Jackie, Ethel, Joan : Women of Camelot
by J. Randy Taraborrelli

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• ISBN13: 9780446524261
• Condition: New
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Book Reviews of Jackie, Ethel, Joan : Women of Camelot

Book Review: THREE FACES OF KENNEDYS
Summary: 5 Stars

The President's wife Jackie, remained true to her own convictions and fiercely independent. She radiated class, elegance, poise and style. From all accounts, Jackie was an excellent mother and the successes of her children and their loving accounts of her is proof positive of her success. One gets the feeling that Jackie felt somewhat out of place among the more boisterous members of the extended family. For all of her fierce independence, there is a poignancy about her. Jackie was a woman who commanded respect.

Joan, a gentle, self effacing woman had some overwhelming challenges of her own. An alcholic mother, her own drinking problem and her oldest son Ted, Jr.'s leg amputation at age 12 appeared to hit her all at once. Demure and loving, Joan relates how she told Ted Jr. he could let his feelings out; he was a child, not a man and losing a body part at any age was traumatic. Joan insists on marching to her own drummer and her drummer plays a very poignant tune. Daughter Kara goes through a rebellious stage and youngest son Patrick (now a representative) has been treated for depression. Joan is crushed by Ted Sr.'s adulterous affairs and their combination of problems ultimately ends in divorce. For the first time in her life, Joan is forced to confront herself and decide on the tune her drummer will play. She is a very sympathetic person and one can only keep hoping and praying she will find peace.

Ethel is wonderfully gregarious, funny and outgoing. She is Jackie's opposite number in that she is perfectly comfortable in expressing herself without restraint. Known for her love of spontaneous practical jokes, Ethel distinguishes herself within the large clan. An accomplished equestrienne, Ethel appears to derive equal satisfaction in aggressive touch football games and tennis matches. She has a wonderfully zany side that brings a smile to the face as her antics are recounted. She also appears to be a good counterpart to Robert Kennedy; the serious, sometimes brooding Attorney General/Senator has these characteristics balanced by the irrepressible Ethel.

Ethel, too, has her share of hardships. Both of her parents are killed in a plane crash in 1955 and her brother George dies in one in 1966. The death of Robert Kennedy was a singular trauma; Ethel was there when he was assassinated. The way one ambulance attendant treated her was inexcusable. The trauma she went through during those hard years after the senator's death was revisited in the effect his loss had on their children. She has lost two children under horrific circumstances. Despite these major losses, Ethel still has maintained her core self -- her zest, her delightfully zany wit and her enormous drive. Her children are her true success story and in the opinion of this reviewer, her biggest and her best accomplishments.

Summary of Jackie, Ethel, Joan : Women of Camelot

Ethel should never have been so catty when gentle, simple Joan joined the clan: "Goodbye wine and cheese," hissed Ethel. "Hello macaroni and cheese." And she shouldn't have mocked Jackie for being unable to compete in touch football--with the Kennedys, it was more like "claw, scratch and bite" football. And what about when she rubbed it in that she and Bobby were closer than Jackie and Jack? After all, when Lee Remick phoned Ethel to say "You're on the way out," and Ethel replied that Bobby was home in bed, Bobby was in fact (says Taraborrelli) in bed with Lee Remick.

You may have heard that JFK's dad, Joe Kennedy, offered Jackie $1 million not to divorce JFK, but did you hear Jackie's alleged reply? "The price goes up to $20 million if Jack brings home any venereal diseases." Did Ethel betray Jackie's discontent to Joe--and then go ballistic when Joe only gave Ethel $500,000? You'd think Joan would be the clinker in the group, like Zeppo Marx. She was a bit dim, but should Ted have put her down as dumb? He's the one who showed up soused with a prostitute for dinner with the king and queen of Belgium, whose priceless antique couch Ted's date ruined by wetting it.

Who knows how historians will judge this book, but it sure does a great job of making history into a Jackie Collins novel. --Tim Appelo

Historical Books

• Subjects > Biographies & Memoirs > Historical
• Leaders & Notable People > Rich & Famous
• People, A-Z > ( O ) > Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy
• Specific Groups > Women