Rating: 
Summary: A pale Doppelganger of an American icon
Review: Richard Blow writes well, but he seems very uncertain of his place in John F. Kennedy Jr.'s life as well as in his posthumous legend. Was Blow an employee or friend? Protector, or member of a prestigious inner circle? Much of Blow's narrative paints himself, perhaps unconsciously, as deeply sorry for himself for not being JFK Jr. himself. Isn't Blow taller? Didn't he go to Groton and Yale and Harvard? Doesn't he have "real" journalism background--though, truth be told, only three years or so, pre-"George." He's annoyed when a female fellow editor is promoted over him. He's upset when a story that's consumed a great deal of time and energy is spiked. If not for the blinding marquee value of his boss, Blow's story could be one of any fledgling magazine editor--the long hours, the tedious labor, the internecine squabbles. Only the presence of John Kennedy brings any distinction at all to what would otherwise be a completely pedestrian narrative.Blow speaks highly of JFK's generosity, and his openness to the so-called "real people" who recognize him wherever he goes. Yet there seems to be a worm gnawing at his innards that he, Blow, himself, has never been named People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive. Well, what are we readers supposed to do about that? This book does not appear to be the shocking breach of privacy that many of John Kennedy's friends claim it to be. It is, however, a ride on the coattails of a dead man who, if still alive, would probably remain too decent to comment on Blow's showboating. This book is worth a read for those who just can't get enough of the Kennedys, or about how "George" tried to make politics palatable to a mainstream audience by injecting celebrities into the editorial mix. However, be prepared: Blow is a pale "double" of the lost American celebrity he professes to admire in such detail.
Rating: 
Summary: A Tribute to a Human Being
Review: One of my earliest memories of the world outside my house as a little kid was the death of President John F. Kennedy. I am not even sure that I was able to tell anyone who the President of the United States was before November 22, 1963. Yet, I vividly remember our first family vigil in front of the television set through the weekend that followed JFK's assassination. I will always remember the little boy who saluted his father's coffin on the day of the funeral. Naturally, along with many members of our country who recall "that little boy", I paid attention whenever there was news of him in the years that came later. He grew up in the glare of the media and held us in a sort of collective obsession, which many Americans seemed to share. The little boy turned into an impressive and handsome young man, which only made him more attractive to our collective conscience! The media declared John Kennedy, Jr. "America's Prince." Personally, I can't imagine a life under the kind of inspection to which John Kennedy was exposed. Yet, the amazing thing about John Kennedy, Jr. was that despite the pressure of his family history and a life he was forced to live in the spotlight, he grew into adulthood and managed to arrive as a decent, stable, and unusually sensitive 'everyman'. In Richard Blow's publication of his story of JFK, Jr. we are afforded a well-written opportunity to more formally and finally conclude what we always seemed to have sensed about John F. Kennedy, Jr., -- "America's Prince" was human and knew it. His was no easy life, lived thoughtlessly. While many envied JFK's looks, position and wealth, I don't know many who would do as well as he did if forced to live under such circumstances. John Kennedy, Jr. was a person, who despite the obstacles set before him as a result of his unasked for "fame" was a man who displayed class and good nature much more often than not. While Blow has been accused of betrayal in his decision to write about John Kennedy, Jr. in light of a privacy agreement he had signed when he worked at George, I don't know how anyone reading this book can accuse Blow of sensationalism or disloyalty. American Son is a wonderfully spirited and intelligently written tribute. There is nothing vulgar, common or tawdry in this story of an admired, and almost familial member of the human race, who, along with his wife and sister-in-law, was lost too soon. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Surprising
Review: If you're looking for a tell-all gossipy book about the Kennedy's, this is not the book for you. But! if you're looking for a book about the publishing industry, the history of George and life in New York, read "American Son". It's written by a man who has no ax to grind and no secrets to tell. It remains an interesting account of George - a magazine that certainly was one of its kind. And I think he sums up what we want to know about JFK, Jr. with these words: "He loved his wife and he would have made a wonderful father. He was not a perfect man but he aimed to be a better one. Even if he weren't famous, you have have liked to know him". All in all, a good and fair book.
Rating: 
Summary: Sickening
Review: The book itself is the work of a man who desperately wants to be seen as part of the inner circle. Indeed he was not. As one reader posted, Blow really did not have the opportunity to spend that much time with John if you examine the contents of the book closely enough. As I was reading I got the feeling that Blow had to fill in a large amount of space that easily represents his lack of true knowledge about the subject. The book was long and held on mildly interesting anecdotes that have already been previously published about the Kennedys and in particular John. If Blow wanted to make waves, he should have revealed things that are not already known by the public. He could very easily have gotten his information from many other sources, thus rendering his own account less than unique. As someone who has read inordinate amounts of information on the Kennedys, I would not recommend this repetitious, boring work to anyone unless of course they can read it for free.
Rating: 
Summary: John Kennedy - What Might Have Been
Review: I was actually relieved that someone would come forward and speak up about what it was like to be around John Kennedy. Like many of us born in the late 1950's to early 1960's, I feel like I grew up with John and Caroline Kennedy. What I have never understood is the steel curtain of privacy that surrounds the Kennedy's. Unlike other wealthy families, the Kennedy's have somehow been elevated to a level of privilege and secrecy that defies all reasoning.
Whether you agree with Richard Blow and his decision to write about his former boss is up to you. I personally don't feel that it was a betrayal for Blow to write about John. This is just one persons attempt at telling his story about what it was like to work with and be around John. How can anyone find fault with that? John was human and by all accounts lived his life as normally as one can when one lives in a fish bowl.
Those who feel that John's memory should be reserved as the "son of Camelot" are missing the point. John was a humble man and would probably wonder what all the fuss was about.
Read this book. It is Richard Blow's perception of life with John, but I believe that it is an honest perception. Other books are sure to follow, but remember, this was the first one.
Rating: 
Summary: Probably a sign of the Apocalypse
Review: This is what American culture has come to - biographies of people who are famous for........being famous. What else can explain the phenomenon of JFK Jr? Certainly not his accomplishments - founding what amounts to a glossy gossip magazine isn't the stuff of greatness, but if anyone else had even *tried* to start "George" it would have been DOA. Being the closest thing the poor old US of A had to a Princess Di, i.e, a "royal family" connection, easy on the eyes, charming manner, public spats with the spouse, and so much more that it's almost creepy, this lightweight (in every sense of the word) volume was obviously inevitable. Author Blow was close enough to Kennedy to have some sense of the man's character but NOT so close that he can really give any insights other than the superficial. The fact that Kennedy's friends seem upset about the book is puzzling - I can only assume that nothing short of canonization will do when it comes to this subject. Sigh. Well, if you HAVE TO KNOW, go ahead, spend your money. 500 years from now, I expect some archeologists will wonder at the reams of paper wasted on beautiful rich people and their shallow lives.
Rating:
Summary: He never answers the biggest question....
Review: which is why would Kennedy have hired a writer who was so trite and melodramatic as Blow in the first place? Let me preface this comment by saying that I went to Yale with Richard and lived in the same residential college for three years with him. I did not know him well....probably as well as he knew Kennedy, but you don't see me trying to explain Blow to anyone. Blow pretends he was non-plussed by Kennedy's aura, but he protests too much. This is no insider's glimpse of Kennedy, but a vapid attempt to make money at the expense of the tragic end of a life he claims to have honored. The most ironic part of the book was when the staff debated the character of George Stephanopolis who wrote a book about Clinton..The word used to describe George S. fits Blow to a t---"scumbag"
Rating:
Summary: Touching & Informative Perspective on JFK Jr. & "George"
Review: Finally, an insightful book on someone who actually knew and worked with JFK Jr. Anyone looking for a juicy, gossip filled book will be disappointed. Instead you'll get a thorough and true picture of what it was like for JFK Jr. to start up his political magazine and his struggle to make it successful. I never once felt the author was betraying his professional relationship with JFK in writing this book. The talk-show pundits who try and create controversy over the publication of Blow's book most likely haven't even read it. I came away with a whole new perspective on how JFK Jr. tried to make his own way in our world while having to live up to the impossible legacy America and past events had placed upon him. I found it particularly sad to discover that when JFK Jr. sought prominent writers to contribute to his magazine, many of them responded to his request for a meeting just so they could be seen having lunch with him when they had no intentions of ever writing a piece for George. "The View" should be ashamed of themselves for "ganging up" on Mr. Blow when he appeared on the show. I thought they were rather disrespectful to him, especially when "Ba Ba Wa Wa" said his book was "bland." Perhaps there just weren't enough juicy celebrity tidbits in this book to keep the celebrity obsessed Walters interested. I think JFK Jr. would be pleased and flattered by Blow's portrayal and first-hand account. The book reminds us once again of what we lost with the tragic death of our "American Son."
Rating:
Summary: excellent !
Review: I have to admit I bought this thinking it would be full of gossipy details. While it gives some great insight as to what JFK Jr. was like it also lets us see what launching a magazine is like and it all makes for an excellent read. I thought it was a great book!!!
Rating:
Summary: Much Ado About Nothing
Review: Those of you looking for dish or dirt will be disappointed. Blow is clearly enamored with the position he enjoyed at George with JFK Jr. but doesn't overstep the bounds of decency in describing their interactions. I'm surprised by the media's reaction to the book. The most touching passage is Blow's description of Carolyn Kennedy giving him supportive advice about his troubled engagement. It made it clearer to me how much John loved Carolyn and how much she loved him. The book's focus is ultimately more about the travails of magazine publishing and a group of idealists who are trying to make political journalism relevant in the dotcom era.
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