The Peter Lawford Story: Life with the Kennedys, Monroe, and the Rat Pack

by Patricia Lawford Stewart, Ted Schwarz

As the brother in law to JFK and a member of the Rat Pack, Peter Lawford was one of America's most acclaimed movie stars.Lawford led an extraordinary life. His story, as told by the woman who knew him best, is the always candid, sometimes shocking unveiling of the most intriguing show business personalities and significant political events of our time.Now fully updated and revised for 2014 this is a must read for anyone interested in Hollywood, film, and celebrity gossip.Skyhorse Publishing, along with our Arcade, Good Books, Sports Publishing, and Yucca imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. Our list includes biographies on well-known historical figures like Benjamin Franklin, Nelson Mandela, and Alexander Graham Bell, as well as villains from history, such as Heinrich Himmler, John Wayne Gacy, and O. J. Simpson. We have also published survivor stories of World War II, memoirs about overcoming adversity, first-hand tales of adventure, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Biography Memoir, Politics, Celebrity

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 1988

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Peter Lawford Story: Life with the Kennedys, Monroe, and the Rat Pack" (2015) is recalled by Patricia (Seaton) Lawford Stewart the 4th wife and widow of actor Peter Lawford (1923-1984). This is a very interesting look at old MGM Hollywood, the Kennedy family that embraced Lawford as their own through marriage, fatherhood, and the "keeper of secrets". Lawford was in serious decline from years of heavy alcohol and drug abuse when he met Seaton by chance, she was 17 years old.

In the late 1970's "On the Rocks" was a private intimate dance club above the Roxy Theater on Sunset Blvd. The dance floor could accommodate two couples, the bathrooms large and elegant enough to contain the rampant cocaine use during that time. Lawford arrived at the club with Ringo Starr and Keith Moon, spotting Seaton who was there with a girlfriend, sent them a bottle of champagne. Yet their story was not one of love or Hollywood romance: Deborah Gould, Lawford's then wife was present, and dismayed when Seaton left the club wordlessly with her husband, spending the night with him at the Playboy Mansion.

Not surprisingly, according to Lawford's biographer James Spada in: "Peter Lawford: The Man Who Kept the Secrets" (1991) Lawford wasn't in any hurry to divorce Gould. The probable root cause of Lawford's numerous problems may have been due to the interference of his cold indifferent mother Lady May, who never hesitated to undermine her only son or his career fabricating untrue stories and rumors. Peter loved his four children and had the highest regard for the Kennedy's (he was divorced from Patricia Kennedy in 1966) but was unable to parent his children in a constructive manner, leading to severe disappointment and estrangement. Christopher Kennedy Lawford wrote about his life related to addiction in his book: "Symptoms of Withdrawal: A Memoir of Snapshots and Redemption" (2005).

There were several interesting stories involving A-list celebrities. Frank Sinatra refused to perform in a Las Vegas club as long as the Lawford's were present in the audience. It was unclear why Seaton disclosed how she concealed illicit drugs when the couple traveled to a foreign country, there was enough candid storyline without a sordid detail as this. Overall, Peter Lawford is better remembered as a distinguished handsome talented actor-- also for his legacy to the Kennedy's through marriage and fatherhood.

[Patrick Duran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand the criticism from some who complain about the book not necessarily being about the main subject, Peter Lawford. A closer look at the title, however, suggests that the book is not only about Mr. Lawford; "The Peter Lawford Story" title is a misnomer, which can be misleading.

First off, I was surprised to read that Lawford was offered the role of James Bond before Sean Connery, but he turned it down, believing the role had little merit. Think of that. I'm not sure how Peter's Bond would have compared to Sean's Bond, but it's fun to imagine.

While I believe the book does not provide the full details of Lawford's life and career, I still believe the book delivers a substantial amount of his story. It was co-written by his final wife who was with him for almost a decade, and who details the shocking sad and tragic final years of the Hollywood icon. The information about his death and the response by the Kennedy family and their refusal to help with the mortuary costs is appalling. Definitely recommended for those who love "old Hollywood".

[William · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you are looking to read a book about Peter Lawford, this isn't it! The fact is, much of the book doesn't even focus on Lawford, but rather the celebrities he was involved with. In addition, the book is very off-topic. The events are just barely listed in a chronological order. It is literally possible to skim through a chapter of this book and not see the name "Lawford" or "Peter" for at least a half a dozen pages.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really gives an insight to how sleazy many of our Hollywood and political heroes are. I'm sure many of the actors and politicians of today are just as bad, if not worse than those of yesteryear.

[Lynne Tull · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time rating this story of a movie star that I had watched in "Little Women". I was probably about eleven or twelve when the movie debuted in 1949. Peter Lawford played Laurie the love interest of Jo. I thought he was so handsome and debonair. At twelve I thought that was the 'real' Peter Lawford. This book looks at the real Peter. He was just the opposite of Laurie. The behind the scenes look at how he and his circle of friends traveled through the world tells you a lot about the present day 'Hollywood'. Also, he was married to John F. Kennedy's sister and a friend of Marilyn Monroe. He was a part of their lives and mourned their deaths. His wife the last ten years of his life wrote this biography. She seemed to move away from his life into her live and the lives of other intimates. I had a hard time remembering who was speaking from time to time. I am glad I read it. Recommend

[Sherrie74 · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of information in this book that we really didn't need to know about Peter Lawfords life. Very sad ending to the career and life of a genuinely nice person. My feeling was the book was a way of last wife getting even with the Kennedy's and his children. This was probably the only way she could benefit from her time with him.

[Sherrie74 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another "easy read". So much history to tell about early Hollywood, Political situation and the crime factor of the time. Skirting all area of the Hollywood System and his very high flying pals who turned their back on him for things that were not his fault and more of by the family he married into. Very sad beginning and ending to what could have been an amazing life. Interesting tale of a bygone era. Only wish it could have actually been Peter who told it.

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I lived in San Francisco in the 1980's I used to go to libraries after work and pick up books and read them. I wouldn't check them out nor take them home. I'd sit and enjoy a book at the library. Usually they were of the more trashy variety.

The internet and sites like Overdrive and Openlibrary give me this same opportunity on a hot, lazy, summer day. This book has no redeeming qualities besides learning about the acujack.

[Suzanne Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

I lost my early idealism about JFK long ago, but this book takes the Kennedy family and Peter Lawford even further into the world of sex and drugs and shows the sad emptiness of their lives. This is not a pleasant read, but it made me so glad that my life and relationships are simple and rich in true and lasting ways.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a sleazy life these two led! Everything was about sex and drugs. I have very little respect for this author. How could she have remained with him in this sordid lifestyle? The only reason this book is of interest is because the Kennedys are in the story.

[Katherine Thornton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m always suspicious of books written about people that are deceased and can’t defend themselves. Some private details about a man in his marriage that didn’t need to be shared. Some good points though.

[DDM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I understand why my mom loathed the Kennedy family so much...

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesmerizing

Great book. Learned a lot about the truth beyond the stories we were led to believe about many people discussed.

[Maple Fern · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audio

[Znarfbob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad tale about sad people. Interesting sidebars about MGM, Sinatra, Kennedy, Monroe and others.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

[F. Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable book, though it paints the Kennedy’s in a bad light in the end. But, sadly it is probably true, rich families are stingy with their millions.

[Kris Bednarz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filled with details that we new to me. A VERY choppy read.

[Stephanie Nichols · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patricia Lawford: “This book isn’t about me… but let me tell you all about my tragic backstory.” While I learned things I didn’t know, it was so much about her

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written by Peter's second wife and she slants the narrative in Peter's favor when in real life he may not have been a particularly likeable guy. He comes off as arrogant and spoiled. There is however some great information about the studio system and early Hollywood that makes this book great source of information. This book covers the studio system and all that was going on around Peter during his movie making years and it seems to be well researched information.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written. Unfortunately Patricia Lawford Stewart made an awful lot of the book all about her. Who the heck cares about her?
I never knew that Peter Lawford was such a bad drug addict and alcoholic. Quite amazing stories about Peter and other celebrities if you can believe them all. My favorite was how Cary Grant was so cheap that when he invited them over for dinner that they ate TV Dinners. So funny.

[Joy H.]

Added 6/18/15.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this rather seedy as his life progressed with his pimping and drug providing and taking and doing this with his son.