LEE

by Lee Radziwill, Peter H. Beard (Foreword)

As begun in the best-selling Happy Times, her first book with Assouline, Lee Radziwill’s colorful journey continues in the much-anticipated Lee. In this quest for privacy and freedom within a highly publicized life, Radziwill shares her unique perspective as a witness to history, recalling her friendships with the numerous cultural figures, from Rudolf Nureyev to Truman Capote, who have punctuated her life. Filled with anecdotes and personal photographs, Lee is Radziwill’s reflection on the people who have opened intellectual and emotional doors throughout her life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Coffee Table Books, History, Memoir

144 pages, Hardcover

First published September 22, 2015

About the author

Caroline Lee Radziwiłł was an American socialite, public-relations executive, and interior decorator. She was the younger sister of the late First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Her niece Caroline Bouvier Kennedy was named after her.

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I should never have picked up this book. I have no idea who Lee Radziwill is (I looked her up and it turns out that she's Jackie Kennedy's younger sister). I don't give a care about any of the people in this book (Lee, her husbands, her children, her dogs, Truman Capote, Armani, etc. etc.).

I don't even think she's particularly pretty or interesting to look at.

The photography is like home photography that she decided to publish.

Someone made the awful decision to dye some pages yellow and blue, tinting the photographs. I didn't like this.

Tl;dr - Unless you are REALLY into the Kennedys or have a burning passion for Lee Radziwill, I'd skip this one. As for myself, I found it a complete snorefest. The book is mostly pictures.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved all the pictures. The gawker in me just adores looking at anything Radziwill or Kennedy. I was a little disappointed there was not more text. It seems she was trying to keep the book light and not go too much into death, divorce, relationships. If you don't know the history, you are likely to be bothered by this.

This is a beautiful cloth bound Assouline book. I will probably keep it on my coffee table for a while. If you are a Radziwill fan, I think you will love it. (Oh side note, there was a "chapter" on Truman Capote if anyone recently finished the Swans of Fifth Avenue". It's all interesting to me.)

I should say that I also own Happy Times and probably love it even more.

[Diane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Best borrowed from the library. Just a lot of pictures with little description and no insight. If you want to maintain your privacy, Lee, don't attempt to be a published autobiographer. Shallow attempt.

[Patti · Rating 2 out of 5]

What exactly was the point? An homage to herself?

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am highly disappointed with this book! It is not at all what reviews said it would be. Rather, this is a book full of mostly pictures with brief captions that provide no insight for why they were included in this book.

The book, itself, is biographical in nature, but is in no way a complete / comprehensive story of Radziwill's life. At best, it is a powder puff chronology of her life with a lot of name / picture dropping of her famous friends.

Seriously disappointed! I cannot believe someone published this. What a waste!

[Lisa Mcbroom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lee Radiziwill takes her talent of beauty and art and puts together a spectacular spectacular tapestry of her colorful light. One of my favorite photos is a beautiful picture of the ocean that brings back a wonderful childhood memory.

[Linda Mcritchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a lot of pictures of famous people she knows. No information about Jackie or her son or really much of anything. Skip it!!!

[Stefanie Van Steelandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Happy Times now almost fifteen years ago, I was delighted to see this new book by Lee Radziwill. If you are looking for a serious read, or if you expect this book to be a full-fledged autobiography covering her whole life in detail, this is not the book for you.

This is a pictorial autobiography, and each chapter is devoted to a different person:
Friendships: Rudolf Nureyev, Giorgio Armani, Peter Beard...
Family: Anthony and Tina Radziwill (children), Michael Canfield (1st husband), Prince Radziwill (2nd husband) Aristotle Onassis...

The book is full of pictures and covers a world which does not exist anymore today. I enjoyed looking through the book and reminiscing about a time when people dressed up before they left the house, when artists had real talent to share and people travelled the world in style.

The cover of the book is made of cloth, which makes it a nice centerpiece for any coffee table. Most of the pictures are exclusive and have not been shown anywhere else. Each chapter is accompanied by a short description and insight stories, but it doesn't feel like it is enough. I wish there was more to read, because the stories this woman could tell...

[Carter Herrington · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting much, and wasn't terribly disappointed... But would have liked just a bit more text.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

No great literary accomplishment - but gorgeous pictures of an iconic American woman. I have a girl crush on her and enjoyed it very much.

[False · Rating 3 out of 5]

A drifting account of her life through remembrances and photographs. She never goes near the deaths: of her parents, her sister, her brother-in-law, her husband, her son, her friends. Beautifully put together from a top notch publishing house.

[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jackie Os sister. Photo biography. Natural beauty.