Once Upon a Secret

My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath

By: Mimi Alford

Narrated by: Susan Denaker

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

In the summer of 1962, 19-year-old Mimi Beardsley arrived by train in Washington, D.C., to begin an internship in the White House press office. The Kennedy Administration had reinvigorated the capital and the country - and Mimi was eager to contribute. For a young woman from a privileged but sheltered upbringing, the job was the chance of a lifetime. Although she started as a lowly intern, Mimi made an impression on Kennedy's inner circle and, after just three days at the White House, she was presented to the President himself.

Almost immediately, the two began an affair that would continue for the next 18 months.

In an era when women in the workplace were still considered "girls", Mimi was literally a girl herself - naive, innocent, emotionally unprepared for the thrill that came when the President's charisma and power were turned on her full-force. She was also unprepared for the feelings of isolation that would follow as she fell into the double life of a college student who was also the secret lover of the most powerful man in the world.

Then, after the President's tragic death in Dallas, she grieved in private, locked her secret away, and tried to start her life anew, only to find that her past would cast a long shadow and ultimately destroy her relationship with the man she married.

In 2003, a Kennedy biographer mentioned "a tall, slender, beautiful 19-year-old college sophomore and White House intern, who worked in the press office" in reference to one of the President's affairs. The disclosure set off a tabloid frenzy and soon exposed Mimi and the secret that she had kept for 41 years. Because her past had been revealed in such a shocking, public way, she was forced, for the first time, to examine the choices she'd made. She came to understand that shutting down one part of her life so completely had closed her off from so much more.

No longer defined by silence or shame, Mimi Alford has finally unburdened herself with this searingly honest account of her life and her extremely private moments with a very public man. Once Upon a Secret offers a new and personal depiction of one of our most iconic leaders and a powerful, moving story of a woman coming to terms with her past and moving out of the shadows to reclaim the truth.

©2012 Mimi Alford (P)2012 Random House

Critic reviews

“With the benefit of hindsight and good old-fashioned maturity, [Mimi Alford] writes not just about the secret, but the corrosive effect of keeping that secret.... You can’t help liking her, or her elegant and thoroughly good-natured book.” (The Spectator)

“Compelling...a polished voice telling a credible story you can take to the bank.” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

“Explosive...searingly candid.” (New York Post)

Such a compelling read!

This book was so great! It was so interesting and kept me listening. I read it once before and was happy to hear it as an audiobook.

Turning on a light into a Camelot secret

What did you love best about Once Upon a Secret?

It was honest, frank and occasionally shocking.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Once Upon a Secret?

There was a particularly salacious incident in the White House swimming pool.

Which character – as performed by Susan Denaker – was your favorite?

It was a personal historical narrative - no characters, except the author.

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

No.I took time off to think about some aspects before going back to read more.

politicians and women

I'm glad she wrote this, it's interesting to hear how Washington works, and the effect this sort of power has on a young girl's self esteem. I guess it must be sort of intoxicating.

very well written

great story from start to finish, love how the author grew and finally met the love of her life, she deserved it

I would not normally read, but a truly good story

Great narration. Easy to understand. The finds herself after years of following along with her perceived expectations of others.

wow. just wow!!!

i will never forget this book. i was brought to tears several times. so maky emotions. amazing. highly recommend.