Bobby and Jackie

By: David C. Heymann

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the New York Times best-selling author of American Legacy, RFK, and A Woman Named Jackie comes an in-depth look at the much talked-about - but never fully revealed - relationship between Jackie Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy. Americans have long been fascinated by the rumored love affair between Jackie Kennedy and Bobby Kennedy. With Bobby and Jackie they will finally get more than a glimpse of their emotional and romantic connection. An open secret for decades among family insiders, their affair began as a result of their shared grief over the assassination of the president in 1963 and lasted until Bobby began his run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968.

©2009 David C. Heymann (P)2009 Tantor Media

Critic Reviews

"Pulitzer-nominated biographer Heymann delivers a gawk-worthy beach read with this fascinating look at Jackie and the Kennedy clan in the aftermath of John F. Kennedy's assassination....Heymann's research is top notch, with plentiful attributions, making this train-wreck love story a substantial guilty pleasure and a sizzling reminder of how the rich are different." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Full of gossipy tidbits....This book is shocking, yearningly romantic and tons of fun." ( People)

Could have been better

What did you like best about Bobby and Jackie? What did you like least?

Like a previous reviewer noted, everything here has been reported before. The bare bones in this book are exactly as recorded in the Manchester, and Robert Caro's books. Then we come to the things I like least. Opinions, surrounded by question marks, qualifiers such as probably, ALMOST certainly, make good gossip, and lousy history. I like history better than gossip, therefore I really didn't like this book. I don't care if the relationship between JFK's widow and his brother was more than a man taking care of his dead brother's family or not. I am irritated that something might be possible, something else might be probable, and things someone said to someone else are presented as fact. The author has a good deal of contempt for the reader.

What was most disappointing about David C. Heymann’s story?

I am disappointed in myself for not paying more attention to previous reviews. I bought this because I wanted something to listen to on a long and boring drive, familiar enough that it didn't require full attention, and interesting enough to keep me awake. Well it was irritating enough that I stopped it and put in Winston Churchill's biography by William Manchester.

What about Dick Hill’s performance did you like?

Dick Hill is a marvelous narrator. No matter how different his jobs are from each other he produces a perfect performance for each.

What else would you have wanted to know about David C. Heymann’s life?

Not much.

Any additional comments?

There is nothing polite that I would like to say.

Deliciously gossipy

I’m not proud of it, but I loved this dishy audio treat. The author jumps around a lot through time and topic which is distracting, but there is literally a new scandal every few minutes.

Not Much New From This Book

Having been a teenager when JFK was assassinated, the event had a major impact on me. I have read almost every book on the subject. This story does not hold any big "secrets" not previously revealed, but it does give the listener some additional insight into the dysfunction that was present in the Kennedy family. I did enjoy this look at the history of the time, and was left wondering the old question "what if".

Bobby and Jackie, Not a Love Story

The book is filled with lies and inaccuracies. This author obviously has it out for the Kennedys

Utterly Terrible

I bought this book for "ear fluff" (i.e. the kind of book you only half listen to anyway because you don't really care) and it wasn't even worth it. I stopped listening half-way through. I should have heeded the reviews I read that said it was terrible and gotten something else. It wasted time and money. DON'T BUY THIS BOOK, NOT EVEN ON A LARK.