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

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: 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.