Prince Charming: The John F. Kennedy, Jr. Story

by Wendy Leigh

Follows Kennedy's life from his early law career, through his founding of George magazine and marriage to Carolyn Bessette, to his untimely death

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Kennedy Family

350 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Ghostwriter & celebrity biographer. She has also written books on love, sex & relationships

http://www.wendyleigh.com/#

Reviews

[Teddie]

For anyone interested in the life of John F. Kennedy Jr., this is a very readable unauthorized biography. However, know that it was first published in 1993, more than six years before JFK Junior's tragic accident. It was good as far as it goes. The book certainly brought back some memories of watching him grow up. What a beautiful young man, inside and out.

[Lisa Osselmeier]

Leigh renders the grieving family of JFK as one that suffers from public exposure. It appears that Jr.'s plight from press coverage was a true stumbling block; almost as though the public wanted the last word. Apparently John Jr didn't accept his father death initially…believing that his father was missing--as opposed to dead.
It was no secret that Janet Auchincloss and Hugh D were skeptical of Jack Kennedy's commitments to Jackie and the children. Additionally, the political rift that existed between the two families only grew greater over the years. Jackie's surprising attraction to the Greek millionaire Aristotle Onassis apparently thrilled Janet but left John and Caroline with less of their Mothers attention. Onassis continually strived to be a better father figure for young John, even after his initial attraction to Jackie faded. He benefited greatly from Ari’s involvement during those formative years.
Jackie's opposition to his acting career was certainly uncharacteristic. The reviews that he received were not bad; this could have turned into a successful acting career. In addition to that John was gaining priceless experience through his television shows that could have led to a polished public speaking performance. I see the final years as a dynamic personality creation, melded from all of John’s experience in the theater, public service and education. It is tragic that we lost him at an early age…he had much to give.

[Adam]

great insight and perspective... Published in 1993 and covers only the first 33 years of his life. Would be equally as interesting in reading his life between '93-'99 from this author.

[Helen]

While it was a quick read I have to take it with a grain if salt bc the author got Caroline's wedding date wrong. It was July 19th. Not June 19th as disclosed in this book

[Karen Ettinger]

Just a keepsake book for me! Lived and Loved this Prince of my Age!

[D Bovill]

I normally enjoy anything about John John.

[Nancy Shaffer]

I've never really grasped the true intensity of photographers seeking famous people until I read this book...

[Susan]

Bio of John F Kennedy Jr

A good biography that gave an honest portrayal of his life. I do wish there was more on his death and aftermath.

[Andre Coombs]

This book was initially published during his lifetime. He even allowed his friend be interviewed by the author. When it came to women, John was messy. He became messier after People magazine declared him the sexiest man alive. He knew his power over the opposite sex and exploited that. Surprisingly, all his conquest protected his image and had nothing bad to say about him. His casual drug use was mentioned but it's implied he did it just to fit in to be a regular joe. I read that the media was in on protecting John, as they would not release pics of him buying street drugs. All of the revelations on proved that was a privileged and somehow a regular guy.

[Alexis Arian]

Wonderful book, charming, gripping, detailed. My one complaint, as it is clear that this book was originally published before John or (even Jackie’s) death- is the final chapter, which acts as an epilogue of sorts- is entirely rushed. I would have liked to read more about Carolyn, her sister Lauren, and their love story. The original story, minus the final chapter, read as a superbly detailed and well completed telling of a man’s life. The final chapter simply seemed like a newspaper obituary that missed the mark on bringing a delightful book to a close.

[Sara Lyn]

I'm not usually one to read true stories, especially on a specific person. But I had recently read another Kennedy book so have this one a chance. This book made a very different impression about the Kennedys so it's always hard to know what to believe

[Chy]

I enjoyed this book, but I thought that too much of the focus was on Jackie instead of John.