American Legacy: The Story of John & Caroline Kennedy

by C. David Heymann

Book Overview

From the moment of their births, John and Caroline Kennedy occupied a central position in what is generally regarded as the most famous family in the United States, if not the world. Even as young children growing up in the White House, their most subtle gestures and actions made headlines.... Yet until now they have not been the subject of a dual biography. In that sense, this volume represents a first.

In American Legacy,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743497392
• ISBN13: 9780743497398
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 608 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.2" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Brillant look at complex lives

David Heymann's American Legacy is really a masterpiece of great writing combined with masterful research. The story Mr. Heymann tells is compelling about the lives of two American icons. It is hard to put this book down. He paints a fascinating and fairly in depth look at young John Kemmedy Jr. that has not been told. He reveals a side to John Jr. that has never been presented. It is a fairly dark tale of a young man who has everything trying to find himself. Also, the look at the fatal crash-before and after- is fascinating. He look at caroline reveals the mystery behind the daughter of Jack and Jackie. I highly reccommend this amazing book that really ranks among the great works about America's First Family. Kudos to Mr. Heymann for this incredible work.- Rick Lertzman Moreland Hills, Ohio

Well done!!!!!!!!!

Mr. Haymann has done an excellent job...the book is very well written..and although alot of the information on John and Caroline has already been written..this book still is a very comprehensive biography of the siblings..if one likes the Kennedys or not...this is a detailed view of their lives, as told by Mr. Haymann

Even If You've Read About the Kennedys Before....Buy This Book

I think I've read nearly every book ever written on the Kennedy family but this is my favorite, by far. I received it two days ago and am already done--because it's hard to put down once you've started. Heymann has managed to interview people who've never talked much before about Jacqueline, John and Caroline and the result is a compilation of stories and anecdotes never revealed before. It's a fair, well-balanced account of the lives of two of the most famous offspring in American history, providing insights into the relationship between the two siblings, as well as some of the feelings each had about the other's spouse. Without "bashing" either Ed Schlossberg or Carolyn Bessette, it helps the reader better understand their personalities and the complications of life within the Kennedy clan. All in all, I would rank it an excellent summer read and certainly one of the best accounts, to date, of the choices made and lives lived by Caroline and John. While one can never know completely what makes people "tick," readers will come away with the most in-depth view thus far revealed about two children raised in the spotlight and the values, experiences, and inherent personalities which shaped their respective lives.

Fascinating read of our nation's first family

This is the first full-length biography of our nation's first family's children: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. They were both affected by the assassination of their father and both handled it in very different ways. JFK Jr. was outgoing, adventure seeking, the sexiest man alive; Caroline is private, a wonderful mother and wife. They both were instilled with the Kennedy sense of public service and JFK Jr. would have probably been president -- and no doubt done a far better job than Bush! I really enjoyed finally reading all about these two heroes, which shows them to be human but also heroic.

Great Summer Reading !!!

Heymann continues to be the #1 Kennedy biographer. This book on both Caroline and John Jr. is filled with great anedotes and new information not found anywhere else. AMERICAN LEGACY is a great,entertaining and quick summer read. I felt like I was an "insider" into the lives of both subjects. Thoroughly enjoyed it.