Nemesis: The True Story of Aristotle Onassis, Jackie O, and the Love Triangle That Brought Down the Kennedys

by Peter Evans

Peter Evans's biography of Aristotle Onassis, Ari, metwith great acclaim when it was published in 1986. Ariprovided the world with an unprecedented glimpse of theGreek shipping magnate's orbit of dizzying wealth, twistedintrigues, and questionable mores. Not long after the bookappeared, however, Onassis's daughter Christina and hislongtime business partner Yannis Georgakis hinted toEvans that he had missed the "real story" -- one that provedOnassis's intrigues had deadly results. "I must begin,"Georgakis said, "with the premise that, for Onassis, BobbyKennedy was unfinished business from way back..."

His words launched Evans into the heart of a story thattightly bound Onassis not to Jackie's first husband, but tohis ambitious younger brother Bobby. A bitter rivalryemerged between Bobby and Ari long before Onassis andJackie had even met. Nemesis reveals the tangled thread ofevents that linked two of the world's most powerful men intheir intense hatred for one another and uncovers thesurprising role played by the woman they both loved. Theirpower struggle unfolds against a heady backdrop ofinternational intrigue: Bobby Kennedy's discovery of theGreek shipping magnate's shady dealings, which led him tobar Onassis from trade with the United States; Onassis'sattempt to control much of Saudi Arabia's oil; Onassis'suntimely love affair with Jackie's married sister LeeRadziwill; and his bold invitation to First Lady Jackie tojoin him on his yacht -- without the president. Just as theself-made Greek tycoon gloried in the chance to stir thewrath of the Kennedys, they struggled unsuccessfully tobreak his spell over the woman who held the key to all oftheir futures. After Jack's death, Bobby became ever closerto Camelot's holy widow, and fought to keep her frommarrying his sworn rival. But Onassis rarely failed to getwhat he wanted, and Jackie became his wife shortly afterBobby was killed.

Through extensive interviews with the closest friends,lovers, and relatives of Onassis and the Kennedys, longtimejournalist Evans has uncovered the shocking culmination ofthe Kennedy-Onassis-Kennedy love triangle: AristotleOnassis was at the heart of the plot to kill Bobby Kennedy.Meticulously tracing Onassis's connections in the world ofterrorism, Nemesis presents compelling evidence that hefinanced the assassination -- including a startling confessionthat has gone unreported for nearly three decades. Alongthe way, this groundbreaking work also daringly paintsthese international icons in all of their true colors. FromEvans's deeply nuanced portraits of the charismatic Greekshipping magnate and his acquisitive iconic bride to hisprobing and revelatory look into the events that shaped anera, Nemesis is a work that will not be soon forgotten.

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

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really sure what to think of this book. It reads like a trashy, sordid Hollywood movie. I know that with great wealth comes great power but some of the things that these people did were beyond comprehension. The allegations made here were shocking and although I am not sure what to believe anymore, it certainly shows JFK but especially Jackie and Bobby Kennedy, along with some others, in a totally different light. I found myself reading on in a kind of fascinated horror not sure of what was coming next. I really didn't know very much about Onassis or his involvement with the Kennedys, other than he was one of the richest men at the time and married Jackie Kennedy. Now I probably know more than I want to!! These people lived in a totally different place and time to us and definitely in a different world. I feel like I need to go and take a shower now!!!

[Kate Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vanity Fair is my favorite magazines. This book is like the best Vanity Fair you could imagine. It has insanely interesting insight into the relationships between Jackie and Ari Onassis, Lee Radziwell, and Robert F. Kennedy.

[Aimeslee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this down til I finished it. This is a MUST READ for anyone who was alive in Nov. of 1963 and can remember what became the Camelot myth. As a longtime student of it all, this book sure does fill in holes and explains a few things better than anything we were spun at the time. I wouldn't doubt it one bit or be surprised if it were true. But you don't even have to decide in order to enjoy this thriller. Well worth the cost and time.

Random observation: I read Christopher Kennedy Lawford's book earlier this year and his descriptions of Robert Kennedy's son Joe's maniacal temper is HAUNTINGLY identical to Robert Kennedy's in this book. Chilled my blood.

[Erik Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is basically a biography of Aristotle Onassis but reading it gives an overview of life amongst the rich and powerful from his early adulthood in the twenties, through his many affairs and marriages, to his death, while married to Jacqueline, in 1975. The great revelation of the book is that, according to the author, Ari paid for the assassination of Bobby Kennedy through a contact he had in the extremist wing of Fatah, supposedly through a brainwashed Sirhan Sirhan.

Personally, I find this take on RFK's murder suspect. Evans claims that Onassis confided this towards the end of his life, but no concrete evidence is provided, nor does he deal with all the oddities involved in the assassination such as (1) Sirhan's distance from the Senator, (2) the presence of several people with CIA background and no love for Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel that night, (3) the collection of more spent bullets at the site than Sirhan's handgun could carry, (4) the theft of the camera with the only film taken at the time and its supposed 'loss' in the mail, et cetera. That Sirhan was present and that he discharged his gun is not in dispute. That he actually hit the senator is.

Other than this the story of Onassis and his jet-set associates is rather disgusting and, in this time of Epstein and Trump, all-too-familiar.

[kathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my early 20's Bobby Kennedy was a symbol of all that was good in my world. When he was assassinated I became disillusioned with politics, government, etc...I lost interest. His death had a profound effect on me. Reading this book about Onassis and the Kennedys went very slowly for me and I was going to put it down unfinished several times but I am glad I didn't.

I feel naive when I say it is hard for me to believe there are people that are so basically evil, so controlling, so power hungry that they will literally do anything to reach their current goal. Onassis seems to fit the definition of a psychopath...no conscience, no morals, no empathy and he had tremendous power in the worlds governments due to his money. People really can be bought, silence can be bought, murders can be arranged, drug trafficing can be over-looked if you have the right amount of money... I know all this but to actually read about it and see it in play was difficult for me considering the players in this book.

This book is as dark and ugly as the players in it are portrayed.

[Yana Shevkirova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't say it's a mind-blowing book, since all the dirt is somehow expected, given the nature of politics. It is a very well written account of what was going on and if all of it is true, I personally feel sorry for all people involved. It's definitely a tragedy, one which I reckon was reinforced by the intricacy of our human nature, rather than money or hatred alone. Definitely dramatic, but not depressing, full of facts, yet not overwhelming to read, this book catches the attention from the very beginning and doesn't let go. Peter Evans has done a brilliant job in balancing all events and characters, without losing the purpose of it all.

[Greg Eck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Evans has captured the essence of Onassis and the times he lived in. Its clear he managed to get access to explosive source material and presents it in a manner that is easy to digest. Fascinating account of a fascinating man living in a fascinating time.

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because I lived through these times - was familiar with the movie stars, politicians and world figures that made up these events. Someone younger might wonder “who are these people?” Just like I don’t know Justin Bieber from Kanye West or Beyoncé from Lady GaGa - nor would I want to read about them! It’s called the generation gap.

I was sucked in by all the gossip and innuendos - like reading The National Enquirer (I imagine). It was virtually impossible to keep track of who was or had been sleeping with who - it was almost incestuous. The big take away was that Jackie slept with Ari BEFORE Kennedy was assassinated (just weeks after she had baby Patrick). She also shared her bed with Bobby, along with numerous other men throughout her life.

So..........did Onassis have something to due with the murder of RFK? We will never know the truth about anything Kennedy related. JFK, RFK, Chappaquiddick, these will always be mysteries. Same with the Onassises, more very strange deaths among that family as well. Yes, F Scott, the rich are different!

Does this description of Ari sound like someone else - with his billions he still needed shots of flattery like an addict, and with his advancing age, he needed bigger doses for the same effect. Another - sweep his indiscretions under the carpet with payoffs, legal action and other kinds of threats to silence women who threatened to go public. Sounds like today’s news!

Choice of a lawyer shows who the crooks, SOBs and scoundrels are - both Trump and Onassis favored the services of Roy Cohn. Birds of a feather.

A very fast and enlightening read.

[Deborah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd actually give it a 2.5, I don't want to go overboard and say "I liked it", but it was definitely interesting and better than just "OK."
Quite an eye-opener, especially for us who were children during these days. Of course we had no sense of the scandal and intrigue, but suffice it to say I was at least surprised by the claims that Aristotle Onassis was the money behind the assassination of RFK.
I actually quite pitied all those poor rich people who hopped from continent to continent, bed to bed, husband to husband. It seemed as though with all their wealth, they were really seaching for happiness. Onassis tragic state of mind after his son's death and up until his own was so ironic. Up until reading this book, I had always thought of Jackie as a fragile madonna-like, larger than life icon. Whew... appearances can certainly be deceiving. It was very enlightening.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this sensational book after seeing an art exhibit about Jackie's dark days living on the Island of Scorpio with Aristotle Onassis. Written by a respected British journalist, this book chronicles the long relationship Onassis had with the Kennedy family, especially Bobby Kennedy, whom he disliked intensely, and tells the story of Onassis' affair and subsequent marriage to Jackie. The book, well researched with an abundance of references, presents sordid details about Onassis' political and business dealings, family relationships, and romantics trysts, and implicates Onassis in Bobby Kennedy's assassination. Wow, what an eye opener.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite trashy, but OH SO DELICIOUS! Perhaps much is speculation, but golly, the author certainly makes it believable. I couldn't put this book down.

[Christina Rothfusz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a biography on Maria Callas last year and have been fascinated with Aristotle Onassis since.

This book follow's his involvement with the Kennedy Family and his marriage to Jackie.

Very well researched and written.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

I managed to keep breathing through the stale cigar smoke that pervades the book. But halfway through I reached for my asthma pump and went outside. There was no incentive to return.

I'm ordinarily no fan of gossip. In my quest to discover whether 'good guys' finish last, I've wanted to know more about the commercial life of Aristotle Onassis. There is not much in print; even less in electronic format. So I reluctantly settled for "Nemesis'.

I'm not sure what to make of it: schlock, true life melodrama, or shades between. The author is dead; the three main protagonists too. All the reader has is the bona fides of the writer and his key informants.

It's not much to go on.

Given the financial motives of the book writer (as opposed to the investigative journalist in employment) I'm inclined to dismiss Evans' more sensational claims.

But he has ripped away the veil of myth that still hangs over the celebrity of Jackie Kennedy, especially in sentimental Americana like "Dreaming in French" which I recently finished. The facts about her (which lend context to Evans' thesis) are confirmed elsewhere: The state of the Kennedy marriage, the revenge affairs, the public reproof for her postpartum Mediterranean excursion, the adolescent behavior after Jack Kennedy's demise, and her mother's decidedly un-middle-class rule of thumb about marriage.

The portrait of Onassis seems credible - if you believe that behind every great fortune is a great crime. Onassis displayed many traits of the entrepreneurial sociopath: the charisma, narcissistic self promotion, low tolerance for frustration; disregard for the rights of others, trouble with the law; the manipulation, bribery, and estrangement from the truth. Onassis had all the flaws one expects of those who hire contract killers. It's persuasive ... and it's not. Too much Jason Bourne.

Bobby Kennedy - in the one-dimensional cameo he is granted - comes off as a spoiled, whining, telltale ... and hypocrite. It’s as if Evans is building reader antipathy to legitimize the Onassis grudge.

Sirhan Sirhan's ethnicity (but not his diary) lends some credence to the mystery.

Until someone writes a well-researched refutation I'm sticking to my ambivalence.

[Ilze · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ±300 page document is an amazing solution to a 40 year old conundrum. Evans manages to unravel a chunk of history no-one would have thought existed, unless s/he was Greek! Money, sex, greed, it’s all there and what makes it even more intriguing is that it’s not part of a fictive author’s imagination – it’s real. It could’ve formed part of any CNN report on the Kennedy assassination, should CNN have existed in the 60s. Was the assassination of Bobby Kennedy really political? Did the Palestinian they caught know what he was doing? More importantly: Why are the names of Onassis and Hamshari connected? These questions all enter into a witches’ brew to put into your pipe and get high on. Even the names of Marilyn Monroe and Margot Fonteyn enter the picture, as does the Suez Canal Crisis and how Onassis used every single opportunity to add more than just coins to his estate. The question I was left with at the end of the book is whether any part of the 60s story could be told without mentioning Onassis or Jackie Kennedy or JFK.

[Claudia Canny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now this book, like the people it portrays, is pure trashy deliciousness. The super rich powerful jetset of the 1960's all aboard the charming billionaire Ari Onassis's yacht of sheer debauchery, the Christina where hearts are stolen and broken on the same day, deals and murders and mayhem are plotted by both the men and women of immense power and wealth. They are all fascinating, disgusting, pathetic and vastly entertaining in their excess and madness, even Jackie Kennedy who is shown to be not the Holy Widow, but a dirty, dirty birdy.

The lack of the final star is for the boring subplot of Ari's intrigue with Palestinian terrorists which takes up too many pages when all I want is the sexy trash mam', nothing but the sexy trash. I'm looking forward to its known, but ridiculous and tragic, conclusion.

[Tralala Tralala · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read, Peter Evans knew how to tell a story. Insight into power & how much winners get to write the version of history that suits them. Lifting the veil on the myth the Kennedys managed to create about themselves was fascinating.
Having read several of the reviews, it's funny how ratings tends to be a function of how the book makes reviewers feel. Many low reviews point to a vision of the world depicted in the book that doesn't suit their personal construct. I think that's ironic.
While the book might be biased (I don't know enough about the protagonists to have a view, and any story needs to follow a specific path anyway, as opposed to a dictionary or raw data), I don't think anyone can attack the veracity of the content, owing to the numerous references.

[Lucia Cervera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I like books that assume that the readers are grown ups; instead of pretending that we are children and do not understand how things are handled sometimes (or many times). To pretend that everything was love and sweetness in the lives of these powerful people, especially in the 50s to 80s, in which years they could keep secrets more easily than today, is very naive from my point of view. There were intrigues and scorn and infidelities and there were even murders. That seems more real to me than the fairy tales of the good-natured super-millionaires or presidents of countries.
I liked "Nemesis" is well documented, well narrated and with its transfondos, very interesting.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, fascinating and definitely engaging story behind Onassis and Kennedy’s animosities. And Jackie Kennedy’s materialism that makes her just another white for money is simply revolting. I will never stop wondering why America cherishes the cult of Kennedy’s when they always were as big of scumbags as any other criminal - including Onassis ...

[Richel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a tablod material. I don't believe what were written about Jackie. This book is aimed at nothing but to blemish the First Lady.

I don't recommend the book to others.

[Erin West · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting, gossipy read. I had NO IDEA how convaluted the whole Kennedy lifestyle and how black the deeds by powerful men and women.

[MJPDX · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad...shocking details of the lives of the rich and famous in the 60s.

[Dna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sufficiently juicy.

[Liz Spradling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this down!

[Richa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can be called a moralistic saga, that illustrates very succinctly, few universal truths. We can also call this historical account as a factual Aesop's Fable for the mature reader. Another way to describe this tale is to call it a Modern Greek Tragedy, containing all the essentials to make it a classic.
Lets sum up the morals that we learn here -
1. Evil begets evil.
2. Money, power and sex does not ensure happiness.
3. If you feed a dangerous entity, it might or might not do your job completely, but it will attack you at the first chance it gets.
4. Jealousy is a fuel, albiet, a fuel that consumes the host to sustain itself, after its object has been achieved.
5. Karma exempts none.
6. The glamorous, the rich and the glitterati, have many sodden skeletons buried inside them and hidden around them. We can also say, the cost of fame, is always extravagant and over priced. Too exorbitantly expensive to ever be worth the trouble.

Evans has presented this historical episode in a very factual, detailed and well researched manner. The footers provided are as interesting as the main body of this book. The references help to understand better the entire intrigues, and also, lend authenticity to the claims offered by the author. A very well written book.
What one is left with at the end of this book, is an oft occurring question -- for all the prices paid by all the people in this story, was it worth the trouble?

[Alana Cash · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is loosely about Aristotle Onassis paying for the murder of Robert Kennedy. It did not convince me.

There is no one likable in this book - the author makes sure of that. They were psychpaths, narcissists, and weak criminals. Not very interesting. The author's preoccupation with their sex lives, taking a position of prurient and lascivious interest made the him seem like a middle-school kid standing outside a school bathroom trying to peek inside to see who is doing what. People have sex, so what.

The author is also star-struck by people with a lot of money and that also gets old.

I gave the book 2 stars (not 1) because I did finish it and because it entailed a lot of work and research. And, the writing is very easy to read. But I don't recommend it.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t really know what to think! The book read real slow for me for the 1st half and the 2nd half read like a novel that was nearly unbelievable. The author does seem to have direct and legitimate sources however it is difficult to decipher everyone’s agenda when they all seem at least mildly corrupt. I don’t know! All I know for sure is that it shined a whole different, extremely unflattering to say the least, light on Jackie Kennedy and I don’t think I can ever think highly of her again after reading this...

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Released in 2005, the premise behind this book is that Aristotle Onassis, husband of Jackie Onassis, financed the Robert Kennedy assassination.

It was an interesting read, but I felt it went way too into the fields of trashy books designed only to spread gossip. I was curious to learn more about the idea that Jack thought that Jackie was cheating on him and that their stillborn daughter isn't theirs, but there is little exploration of this.

Also cannot see Bobby doing the stuff he was described as doing.

Still, it was alright.

[Krttika Kumar]

I would give this book an 8.5/10. The author, Peter Evans, made the book understandable and explained certain events in the book really well. I also liked the fact that this was a biography and I could relate to some of the events that occurred throughout the book. Evans wrote the book extremely well and captivated my attention right from the introduction of the book. I would definitely recommend to others, though it is a slightly difficult read.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm done. I made it 3/4 of the way through and I just have to leave it. The topic is sensational but the writing is boring. Imagine that...taking a sensational and controversial topic and sucking the life right out of it. Too many characters too many nefarious plots too many footnotes. It would literally put me to sleep when I would try to read before bed. I am putting it in the little free library by my house...

[Darla Ebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

History comes into more of clarity via the research of this author. I was astonished by the facts and details he uncovered and in retrospect they make sense. Without resorting to spoilers I will just say that though disappointing, yet it is refreshing to read of the HUMAN-ness of the characters in this book.