Donald Spoto
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (2000)
Author: Donald Spoto
Genre: Nonfiction (Biography)
Book Summary:
Jacueline Bouvier was born into a family of wealth. This did not guarantee her a happy family life. This biography of a woman who would be first lady and American royalty, tells the story of how Jackie attempted to better her life. It begins with background about both of her parents lives before their marriage and continues throughout the book. This background helps the reader comprehend why Onassis made the choices she did. The book discusses who Jackie met and influenced throughout her life and what roles she played during her marriage to John F. Kennedy. The book doesn't linger on one time of her life much more than any other.
Geographical Setting: New York, Washington DC, various places in Europe
Time Period: 1929-1994
Appeal Characteristics:
The author uses a comfortable pace to draw the reader in while telling stories about her intellect, humor, and disappointments. The writing style is easy to follow, which makes the book difficult to put down. The author also included several photographs depicting Jackie during several stages of her life. This book would interest readers who enjoy biographies, especially those about first ladies, the wealthy, or fashion icons. Readers who are highly interested in the assasination of JFK shouldn't rely on this book. It doesn't spend alot of time discussing it or the other Kennedy relatives with the exception of Joe Kennedy Sr.
Read-alikes: For the reader who enjoyed the author's writing style, the next book to read may be Donald Spoto's Marilyn Monroe: The Biography(2001). This biography discusses one of the movie stars that had a link to Jackie because of an affair with President Kennedy. Maybe your patron is interested in first ladies. They might want to read Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biography (1989) by Jean H. Baker. This is the story of another wife who lost her husband to the assassin's bullet before her very eyes. Her life like Jackie's was not all roses. She suffered from mental illness after the death of President Lincoln. The next suggestion is for the patron who enjoys the sentiment that Jackie was American royalty. Grace Kelly, an American movie star, married a real life prince and became a royal. J. Randy Taraborrelli's book Once Upon a Time: Behind the Fairy Tale of Princess Grace & Prince Rainier (2004) chronicles her life. Audrey Hepburn, like Jackie, was noted for her status as a fashion icon. If fashion is what your reader found interesting, they might want to pick up a copy of Ellen Erwin's The Audrey Hepburn Treasures: Pictures & Mementos from a Life of Style & Purpose (2006). This book is self-explanatory from the title. What the reader may be surprised to find out is that fashion wasn't the only link between Audrey and Jackie. They both gave time towards the betterment of the world. Jackie focused on the arts and Audrey on humanitarian issues. Next, I would like to suggest something that focuses on Jackie and her contributions to the world of fashion. Oleg Cassini, who designed Jackie's clothes during her tenure in the White House, has released A Thousand Days of Magic: Dressing Jackie Kenndey for the White House (1995). Readers may be very interested in the many photographs and sketches of the original clothing items. It would also appeal to the patron who doesn't want to do alot of reading and more looking. Finally, for those who are interested in reading about the women who married the three Kennedy brothers, they might want to read J. Randy Taraborrelli's Jackie Ethel Joan: Women of Camelot (2000). Readers should be aware that it is more like an expose than a objective biography.
Red Flags: Some graphic description of the assasination of President Kennedy.
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