Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: A Life

by Donald Spoto

Book Overview

The first full biography of Jackie Onassis since her death offers revelations about her life and the life of JFK, chronicling her work as a mother, editor, and spiritual seeker.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312246501
• ISBN13: 9780312246501
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 348 Pages
• Weight: 1.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Great book!

I had always wanted to find out more about the famous 'Mrs. Kennedy'. I picked this one and found it hard to put it down. From her chilhood to the time she died, Spoto writes in a delightful fashion that is easy to read and understand. After reading this touching and heartwarming portrayal of America's Royal, she became one of my favorite people. It includes quotes from her close friends and indulges you in her charity projects and her relationship with Caroline and John Jr. It tells of her deep love for JFK and the loyalty she had to her family. The only thing I disliked about the book was the beginning, which was like reading the beginning of the Bible. It told all about her ancestors history and was quite boring in my opinion. Aside from that though, this is a great book which helped spawn my interest in Jackie.

A great tribute to the life of Jackie Onassis.

I'm a new fan of Jackie Onassis in fact this is the first biography I've read about her. It seemed that the author really cared about his subject and wanted to bring honor to the life that Jackie lived and not to tabloid rumors. If you want a book about Jackie's rumored steamy romances with various men this book is not for you, but if you want a book that focuses on Jackie's many accomplishments than I highly recommend it.

DAZZLING

A detailed account of Jackie O's life. Very well organized. Highly recommended! FOR QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS ON JACKIE ONASSIS, PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT MellissaLD@aol.com. HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!!!!!!

A wonderful biography of a truly wonderful person!

I have always found Mrs. Kennedy to be an inspiration, especially as a mother. I don't think another wealthy, famous person has ever been such a doting, loving, protective, nurturing mother. This book really conveyed how important her relationship with her children was. It also helped me to understand her relationship with the President. I never understood how it could have been a love-match, but this book explained the value of this relationship to her. She was a wonderful lady and this book is a tribute to her.

A Serious Account of a Significant Life

At age 31 Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy became the First Lady and thus the most recognized woman in the world. Three years later, at age 34, she witnessed the bloody murder of her husband on that dreadful day in Dallas. For the next four days this young woman shared her private loss in a very public way, as she "showed the country how to grieve." If she did nothing else with her life Jackie Kennedy would still be remembered as a very remarkable person. But, thanks to Donald Spoto's serious, yet warm and sympathetic biography we have a fuller picture of Jacquelie Bouvier Kennedy-Onassis long before Dallas and for the remaining thirty years of her significant life. This book is not for those interested in the dirt and dish that so mistakenly is perceived as fact when writing about the Kennedys. There is none of that here. Rather, Spoto approaches his subject with a desire to understand the person by searching for the purpose and meaning she gave to her experiences, as recounted by those who knew her best. He writes in a style that is gaceful and respectful, mirroring his life as a monk, as well as the way Mrs. Kennedy-Onassis tried to live her life. With all her wealth, opportunity, and experiences, Spoto emphasizes that her greatest accopmlishement in this extraordinary life was simply that she was a devoted and loving mother to her two children. A complex task for us all, made more difficult by having to parent under the constant glare of public curiosity. Perhaps the most telling passage of the book, one that speaks to the truer character of JBKO, is when she was asked why she never chose to respond to the tabliods, the critics, or myriad of others who fed off her celebrity status. In other words, to just give her side of the story! Her reply was that the dirt and gossip would continue, she could not control that, but she faithfully believed that "they can never steal my soul." Therefore, no explaination, clarification or defense was necessary. Those who admire Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis and seek to explore the depth of her life beyond the myths, you will find this book worth reading. For those looking for something else -- keep searching.