The Patriarch

The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy

By: David Nasaw

Narrated by: Malcolm Hillgartner

Length: 30 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Celebrated historian David Nasaw brings to life the story of Joseph Patrick Kennedy, in this, the first and only biography based on unrestricted and exclusive access to the Joseph P. Kennedy papers.

Joseph Patrick Kennedy - whose life spanned the First World War, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, the Second World War, and the Cold War - was the patriarch of America’s greatest political dynasty. The father of President John F. Kennedy and Senators Robert and Edward Kennedy, 'Joe' Kennedy was an indomitable and elusive figure whose dreams of advancement for his nine children were matched only by his extraordinary personal ambition and shrewd financial skills. Trained as a banker, Kennedy was also a Hollywood mogul, a stock-exchange savant, a shipyard manager, the founding chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and ambassador to London during the Battle of Britain. Though his incredible life encompasses the very heart of the American century, Joseph Kennedy has remained shrouded in rumor and prejudice for decades.

Drawing on never-before-published material from archives on three continents, David Nasaw - the renowned biographer of Andrew Carnegie and William Randolph Hearst - unearths a man far more complicated than the popular portrait. Was Kennedy an appeaser and isolationist, an anti-Semite and Nazi sympathizer, a stock swindler, a bootlegger, and a colleague of mobsters? Did he push his second son into politics and then buy his elections for him? Why did he have his daughter Rosemary lobotomized? Why did he oppose the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, the Korean War, and American assistance to the French in Vietnam? What was his relationship to J. Edgar Hoover and his FBI? How did he influence his son’s politics and policies in the White House?

In this groundbreaking biography, Nasaw ignores the tired old answers surrounding Kennedy, starting from scratch to discover the truth behind this misunderstood man.

Though far from a saint, Joseph Kennedy in many ways exemplifies the best in American political, economic, and social life. His rags-to-riches story is one of exclusion and quiet discrimination overcome by entrepreneurship, ingenuity, and unshakable endurance. Kennedy’s story deserves to be told in full, with no holds barred, and Nasaw’s magnificent The Patriarch is the first book to do so.

©2012 David Nasaw (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

One of the New York Times' Ten Best Books of the Year

One of Kirkus' Best Nonfiction Books of the Year

"Riveting.... The Patriarch is a book hard to put down.... As his son indelibly put it some months before his father was struck down: 'Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your county.' One wonders what was going through the mind of the patriarch, sitting a few feet away listening to that soaring sentiment as a fourth-generation Kennedy became president of the United States. After coming to know him over the course of this brilliant, compelling book, the reader might suspect that he was thinking he had done more than enough for his country. But the gods would demand even more." (New York Times Book Review)

Interesting detailed account of the Kennedy Family

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this family's success, along with all the challenging tribulations and life-changing events. It is an amazing detailed account of each family member.

Very well done, but a bit slow at times

I have always been interested in the Kennedys and found this book to be fascinating, however the author goes into so much detail that at times I found myself skipping a few parts. I'm also interested in history, so believe me, it had to be a LOT of detail to turn me off a bit.

Otherwise extremely well done, I'd recommend it to my friends.

Amazing

I absolutely loved this book. I’m not an historian, though I generally do appreciate biographies. I was just curious about the senior Kennedy… mostly because of the courageous work RFK Jr is currently doing. This biography is phenomenal, as is the life of Joseph P Kennedy. I am so, so glad I took the time to listen to his life story. It’s a very long book, but consistently packed with details and conversations and emotional highs and lows. You get a wonderfully clear portrait of this extraordinary man.

Incredible life with a tragic ending

Highly recommend this book. Amazing consequential life with such a tragic ending. For all his success, I certainly don’t envy the last years of his life.

Great Story!

I thought I knew the Kennedy story...I didn't. Great, well told historical account. Great read.

Great listen

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Patriarch?

For me it was probably when the family was notified of sister Kathleens death.

What about Malcolm Hillgartner’s performance did you like?

Everything. His changing accents for different characters was excellent.

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

Probably. But for me it was better to do it a couple of chapters at a time.

Triumph !! and..............

Would you listen to The Patriarch again? Why?

In a heart beat..........Well written & a very interesting "20th Century" personality

What other book might you compare The Patriarch to and why?

Bios but this is a little different. He has his moments but mainly a very focused personality

What about Malcolm Hillgartner’s performance did you like?

Yes .....No problem

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

He was a filmmaker & would "comeback to produce".

Any additional comments?

If you are in anyway interested in the "Kennedy's"..be sure to read / listen.

Joe Kennedy gets a bad wrap

If it weren't for this book, I would've lived my whole life thinking Joe Kennedy was a crook involved in bootlegging, connected to the Mafia, rigging elections for his son, and making deals with the devil.

Instead I found out he was an incredibly industrious man who loved his family above all else. His track record in business, in multiple industries, was remarkable.

Give the accents a rest

I can't emphasize how annoying it was that the narrator insisted on aping the accents of Joseph Kennedy and of his family.

Interesting, but could use some editing.

Incredibly interesting overall, but at 31 hours it could really use some editing. Also, I kept getting the impression that this was the white-washed version of his life - the version his family would have no objections to.