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Jay Mulvaney

Author of Jackie: The Clothes of Camelot

5 Works 214 Members 4 Reviews

About the Author

Jay Mulvaney is the author of Kennedy Weddings and Jackie: The Clothes of Camelot. He was executive producer of Kennedy Weddings, a Weddings of a Lifetime special for Lifetime TV. A two-time Emmy Award-winning writer and producer, he has worked as an executive at Nickelodeon, CBS, VH1, and show more Discovery. A writer and lecturer, he lives in New York City show less

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This is an entertaining and educational book that is about more than the clothes Jackie wore during the time she was the First Lady to President John F. Kennedy (from January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963). While the profusion of photos documents the fashion of the time – hats, dresses, coats, shoes, gloves, jewelry – the book also illustrates Jackie’s role in the White House. It is a biography, a pictorial history, and a way to discover more about this glamorous but very private woman who became an unforgettable fashion legend.

The informative captions which accompany each photo provide insight into her duties as First Lady and mother, her travels, her friendships, even her relationship with JFK (according to the author’s interpretation). And she was only 31 years old when she and JFK moved into the White House! No matter what she was wearing – all those elegant evening gowns, riding jodhpurs, capris, or even a bathing suit – she projected confidence and style that captivated the nation and the world.
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PhyllisReads | 1 other review | Jul 29, 2023 |
My sister lent me this book saying it was too good not to read. I totally agree. I think of Jackie Kennedy in black and white. Newsreels, interviews, published photos. In this coffee table edition there are many photos in color. I was amazed at what lovely colors Jackie wore. She looked fabulous.
Jackie had a fondness for French designs but being First Lady of America meant she needed to wear American designers creations. Father-in-law Joe Jennedy paid the clothing bills, since the President's salery couldn't cover all the things needed to be a spiffy First Lady. I've been told that a deal was made with Oleg Cassini. He would be her official designer and her wardrobe would be a different take on whatever was fashionable at the time. Change a sleeve length, different buttons, that sort of thing. This idea put both of them on the fashion best of the best lists.… (more)
 
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FDarlene491 | 1 other review | Apr 8, 2019 |
John F. Kennedy was elected as the 35th president of the United States in 1960 at the age of 43, the youngest man ever to be elected to that office. After eight years of Eisenhower (who was perceived as representing World War II and the past) and his very unstylish wife Mamie, the public went crazy over the young and handsome Kennedy, his stately wife, and their adorable children. Kennedy's path-breaking use of television ensured that his looks, intelligence, wit and charm got worldwide exposure. Women screamed when Kennedy appeared as if he were a rock star. Journalists ranked the fans as "jumpers," "double jumpers" (girls who held hands while jumping) and "runners" (the latter group being those who broke through barriers to chase Kennedy's car).

On November 22, 1963, President Kennedy was fatally wounded by an assassin while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. He was pronounced dead at one o’clock central time. The funeral, on November 25, was attended by representatives of 90 countries. The sense of shock and loss was magnified by Kennedy's youth and energy. And the striking photos of the young widow with her small children intensified these feelings.

Letters of sympathy poured in to Jackie and her children. As the authors report, “by the time the official collection of condolence correspondence ended in early 1965, it totaled some 1,250,000 pieces.” Most of them have never been shared with the public until now. The authors reprinted representative samples of letters to demonstrate the depth and breadth of emotion evoked by the killing of the President.

Knowing what the status of the office of President was like in 1963 is an important part of understanding the intense reaction to Kennedy’s death. Public officials were respected and admired, and the members of the press collaborated in maintaining their images. Even aside from Kennedy's cultivation of the press, reporters wouldn’t dream of exposing his peccadilloes to the public. Nor did his policies and practices receive much criticism – not during his lifetime and not for years afterward.

No one opened the papers in the morning to read about election irregularities, or all the conservative southern judges to whom Kennedy awarded political appointments (thus setting back Civil Rights by years), the women who trailed in and out of the White House, the wiretaps placed on Martin Luther King, or the betrayal and murder of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem. Kennedy had a hand in all of this and more. The public didn’t know, and it was in love. The Kennedys had everything Americans valued: money, youth, looks, intelligence, sophistication, a big, close-knit, talented family, many intensely loyal (and capable) friends, and the Kennedys even played touch football! When Kennedy spoke of “vigor” in his inaugural address, Americans felt he personified it.

Another important factor is that people in other countries and even their leaders seemed to share the great expectations Americans had for Kennedy's administration. Churchill’s letter is prototypical:

"On this great and good man were set the hopes of humanity. … I would like you to know that throughout the world, and in England especially, all men who prize Freedom and hope for Peace share your loss and partake of your grief…”

Discussion: Besides page after page of tribute letters, this book does offer a bit of background on the Kennedy Administration preceding each section. But basically, it's mostly samples of letters. After a while, the more callous among you (such as me) may feel like saying “yada, yada, yada.” This is not to say I’m not into Kennedy hagiolatry. But I like there to be a story, I like to learn something, and I like a book to hold my attention. In my opinion, the very best of such tribute books is Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye by Kennedy’s close friends Kenneth O’Donnell and David Powers. It’s full of great anecdotes- both personal and political, as well as insights into the incredible charisma and sense of destiny that Kennedy exuded. For me, that constitutes a hagiography with meat and potatoes, and thus, ultimately more satisfying.

Evaluation: This book gives an inside look at the world’s response to a shared sense of grief. It will probably mean the most to those who lived during the Kennedy years, and who will always remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news…
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nbmars | Nov 17, 2010 |
"Diana and Jackie" is perfect for light reading, but this book reveals nothing new about either lady, nor does it delve very deeply into either's personality.

While there were certain characteristics that Diana and Jackie both shared (married to powerful men; media princesses; overcoming personal tragedy; mothers to children in the spotlight) there seem to be more differences than similarities. Jackie never aired her dirty laundry in public, while Diana elevated it to an art form. Jackie was well educated and definitely a lady of the world, before marrying Jack Kennedy, while Diana never graduated beyond basic high school education and married Prince Charles before ever truly venturing out in the world on her own. Jackie was brought up to be self-reliant, while Diana depended heavily on a man for her own self-worth. (The story that Diana always felt unwanted, as she was not born a son and an heir simply don't ring true, as her brother was born when she was three years old)

True, the deaths of both ladies hit the public hard. Jackie's was expected, but didn't lessen the sadness. Diana's was unexpected and a shock. Both were stellar mothers, who brought their children up to be independent, sensitive and understanding of the massive media attention placed on them. And their children have been their greatest legacies, so far.

If you want more in-depth looks at their amazing lives, look elsewhere. But for light, easy to digest information, this isn't a bad source.
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LoriHedgpeth | Sep 14, 2009 |

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Works
5
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Rating
4.1
Reviews
4
ISBNs
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