis and Marilyn Monroe to Carolyn Bessette, Martha Moxley, Mary Jo Kopechne, Rosemary Kennedy, and many others whose names aren’t nearly as well known but should be.

Drawing on years of explosive reportage and written in electric prose, Ask Not is a long-overdue reckoning with this fabled family and a consequential part of American history that is still very much with us. At long last, Callahan redirects the spotlight to the women in the Kennedys’ orbit, paying homage to those who freed themselves and giving voice to those who, through no fault of their own, could not.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Bold, brave and original, Ask Not takes a sledgehammer to the myth of Camelot. This is an unforgettable book—a necessary reckoning that will forever change the way I view modern American history."—Susannah Cahalan, author of The Great Pretender and the #1 New York Times bestseller Brain on Fire

“A harrowing, incendiary swirl of tragedy, true crime, and reconsidered history, Ask Not sets a match to the glamour and mystique of America’s most famous family. With incisive wit and wisdom, Callahan exposes the individuals and the celebrity culture that aided and abetted so many Kennedy men.”—Karen Abbott, New York Times bestselling author of The Ghosts of Eden Park and Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy

The fact that the Kennedys had such a powerful impact, not only on these poor women, but our nation

there are parts of this book that make your jaw drop in the disbelief that somebody could get away with so many criminal acts. It also proves how powerful our government really is. I would recommend this book just for the historian part of it however I don’t agree on any of the acts that were covered up by the Kennedy legacies or the government officials that backed the Kennedys, poor judgment and actions. I remember as a little girl, my mother speaking of President Kennedy, and all the Kennedy of how they were the ultimate society. Listening to this book has created a different view for me that the Kennedys were nothing but a bunch of bullies to the women that they countered and took
The author and reader of this book really did a great job of deflecting and keeping your eyes and ears open to what was and has been a part of our history

What stood out is what we have known all along, but refused to acknowledge. There are too many “Kennedys“ in the world.

So much unnecessary suffering. A lobotomy! Unforgivable. And so, so many enablers. What's wrong with us?

Great book!

This book succinctly pieced together many of the Kennedy stories I’ve heard over my lifetime. An in depth look at the havoc a name, fame, and fortune can have on a family and especially for the women who fall in love with them.

Compelling and Maybe True

I have questions about the writers sources The truth is you should have questions about any text like this That said, I was astounded by revelations here but I believed they had veracity
The story of Diane and Mimi were especially troubling Tei virgins made whores for a man’s cavalier pleasure was just haunting
The recklessness of John John so obliviously the legacy of the Kennedy name was criminal Hus hubris was so pathological he wantonly flew that plane into the void Carolyn should have dragged her sister off and waited for the divorce papers She would e lived to be a widow and obviously there are worse fates than that
The sexism was so extreme it’s easy to see how Bobby would see Marilyn Monroe as expendable He and JFK died horrible violent deaths but their not martyrs or myths. They’re rapists, murderers, spoiled rotten brats and the world is better off without them I hope in the very least women have learned to defend each other and themselves from these monsters say what you will about Melania she seems to give as good as she gets I’m sure it’s not lost on her that Ivanka is buried on a golf course We have no excuses now We can be the president We don’t have give blow jobs on command, wear the proper outfits or put up with this kinda shit I hope…

Should be required reading….

…for all students aged 16and up. This is a cautionary tale for young women AND men. If a society is to make real strides in equality, it should start with how it values its women.