Letitia Baldrige (1926–2012)

This is a very nice behind-the-scenes look at entertaining in the Kennedy White House written by Jackie's social director Letitia Baldrige and René Verdon, chef for the White House during the administrations of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Baldrige talks about the context and arrangements, such as the first event, an event at George Washington's Mt. Vernon, entertaining the Nobel laureates including a controversial Linus Pauling. Verdon delivers the details on each course of show more several events; not only recipes but also explicit directions and advice. This is all immersed in numerous full-color photographs in a large-sized hardcover. show less

I was extremely disappointed in this book. Contrary to what the title would suggest, it was packed with clubby, gossipy anecdotes about people who are much richer than you are. There was little to no discussion of taste as something that can be acquired, nor was there much instruction as to what separates taste from tasteless. (There was a lot about how so-and-so embodied taste.) The only mildly entertaining portion was the ancedote about how she accidentally garnished a plate of cold sliced show more meats with poison ivy, trying to make it look pretty. But now I've shared that anecdote with you. Don't bother with the book. show less

This autobiography by Jacqueline Kennedy's social secretary is fabulous. The book begins with her work in Paris and Rome as social secretary for the US Ambassador. She went on to work as the first public relations director for Tiffany & Co. Ms. Baldridge is an excellent writer who lived a dream life. Pick this book up ASAP!

I bought this book on a whim at a library sale, and, sadly, it wasn't worth the $2 I paid for it. It's now back in the "donate to the library sale" pile--that's recycling for you.

This book was really just a collection of reminiscences from Ms. Baldwin, naturally enough, mostly about Jackie Kennedy. But there was nothing even remotely new, instructive, or entertaining about any of it. There were occasional touches of bitchy, but not even enough of that to make this worth the time it takes to show more read.

Two stars is a little too high, but without half stars, that's as close as I can get. show less