Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story

Author: C. David Heyman
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Atria (July 14, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416556249


Book Description:
From the New York Times bestselling author of American Legacy, RFK, and A Woman Named Jackie, an in-depth look at the much talked-about -- but never fully revealed -- relationship between Jackie Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy

Few writers have immersed themselves in the world of the Kennedys as completely or successfully as C. David Heymann, whose biographies of Jackie, Robert, John F. Kennedy Jr., and Caroline together have sold millions of copies and have shed light on the private lives of the most prominent members of this iconic American family. Now he draws on more than two decades' worth of personal interviews, as well as previously unavailable reports and briefs from the Secret Service and the FBI, to create a complete picture of the complex relationship that existed between two of the most heralded figures of the twentieth century.


My Review:

The book begins with the JFK motorcade in Dallas on Friday, November 22, 1963, and takes the reader through details of the assasination, Jacqueline Kennedy's time with her dying husband, the death of the President, and the swearing in of Lyndon Johnson.

After the death of her husband, Jackie becomes depressed and begins to lean heavily on John Kennedy's brother, Bobby, who is also dealing with his own deep grief and guilt. Even though Bobby is a married man, these two devastated people find solace in each other and start a long-time physical love affair.

The author names and quotes numerous people who personally knew the two lovers and gives detailed accounts of their relationship. Jackie and Bobby were obviously two needy people who had romantic dalliances with many, even though they seemed to continually come back to each other.

As a reviewer, my job is not to make moral judgements, so after reading the book, I've come to the conclusion they were "soul mates" and deeply in love, although they knew and understood they could never have a normal life together.

The book ends with the shooting of Bobby Kennedy, his lingering in the hospital as his family deals with the end, Jackie's response, and her own death several years later.

The author seems to be a reliable source and offers extensive documentation.