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American Son : A Portrait of John F. Kennedy, Jr.

American Son : A Portrait of John F. Kennedy, Jr.

List Price: $6.99
Your Price: $6.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent
Review: This book is a wonderful insight not only into the person who was such an American icon, but also of the magazine world in which he was exploring his role for the future. I found it a page turner - I wanted to know what was going to happen next, I felt disappointed when John at times seemed to lose his way, I felt outraged at the way he was often treated by the press, and I was inexpressively sad when the promise of what he was trying to achieve was ended. The book is sympathetic without being syncophantic. Five stars.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Who's this book about?
Review: Is this book about JFK, Jr. or is it about Richard Blow? After reading this book, it appeared to me that the author just wanted to make sure that in remembering JFK, Jr., that we all remembered that Blow worked with JFK, Jr. It's sad that someone like Blow, who is obviously talented in his own right, would decide to cash in so openly on his association with Kennedy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: the best JFK Jr. book
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: 5 stars
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: 2 stars
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: 3 stars
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: 5 stars
Summary: Delightful book
Review: This book was delightful. Blow is a fantastic writer. Reading through this book was like lazily drifting down the Delaware River in Northern New Jersey in a kayak: just effortless, total pleasure.

The book does not really let you know any deep dark inner secrets about John F. Kennedy, Jr., though there are hints of things through his actions and statements. The book is more about what was it was like for Blow to work with JFK, Jr. That was fine with me, because that's what I usually wonder, what it would be like to be around JFK, Jr.

I had one frustration with the book. It wasn't too detailed about observations of John's facial expressions and tones of voice. I got the impression of Blow as a person who was trying to look away from John rather than at John. Blow even says as much, that he was trying to avoid getting in too close to John, because doing so seemed to get people in trouble. That reminded me of a movie I once saw about George III of England, which showed that the king ultimately valued employees who knew how to keep a certain distance rather than those who got up too close and personal, even if the latter were very nice.

Be sure to check out the photo of the author. He is surprisingly good-looking himself -- and has amazing eyes.


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