Fairy Tale Interrupted by Rosemarie Terenzio

When I started reading this book I felt that I was headed for disappointment but I can say having finished it, I was not. It just took me awhile to be able to relate to RoseMarie, her insecurities and her terribly anxiety about almost everything.
An ordinary girl from the Bronx she rose by complete surprise to become John F Kennedy Jr's, Everything Business wise and she also became very friendly with Carolyn his wife, which caused further dramatics of its own. A very hard worker, who wanted to please there is little doubt that her contribution to John`s life was major and that he would not have functioned well without her, she had his back, she was smart, savvy and knew how to say no, equally he made it possible for her to have a life that she could never have dreamed of, very few things that could happen didn`t happen...RoseMarie got to go to all sorts of places, met all sorts of people and every summer got a week in Hyannis at John`s house.

For all his charm and affability, he could pitch a fit and throw a tantrum often ill directed, he could be sulky and unpredictable, Rosie as he called her could also pitch a fit and should she feel the need, she could sulk a little.
Equally he was kind, generous, supportive, loyal and devoted to Rosie and she to him.
One of the things that really struck me was her complete honesty, be it good, bad or ugly she called it as she saw it, the hurt and the pain is all there, as is the anxiety and insecurities.While Carolyn Bessette came across as rather generous, I have never liked her and this book doesn`t change that.
Well written and easy to read it takes you into a time in Kennedy`s life that certainly had it ups and excitement but equally disappointments and downs but it is from the perspective of a true insider and in the end she has written a book that honours John`s faith and trust in her. It is well worth reading!

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.

Reading Jackie by William Kuhn

This was a well researched read that takes you into the working life of Mrs Onassis after the death of her second husband.

It was no secret that Jackie loved books and reading so the progression into the literary world that she took was not entirely surprising although the fact that with all those billions you might want to work is a little disconcerting but never mind, she helped to turn out some very fine books. None of these books the average person may have heard of other than Michael Jacksons Moonwalk, and Jackson was not her cup of tea! In true Jackie style, she and her co-workers prevailed and a reasonable book ensued.

At times this book became a little gluggy and a little more editing may have served it well, however the insiders look that it gives you and the honesty with which tricky situations are dealt make it a valuable source especially when Jackies contribution to American History is eventually evaluated.

Greg Lawrence has also written on this aspect of Jackies life and his book will be out in early January, his writing of such a book is notable in that Jackie edited his wife Gelsey Kirklands autobiography and it was a book that stood the american ballet community firmly on its head! Dancing on my Grave was its title.

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!