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Capturing Camelot: Stanley Tretick's Iconic Images of the Kennedys
A bestselling author goes behind the lens of a legendary photographer to capture a magical time
A consummate photojournalist, Stanley Tretick was sent by United Press International to follow the Kennedy campaign of 1960. The photographer soon befriended the candidate and took many of JFK's best pictures during this time. When Kennedy took office, Tretick was given extensive access to the White House, and the picture magazine Look hired him to cover the president and his family. Tretick is best known today for the photographs he took of President Kennedy relaxing with his children. His photographs helped define the American family of the early sixties and lent Kennedy an endearing credibility that greatly contributed to his popularity.
Accompanied by an insightful, heartwarming essay from Kitty Kelley—Tretick's close friend—about the relationship between the photographer and JFK, Capturing Camelot includes some of the most memorable images of America's Camelot and brings to life the uniquely hopeful historical era from which it emerged.
A consummate photojournalist, Stanley Tretick was sent by United Press International to follow the Kennedy campaign of 1960. The photographer soon befriended the candidate and took many of JFK's best pictures during this time. When Kennedy took office, Tretick was given extensive access to the White House, and the picture magazine Look hired him to cover the president and his family. Tretick is best known today for the photographs he took of President Kennedy relaxing with his children. His photographs helped define the American family of the early sixties and lent Kennedy an endearing credibility that greatly contributed to his popularity.
Accompanied by an insightful, heartwarming essay from Kitty Kelley—Tretick's close friend—about the relationship between the photographer and JFK, Capturing Camelot includes some of the most memorable images of America's Camelot and brings to life the uniquely hopeful historical era from which it emerged.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published November 13, 2012
6 people are currently reading
518 people want to read
About the author
Kitty Kelley
16 books88 followersKitty Kelley is an American investigative journalist and author of several best-selling unauthorized biographies of celebrities and politicians. Described as a "poison pen" biographer, her profiles frequently contain unflattering personal anecdotes and details, and their accuracy is often questioned. Though many of her books have topped the best sellers list, Kelley's credibility and sources have been called into question multiple times.
Time magazine reported that most journalists believe Kelley "too frequently fails to bring perspective or analysis to the fruits of her reporting and at times lards her work with dollops of questionable inferences and innuendos." In addition, Kelley has been described by Joe Klein as a "professional sensationalist" and her books have been described as "Kitty litter."
Her past subjects have included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Reagan, the British Royal Family, and the Bush family. Although Kelley has been criticized and her books hotly debated, she has never been successfully sued for libel and has never been forced to retract a written statement.
Time magazine reported that most journalists believe Kelley "too frequently fails to bring perspective or analysis to the fruits of her reporting and at times lards her work with dollops of questionable inferences and innuendos." In addition, Kelley has been described by Joe Klein as a "professional sensationalist" and her books have been described as "Kitty litter."
Her past subjects have included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Reagan, the British Royal Family, and the Bush family. Although Kelley has been criticized and her books hotly debated, she has never been successfully sued for libel and has never been forced to retract a written statement.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 50 reviews
January 11, 2014
This was mainly a story told in photographs, with some descriptions and stories discussing each photograph and how it came about. It brought to life JFK's presidency,both in the public and private arena. There were quite a few poignant and touching photographs and anecdotes that were taken at this time. None more so than those of JFK with his son, John Jr, shortly before his tragic death. Stanley Tretick's photography was respectful and warm, leaving those of us with an interest in this man and his family,lovely memories captured for all time.
December 14, 2021
It's a picture book with narrative but no real storyline here. It was interesting enuf but nothing I haven't read or have seen before. Unfortunately the vast majority of the pics are in B&W. I felt too much content was devoted to JFK while so little on Jackie & the kids.
June 21, 2018
This book had a good amount of reading along with the many pictures of the Kennedys. It told the story of the photographer’s relationship with them which was interesting. He died the same time John Jr. did which is pretty ironic!
December 12, 2021
1960 campaign, he does not want to be photographed eating or with a hat, UNLESS IT IS A WORKMAN'S HAT! children, negotiate with White House to photograph children. Shooting, after words, family. RIP.
May 24, 2013
I am no fan of Kitty Kelley, but I have to give kudos where due. She has written a loving memoir of her friend, Stanley Tretick and his photographs of the Kennedys in their heyday. There are many unique images, and you learn of the control exerted by the Kennedys to maintain their image(s).
John F. Kennedy never wanted to be photographed doing anything "foolish" like riding a horse or some political campaign demand (kiss the baby,) nor did he want to be photographed eating or wearing hats or Indian headdresses or any political pressure garment. He also did not want to be photographed playing golf. Eisenhower had taken a lot of flak for his golf pictures, and Kennedy didn't want to be seen as "goofing off" or "elitist." The same was true in terms of photographing Air Force One. The Kennedys had redecorated it and they didn't want it seen as a "rich man's plane." Interesting point: his father BOUGHT him a plane (redecorated) for his campaign work that would cost in today's dollars $2.5 million...and he's worried about elitism or "rich man?" He WAS a rich man. Jacqueline never wanted to be photographed in capri pants, smoking, eating and while she resigned to wearing hats for a while, that didn't last. She also restricted photographs of her children, not wanting them to appear (in her words) "bratty."
I would say Tretick had his work cut out for him. There's an interesting story at the beginning. He tells Kelley about growing up poor, and he drives her through a part of the city that's now a slum and shows her a building with a dirty terry towel stuffed in the window. He said, "That how I grew up." And he never forgot it. He did it on his own and the hard way--the exact opposite of Kennedy. One time Ben Bradlee, editor of the Washington Post was crowing about hiring another "Yalie." (A woman who plagarized her story and later had to return the Pulitzer Prize.) After that event, Tretick said, "He shouldn't have hired a Yalie. He should have hired a Towelie." I fell in love with this man at that moment.
He was the photographer who shot those iconic images of John Jr. playing under his father's desk, and later in his life, in a nursing home, Kelley got John Jr. to sign the picture so she could hang it in Tretick's room. As he was dying, John Kennedy Jr.'s plane had gone down off Martha's Vineyard, and they were searching for the wreckage, so both men, so tied together by pictures and history, died at the same time.
You would think, "Oh. More Kennedy images. But in truth she's written a loving tribute to her friend. She's taken what he left her in his will and created a beautiful book with truly iconic images, and it's something worthy of his work and his creativity and his mind.
John F. Kennedy never wanted to be photographed doing anything "foolish" like riding a horse or some political campaign demand (kiss the baby,) nor did he want to be photographed eating or wearing hats or Indian headdresses or any political pressure garment. He also did not want to be photographed playing golf. Eisenhower had taken a lot of flak for his golf pictures, and Kennedy didn't want to be seen as "goofing off" or "elitist." The same was true in terms of photographing Air Force One. The Kennedys had redecorated it and they didn't want it seen as a "rich man's plane." Interesting point: his father BOUGHT him a plane (redecorated) for his campaign work that would cost in today's dollars $2.5 million...and he's worried about elitism or "rich man?" He WAS a rich man. Jacqueline never wanted to be photographed in capri pants, smoking, eating and while she resigned to wearing hats for a while, that didn't last. She also restricted photographs of her children, not wanting them to appear (in her words) "bratty."
I would say Tretick had his work cut out for him. There's an interesting story at the beginning. He tells Kelley about growing up poor, and he drives her through a part of the city that's now a slum and shows her a building with a dirty terry towel stuffed in the window. He said, "That how I grew up." And he never forgot it. He did it on his own and the hard way--the exact opposite of Kennedy. One time Ben Bradlee, editor of the Washington Post was crowing about hiring another "Yalie." (A woman who plagarized her story and later had to return the Pulitzer Prize.) After that event, Tretick said, "He shouldn't have hired a Yalie. He should have hired a Towelie." I fell in love with this man at that moment.
He was the photographer who shot those iconic images of John Jr. playing under his father's desk, and later in his life, in a nursing home, Kelley got John Jr. to sign the picture so she could hang it in Tretick's room. As he was dying, John Kennedy Jr.'s plane had gone down off Martha's Vineyard, and they were searching for the wreckage, so both men, so tied together by pictures and history, died at the same time.
You would think, "Oh. More Kennedy images. But in truth she's written a loving tribute to her friend. She's taken what he left her in his will and created a beautiful book with truly iconic images, and it's something worthy of his work and his creativity and his mind.
February 1, 2013
If you like picture books, you and your coffee table are going to love this one. It’s 229 pages are chuck full of more than 200 photographs, most of them taken by the legendary AP photo journalist and Look magazine contributor, Stanley Tretick.
There’s a lot to like here, even if you weren’t a big fan of John F. Kennedy and his family. It’s hard to believe that he’s been gone almost 50 years. Had Lee Harvey Oswald never been born, it’s also hard to believe that JFK could be reaching 96 this May 29. But even without an assassin’s bullet, with so many very serious, and mostly unreported diseases the late president battled most of his adult life, it’s doubtful he had that much time on his own.
Author Kitty Kelley and Tretick were long-time friends and collaborators on a number of photo journalistic projects. As a noted unauthorized biographer of a number of major celebrities, famous for throwing plenty of dirt on her subjects, here Kelley ignores all of JFK’s extra marital affairs. It’s mostly a love fest. A photo Valentine card from both Kelley and Tretick. It’s mostly about JFK. Probably your favorite photo will be the one on the cover. It shows a pre-school John Jr. walking hand-in-hand at the White House with his dad. I learned one thing; Tretick didn’t know he was capturing Camelot with his camera. That term was apparently birthed by Jackie Kennedy after the president’s death when the former First Lady first revealed to Life magazine that her late husband used to fall asleep listening to the music of that Broadway musical.
There’s a lot to like here, even if you weren’t a big fan of John F. Kennedy and his family. It’s hard to believe that he’s been gone almost 50 years. Had Lee Harvey Oswald never been born, it’s also hard to believe that JFK could be reaching 96 this May 29. But even without an assassin’s bullet, with so many very serious, and mostly unreported diseases the late president battled most of his adult life, it’s doubtful he had that much time on his own.
Author Kitty Kelley and Tretick were long-time friends and collaborators on a number of photo journalistic projects. As a noted unauthorized biographer of a number of major celebrities, famous for throwing plenty of dirt on her subjects, here Kelley ignores all of JFK’s extra marital affairs. It’s mostly a love fest. A photo Valentine card from both Kelley and Tretick. It’s mostly about JFK. Probably your favorite photo will be the one on the cover. It shows a pre-school John Jr. walking hand-in-hand at the White House with his dad. I learned one thing; Tretick didn’t know he was capturing Camelot with his camera. That term was apparently birthed by Jackie Kennedy after the president’s death when the former First Lady first revealed to Life magazine that her late husband used to fall asleep listening to the music of that Broadway musical.
January 5, 2018
3.5 stars.
My guilty pleasure is photography.
Particularly Street photography which captures the candid / reportage style akin to those within these Presidential photography images.
I decided to read Capturing Camelot: Stanley Tretick's Iconic Images of the Kennedys after reading the excellent Obama: An Intimate Portrait: The Historic Presidency in Photographs.
Capturing Camelot is a completely different book, that focuses on the challenges the photography faced attempting to 'make the photo' and this for me, is representative of the quality of the images compared to the superior Obama book.
Either way, a recommended read, if you like photography.
My guilty pleasure is photography.
Particularly Street photography which captures the candid / reportage style akin to those within these Presidential photography images.
I decided to read Capturing Camelot: Stanley Tretick's Iconic Images of the Kennedys after reading the excellent Obama: An Intimate Portrait: The Historic Presidency in Photographs.
Capturing Camelot is a completely different book, that focuses on the challenges the photography faced attempting to 'make the photo' and this for me, is representative of the quality of the images compared to the superior Obama book.
Either way, a recommended read, if you like photography.
February 8, 2016
I enjoyed the historic and charming photos of JFK and his family in this book about Stanley Tretick, photographer. When I saw this was written by Kitty Kelley, I worried that it would be too gossipy and perhaps not backed up by proof. Luckily, this book is primarily a legacy to Kitty's close friend, Stanley, so the focus is on Tretick's photos. Most of the details are directly from his notes. There weren't any attempts to denigrate the Kennedys; Tretick's frustration with Jackie's restrictions were the only issues.
June 10, 2013
Interesting but to be honest, got bored with the read and skimmed through it for the pictures. Guess, I've read and seen so much about the Kennedy's, couldn't really get into an outsider's viewpoint (Kitty Kelly) via her friend, Stanley Tretick's stories as told to Kelly. However, did enjoy the story about Stanley sending fish heads to critic who wrote a bad review of Kelly's book on Elizabeth Taylor. Pictures of Kennedy family were also a delight.
February 4, 2016
Mostly what I've known of Kitty Kelley's work (which I have to say I've never read) is the controversial nature of her celebrity biographies. So this book came as a surprise to me. It's a tribute to photographer Stanley Tretick, who captured many images of JFK and the Kennedy clan. She tells his story through his photos, personal writings, and oral history interviews. The pictures of a legendary family are captivating and so are the stories behind the pictures.
January 30, 2016
While I am not a big fan of Kitty Kelly I felt she ultimately turned this into a book about her good friend the photographer Stanley Tretick. While interesting, I thought there would be more pictures and stories of the Kennedy years.
My Bottom Line: Some iconic pictures but not really worth the read.
My Bottom Line: Some iconic pictures but not really worth the read.
December 20, 2012
Beautiful information - interesting facts. Quite a difference in the accessibility to photographing the first family in contrast to what is "put out there" today. Mrs. Kennedy was determined to have privacy, especially when it came to allowing her children to be photographed.
December 18, 2019
I was a bit young to remember JFK, but have always been fascinated with him and his family. I had read Kitty Kelley books before and thought this might be interesting when I saw it at the library.
I enjoyed the information from Stanley Tretick and the photos. It was interesting that he left this information to Kitty, as she seems to do many unauthorized biographies, but does have access to incredible amounts of information. Since Stanley was the official photographer for the 1960 campaign and then was sent by Look magazine to cover the White House, these are amazing photos and details.
I enjoyed the information from Stanley Tretick and the photos. It was interesting that he left this information to Kitty, as she seems to do many unauthorized biographies, but does have access to incredible amounts of information. Since Stanley was the official photographer for the 1960 campaign and then was sent by Look magazine to cover the White House, these are amazing photos and details.
April 21, 2018
My fellow Kennedy junkie at work dropped by my cube yesterday with this gem of a book. I read the entire thing that evening after I got home from work. The pictures are phenomenal; I loved seeing them all! Even though many of them are familiar to the American public, I loved seeing them all again and I liked the descriptions that accompanied the pictures. This book has found a new home on my living room coffee table. I invite you to come over and see it for yourself!
June 8, 2024
I chose this oversized book mainly for the access to old photos but it was deeper than I thought it would be with the added information and emphasis on the photographer.
It was a good way to pass a little time.
Find all my reviews at: https://readingatrandom.blogspot.com
It was a good way to pass a little time.
Find all my reviews at: https://readingatrandom.blogspot.com
April 6, 2018
Really well-written❣️
January 2, 2013
ORIGINAL POST: Kitty Kelley, Camelot and a Friendship: An Out Of Genre Experience
CAPTURING CAMELOT
Stanley Tretick’s Iconic Images of The Kennedys
by Kitty Kelley
Thomas Dunne Books/Macmillian November 13, 2012
Hardcover: 240 pages. It is also available as an E-book
Sent by Publisher, No remuneration exchanged. All opinions herein are my own unless otherwise noted.
My Take
English: Author Kitty Kelley appears at Border...
Author Kitty Kelley appears at Borders Books and Music in Chicago. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
One of the pleasures of the Book Blogger's Conference at BEA this past summer was meeting Kitty Kelley and hearing her stories about the photographer Stanley Tretick. She has so much energy and really sparkles. She's known for her unauthorized biographies and I could swear I remember her telling us that she wrote unauthorized biographies because the authorized biographies were not as interesting. If you think about it that would seem to be the truth.
Kitty spoke of her friend Stanley, about whom she complied this book, with so much affection. They were such good friends she took care of him after he had a stroke, even finding the best nursing home for him that she could. She told us that they were chatting once and she asked him what was in the old trunk he had. He told her it contained nude pictures and asked her if she wanted to see them. Whether she believed him or not she didn't see what was in the trunk that day, and it wasn't until he was sick that she did.
It turned out the trunk contained candid shots of President Kennedy and the Kennedy family. As a reporter with United Press International and LIFE magazine who was assigned to the Kennedys and the White House, only Cecil Stoughton, the White House photographer had more access. Tretick got along with the Kennedys and from notes and mementos she found in the trunk it would seem they were fond of him as well. He seemed to understand them, care for them and respect them. The iconic photo of John John under the President's desk was one of his.
So, I was thrilled when the publisher contacted me and said that Kitty Kelley had given her my card and did I want a copy of the book to review. Of course I did!
A gorgeous coffee table volume, the book has beautifully reproduced photographs taken by Tretick, and a few of him, as well as his correspondence with the First family. It has several photos never seen before.
Kelley takes a few paragraphs to describe her relationship with Tretick and give the book credibilty Then it uses her research skills and talent as a writer to put together a lovely tribute to her friend and the Kennedys. I read through the copy in a little over an hour-and-a-half, and I learned a lot about JFK and other members of the family. For example, the whole relating the years JFK was in the White House as "Camelot" was because he enjoyed the song from the musical of the same name about not forgetting that there was once a place called Camelot.
If you or someone you know is interested in that time period, or has a major milestone birthday from 55 and up this would be a great buy. I was a baby during this time period, so its shine is just out of the reach of my memory, but to anyone older that period was important and lost tragically.
Great book, filled with great photos and affection for the subjects and the photographer.
CAPTURING CAMELOT
Stanley Tretick’s Iconic Images of The Kennedys
by Kitty Kelley
Thomas Dunne Books/Macmillian November 13, 2012
Hardcover: 240 pages. It is also available as an E-book
Sent by Publisher, No remuneration exchanged. All opinions herein are my own unless otherwise noted.
A consummate photojournalist, Stanley Tretick was sent by United Press International to follow the Kennedy campaign of 1960. The photographer soon befriended the candidate and took many of JFK’s best pictures during this time. When Kennedy took office, Tretick was given extensive access to the White House, and the picture magazine Look hired him to cover the president and his family. Tretick is best known today for the photographs he took of President Kennedy relaxing with his children. His photographs helped define the American family of the early sixties and lent Kennedy an endearing credibility that greatly contributed to his popularity.
Accompanied by an insightful, heartwarming essay from Kitty Kelley—Tretick’s close friend—about the relationship between the photographer and JFK, this collection includes some of the most memorable images of America’s Camelot and brings to life the uniquely hopeful historical era from which it emerged.
www.kittykelleywriter.com
My Take
English: Author Kitty Kelley appears at Border...
Author Kitty Kelley appears at Borders Books and Music in Chicago. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
One of the pleasures of the Book Blogger's Conference at BEA this past summer was meeting Kitty Kelley and hearing her stories about the photographer Stanley Tretick. She has so much energy and really sparkles. She's known for her unauthorized biographies and I could swear I remember her telling us that she wrote unauthorized biographies because the authorized biographies were not as interesting. If you think about it that would seem to be the truth.
Kitty spoke of her friend Stanley, about whom she complied this book, with so much affection. They were such good friends she took care of him after he had a stroke, even finding the best nursing home for him that she could. She told us that they were chatting once and she asked him what was in the old trunk he had. He told her it contained nude pictures and asked her if she wanted to see them. Whether she believed him or not she didn't see what was in the trunk that day, and it wasn't until he was sick that she did.
It turned out the trunk contained candid shots of President Kennedy and the Kennedy family. As a reporter with United Press International and LIFE magazine who was assigned to the Kennedys and the White House, only Cecil Stoughton, the White House photographer had more access. Tretick got along with the Kennedys and from notes and mementos she found in the trunk it would seem they were fond of him as well. He seemed to understand them, care for them and respect them. The iconic photo of John John under the President's desk was one of his.
So, I was thrilled when the publisher contacted me and said that Kitty Kelley had given her my card and did I want a copy of the book to review. Of course I did!
A gorgeous coffee table volume, the book has beautifully reproduced photographs taken by Tretick, and a few of him, as well as his correspondence with the First family. It has several photos never seen before.
Kelley takes a few paragraphs to describe her relationship with Tretick and give the book credibilty Then it uses her research skills and talent as a writer to put together a lovely tribute to her friend and the Kennedys. I read through the copy in a little over an hour-and-a-half, and I learned a lot about JFK and other members of the family. For example, the whole relating the years JFK was in the White House as "Camelot" was because he enjoyed the song from the musical of the same name about not forgetting that there was once a place called Camelot.
If you or someone you know is interested in that time period, or has a major milestone birthday from 55 and up this would be a great buy. I was a baby during this time period, so its shine is just out of the reach of my memory, but to anyone older that period was important and lost tragically.
Great book, filled with great photos and affection for the subjects and the photographer.
May 6, 2014
This was a visual biography of the Kennedy family portraits while President Kennedy was in office through the commemorations after his death including a slight amount of Robert Kennedy's bid for President until his assassination .
Stanley Tredick. Was commissioned by John Kennedy specifically to do the family photos. The son, John under his father's desk was the most well-known publicly. Portraits of the children experiences their daily activities were not allowed by Jacqueline Kennedy so there are very few to view. The assassination photographs are amazing. He has the final pictures of both the Kennedy brothers, and family shots of both included.
Several interesting tidbits were entered through the narrative captions ..it's a lovely book. However, you would need to be aware of some of the history previously to truly appreciate it's content. Jackie's acquaintance with Aristotle Onassis is included.
Stanley Tredick. Was commissioned by John Kennedy specifically to do the family photos. The son, John under his father's desk was the most well-known publicly. Portraits of the children experiences their daily activities were not allowed by Jacqueline Kennedy so there are very few to view. The assassination photographs are amazing. He has the final pictures of both the Kennedy brothers, and family shots of both included.
Several interesting tidbits were entered through the narrative captions ..it's a lovely book. However, you would need to be aware of some of the history previously to truly appreciate it's content. Jackie's acquaintance with Aristotle Onassis is included.
December 19, 2012
Kitty Kelley does a extraordinary job of drawing you in with her exquisite storytelling. You are taken back in time where you imagine what life was like for John F. Kennedy and his family.
The photojournalist, Stanley Tretick (who was Kitty Kelley's best friend), took beautiful photographs of the Kennedy's. He was an incredibly talented photographer. He captured amazing moments with photos as Kitty Kelley does with words.
I would define "Capturing Camelot" as a tribute of sorts. A tribute of her best friend Stanley Tretick and of our 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy.
"Capturing Camelot" is a "keepsake" of never-before-seen photos and a poignant story. I highly recommend this book.
To read more of this review, please visit http://www.ordinaryservant.com/?p=1540.
The photojournalist, Stanley Tretick (who was Kitty Kelley's best friend), took beautiful photographs of the Kennedy's. He was an incredibly talented photographer. He captured amazing moments with photos as Kitty Kelley does with words.
I would define "Capturing Camelot" as a tribute of sorts. A tribute of her best friend Stanley Tretick and of our 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy.
"Capturing Camelot" is a "keepsake" of never-before-seen photos and a poignant story. I highly recommend this book.
To read more of this review, please visit http://www.ordinaryservant.com/?p=1540.
May 5, 2014
Very interesting!
I thought this would be mostly pictures and only about John F. Kennedy & his presidency. What I failed to recognize (even after reading the book, "After Camelot"), was that Bobby Kennedy until his assassination in June 1968 is also considered a part of this "magical" time.
This book is by Kitty Kelley so it's not just pictures. There is a written history, as well. And that brings me to another point -- this book is not just about the Kennedy's. It is about the man who captured Kennedy & the Kennedy family in photographs -- Stanley Tretick AND through his pictures we find a visual history of what occurred during this period.
I thought this would be mostly pictures and only about John F. Kennedy & his presidency. What I failed to recognize (even after reading the book, "After Camelot"), was that Bobby Kennedy until his assassination in June 1968 is also considered a part of this "magical" time.
This book is by Kitty Kelley so it's not just pictures. There is a written history, as well. And that brings me to another point -- this book is not just about the Kennedy's. It is about the man who captured Kennedy & the Kennedy family in photographs -- Stanley Tretick AND through his pictures we find a visual history of what occurred during this period.
January 15, 2013
“I want to be Kitty Kelley when I grow up.”
This was the general consensus of our table at the Book Blogger’s Conference at BEA this past summer after meeting Kitty Kelley and hearing her stories about her friend Stanley Tretick. She was filled with so much energy and light as she speaking of her friend. It was obvious that it had meant a great deal to her to be able to create this book that not only honored him and his legacy as a photographer but also paid tribute to their close friendship.
Read Full Review Here
This was the general consensus of our table at the Book Blogger’s Conference at BEA this past summer after meeting Kitty Kelley and hearing her stories about her friend Stanley Tretick. She was filled with so much energy and light as she speaking of her friend. It was obvious that it had meant a great deal to her to be able to create this book that not only honored him and his legacy as a photographer but also paid tribute to their close friendship.
Read Full Review Here
December 27, 2012
I very much enjoyed this short, yet compact retelling of stories from John F. Kennedy's presidency and his close friendship with Look Magazine photographer, Stanley Tretick. It is interesting to read about little things that characterized JFK so much yet were not the focus of any magazine article, be it political or interest based. My favorite reveal was how he despised being photographed wearing any sort of hat. His note to Stanley after such a shot was published in a magazine was very good-humored and showed a side to the president that many people may be overlooking, as he always sought to be portrayed as extremely dignified and professional.
May 25, 2013
This is a tremendous book. Though Kitty Kelly is best known for salacious unauthorized biographies, she is nonetheless a good writer and presents the content in this book in a very fair way. Stanley Tretick, one of JFK's favorite photographers, was her good friend; he left tons of mementos and photographs to her when he died. She compiled them into this book. Many of the photos are somewhat rare; they are images I--an avid reader of JFK and LBJ biographies--had not seen before. I loved this book and would consider buying it for my shelves.
August 26, 2013
Kitty Kelley's book includes some of the most memorable Kennedy photographs taken, including one of John Jr. hiding underneath his father's Oval Office desk. Kelley, a friend of photographer Stanley Tretick, includes interesting insights into Tretick's relationship with the Kennedy family, especially the president and Jackie. Included in the book is correspondence between Tretick and the Kennedys as well as Tretick's personal notes.
December 3, 2012
Glorious photos of the Kennedy family at a time in American political history that is near and dear to my heart. Interesting to read the backstory of how/why the photos were taken but still gutwrenching to know ahead of time what awaits this family.
December 26, 2012
What a sweet, lovely book. The photos are sweet and charming. I am not normally a fan of Kelley's - but she managed to write about the photos and their photographer and not editorialize. Recommended.
January 16, 2013
This was perfect for Kennedy lovers. The pictures are personal and take a close look at JFK both at home and in office as well as personal information provided to the author from Kennedy's personal photographer.
April 1, 2013
Capturing Camelot is filled with family photos of JFK and his family by Stanley Tretick, a photographer who worked for Look magazine and went on to work on the startup of People magazine. The photos and commentary by infamous biographer Kitty Kelley made for an enjoyable read.
March 20, 2013
Wonderful photos and I enjoyed the stories behind the photos! A perfect gift for a history buff, amazing coffee table book.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 50 reviews