The Best Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

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Summary: a loving daughter's tribute
Review: "The Best Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis," selected and introduced by Caroline Kennedy, is a beautiful book which is both a memorial to our former First Lady and a testimonial to how cultured and informed she was.

The volume is also a short course in poetry, as it spans the centuries & includes works by such renowned authors as Langston Hughes, William Shakespeare, Homer, W.B. Yeats, Emily Dickinson, e.e. cummings, and Robert Frost.

Onassis' beloved poems reveal her in depth in a manner the newspapers could not, as a patriotic American, a loving bride, a thinker, a dreamer, an adventurer, a humorist, a poet, and perhaps most of all, a dedicated and loving mother.

Surely there is no better tribute to a mother than to have a loving child publish such a book.

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Summary: WHAT A LOVELY TRIBUTE TO A MOTHER!
Review: Caroline Kennedy has put together a collection of her mother's best loved poems and what a wonderful tribute the book makes to a very special lady. Some will say the book tells us little about Jackie herself, but, on the contrary, it tells us a great deal about Jackie's character and personality from the poems that she collected, wrote and cherished. If one reads between the lines, one sees the real Jackie emerge, sometimes melancholy, often romantic, and occasionally elusive as if looking for an escape. So, yes, the book does, indeed, tell us much about Jackie's inner-most thoughts, dreams and fears.

Jackie will forever be remembered for her grace, style and charisma by those who recall her days in the sun. During her final days, she became almost a shadow-figure to the public, but in our hearts we will always remember her for the beautiful person she was, her infectious smile, her love for her children and the mark she left upon the world. She was a lady one might think "had it all in her lifetime" but as we all know, she paid a very heavy price. The poems in this book are an inside look at a woman whose inner-strength and beauty shone upon others in every corner of the world.

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Summary: A Lovely Tribute from Caroline to Her Mother
Review: I think I can liberally say, and that others will agree, that the Kennedy family revels in their iconography (for example, the catalogue for the JACQUELINE KENNEDY: THE WHITE HOUSE YEARS exhibit.) However, every once in a while, they have an inspiring moment that allows us to see the person, and not the icon, that is celebrated. This book is one of those moments.

Now, it is a definite possibility that someone is going to complain when they get this book--they will say that there is nothing new revealed about Jackie, and that nothing Caroline Kennedy says has any depth when discussing her mother. Yes, they are right--there is nothing new revealed here, but Caroline Kennedy is not the type of person who would write a tell-all-book in the first place. As she says, this book was written because her mother gave her family their love of poetry, and she wants to inspire others to develop their own love of poetry too.

As for the poems, they range from the Biblical to the very modern poets like e.e. cummings. The book is divided into 7 sections: America, First Poems, Adventure, Escape, Romance and Love, Reflection, and In Her Own Words.
Each section opens with an introduction by Caroline as to why her mother liked or was inspired by the poems, and some of the poems have footnotes explaining why they were particularly important to include in the book.

Another thing people will be bound to complain about is that all the poetry that JKO wrote that is included in this has been published before. But that is acknowledged by Caroline, and as she explains it--that were included to encourage people to write poetry of their own.

This book was very clearly designed in such a way to make you want to pick it up and read it on a cold, windy, rainy day...sitting around the fireside... (The pages have an old book look to them) ....which is probably why it was released in October, and not, in say, June.

And as for myself, I can't put it down, even if (as some future reviewers will probably say) it is all fluff and puff with "no" substance. (I do think poetry is substance in case you are wondering!)

I will not tell you to buy whether to buy it or not, but please keep in mind it is an ANTHOLOGY OF POEMS above all else, and NOT an in-depth look of how JKO's love of literature would influence her throughout her life.

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Summary: A Fine Well Chosen Anthology
Review: If you want to know someone, see what he reads. This maxim is even more true of that most personal of disciplines: poetry. The choices of Jacqueline Kennedy tell more about her than the most slavish "in-depth" interview.

The book is divided into six sections: "America," "First Poems" (children's poems), "Adventure," "Escape," "Romance and Love," and "In Her Own Words." Each section has a forward by Caroline Kennedy commenting on the selections. The collection is diverse and eclectic. Caroline's observations, though fond and proud, are quietly made.

Ms. Onassis shows a great deal of adventurousness, a surprisingly passionate nature, a wonderful sense of fun and wit, and a streak of melancholy. Some of the poems will be familiar, like returning old friends; others will be a new gift. She was very fond of Yeats, Donne and Elizabeth Bishop; all of whom can be both giddy and profound. I have always thought Elizabeth Bishop's "The Art of Losing" (entitled here as "One Art") was only a poem for the very tough of soul. The last verse:

--Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident
the art of losing's not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) a disaster.

Caroline Kennedy says the following Emily Dickinson excerpt "always reminded me of my mother,"

"Inebriate of air am I,
And debauchee of dew;---
Reeling through endless summer days,
From inns of molten blue."

What an evocation of elegance that is, and what a tribute from a daughter to a mother!

I received this book as a gift from my daughter. It is printed on a fine grade of paper and has a royal blue ribbon bookmark. I think it makes an excellent gift and is a nice addition to a collection of poetry.

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Summary: If you get one book of poetry, let it be this one...
Review: Let me say, first off, I think Caroline Kennedy has done an excellent job in putting "Best Loved Poems" together. I had never seen such a wonderful, eclectic collection in one volume. There is a poem for every mood, or any adventure. Plus, the love Caroline had for her mother shines throughout each page. The added addition of Jackie O's own poems makes this a must own.

There are few poetry books that I have felt I needed to own. I find it tiring to read the same poet over and over again. Or, just read poems related to one subject. But, this one is different. I couldn't pass it up and I suggest you don't, either.

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Summary: POETRY READINGS TO TEACH AND INSPIRE
Review: Of this tribute to her mother Caroline Kennedy said, "One of the greatest gifts my brother and I received from my mother was her love of literature and language. In this program, I have tried to include poems that reflect things that were important to her - a spirit of adventure, the worlds of imagination and nature, and the strength of love and family."

From "For John F. Kennedy His Inauguration" by Robert Frost to "Ode On A Grecian Urn" by John Keats, Ms. Kennedy's choices do reflect those elements.

Poetry lovers will relish this collection which will undoubtedly hold many of their personal favorites. Among the poems found in the "Adventure" section are "The Isles of Greece," by Lord Byron, selections from Shakespeare's "Henry V," and "Song" by John Donne.

Romance and love share the spotlight in portions of The Song Of Solomon, "The Hill" by Rupert Brooke, and "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" by Christopher Marlowe.

Narrators include many luminaries of stage and screen - Claire Bloom, B. D. Wong, Daniel Davis, and Jennifer Wiltsie. Readings by Ms. Kennedy and Senator Edward Kennedy add a very personal note to the narrative voices.

Of special interest to admirers of the former First Lady will be three poems that she wrote: "Sea Joy," "Thoughts" and "Meanwhile In Massachusetts."