From Publishers Weekly
With so many books out there about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, one has to wonder what fresh insights might be found in this latest portrait. Klein's angle is to offer "a missing piece of Jackie's remarkable story"-her battle with cancer-on the 10th anniversary of her death. While he's billed as a personal friend of Jackie's (although admittedly not a close one), it's hard to see how his relationship with her lends nuance or depth to his writing. Klein has written a slew of books about the Kennedys (most recently the bestselling The Kennedy Curse), and this slim tome feels padded. While readers do get details about her last days, they often come from questionable sources, like her manicurist, who observes, "She liked to keep her nails and toenails natural and clean looking" and "I heard she was sick.... But I didn't know so many details." One also has to wonder why a former friend would need to resort to sources like this. Scenes of Jackie's last moments and actual death are moving by their nature. But the portrait we get-that she was strong, that she loved her family, that she died on her own terms-is nothing new. In fact, Klein stresses throughout Jackie's need for privacy, so his offering of such intimate physical detail-whatever the source-while not explicitly exploitative in tone, does come off as unseemly. What would Jackie think? B&w photos. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Book Description
When she fell ill with cancer, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis faced death as she faced life— with all the bravery and grace of a woman who had long inspired the nation. In Farewell, Jackie, bestselling author Edward Klein—who knew Jackie for more than a dozen years—explores the eventful last six months of her exceptional life. From the moment she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Jackie embraced a renewed spiritual life, and embarked on her final journey in the company of her children, grandchildren, and Maurice Tempelsman, the man who brought her joy and companionship. "No other person in modern times has been so thoroughly scrutinized," writes Klein. "And yet, the climactic moment of Jackie’s life—in which she orchestrated her own death as masterfully as she orchestrated the funeral of her assassinated husband—remains shrouded in mystery. This book lifts that veil." Klein has unearthed revelatory material about her illness—why it took so long to diagnose, the treatments she endured, and the ones she refused. He also celebrates Jackie’s life—her accomplishments, and her hopes for John and Caroline. Farewell, Jackie is a regal tribute and an inspiring account of the last days of a woman whose legacy endures in post-Camelot America.
About the Author
Edward Klein is the author most recently of The New York Times bestselling The Kennedy Curse. He covered John F. Kennedy’s 1960 presidential campaign and was foreign editor of Newsweek and editor in chief of The New York Times Magazine.
Farewell, Jackie: A Portrait of Her Final Days FROM THE PUBLISHER
In November 1993, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis took a tumble from her horse during a hunt in Virginia. A scarce six months later, on May 19, 1994, this revered, fascinating woman of substance, style, and steely will passed away in her Park Avenue home. Farewell, Jackie, by bestselling author Edward Klein -- who knew Jackie for more than a dozen years -- is the moving account of those last months and a celebration of the life of an American icon who faced death as she faced life -- with all the bravery and grace of a woman who had long inspired the nation. From the moment she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Jackie embraced a renewed spiritual life and embarked on her final journey in the company of her children, grandchildren, and Maurice Tempelsman, the man who brought her joy and companionship. "No other person in modern times has been so thoroughly scrutinized," writes Klein. "And yet, the climactic moment of Jackie's life -- in which she orchestrated her own death as masterfully as she orchestrated the funeral of her assassinated husband -- remains shrouded in mystery. This book lifts that veil." Klein chronicles the circumstances of Jackie's diagnosis, the astonishing pace of the cancer's progress, the treatments she endured, and the ones she refused. In recounting this heart-wrenching story, he also celebrates Jackie's life -- her accomplishments and her hopes for John and Caroline. Farewell, Jackie is a regal tribute and an inspiring account of the last days of a woman whose legacy endures in post-Camelot America.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
With so many books out there about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, one has to wonder what fresh insights might be found in this latest portrait. Klein's angle is to offer "a missing piece of Jackie's remarkable story"-her battle with cancer-on the 10th anniversary of her death. While he's billed as a personal friend of Jackie's (although admittedly not a close one), it's hard to see how his relationship with her lends nuance or depth to his writing. Klein has written a slew of books about the Kennedys (most recently the bestselling The Kennedy Curse), and this slim tome feels padded. While readers do get details about her last days, they often come from questionable sources, like her manicurist, who observes, "She liked to keep her nails and toenails natural and clean looking" and "I heard she was sick.... But I didn't know so many details." One also has to wonder why a former friend would need to resort to sources like this. Scenes of Jackie's last moments and actual death are moving by their nature. But the portrait we get-that she was strong, that she loved her family, that she died on her own terms-is nothing new. In fact, Klein stresses throughout Jackie's need for privacy, so his offering of such intimate physical detail-whatever the source-while not explicitly exploitative in tone, does come off as unseemly. What would Jackie think? B&w photos. Agent, Dan Strone, Trident Media Group. (On sale Apr. 12) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Art & Photography
Book Info
