Today I am reviewing Dear Mrs. Kennedy, The World Shares Its Grief, Letters November 1963 as part of TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
About the book:
In the weeks and months following the assassination of her husband, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy received over one million letters. They came from political luminaries such as Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Charles DeGaulle; from Hollywood stars like Lauren Bacall, Vivian Leigh, and Gene Kelly and foreign dignitaries like Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Monaco. Distinguished artists, writers, and well-known society figures – Ezra Pound, Noel Coward, Babe Paley, Langston Hughes, Oleg Cassini, Josephine Baker – offered heartfelt condolences. “Ordinary” citizens of this country and many others wrote as well, as did children, often with the most heartbreaking sincerity.
Dear Mrs. Kennedy: More Than Just a Compendium of Letters
Dear Mrs. Kennedy uses these many voices to tell the unforgettable story of those fateful four days when the world was struck with shock and sadness, presenting a poignant time capsule and a diverse portrait not only of the aftermath of the assassination, but of the Kennedy mystique that continues to captivate the world.
During a decade of writing and publishing books about the Kennedy family, Jay Mulvaney became acquainted with the collection of condolence mail held in the JFK Library in Boston. In 2007 he had the idea to bring together a selection of the very best of these letters into a book that would illuminate both Jack and Jacqueline Kennedy. In a cruel twist of fate, Jay himself died unexpectedly shortly after signing up the book and completing an initial selection of several thousand letters. Experienced writer and book editor Paul De Angelis then took over the task of bringing Jay’s project to fruition.
My review:
I am a member of the generation that remembers exactly where they were when President Kennedy was shot. I will never forget hearing the devastating news from my teacher and then watching the television endlessly for the next several days. It is forever imprinted on my brain. I was just a child but even then I had a sense that our collective innocence was gone forever. The world changed that day. I don’t know if we’ve ever recovered. So it was with great interest that I read this book. Let me just say it: I cannot recommend it highly enough. One of the blurbs on the back says that it is a great book for the bedside table. It’s true. You can read a bit at a time. What the authors do very well is provide the reader with the context of the time, the mood of the nation and what had been happening politically and globally before the assassination. For those less than familiar with the Kennedy family history, that is provided as well.
We read letters from family members, close friends, heads of state, children and adults alike. One letter is from an Eskimo family on a remote island off the coast of Alaska. We read letters from Winston Churchill, a nun who was watching as Kennedy’s car traveled through the streets of Dallas, fellow crew members on PT 109: people from every walk of life wrote to Mrs. Kennedy. Sometimes a letter consists only of a simple sentence or two. We all remember the dignity with which Jacqueline Kennedy carried herself throughout the days after the assassination. I cannot even begin to imagine how these notes from all over the world must have moved her in the weeks and months to follow. I know that I was tremendously moved as I read each letter. I really had a sense of a world citizenry plunged into terrible grief. I found myself contemplating, as I have done so many times in the past, what might have been had President Kennedy lived.
This book is a treasure. I will read it again and again.
About the author:
Paul De Angelis served more than three decades in the book publishing business as Editor, Editorial Director, or Editor-in-Chief of such publishing companies as St. Martin’s Press and E.P. Dutton and Kodansha America. After becoming an independent editor in 1996 he founded Paul De Angelis Book Development, which assists authors, agents, publishers and organizations in turning ideas & manuscripts into books. Since 1997 Paul has edited, contributed to, and co-published the quarterly guide to the Rhinebeck-Red Hook-Hudson area of the mid-Hudson Valley, AboutTown. In the past few years his main writing and research interest has been American culture and politics in its intersection with the wider world.
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The publishers are graciously giving away a copy of this book to one lucky commenter on this post. So, if you are interested, leave a comment and I will pick a winner on Wednesday evening.
Hi Claudia:
You’re my last “read” before going to bed this evening. I, too, remember where I was when I heard the fateful report about the death of our President. I clearly remember crying, along with my mother, at the country’s loss. I mourned that loss with many, many other Americans.
I think reading the letters would be heartwarming and heart wrenching. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for Mrs. Kennedy to read all of them.
Thanks for the generous giveaway. Please count me in the drawing.
I hope you have a great week, and thanks again for the book review.
xoxo
Donna
i’d love to be in the draw. especially as it comes highly recommended by you!! :)
Lovely review Claudia. A must read. I to remember very will when my teacher also told us about President Kennedy. We both were in the same grade and in a classroom when it happened. A very sad day.
Please enter me in your drawing! Thank you so much!
Love,
Maryjane
xox
Claudia, -yes–standing in the school yard- I heard the chocking news-back then….
The book must be fantastic to read, and very mooving,too-
–your review clearly tells what to expect and get- :a wonderfull book.
Hugs, and happy mondau.
Dorthe
At that time in my childhood we had no TV but we had the radio on. I was only 4 but I remember everyone at home being so very upset I didnt really understand it all then but I do have clear memories of Kennedy’s name and shooting being talked about.
Please enclude me in your drawing as I am both a history buff and a book worm.
Thank You,
cyn
Hi Sweet Lady,
I must say “Happy Belated Birthday,” and I loved your little treasure box that you created for your friend.
I, too, remember the day the president was killed……isn’t it strange that even when we are little (I was three and a half) events can still be impressed upon our memories, especially if they are shocking enough. News like that was delivered so severely back then, and not every 15 minutes, somehow it just made you stop, look, and listen.
Hugs,
Meri
hi claudia,
i so want this book. i, too will never forget where i was when i received the news that day. so count me in please.
~janet
Hi Claudia
Just stopping by to play a little catch-up. your Thanksgiving sounded wonderful – so relaxed. Interesting about the “meatballs.” What do you use? Tofu?
I’d love to win a copy of the book. I was a little young to remember the actual event, but have always loved history.
I’m off today doing some Mrs. Claus chores:)
Leann
Claudia, I won’t ask to join the drawing, because I won the first one that you reviewed. Rest assured that I will be looking for it. I think that JFK’s death is something that won’t ever be forgotten. The thoughts of the authors of these letters will be fascinating to read. Thanks for the great review.
Sounds just wonderful. I am anxious to read it!!
Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Jackie O…. always been one of my most favorite beauty and style icons. She had such class in every way. I would love to have and read this book.
DI
Hi claudia….I love book reviews…and reading…and words,,and print….and my new iPad…although now that’s getting a bit off topic!
your last post with that fabulous chalk board! yummy! it is gor-ge-ous!
thanks for your recent visit! I love it when you stop in!
ciao bella
creative carmelina
Now THIS sounds like a fabulous read…….and I would be tickled pink to receive such a wonderful give away. thank you for you fabulous review and even the bittersweet reminder of a time when we were so young but felt such great loss for the first time, perhaps.
xox Rella
I’ve always been facinated by the Kennedy saga… this looks like a great read, thanks for the review!
I came home from school and my mom was crying. I don’t know that this event left any American untouched. I would love to read this book. Thank you for your review. Twyla
Claudia, I will definitely be getting this book for my mother-in-law for Christmas. Thank you for your always concise and honest review. I was on the fence about it, but now I know my MIL would love it. Ann
Hi Claudia, I read collections of letters all the time and this one sounds wonderful and exceptional.
Although I was just a twinkle in my parents’ eye when the world lost Mr.Kennedy, I’ve always been fascinated by the whole Kennedy clan. I would love a chance to read this book~
Hugs,
Jill
I like books you can just pick up and read a little at a time. Hate it when I’ve already forgotten what was going on and have to reread back pages!
Brenda
i was only 3 and i remember watching it on tv with my parents- would love to read the book.
beth
Claudia, this sounds
fascinating. While I’ve
never been a huge fan
of the Kennedy’s, I always
felt that Jackie was the
epitome of grace and
dignity and a darn great
mother, to boot! But
I confess, I do find any
stories about this family
very interesting. I like
the idea of being able to
pick the book up and read
the letters. Great review!!
xx Suzanne
I was four years old when President Kennedy was assassinated. I still remember the day. My mom was ironing and watching tv and crying and crying.
I would love to read this book and will look for it at the book store.
The interest of John and Jackie never seems to wane. Your recommendation to read this book puts it om my list of must haves.
Claudia, I heard about this book, now I really must purchase it!!! I have already won one of your gracious giveaways, so maybe I can add it to my wish list. I still remember being at home and my Mom crying and watching the television…..the photos of Jon Jon, saluting his Father’s casket is always in my mind when I think of JFK….
What tragedy this family has had….
Hugs,
Margaret B
Hi Claudia….Wonderful review of this book. I too, am of the generation that was planted at my school desk in grade school when this happened. I remember as you do, the teacher announcing it to us all while in tears, followed by an announcement on the loud speaker that we were all being released early. It was a time that will never be again as far as i am concerned. It was a time when most everyone in the country admired and truly loved their president and deeply grieved him when he was gone, like they would a family member. I would love to have a copy of this book! If I don’t win it (which I am sure I won’t!) I may just have to buy it!! Thanks Claudia!
Oh my, Claudia. I would love, love, love this book. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
I was in the sixth grade in Jacksonville. Our Spanish classes were over the television, and our principal came over the intercom to ask that we change the channel.
I will always remember looking up at that television to see Walter Cronkite remove his glasses and wipe his eyes as he announced that President Kennedy was dead.
Last week John Jr would have celebrated his fiftieth birthday. I often think our political scene would have looked different if he had lived.
I’m of the age that can remember, too. And I do. Vividly.
This book would be a lovely Christmas gift for my mother who volunteered in the Kennedy campaign and has never faltered in her love and admiration for JFK and for Jackie.
Thanks for the (always) informative review, too! Karin
Thank you for the review, Claudia! This book sounds very interesting and I would like to read it!
Hi Claudia, I too remember where I was the day that President Kennedy was shot – what I remember most besides seeing the principal, Sister Stephanie, tell my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Denman, is the grayness of the next few days. It might have been perfectly sunny those next few days but all I remember is gloom. And my mom was crying when I got home from school, sitting on the couch and listening to the radio. How different would the world be today if this terrible tragedy had never happened? Ciao, bella!
thanks for the review, claudia. though, i was born in the seventies i’ve always been fascinated by the kennedy phenomena. what a family…
i’ll have to look for that book, it looks like a good one.
xo
~molly
hi Claudia,
This sounds like such a great book. I would love to read it!
Wonderful review, Claudia. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. You’re right, it is a treasure. Thank you for being on the tour.