One Special Summer

by Jacqueline Bouvier, Lee Bouvier, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

In 1951, eighteen-year-old Lee Bouvier and her twenty-two-year-old sister Jacqueline took their first trip to Europe together. Jackie had already spent a year in France living with a French family and attending the Sorbonne. Her many cards and letters had made her sister Lee want nothing more than to see Europe with Jackie.   Having convinced their parents, the two young ladies set off to see the continent. As they traveled, they sketched and kept notes, creating an illustrated journal of their time abroad, which they presented to their parents as a thank you upon their return; that delightful chronicle is ONE SPECIAL SUMMER . 
 
Join Jackie and Lee for a tantalizing glimpse of a lost crossing the Atlantic by ocean liner, visits with counts and ambassadors in Paris, art lessons in Venice, and white gloves in the afternoon. Smile at the social agonies all young women suffer in common—how to politely consume an oversized hors d’oeuvre, the horror of slipping undergarments, and the art of fending off unwanted romantic advances.

Genres: Travel, Memoir, Nonfiction, Art, Biography, Graphic Novels, Womens

72 pages, Hardcover

Published April 11, 2006

Reviews

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you have Seasonal Book Syndrome? It's when you find yourself picking up a particular book at the same time year after year. Seasonal Book Syndrome always hits me in the summer when I have to pick up One Special Summer by Jacqueline and Lee Bouvier.

I came across this book a few summers ago. I had just finished A Thousand Days of Magic: Dressing Jacqueline Kennedy for the White House by Oleg Cassini, which for a Vogue-loving political science nerd like me was total book porn, and I wanted to read more about Jackie. I was also taking a French language course to apply for a program in France at the time. Opening this book, written in 1951 by a 22-year-old Jackie and a 18-year-old Lee, was like seeing what I wanted for my future diary.



I checked this book out of the library so many times I hoped my librarian would pull a Beauty and the Beast move and insist I just keep it. I even had my "But sir! ...Thank you. Thank you very much!" ready. Sadly, life isn't a Disney movie. I ended up getting the latest Rizzoli edition from Amazon for $10 in 2008, but it was clearly a used copy and I've been kicking myself ever since for not buying a new copy for $20 more.

So what is this book about? One Special Summer was Jackie and Lee's scrapbook of their trip across Western Europe right after Lee's graduation from high school. This wasn't written in hopes of getting published but rather as a thank you to their mother, who preferred homemade gifts. Jackie and Lee compiled a handwritten scrapbook of their various adventures, with illustrations and poetry by Jackie and descriptions and summaries by Lee.

The first edition was published in 1974, after Jacqueline Bouvier had become First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and then Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. In the prologue of the Rizzoli edition published in 2006, Lee Bouvier Radziwill wrote,

This was an ode to discovery, youth, and adventure by one very young.

Flipping through these pages, I understand why my mom always harped on me about keeping a diary. Of course I didn't listen, but I wish I had, especially when I think back to my first trip to Europe. When I went to live in France, I kept this book in my mind and forced myself to journal. I didn't journal every day or even every week, but I tried to record special moments and feelings. I even embarrassingly tried a doodle or two.

This is such a great book to give young adults, especially those who are longing for their first trip abroad. There are dated references, such as telegrams and third class cabins on boats, but the excitement and the anticipation of an 18-year-old girl going to Europe for the first time is the same. It's creative and imaginative in a way that posting pictures to Facebook will never be.

Something that people may find off-putting is that this book and the two upper class girls who wrote it are very much products of their time. When Lee meets a flirtatious man from Lebanon on the boat, she writes,

Jackie has warned me about the quirks in the sex lives of Near Easterners!!

The flip side to that, though, is that this book seems like a honest snapshot of the era, albeit from a very privileged perspective. When Lee and Jackie try to re-sell the cheap used car they bought, they meet with a lawyer-turned-missionary who says he doesn't want to pay much because "$5 could keep an African child alive for a month and every $5 he spent on himself meant one more would starve to death." The girls' response?

We were for slaughtering the whole tribe but his conscience would only let him starve 206 of them.

Definitely not something you picture coming out of the mouth of the future First Lady, right? I loved seeing the sarcastic side of a young Jackie, especially since the image that's ingrained in the history books is of a refined, proper figure -- not someone who'd say something so Jessica Darling. I love that nothing's been changed from the original 1951 scrapbook, not even the things that could've been viewed as politically incorrect when it was first published in 1974.

One Special Summer is a unique and colorful look into the lives of two sisters on the cusp of adulthood. The fact that one sister grew up to be one of America's most famous and guarded women makes the book even more special. This is one of my favorite books and, though out of print, definitely worth tracking down. If not at your local library, there are used copies on Amazon.

This review appears on Young Adult Anonymous, along with a few more pictures.

[Cynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1951 the then Jacqueline Bouvier (later Kennedy and Onassis) and her sister the then Lee Bouvier (later Radziwill) took their first trip to Europe together. Like many others at the time, they chose to travel by ship rather than airplane--as can be seen on the illustrated book cover.

Their mother Janet Auchincloss preferred her daughter's handcrafted gifts, many of which were writings and drawings. This book is of the same stuff. Within it can be found memoirs, cartoons, descriptions, photos, and more.

Lee did most of the writing in a an informal style as it was written for her mother and her stepfather who had paid for the sisters' European trip. The writing is clear, concise, descriptive, and humorous.

Jackie did most of the art, photography and drawings. The sketches show that Jackie has found her European trip interesting, informative and sometimes strange/unfamiliar. The art is of a good student. Perhaps Jackie Kennedy Onassis could have become a good graphic artist if money and prestige had not been such an issue.

Well-executed family souvenir. It shows that these women were intelligent not just beautiful and elegant.

[talia ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is such a treasure to me in a way that i cannot exactly put into words. i have been insanely invested in old hollywood/glamorous people of history since i was 10 years old and would scavenge garage sales, book stores, and libraries for biographies of those interesting folks that have been out of print since the 70's (see my collection of books on lizzie siddal or marthe bibesco). and obviously, like any kid in love with history and glamour, i loved jackie kennedy and lee radziwill—especially since, as a pole, lee is considered royalty to us. this book was such a beautiful and creative glimpse at the sisters' first european tour together, filled with lovely illustrations, funny entries, and rare photographs. as someone who regularly travels back to europe (back to my real home) every summer, it's funny to see how i used to try to emulate the way the bouvier sisters travelled. i pincurled my hair, wore wide-brim hats with bows, had delicate lace gloves, and tried to develop a trans-atlantic accent, all at the age of 11. i also overplucked my eyebrows and bleached my persian skin with lemons every day for three years so there was some very un-glamorous damage done; thankfully, my thick eyebrows grew back and my skin has recovered over the years.

all in all, this is the most charming, summery "diary" that we have the pleasure of owning and reading! it reminds me why journaling and doodling is so important and has to be done, at least every summer.

[Sharon Ouderkirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming journal of the adventures of Jacqueline and Lee Bouvier who spent the summer of 1951 in Europe. Lee had just graduated from high school, and Jackie had already spent a year in Paris. Together, they explored the continent in high-spirited delight.
I think the book demonstrates their spirit of adventure, and most especially the sisterly bond of laughter. Jackie and Lee shared a similar sense of the ridiculousness of life, and the book has a subversive undertone that upends the overlying tale of two well-raised young women on a trip to Europe. The book could have been stuffy and reeking of money and privilege, but Jackie and Lee could not be contained by white gloves and proper attire: their youthful attitude takes the stiffness out of their surroundings. The drawings (mostly by Jackie) give a stylistic verve to the events.
It's a refreshing and optimistic book, inspirational for all young women who want to take on the world, but may start with a summer trip to Europe.

[Susann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pleasant little diversion created by Jackie and Lee and presented to their mother after returning from their European Tour. For the most part, Lee handled the narratives and Jackie did the illustrations. It was not meant to be published and probably would have stayed in the family attic, if Jackie had not become Jackie. It was fun to imagine the stories that the sisters were *not* sharing with their mother.

[Bruce]

This was a really sweet little reminiscence of two sisters' tour of Europe in their late teens and early twenties in 1951. A beautiful combination of colored drawings, photographs and hand written anecdotes and poems captures their young gay innocence and obvious affection for one another as well as an interesting snapshot of life in a certain part of society that existed then.

The fact that it was written by Jackie Kennedy and her sister Lee Radziwill and describes a life of partying with ambassadors, senators and counts with such casual nonchalance that it seems like they assume that every teenager who goes to Europe runs in the same circles is both odd and surreal but oddly ends up contributing to the sweetness of the book as well.

A lovely insight into a moment in time, what Europe was like in the early fifties, what life among the upper crust was like at that time and the personalities of its two authors.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read the historical fiction novel Jacqueline in Paris by Ann Mah as well as Clint Hill’s memoir My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy - (I rated them both 5 stars) - so when I discovered this short book written by both Jackie (Bouvier Kennedy Onassis) and her sister Lee (Bouvier Radziwill) documenting their “special summer” in Europe of 1951, there was no question I had to read it as well.

Originally published in 1974, this was a journal/scrapbook of their trip that was a gift for their mother, created in appreciation for allowing the sisters to embark on their first trip to Europe by themselves. Lee says, “It was an ode to discovery, youth, and adventure by one very young.” Lee was 18 and Jackie was 22 during this special summer.

A combination of colored drawings, illustrations, photos, handwritten anecdotes, and poems captures the carefree attitude and witty sense of humor, or as Lee says, “a state of joy and laughter, which was our mood throughout the trip.”

The book is a time capsule of a different time period, and a different lifestyle – of the privileged upper class. At that time traveling to Europe was usually undertaken on an ocean liner, not a plane. Manners and protocol were more rigid (white gloves worn in the afternoon), but the fun-loving sisters took advantage of this trip to have a memorable adventure. We are fortunate that they documented it so cleverly, and that Lee discovered it years later in her mother’s attic and decided to publish it for us.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since I was reading another book about the Kennedys, I decided to take a break from that and read this. Its been on my shelves for a long time. Does anyone take a grand tour of Europe anymore. The book seems dated but did capture the excitement of two young women, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and her sister, Lee Bouvier Radziwill on a really big adventure. The book is a collection of drawings, poetry, photos and notes from the trip. It was given to their mother as a thank you for letting them go. Its a sweet remembrance of a trip of a lifetime.

[LeAnne]

Cute book, not interested in reading the entire book. The illustrations were fun.

[Carolyn Griglione · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely. Thanks for the Christmas gift.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read. LOVE the illustrations.

[Mrs.Chardonnay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such fun: Two sisters travelling across Europe in the long ago summer of 1951. Just two ordinary well-heeled young ladies who ended up being international fashion icons -- a first lady, and a princess. They compiled their notes into a journal for their mother, and it was later rescued from obscurity and published in 1974.

I love that the book is oversized, and it feels like you're browsing through a family scrapbook of handwritten letters, snapshots, scribbles and illustrations about their adventures and mishaps -- from crashing a party in the first-class section of the Queen Elizabeth, to getting into a squabble on the way out the door to a fancy party. "Oh, I don't even want to go," moaned Lee, who got stuck wearing a "great yellow thing" of a dress that she hated, which annoyed her big sister! " 'Don't you ever want to meet fascinating people?! Or just spend all your time with your dreary little American friends,' exploded Jackie as we raced down the hall.”

Jackie also wrote this bit of poetry:

"Oh, we're not at all what you think we are
We've traveller's checks and a little car --
And passports we know we never must lose
We wear white gloves and shine our shoes
But in Venice we looked for a falling star."

I just loved this and recommend it if you're in the mood for a vintage, fairy tale of a story about two of the world's most famous women, when they were still ordinary young girls.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming, funny, whimsical book is the 1951 summer travel account of 22 year-old Jacqueline Bouvier (Jackie Kennedy Onassis) and her 18 year-old sister, Lee Bouvier (Lee Radziwill). Jackie did all the illustrations and artwork, wrote a lengthy poem ("I looked for Lee, Oh where did she go" - Mais vous n'avez pas vu ma petite soeur) and wrote the travel parts on Rome and Spain. Lee described the rest of their adventures: the crossing on the ocean liner QUEEN ELIZABETH, and their times in London, Paris, and Italy. The journal was a gift to their mother in 1951 and was resurrected many years later in a search through her attic. Lee's hilarious story of attending a Paris chamber music soiree and having her bloomers fall to her feet is accompanied by fun artwork by Jackie. These girls had sneaky good fun on this trip of theirs!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book!

This is a “scrapbook” of the Bouvier sister’s trip to Europe in 1951. It is filled with sketches, photos, and writings from both Jacqueline and Lee, and is fascinating to read today. Things were very different for young debutants back in those days. The book is a wonderful time capsule, as well as a chronicle of the sister’s first time traveling together.

Two years later Jackie would marry Senator John F. Kennedy at Hammersmith Farm in Newport, RI.

And the rest is history.

[Liisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful, light little book about two sisters travels to Europe. It was written to their mother and contains Jackie's wonderful humorous little sketches along with written tales by Lee. I had no previous knowledge of Jackie's art ability and enjoyed seeing her work. I never knew of her until she was President Kennedy's wife.

[Mary Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful little book relating the European travel adventures of the Bouvier sisters written as a gift for their mother. Jackie’s drawings are charming and amusing as are both their commentaries of their travels. It was helpful to have read, The Fabulous Bouvier Sisters, prior to reading this for some context.

[Yi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The text is a remarkable lens onto the privileged travel of two girls in the 1950s; the illustrations, though, are what really make this book. Who knew Jackie Kennedy could draw? I loved poring over the drawings she made for this scrapbook.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book after recently reading a book about the college year Jackie spent in Paris. This particular book is a wonderful collection of drawings, letters and other memorabilia from the summer Jackie and her sister traveled to Europe in 1951. This was a very fun and interesting read.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting as an approach to travel writing. A glimpse of another era and the travels of young women of privilege .

[Dean Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Star artistry. Such creativity. It’ll be my permanent coffee table book. It’s a bygone era, so fun to recollect it.

[Ashley Reading Stewardess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first came across this book at the beginning of June while I was visiting the JFK Library and Museum outside of Boston. Upon my return home, my mom provided me with her copy of the book to read. Although a quick and easy read, I still found this travel diary by the Bouvier sisters, a gift to their mother, to be enjoyable because it provided a bit of insight into Jackie Kennedy's life as a young woman traveling through Europe. The various escapades which Jackie and her sister found themselves involved in were humorous and quaint. The drawings, which were done by Jackie, I found to be beautiful and a great way of adding additional illustration to the photos which were compiled in the scrapbook. I would definitely suggest this book to anyone who is interested in Jackie's life before meeting and marrying John.

[Debbie Hoskins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this in the oversize collection, an excellent example of visual journaling. The sisters are talented, but if Jacqueline wasn't famous this probably wouldn't have gotten published. The stories are funny and the illustrations are fun also. My mother enjoyed reading it, too. She said it reminded her of her Mother's trip to Europe and how that generation was different from the way things are now. The cover is appealing and done by a professional illustrator.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must disclose first that I'm a "Jacquelineaphil", so I love most books written by or about Jackie, having said that, 'One Special Summer' was a charming, sweet & quick read. I am traveling abroad with my two daughters for a few weeks and our journey will take us to several countries & this book has inspired me to create a travel journal with my daughters of our special trip that we too can look back upon some day! :)

[Beth]

I gave this book to my sister five years ago.
If you itch for summer, crave a trip with your sister, especially if you might have or did in the 50's, or want to float in the time and place--love Jackie and Lee or not, you'll enjoy their sketches and notes, a scrapbook originally made for their mother who allowed them to go visit counts and find their own way at 18 and 20. Their sense of the ridiculous in situations is history.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jackie and Lee wrote the text for their mother who shared their experiences and aquaintances in a way the reader could not. There are too many holes in the narrative to make it a solid read--but it's cute and entertaining and there's something satisfying in knowing that the elegant Jackie O once worried about what to wear!

[June Pecchia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be there... with Jackie and Lee on the sister-trip of the 1950s: an ocean cruise to start a Grand Tour!
What fun creativity in words and images by these two debutantes!
Keep in mind: it's a period piece, with the mindset of the American uppercrust of the 1950s. You may take offense at some parts, but don't let it stop you from enjoying the entire book.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was originally a gift to their mother--a memoir of a summer trip to Europe in the 50s done with sketches and notes and pictures. A glimpse into the Bouvier sisters lives before Jackie became something else. Sweet...

One Special Summer

[Marianne Ogden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacqueline and her sister made this book to remember their first great trip to Europe on their own. It is beautifully illustrated with their drawings and photos. I found it at the library in the oversized book section. It was adorable!

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, delightful, happy, sweet, charming, light read filled with personal antidotes, old postcard & treasured memories of 2 sisters traveling through Europe. A love letter to Jackie's Mother. Simply beautiful!

[Michelle]

oprah rec - jacqueline bouvier