Jacqueline Kennedy, The White House Years: Selections from the John F. Kennedy Library & Museum

by Hamish Bowles, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., Metropolitan Museum of Art

This illustrated volume celebrates the 40th anniversary of Jacqueline Kennedy's emergence as America's First Lady and explores her enduring global influence on style and fashion.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Fashion, Art, Photography

198 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2001

About the author

Hamish Bowles is European editor at large for Vogue and editor in chief of Vogue Living. He was curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2001 Costume Institute exhibition, “Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years.” He lives in New York, London, and Paris.

Reviews

[Simone The Glam Historian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful coffee table book and a must for anyone who loves fashion - particularly mid-century or Jackie Kennedy. She brought a certain je ne sais quoi to the White House that hadn’t been felt before. A woman with a European sense of fashion who transformed American fashion with her influence. She was more than a beautiful mannequin to drape haute couture and French inspired fashion on, she was a woman of culture and intelligence. Her fashion choices reflected this. This is a great book to leaf through and swoon over.

[Lisa Mcbroom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful coffee table book of Jacqueline Kennedy's influence on American Culture through history, fashion, and art!!!!!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book years ago at John F Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston . Very interesting reading about the style and grace of the most classy First Lady we have ever had. Her children meant the most to her and her husband and its evident in everything she did. She was much more than a well dressed First Lady though this book is mostly about the designers she used. She was a great asset to her husband overseas as she spoke French and Spanish fluently and even managed to charm Kruschev.

[Tayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exquisite book with remarkable photos capturing Jacqueline Kennedy's time on her husband's campaigns and in the White House. The accompanying text is well written and an interesting read, and even includes copies of some handwritten notes from Jackie to her milliner and some of her frequently used designers. The true attraction, though, is the photography. The book was companion to an exhibit at the JFK Library of the same name and the clothes are wonderful reminders of a brief era of American History that is so storied and captivating.

[Kathie H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the exhibit of Jackie's clothes at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington DC. I was moved to tears. This book is fabulous. If you're a fashionista, you will pore over this book. Jackie was truly an original.

[Stormy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always admired Jacqueline Kennedy and it was fun to read this book in anticipation of visiting the White House. We didn't make it onto a tour but Kristy and I visited the White House Historical Society gift shop and I bought the book Jackie first published.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting look at Jackie Kennedy and the time in which she lived.

[Hdmsisk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not read this book, I skimmed it and looked at the pictures reading only what was interesting to me. It was pages and pages of pictures of Jackie's clothes. They were beautiful. It made me long for these clothes to still be in style.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this exhibit when it was in NYC...amazing.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fashion show of sorts, with photos and descriptions of Jacqueline Kennedy's wardrobe during her husband's presidency. Beautiful!

[Cynthia Friese-hassanein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I have read this more than I care to admit! What a book!

[Allison Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, beautiful photos, but doesn't hold a candle to the garments in person

[Raisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many photographs so much information this book is amazing.

[Nancy]

This was interesting for the clothes.

[Jane Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, very insightful and gives you a deeper appreciation of the thought behind the fashion.

[Doris Raines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great. Book. And. Style.

[Patrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one dresses like Mrs. Kennedy did. Gorgeous!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fabulous