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I, JFK
A wryly ironic Jack Kennedy recounts his own life story—years after his death—revealing the truths about his presidency, his marriage and mistresses, his colorful associates, and his death.
261 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 5, 2024
Written, or dictated, from Beyond by our 35th president, which already makes it more of an authentic Kennedy product than "Profiles in Courage." Suitably non-reverential, and while I didn't go fact-checking the tales about his youth (and especially about the one great love of his life), possibly even educational.
January 13, 2025
What a crushing disappointment of a book this was. I sought this out because I am a huge fan of Mayer's earlier book "Superfolks". That book was compelling, funny, imaginative, interesting and a great read. It was pretty much everything you look for when looking to enjoy reading a book.
This on the other hand was a painful slog from beginning to end.
Imaginative it is. This is supposed to be JFK's post-death autobiography, full of side commentary by all the big figures in his life from LBJ to MLK to many others. But its not compelling. It's not very funny. It wears out its welcome pretty early and is difficult to read with a narrative that is hard to follow and frustrating at best.
I can see why I never heard of this book before. I wish I still hadn't.
This on the other hand was a painful slog from beginning to end.
Imaginative it is. This is supposed to be JFK's post-death autobiography, full of side commentary by all the big figures in his life from LBJ to MLK to many others. But its not compelling. It's not very funny. It wears out its welcome pretty early and is difficult to read with a narrative that is hard to follow and frustrating at best.
I can see why I never heard of this book before. I wish I still hadn't.
December 29, 2017
This was a fun book about John F. Kennedy. If your interested in the subject matter I highly recommend you read I, JFK.
Read
May 4, 2021A re-read of this brilliant book was just the thing for early spring.
August 4, 2021
Far, far (far) too surreal for my tastes.
November 27, 2007
It's a shame that this book is out of print, because it truly is a hilarious read! I think I found my copy on eBay. If you can get a used copy on Amazon, I highly recommend it.
From Publishers Weekly
In this satirical debunking of the so-called Camelot presidency, John F. Kennedy, whose purported beyond-the-grave reminiscences are the substance of the text, emerges as a cynical, sex-obsessed egomaniac who took the American people for a ride. JFK says things like, "The simple fact is, I was telegenic," while his brother Bobby defends Joseph McCarthy's complexity of character, and Lyndon Johnson, commenting on the 1960 election, tells JFK: "You used me, and tossed me aside like a whore." Some of this is genuinely witty, as when JFK, about to meet Khrushchev, cracks: "It was like stepping into the pages of Orwell, for a chat with the head pig." But for the most part, Mayer ( Superfolks ; The Dreams of Ada ) recycles gossip and advances his own semi-surreal versions of events such as Marilyn Monroe's murder and JFK's assassination in a racy, sometimes amusing but highly forgettable fantasy. Joseph Kennedy, Lindbergh, Aristotle Onassis and "Jackie Zero," Martin Luther King, Hoover, Hoffa and assorted mobsters make appearances.
From Publishers Weekly
In this satirical debunking of the so-called Camelot presidency, John F. Kennedy, whose purported beyond-the-grave reminiscences are the substance of the text, emerges as a cynical, sex-obsessed egomaniac who took the American people for a ride. JFK says things like, "The simple fact is, I was telegenic," while his brother Bobby defends Joseph McCarthy's complexity of character, and Lyndon Johnson, commenting on the 1960 election, tells JFK: "You used me, and tossed me aside like a whore." Some of this is genuinely witty, as when JFK, about to meet Khrushchev, cracks: "It was like stepping into the pages of Orwell, for a chat with the head pig." But for the most part, Mayer ( Superfolks ; The Dreams of Ada ) recycles gossip and advances his own semi-surreal versions of events such as Marilyn Monroe's murder and JFK's assassination in a racy, sometimes amusing but highly forgettable fantasy. Joseph Kennedy, Lindbergh, Aristotle Onassis and "Jackie Zero," Martin Luther King, Hoover, Hoffa and assorted mobsters make appearances.
April 30, 2016
Re-read the book I consider to be the best I've ever read that no one has heard of. It's still good.
The book, written in 1988, assumes this: We get 25 years with out memories after death in either heaven or hell. After that, something else happens, and we are gone. This book is the last thoughts of JFK, writing his memoirs before he disappears forever.
It's hysterical, funny, melencholy, and poignant. In it, JFK reveals all, includes his loves, his politics, and his father. Many of his contemporaries -- including LBJ, who only wants to hear the dirty parts of JFK's life; RFK, who mourns for Marilyn Monroe, and Martin Luther King Jr., who seems disappointed in heaven and wants to start a singing group called King and the Kennedys. J. Edgar Hoover also appears, as the only one who can float between heaven and hell -- JFK figures he's got tapes about god, who floats overall as a white cloud.
The book, written in 1988, assumes this: We get 25 years with out memories after death in either heaven or hell. After that, something else happens, and we are gone. This book is the last thoughts of JFK, writing his memoirs before he disappears forever.
It's hysterical, funny, melencholy, and poignant. In it, JFK reveals all, includes his loves, his politics, and his father. Many of his contemporaries -- including LBJ, who only wants to hear the dirty parts of JFK's life; RFK, who mourns for Marilyn Monroe, and Martin Luther King Jr., who seems disappointed in heaven and wants to start a singing group called King and the Kennedys. J. Edgar Hoover also appears, as the only one who can float between heaven and hell -- JFK figures he's got tapes about god, who floats overall as a white cloud.
August 29, 2007
This is one weird book. It's written by Robert Meyer, the author of SuperFolks, which was why I got it in the first place. SuperFolks was so wonky that I thought this would be cool.
Basically, it's the story of JFK as told by JFK, narrating from a cloud about 25 years after he was assassinated. It's irreverent and profane, but it's wicked fun. And I actually learned more real history about JFK than I'd known up until I read this book.
I definitely recommend it.
Basically, it's the story of JFK as told by JFK, narrating from a cloud about 25 years after he was assassinated. It's irreverent and profane, but it's wicked fun. And I actually learned more real history about JFK than I'd known up until I read this book.
I definitely recommend it.
May 25, 2010
262 pages. Donated 2010 May.
A wryly ironic Jack Kennedy recounts his own life story—years after his death—revealing the truths about his presidency, his marriage and mistresses, his colorful associates, and his death.
"This is so vicious, disturbing, hilarious, smart, and subversive that even the blurb writers could get bumped off." - Robert Lipsyte, host, "The Eleventy Hour"
A wryly ironic Jack Kennedy recounts his own life story—years after his death—revealing the truths about his presidency, his marriage and mistresses, his colorful associates, and his death.
"This is so vicious, disturbing, hilarious, smart, and subversive that even the blurb writers could get bumped off." - Robert Lipsyte, host, "The Eleventy Hour"
September 26, 2019
**#66 of 120 books pledged to read during 2017**
#122 of 140 books pledged to read during 2019
#122 of 140 books pledged to read during 2019
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews