The Kennedy wives : triumph and tragedy in America's most public family

The Kennedy wives saw history up close—made history in some cases. They knew wealth and privilege but we are bonded to them by loss which are our losses too. The Kennedy women—fierce, intelligent, and very private—belong to us. Not because of their glamour, but because of their grief and misfortunes. THE KENNEDY WIVES takes an unflinching look at the women who married into the Kennedy family and their distinct roles. Rose, the matriarch; Ethel, the athlete; Jackie, the icon; Joan, the fragile beauty; and Vicki, the redeemer. In reality, each woman was complex and multifaceted. As Kennedy wives, they were bonded through characteristics and experiences unique to the Camelot family. The Kennedy Wives is an exploration of these women that will offer what no other book or film created thus far has: a thoughtful analysis of what drew the Kennedy men to these iconic women, and what the women endured in exchange for their acceptance into the Camelot clan. The Kennedy Wives Takes An Unflinching Look At The Women Who Married Into The Kennedy Family And Their Distinct Roles. Rose, The Matriarch; Ethel, The Athlete; Jackie, The Icon; Joan, The Fragile Beauty; And Vicki, The Redeemer. In Reality, Each Woman Was Complex And Multifaceted. As Kennedy Wives, They Were Bonded Through Characteristics And Experiences Unique To The Camelot Family. The Kennedy Wives Is An Exploration Of These Women That Will Offer What No Other Book Or Film Created Thus Far Has: A Thoughtful Analysis Of What Drew The Kennedy Men To These Iconic Women, And What The Women Endured In Exchange For Their Acceptance Into The Camelot Clan. Part I. Rose -- From The Cradle -- Between Joe And Honey Fitz -- Nine Little Helpless Infants -- Leaving Boston -- Ambassadress -- Rosemary -- The Marchioness And The War Heroes -- Accolades, Weddings, Births, Victories -- The First Mother -- We Shall All Be Happy Together -- On Destiny -- Part Ii. Ethel -- A Love Story, With Detours -- The Rise Of The Skakels -- The Girl With The Red Convertible -- Manhattanville -- Bobby's Wife -- First Births, First Deaths -- Hickory Hill -- A Tidal Wave -- Run, Bobby, Run -- A Tremendous Amount Of Presence -- Still Herself -- Part Iii. Jackie -- Black Jack And Janet -- That Damn Vassar -- The Career Woman And The Distinguished Gentleman -- A Sporadic Courtship, A Celebrity Wedding -- Jack's Dark Side -- The Senator's Wife -- The Campaigner -- The Queen Of The Restoration -- Life At The White House, And Away -- Patrick -- Dallas -- Aftermath -- The Many Lives Of Jackie Kennedy -- Part Iv. Joan -- The Music -- Marrying The Kennedys -- Campaigning With The Kennedys -- Catching Up -- The Supportive Wife -- The Prettiest Stand-in -- Nobody, Nothing -- Chappaquiddick -- The Beginning Of The End -- Still A Kennedy -- Part V. Vicki -- A Different Type -- The Womanizing Ends -- Battling Romney -- New Kind Of Kennedy -- Time To Sail -- To The Grave. Amber Hunt And David Batcher. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 333-336) And Index. The Kennedys endure as American icons because of the mix between power and vulnerability that so many of them embodied. Our fascination and connection to them comes most strongly through the wives, whose pain, heartbreak, and grief seemed immensely public and lonely and personal at the same time. The Tragic Lives of the Kennedy Wives examines five of the Kennedy matriarchs: Rose, Jackie, Ethel, Joan, and Vicki through the lens of their marriages, their religion, their families, their activism and most of all, their tragedies. An important and fascinating exploration into the side of Camelot that was never quite kept from the public eye.