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Grace and Power (Abridged): The Private World of the Kennedy White House Audiobook
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(3.04) - 396 listener ratings
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In GRACE & POWER: THE PRIVATE WORLD OF THE KENNEDY WHITE HOUSE, New York Times bestselling author Sally Bedell Smith takes us inside the Kennedy White House with unparalleled access and insight. Having interviewed scores of Kennedy intimates, including many who have never spoken before, and drawing on letters and personal papers made available for the first time, Smith paints a richly detailed picture of the personal relationships behind the high purpose and poiltical drama of the twentieth century's most storied presidency. At the dawn of the 1960s, a forty-three-year-old president and his thirty-one-year-old first lady – the youngest couple ever to occupy the White House – captivated the world with their easy elegance and their cool conviction that anything was possible. Jack and Jackie Kennedy gathered around them an intensely loyal and brillant coterie of intellectuals, journalists, diplomats, international jet-setters and artists. Perhaps as never before, Washington was sharply divided between the “ins” and the “outs.” In his public life, JFK created a New Frontier, stared down the Soviets, and devoted himself to his wife and children. As first lady, Jackie mesmerized foreign leaders and the American people with her style and sophistication, creating a White House renowned for its beauty and culture. Smith brilliantly recreates the glamorous pageant of the Kennedy years, as well as the daily texture of the Kennedys’ marriage, friendships, political associations, and, in Jack’s case, multiple love affairs. Smith’s striking revelations include new information about what drew Jack to his numerous mistresses – and what effects the relationships ultimately had on the women; about the rivalries and resentments among Kennedy’s advisers; and about the poignant days before and after Kennedy’s assassination. Smith has fashioned a vivid and nuanced portrait not only of two extraordinary individuals but of a new age that sprang to life around them. Shimmering with intelligence and detail, GRACE AND POWER is history at its finest.
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"I really liked this book. It didn't focus on the Marilyn Monroe aspect of the marriage as much as it could have and probably should have. The book solely focused on the White House years. I learned a lot about them and their personalities. The book mentioned a few books they read, so now I want to go find them. Overall, a good read."
— Lori (4 out of 5 stars)
Grace and Power Listener Reviews
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" Great book about the Kennedy's - lots of focus on their marriage. "
— Sarah, 2/13/2014 -
" i am reading this book after visiting the 6th Floor musuem in Dallas. i wanted to learn more about the Kennedy's. So far very good! "
— Abbey, 2/10/2014 -
" Very interesting and in depth. Lots of back story and unknown details. I enjoyed it!! "
— Lisa, 1/24/2014 -
" This book gave me a new admiration particularly for Jacqueline Kennedy and what she accomplished in restoring some of the grandeur and history to the White House rooms - and at such a young age. "
— Linda, 1/23/2014 -
" Didn't really like this one. Was a look the social side of Camelot but there was too much focus on decorating the White House and the affairs of JFK and his staff for my taste. If you are into that then this would be a good book for you. "
— Jeff, 1/16/2014 -
" Many things I did not know about the Kennedeys' - lots of who is who - which gets a bit annoying "
— Doris, 12/19/2013 -
" I've always been quite fascinated with the kennedys. This was an interesting look at the kennedy white house. I first read an excerpt in vogue. Later read the biography. Even though I knew he was going to get killed in the end - I still cried. What a novelty to have a thinking president. "
— Biscuits, 12/13/2013 -
" Very good insight into life in the whitehouse and the spirit of the country at that time "
— Kelly, 11/16/2013 -
" It was quite interesting to read about the private secrets of them. It made Clinton look like an angel "
— Bob, 8/17/2013 -
" This didn't grab my attention quite like Mrs. Kennedy and Me, but I am really intrigued with Jackie, who suffered so much loss in her life and carried herself with such poise and grace. "
— Sarah, 8/14/2013 -
" A good read...leaves me with lots of questions, which is something that I like! "
— Tori, 6/11/2013 -
" A wonderful book about JFK, his presidency and his life during the almost three years he was President. An honest look at both the good and the bad traits of JFK and Jackie Kennedy. "
— Sbennett, 2/10/2013 -
" I am not a Kennedy sycophant. It was interesting. Character matters to me. American royalty to be sure and they lived like it. "
— Anna, 12/11/2012 -
" Interesting view of the Kennedy years. "
— Robin, 8/10/2012 -
" Easy to read with great photos. "
— Wproudfo, 10/6/2011 -
" The book is very insightful to what happened during the Kennedy White House years. Especially the day to day activities. At times it was very sad. "
— Marguerite, 5/30/2011 -
" Didn't really like this one. Was a look the social side of Camelot but there was too much focus on decorating the White House and the affairs of JFK and his staff for my taste. If you are into that then this would be a good book for you. "
— Jeff, 4/25/2011 -
" Can I do 3.7 stars? <br/>Helpful history that goes down "easy" with a bit too much saucy gossip. "
— Kimberly, 3/11/2011 -
" Many things I did not know about the Kennedeys' - lots of who is who - which gets a bit annoying "
— Doris, 1/4/2011 -
" This book gave me a new admiration particularly for Jacqueline Kennedy and what she accomplished in restoring some of the grandeur and history to the White House rooms - and at such a young age. "
— Linda, 6/30/2010 -
" Very interesting and in depth. Lots of back story and unknown details. I enjoyed it!! "
— Lisa, 4/8/2010 -
" I am not a Kennedy sycophant. It was interesting. Character matters to me. American royalty to be sure and they lived like it. "
— Anna, 2/26/2008 -
" Very good insight into life in the whitehouse and the spirit of the country at that time "
— Kelly, 2/7/2008 -
" Great book about the Kennedy's - lots of focus on their marriage. "
— Sarah, 10/2/2007 -
" I've always been quite fascinated with the kennedys. This was an interesting look at the kennedy white house. I first read an excerpt in vogue. Later read the biography. Even though I knew he was going to get killed in the end - I still cried. What a novelty to have a thinking president. "
— Biscuits, 5/8/2007
About Sally Bedell Smith
Sally Bedell Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of several books about the British royals, as well as biographies of William S. Paley; Pamela Harriman; John and Jacqueline Kennedy; and Bill and Hillary Clinton. An on-air contributor for CNN since 2017, she was a contributing editor at Vanity Fair from 1996 to 2018.
About Anne Twomey
Anne Twomey is an accomplished actress of both stage and screen. Her Broadway credits include Orpheus Descending with Vanessa Redgrave, To Grandmother’s House We Go, and Nuts, for which she received a Tony nomination and a Theatre World Award. Her many television appearances include guest roles on Seinfeld, Law & Order: SVU, Spin City, and the Christopher Reeves’ movie-of-the-week Rear Window. She has also appeared in the films Picture Perfect and Orpheus Descending. Her audiobook narrations have won her five AudioFile Earphones Awards.