When Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and his family realized that their house had been infested with hazardous black mold, they were faced with an extremely difficult undertaking – tear down their beloved home. Yet in the midst of this family tragedy, they did much more than just rebuild a place to live; they ensured that meticulously high ‘green’ standards were utilized throughout the entire process. This is a family that could have easily just constructed a monstrous and showy house that concentrated on suiting their lifestyle. But they didn’t. And the result is nothing short of both amazing and admirable.

“Kennedy Green House: Designing an Eco-Healthy Home from the Foundation to the Furniture” is a stunning visual testament to the Kennedy’s commitment to environmentally-friendly living. Author Robin Wilson captures the building design development and final results with unparalleled style, an upbeat personality, and obvious enthusiasm – she really puts you there! She shows just how America’s royal family sets this ‘green’ precedence for others while including tips on how the rest of us can incorporate these standards in our own homes. Her inclusion of examples, the ‘Green Pages’ with various options, drawings, company names and contact information, and merging recycled items with the new ones give readers a place to start on their own journey towards ‘green living’. Wilson proves that even without a Kennedy-sized bank account, it’s possible to build or renovate with dramatic style and all while respecting the fragile environment.

Beautifully written and chock-full of vibrant photography, it serves as both a quick education guide to environmentally conscious systems and an entertaining coffee table book. The subject matter is current and seeing such a prominent and influential family put such importance on ‘going green’ speaks volumes. Those who enjoy eco-living type books as well as photography fans will love “Kennedy Green House”. And it’s a fantastic way to get a sneak peek inside of a Kennedy home!

“The Kennedy Green House: Designing an Eco-Healthy Home from the Foundation to the Furniture” is not only a gorgeous book but a celebrity endorsement of eco-friendly standards. Robin Wilson entertains and informs with descriptions, photographs, and processes meant to motivate the reader into considering how they could bring ‘green’ into their own homes. Definitely worth a look!

--Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal” ( )