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Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy  By  cover art

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)
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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.

©2011 Caroline Kennedy, John Schlossberg, Rose Schlossberg, and Tatiana Schlossberg (P)2011 Hyperion (packaging elements only)

What listeners say about Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy

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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.

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A wonderful history

This was so great to hear these tapes in Jackie's voice. I am so great full to Caroline for releasing the tapes in my life time. If there are more I wish she would release them as well. I have always thought Jack, Jackie And Bobby were good people despite their enormous wealth and these tapes brought to light even more reasons to support my feelings. A must listen for people who were alive during this time.

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Amazing insight to a woman in love!


Thank you, Caroline, for sharing this intimate and loving look into the heart of your incredibly amazing and courageous mom. In all the years I admired her, I never thought I would get to feel I was just sitting and listening to her just talk.. Thank you to you for sharing her with us...she, and you, amaze me still, as did Senator Ted Kennedy when I met him in 1977. Your family inspires and you have continued that legacy. Thank you Caroline.



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Not a history buff, but I couldn't stop listening!

Would you listen to Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy again? Why?

I do plan to listen to this again. There were so many interesting topics that I would like to refresh on!

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

I loved listening to her opinions of the other "First Ladies", politicians, and events of her time! I am sure she wanted to wait 50 years for this to be released for good reason!

Any additional comments?

This book was a little hard to hear because it was recorded long ago, however once I grabbed my good set of ear buds it was so interesting to hear the clanking of the ice cubes in her glass and her inhaling as she smoked.It was such a different world 50 years ago, she speaks on what was expected of "The First Lady" and of wives and mothers.I will be recommending this and listening again!

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I'm glad Caroline decided to release this.

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

I already have recommended it to friends. Being so close to the time of the assassination I was surprised she did it, and she doesn't talk about the assassination. She talks about the 10 years she was with Jack, and it's quite interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

This really isn't a story per se. Jackie seemed relaxed in the interviews, and I was surpirsed at her comments about the French and Charles DeGaulle. She couldn't stand either one.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The interviewer knew Jack and Jackie personally, and so he knew what to ask her. Hearing Jackie's voice is something that would be very lacking in a book.

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

Yes, and I almost did too.

Any additional comments?

Jackie shines a whole different light on the happenings in the White House, and it's well worth a listen.

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Hearing from the woman herself.

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

Yes.

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

Her conversation on what happened during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

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

I hadn't before.

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

Nope.

Any additional comments?

A great listen for any Kennedy fan or history buff in general.

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Fascinating

Would you listen to Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy again? Why?

Yes. This was an extraordinary peek into the empire that was the Kennedys, in the eyes of a woman wielding much more power than she let on.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jackie, of course. Her growth during those years of tragedy was palpable.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Hearing Jackie's voice was without parallel

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Impromptu Purchase and a Good One

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

This audio demonstrates just how much America and its power players have changed in 50 years as well as how much has stayed the same. Jackie gave so much grace to the country just by being herself. This audio is quite an education for me not just simply in politics but journalism as well. It shows a different side of the mysterious Jacqueline and I find this private side much more compelling. I can't help but wonder how different this country would be today if JFK would have been able to serve two terms.

What did you like best about this story?

Consideing she is in the grieving process, I don't know how she composed herself in so little time. Is JFK really all that she claims or is she romanticizing his legacy for posterity like a good 1960s wife? Even with all of this new info, there is still so much mystery to this woman who changed the White House forever. It is interesting how she voices her role as a woman and a wife and how her life and career actuallly turned out. It is a shame she did not make more of these tapes throughout her lifetime. Maybe she did. Wouldn't that be a nice surprise!

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

I couldn't help myself.

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Good book.

Its a very interesting book. Got to know what exactly was happening during that era.

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Carried back in time listening to this book.

Like most people who were alive on that terrible day I remember it well. I was in Austin, Texas on the day JFK was murdered. I worked for the University of Texas and he was coming to the campus that night. They had been preparing for days. My husband and I were so excited as we were to see him that night. When we heard he had been shot, I pictured him showing up with his arm in a sling or something like that. Never for one moment could I begin to imagine him dead!
This book brought back that time and place for me. What I felt hearing Jackie's voice again is hard to describe. This was a fascinating read for me and I am so glad that it was published. She comes across as so loyal and devoted to JFK, one wonders if she knew what an active sex life he was carrying on during their marriage. We knew nothing about it at the time, of course. Different time, different rules.

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