Rating: 
Summary: Blow is worth the read
Review: I agree with much of the existing criticism: Yes there is nothing new here regarding JJFK jr and the Kennedys in general and yes, its more about Mr. Blow than JFK Jr.... I guess that's exactly what I liked about the book. It's a slice-- no, a sliver of perception that reveals much about Richard Blow's experience of working with a celebrity. That many critics have rejected the book because "we've learned nothing new", or "that we've learned more about Richard Blow than JFK Jr" to me is to me is this books greatest selling point. I don't want to know JFK Jr. as much as I am interested in the people who worked with him, lived with him and had to make decisions in spite of him. I like that Blow emphasizes his job and the environment of GEORGE more than some sordid details of the Kennedy clan that sells books. I like that he sticks to what he knows. Blow is very up front from the beginning that this is a book about his experience working at George. He never tries to own any information that is not in his perspective --which of course will make this book light weight to media hounds who want gory details --he simply reflects on his life as a GEORGE editor, who is both a human and an employee of a magazine that is run by an American Icon. I commend him for coming out and saying what his experience was. Had a woman written this book, I doubt she would have been leveled by the critics as Blow has been. It might have read as a great "expose" of a woman who had beaten the odds (i.e. kept her job in spite of his celebrity.) But because Blow exposes his own "privileged" background, many think he is fair slaughter. I want to Thank RB for delivering the light, rather than keeping it hidden under a bushel. I've learned something and I appreciate it. Maria
Rating: 
Summary: A surface view of the George saga, and its devoted visionary
Review: To reiterate what most reviewers are saying, this is not a "juicy" or "gossipy" book. However, for someone that did not have an extensive knowledge of JFK, Jr. and his life prior to George, this quick read did give me a solid, basic view of one side of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and what he was trying to achieve through his magazine, and through that his personal life. At times you feel that the author is trying to signify his relationship with his boss more than it really was. There are some moments when the author seems "star strucked" even still, and that can be somewhat troublesome for a reader looking for an honest, poignant view not founded on any kind of fantasy or romanticism of the person people thought that JFK, Jr. was. But Richard Blow did see a side (a SIDE, not ALL) of JFK, Jr. that not everyone else did - and he writes about this experience with great respect and charisma. This book gives a great "surface" view of how the magazine George was started, the turmoils and jubilees that it went through, and its ultimate, yet sad demise. You will also gain a knowledge of JFK, Jr. and the type of human being that he was that only skims the surface. You will finish the last page feeling that you know someone a little bit better, with more respect than when you started, but with a gaping hole that can not possibly be filled.
Rating: 
Summary: the best JFK Jr. book
Review: I'm sure all the controversy helped sales of this book, but it definitely gave me a misleading impresson of both the book and its author. I didn't read American Son for a while after it came out because I was turned off by the controversy. But eventually I broke down and bought it and I'm glad I did. In retrospect, some of the people who trashed the book didn't even seem like they'd read it, but were just reacting to the hype about it, or had some personal ax to grind. (You can definitely tell that some of the reviews on Amazon were written by people with a hidden agenda.) Anyway, American Son is well-written and easy to read, and feels a lot more honest than most of the Kennedy books out there. You really get a sense of what JFK Jr. was like-funny, warm, likeable, but surpringly vulnerable and unsure about his future. Also, I enjoyed reading about what it was like to work at George magazine. I was a charter subscriber, and I always thought it was an underrated magazine. So the book's not just about JFK Jr., but about the magazine business, politics, and New York in the 1990s. I've read all the books about John Jr., and this is definitely the best.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Idea for a Book
Review: I thought the idea of a book about John Kennedy, Jr.'s tenure at George magazine was a good one. Instead of a slick and glossy tome about "America's Prince" or "The Most Beautiful Man in America," his former associate, Richard Blow, has fashioned a interesting account of the beginnings and ultimate ending of a man's search for identity and purpose.
That JFK, Jr. was able to put together a political magazine as he saw that world, does indeed make for fascinating reading. The inner workings, in-fighting and eventual ending of a publishing phenomenom is a nice change from the usual tabloid fare that we are used to seeing about members of the prolific Kennedy family.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a very revealing portrait
Review: For a man who had the chance to write an in-depth book about his very famous boss, Richard Blow has not succeeded. While first reading through "American Son" I thought the author treated his subject with a certain amount of distance and reverence. As I continued, that reverence simply became timidity. One learns surprisingly little about John F. Kennedy, Jr. in this book. Some may not know that JFK, Jr. had a temper or he liked to stroke his wife's hair when she visited him at the office. But I kept waiting for more and I think that Mr. Blow, while not hiding his love of JFK, Jr. has done a disservice....in an attempt to humanize him, the author has made Mr. Kennedy appear to be less of an interesting figure than he probably was. Richard Blow writes in an even, readable style. As with most things about JFK, Jr., however, the best part of "American Son" might just be the cover.
Rating:
Summary: Just ok...
Review: The book was an easy read. It was only ok. I got some insight
of JFK BUT I had already read most of what he wrote. Not the
best book I have ever read.....
Rating:
Summary: A Surprisingly Good Book
Review: I basically picked up this book because I was looking for something "non-fiction" to read, and I wanted to learn more about the life of JFK, Jr. I was also a fan (I majored in Political Science in college) of George Magazine, and could never really understand why the magazine didn't catch on with the public better than it did. I was somewhat hesitant to pick up this book because of the bad press that some critics had given it when it first came out. What I found, was a non-sensatinalized account of what it was like to work with JFK, Jr. and to know him as a high level employee. When the author talks about his own personal life, it adds context to the story of Mr. Kennedy, rather than getting in the way, or distorting his role in his life. He does not try to portray himself as a confidente or best friend, but only as an employee, who shared a work bond. This gives the book a great deal of credibility. The author gives a good insight on what Mr. Kennedy was like, and what it must be to live the life of a celebrity and an historical icon. I think those individuals who have criticized this book in professional book reviews were either jealous, or in some misguided way trying to preserve their version of the Kennedy legend. There is no "dirt" dished in this book, but it does give a well rounded picture of the subject from one point of view. If anything, it is less critical of the subject than I would have expected. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to know more about the latter part of Mr. Kennedy's life or an insider's look at some of the politics within George Magazine.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: If you want to learn anything new about JFK jr. do NOT read this book. The book is basically one long whine-fest about why the magazine "George" failed (hint to Blow: because it was stupid!). Richard Blow apparently saw in the death of Kennedy his one shot at fame--nothing else had worked. Don't waste your money on this one.
Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected
Review: I wrote this book down in my to-read list when I saw it mentioned in the Washington Post. I was waiting for some insights into the life of Caroline and JFK. But after I began reading it, I almost felt a guilty pleasure for doing so. Blow kept mentioning that everyone wanted to get to know JFK and be around him while he was alive but to do that you needed to keep his life under wraps. So by JFK dying and Blow writing this book made me feel like I was dishonoring JFK and his legacy.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible Disappointment
Review: When this book was published I looked forward to reading it. Since Mr. Blow worked with JFK jr., I thought he may offer an interesting angle to tell his story from. Kennedy was always ridiculed in the media about his smarts I wanted to see what kind of work ethic he really had. I anticipated this book and was excited to read it. Unfortunately, I had the wrong idea. This is book is WEAK.
Throughout most of his book he gives small snipets about conversations he overheard between Kennedy and OTHERS. Very few snipets reveal Kennedy actually speaking with Blow himself unless it's work-related. His book is based a lot on conversations overheard by walking passed Kennedy's door.
It seems Blow wants people to think that Kennedy and him were the best of friends. However, Blow comes off as some sort of weirdo obsessed with Kennedys who stands there and gawks at them in awe. It's almost as though he wants to tell more but he doesn't want to upset the Kennedy family or his former co-workers. Too Late. So much for the privacy contract everyone at "George" was made to sign. And so much for Blow's journalistic integrity.
What Blow was trying to accomplish with the book I have no idea. It comes off as one-sided, non objective and a brutal failure.
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