Mrs Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill

In this picture Clint Hill is attempting to reach Jackie Kennedy who is trying to get help for her husband who has just been shot.



There have been and continue to be endless books written about the Kennedys. After the death of John F. Kennedy there was a treasure chest of both the myth and the real and for every book written about the late President there is just as likely to have been one written about his wife, Jackie.
We have had Saintly Jackie, Diva Jackie, Working Jackie, Icon Jackie, really the list is endless and most have been read by me!
This book is interesting in that it was written by the Secret Service Agent whose specific task was to look after Lace( Mrs K`s code name) and to ensure that she was safe at all times. In the pre publicity for this book Clint Hill was asked if he had been just a little in love with Mrs Kennedy and after reading it the reader certainly comes to the conclusion that he was, there was nothing yuky and tacky about it and considering the behaviour of her husband, the need for a close, at all times professional man to rely on was not a luxury but a necessity.

Hill really does tell the inside story and he has a unique and very interesting view of the many people and places that he observed during the years 1961-63 and the aftermath of Dallas.View would argue that these men had to work hard but there were also many privileges and benefits to their jobs and the travel alone was mind blowing. A very readable book if at times a little overwrought, his perceptive observation of Aristotle Onassis would likely be spot on.He doesn`t appear to have much liked Lee Radziwill either but I`m yet to read a memoir where anyone particularly does.
His telling of the events of November 22nd 1963 in Dallas, Texas are chilling and heartbreaking and it is easy to forget the number of people who directly saw what Lee Harvey Oswalds bullets rendered.
Hill continue to serve with distinction until retirement and its easy to see why.
This book is available at Dymocks, Newmarket at a very good price for a hardback and is also available through the library system.

Jackie as Editor by Greg Lawrence

Mr Lawrence could have used Jackies services as Editor as there are far to many typos in this book and a good Line Editor would have dealt swiftly with them. The picture choice for the insert is ghastly and ill thought out, better to have none and just stuck with having a beautiful jacket as this book has.

Greg Lawrence certainly has all the gossip in here and a few insider bits and pieces that William Kuhn did not but overall I go against the grain and think that Kuhns was the better book.

There are a number of instances in this book when you come away thinking how on earth did he cobble those exemplars together and make that conclusion, a little too much wishful thinking in parts about what Jackie may or may not have done in regards to editing John Kennedys work and especially in regard to two books published after Kennedys death, there is a world of difference between editing and attempting to control what information goes out into the public arena. I have 3 books that Jacqueline Onassis edited, all are excellent especially Edvard Radvinskys "The Last Tsar" which was a major bestseller and continues to be used for research purposes when Romanov History is being examined, she knew her stuff. Greg Lawrence worked with Jacqueline Onassis on 3 books including his ex wife Gelsey Kirklands marvellous memoir so he did know her and yet you don't come away feeling that he did know her, many sources spoke to him but there wasn't a lot that was new in what they said, with the exception of some co-workers.

The question has been posed regarding History's judgement of this Lady, in my humble opinion from the time of John Kennedys election as President until her marriage in 1968 to Aristotle Onassis and after she returned to New York when Onassis died and until her own passing she was and will always be to steal Sarah Bradfords words Americas Queen.

Two excellent books to read if you would like to know more about her life are: America's Queen by Sarah Bradford and Grace and Power (The Private World of the Kennedy White House) by Sally Bedell Smith. Both big books, they are well researched and beautifully written and easy reads to boot.

Jackie has arrived!

Jackie arrived via a very speedy and contrite courier first thing this morning. She is looking very good indeed. Sad but true, I've put Seabiscuit to one side as I simply can't resist a good Jackie read!

A Literary Stoush

Amazing as it seems a bit of a domestic has broken out in the U.S. about the literary life of my great favourite in life (just ask my daughters) Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and her life as a book editor. There are two books coming and one has been pushed ahead of the other to hit the market first, upset feelings, ruffled feathers.....oh the excitement.....needless to say I have flown straight on to Amazon and will have the 1st book in my hot little hands by December 10th. Yipee!