Kennedy Baby, The

by Steven Levingston, Tavia Gilbert (Narrator)

A long-form magazine style piece on the story of the premature birth of Jackie Kennedy's third child Patrick Bouvier Kennedy. This version is no longer available.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction

MP3 CD

First published October 23, 2013

About the author

Steven Levingston is a former senior book editor of the Washington Post and author of "Barack and Joe," "Kennedy and King", and "Little Demon in the City of Light". He has lived and worked in Beijing, Hong Kong, New York, Paris, and Washington and reported and edited for the Wall Street Journal and International Herald Tribune.

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent and incisive read. In a short time, the author shows how Kennedy evolved from leaving his very pregnant wife behind to sail around Greece with Teddy and a bevy of coeds to an attentive and concerned husband despite the considerable pressures of the Oval Office. His book is not an attempt to rehab JFK's tattered reputation as a husband, but instead to examine an area of growth in a complicated and often frustrating person.

This book is heartbreaking. Little anecdotes about how parents of other sick children resented JFK because his visits to Patrick would shut down the wing of the hospital for security do a great job of illustrating the depth of the grief of a devastated parent. Newspaper headlines saying, "Of course he'll make it, he's a Kennedy" foreshadow the creeping doom that the Kennedys are known for now.

I've read a few biographies of the Kennedys and thought this book belongs on a shelf with the best of them.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

**#21 of 120 books pledged to read/review during 2017**

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a piece written for a magazine. I can’t remember which one. I was able to find it on the interwebs and read it. That period between August and November 1963 is so interesting for the Kennedys. Jackie was away a lot but somehow they were closer than ever. JFK being there when his son died impacted him immensely. The tragedy of that, the man who had never been present when his wife gave birth the three times before, being the one to hold that wee baby as he slipped away…..I cannot imagine. We spend a lot of time talking about the loss of a baby and how it impacts the mom. We need to spend more time talking about how dads handle it. Because if JFK openly sobbed in public you know it it was a big deal for him.

Lovely long essay/article. If you can find it, I recommend it.

[Papa Smurf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kennedy Baby

This was a very interested story. Anybody who is into history of the USA and the Kennedy history should read this book.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Kennedy Baby: The Loss That Transformed JFK, Steven Levingston details Jackie O's pregnancies and the effects each had on JFK. The author theorizes that each child softens Kennedy a bit more, making him less a philanderer and more of a husband and father. After the death of Patrick, Kennedy becomes more engaged with his family and more committed to his marriage with Jackie. Sadly, he dies soon after this transformation. A reminder to hold dear what you have and not muck it up.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book. I felt like I was part of this emotional time and felt honored to glimpse these iconic figures emotional journey. I cried and shared the emotions they must have felt during this time in their lives.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

I've always been interested in the Kennedy's and what made them tick. This book gave an insight on the just how close an important couple can be in the time of pain and sorrow.

[Melodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and interesting read about the event in Kennedy's life that caused him to reevaluate himself and possibly try to become the man and husband he always should have been to his wife. So very sad that he figured it out so late and had so little time to make good on it. Recommend.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insight to this footnote to history.

[Patty Spanjer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this an interesting take on part of history.

[Tiffany Calvert]

Very interesting

I learned quite a bit from this book. interesting. I cried at JFK's loss and the tenderness he shared briefly with his son.

[Susannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shows a whole different side of President Kennedy.

[AnnMArie Pallister · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different look at the Kennedy saga

interesting look. at the other side of the personal loss of a family crisis while in the White House. this w as s a fast and informative read.

[Alexander Amatosi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent and thoughtful book showing a softer side of Kennedy. I would recommend it if you are interested in a detailed account of a very difficult time for this iconic American family.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and short. It doesn't really talk about Baby Patrick until the second half. If you like to read about the Kennedy family it's enjoyable but not the best I've read.

[Emily Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

this read is more about the insight to the emotions of the man & wife much more than the actual writing. Interesting point of view captured in one piece of their life that is not commonly reviewed.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little suspicious of this book to begin with, but I ended up not being able to put it down and finished it in a day. I appreciated how the author admitted it wasn't the most scholarly of works simply due to the subject, but like the author stated, the short life of Patrick shouldn't be forgotten or glossed over (like it is in so many more scholarly works) because I do think he had a profound effect on Kennedy and Jackie. I'm even sorrier that Jack didn't live longer so Patrick's effects weren't able to be seen better in his administration and policies, because I think his death changed Jack to his core.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK Reading

Another story to strengthen the myth of America's Camelot. This version of the birth & death of Patrick Kennedy focuses on an optimistic view of his parents. "The Kennedy Baby" attempts to make the Kennedy marriage suddenly become traditional love match, creating tenderness & a genuine emotional attachment between Jack & Jackie. I am not convinced.