HOWEVER, this is a fascinating, incredibly well researched background story of three women who married into the Kennedy family.  It’s a look at the relationship shared among these three women and how they deal with infidelity, politics and promoting the family legacy: how they raised their children, confronted assassination, death and survival.

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, Ethel Skakel Kennedy and Joan Bennett Kennedy.

While this book does have many “private details”, the difference here is that the author painstakingly documented every item written about. Instead of simply referring to anonymous sources, most tidbits here were backed up by conversations with specific friends and family members. This made the reading much more honest rather than the idle gossip which many Kennedy biographers have depended on in the past. While a number of the very public “secrets” were discussed, there were many more less-known facts and details discovered in this book.

There is dirt, gossip, tragedy, and epic grief.  But it also bears proof to “You bought it, you own it” and You are accountable.

In many ways, the book confirms some of what you thought,   but does give perspective to the dynamics of power. It is thought provoking.  It doesn’t answer the question of does money make grief more manageable.  There are millions of stories in the naked city of family history that haven’t been told – but should be – because their stories are just as real – but the participants aren’t made famous.

Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot

J. Randy Taraborrelli