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The Uncommon Wisdom of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: A Portrait in Her Own Words
Gathers Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's views on marriage, raising children, political ambition, grandchildren, widowhood, worry, and life
156 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
19 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Bill Adler
335 books15 followersBill Adler pursued his goal of being the P.T. Barnum of books by conceptualizing, writing, editing, compiling and hustling hundreds of them — prompting one magazine to anoint him “the most fevered mind” in publishing.
Mr. Adler achieved early success by collecting and publishing letters children had written to President John F. Kennedy. He followed up with children’s letters to Smokey Bear, Santa Claus, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew and President Barack Obama, among many others.
He helped popularize novels written by political, entertainment and sports celebrities, supplying ghostwriters and even plots. He signed up beauty queens to write diet and exercise books.
As an agent, his clients included Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, Howard Cosell, Mike Wallace and Ralph Nader.
Mr. Adler was best known for his own titles. He wrote “What to Name Your Jewish Baby” (1966) with Arnie Kogen and “What Is a Cat? For Everyone Who Has Ever Loved a Cat” (1987). In 1969, he compiled “The Wit & Humor of Richard Nixon.” In 1995, he published “Cats’ Letters to Santa.”
One of his more famous tricks — a word he preferred to gimmicks — was the 1983 mystery novel “Who Killed the Robins Family?” by Bill Adler and Thomas Chastain. On the cover was an offer of a $10,000 reward for solving a series of fictional murders.
A team of four married couples from Denver won by coming up with the answers to 39 of 40 questions posed in the book. The book reached No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list in January 1984 and remained there for the better part of a year, selling about a million copies.
“Ideas are my mistress,” Mr. Adler told United Press International in 1986, saying he used his “given abilities to conceptualize books.”
It was People magazine that commented on Mr. Adler’s “fevered mind” in 1983, adding that publishing traditionalists regarded book packagers like Mr. Adler as “money-crazed barbarians with the sensibilities of turnips.”
Referring to Mr. Adler’s books, Roger W. Straus Jr., president of the publisher Farrar, Straus & Giroux, told People: “They’re pretty chintzy, as a rule. It’s like throwing a quarter in the street. If you listen attentively, you find out it ain’t silver when it hits the ground.”
Others disagreed. “I consider Bill Adler unparalleled in the publishing industry — terribly, terribly original,” Mr. Cosell said.
One of Mr. Adler’s best-selling books was a collection called “The Kennedy Wit.” The president’s aides approved the project early in the administration, but Kennedy was said to have been angry about it, causing Random House to drop the idea. Mr. Adler suspected that the president had not wanted his humor emphasized so soon after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961.
After 35 more publishers turned the book down, Mr. Adler finally obtained a $2,500 advance from Citadel Press, a small publisher. The book, released in 1964, after the president’s assassination, was on the New York Times best-seller list for more than six months and sold more than 1.4 million copies.
William Jay Adler was born in Brooklyn on May 14, 1929. His parents died when he was a child, and he was raised by relatives. He attended Brooklyn College for three years and was drafted into the Army, then trained as a flamethrower for the Korean War.
After finding out that flamethrowers led infantry into battle, he applied for Armed Forces Radio, saying he had experience in broadcasting, though he did not. He was a disc jockey in Tokyo until his discharge in 1953. He then worked in broadcasting, as humor editor at McCall’s magazine and as a book editor for Playboy, where he first came up with book ideas.
One brainstorm was to ask the Kennedy White House if he could read mail sent to the president. In a time of much looser security, he was allowed to spend the day copying letters in the White House pos
Mr. Adler achieved early success by collecting and publishing letters children had written to President John F. Kennedy. He followed up with children’s letters to Smokey Bear, Santa Claus, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew and President Barack Obama, among many others.
He helped popularize novels written by political, entertainment and sports celebrities, supplying ghostwriters and even plots. He signed up beauty queens to write diet and exercise books.
As an agent, his clients included Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, Howard Cosell, Mike Wallace and Ralph Nader.
Mr. Adler was best known for his own titles. He wrote “What to Name Your Jewish Baby” (1966) with Arnie Kogen and “What Is a Cat? For Everyone Who Has Ever Loved a Cat” (1987). In 1969, he compiled “The Wit & Humor of Richard Nixon.” In 1995, he published “Cats’ Letters to Santa.”
One of his more famous tricks — a word he preferred to gimmicks — was the 1983 mystery novel “Who Killed the Robins Family?” by Bill Adler and Thomas Chastain. On the cover was an offer of a $10,000 reward for solving a series of fictional murders.
A team of four married couples from Denver won by coming up with the answers to 39 of 40 questions posed in the book. The book reached No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list in January 1984 and remained there for the better part of a year, selling about a million copies.
“Ideas are my mistress,” Mr. Adler told United Press International in 1986, saying he used his “given abilities to conceptualize books.”
It was People magazine that commented on Mr. Adler’s “fevered mind” in 1983, adding that publishing traditionalists regarded book packagers like Mr. Adler as “money-crazed barbarians with the sensibilities of turnips.”
Referring to Mr. Adler’s books, Roger W. Straus Jr., president of the publisher Farrar, Straus & Giroux, told People: “They’re pretty chintzy, as a rule. It’s like throwing a quarter in the street. If you listen attentively, you find out it ain’t silver when it hits the ground.”
Others disagreed. “I consider Bill Adler unparalleled in the publishing industry — terribly, terribly original,” Mr. Cosell said.
One of Mr. Adler’s best-selling books was a collection called “The Kennedy Wit.” The president’s aides approved the project early in the administration, but Kennedy was said to have been angry about it, causing Random House to drop the idea. Mr. Adler suspected that the president had not wanted his humor emphasized so soon after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961.
After 35 more publishers turned the book down, Mr. Adler finally obtained a $2,500 advance from Citadel Press, a small publisher. The book, released in 1964, after the president’s assassination, was on the New York Times best-seller list for more than six months and sold more than 1.4 million copies.
William Jay Adler was born in Brooklyn on May 14, 1929. His parents died when he was a child, and he was raised by relatives. He attended Brooklyn College for three years and was drafted into the Army, then trained as a flamethrower for the Korean War.
After finding out that flamethrowers led infantry into battle, he applied for Armed Forces Radio, saying he had experience in broadcasting, though he did not. He was a disc jockey in Tokyo until his discharge in 1953. He then worked in broadcasting, as humor editor at McCall’s magazine and as a book editor for Playboy, where he first came up with book ideas.
One brainstorm was to ask the Kennedy White House if he could read mail sent to the president. In a time of much looser security, he was allowed to spend the day copying letters in the White House pos
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 11, 2012
Lemme be honest: I thought I knew a decent amount about Jackie O., but the truth is, I just knew a lot OF her. This is an incredibly simple format for a book: A wealth of quotations in the order of her life events. What I took from her is that, basically, her picture should be next to the word "cultured" in the dictionary, and she kicks ass. Oh, well, I already knew that - sort of. Anyway, it's a good start or a great supplement to her history.
November 12, 2011
With so much written about the famous Jackie-o, it was fun to read some statements that "she" actually said. The book was a fun, light read. No great secrets are revealed in these pages, but still worth the time to read.
August 21, 2020
If I liked anything about Jacqueline is her uncanny ability to be unapologetically herself.
September 12, 2022
I'm a great admirer of Jacqueline Kennedy and her role in making us appreciate our national treasures-The White House, Grand Central Station, and Lafayette Square most famously. A passionate book lover and accomplished book editor, she never wrote a memoir. This little volume presents Jacqueline's words, thoughts and humor on subjects from the personal to the political, from the White House restoration to the horrible day in Dallas. These pages show a woman of keen intelligence, a sharp wit, and appreciation of culture and beauty. And despite what we have read, her reflections on Rose Kennedy, from an early meeting to years later-years of such loss-may surprise you. Touching.
January 4, 2022
"Soldier on, whether you like it or not".
~ Jackie Kennedy
This book is a collection of her quotations over the years. I admire her honesty and selfless love towards her husband.
She was an incredibly strong woman who went through such painful times. I hope she is at peace now inshallah.
~ Jackie Kennedy
This book is a collection of her quotations over the years. I admire her honesty and selfless love towards her husband.
She was an incredibly strong woman who went through such painful times. I hope she is at peace now inshallah.
September 26, 2020
I loved this book. It feels personal to follow her life story through her own words. I regret that I read a Kindle version instead of a physical copy because I missed those historic photographs that Bill Adler included in his book.
January 1, 2024
Jacqueline Kennedy, a portrait of elegance, confidence and grace. Not only did I enjoy reading the book, I also felt her true personality emerge from the pages. It is an easy read and I think anyone interested in First Ladies should find it a worthwhile selection.
August 1, 2024
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is an accomplished woman in her personal and public life. Bearing tragedy with dignity and grace and leading her own life to protect her children with an unusual marriage. On her own again in NYC she worked in publishing, lived on Martha's Vineyard and enjoyed life.
May 13, 2020
Memories of the ex-first lady of America and ex-wife of the richest person in Europe. Not about beautiful picture that everyone saw, but rather the complex and hard reality she met with.
January 9, 2020
Learn of the multiplicity within one person, who is the subject. Mostly short personal quotes in historical and biographical context. Easy to peruse. Toward the book’s end, poignant and powerful insights into this Twentieth Century woman’s life.
This might be as accurate and full public portrait anyone will ever see of Jackie.
I’m grateful to have...
1) learned how to read,
2) found and
3) completed it.
This might be as accurate and full public portrait anyone will ever see of Jackie.
I’m grateful to have...
1) learned how to read,
2) found and
3) completed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2022
A little book sale book I almost didn’t buy. Happy I did. I read others comments on this book and need to agree with them. I’ve read quite a bit about this fascinating woman and found this book to reveal a bit more about her. She was first class all the way.
She was so perfectly mannered & dignified and always had the most gracious, elegant way with words. To be constantly in the public eye and always exceptionally composed. No wonder people can’t get enough of the woman.
August 2022- Re-read - The woman still fascinates me.
She was so perfectly mannered & dignified and always had the most gracious, elegant way with words. To be constantly in the public eye and always exceptionally composed. No wonder people can’t get enough of the woman.
August 2022- Re-read - The woman still fascinates me.
September 15, 2015
This is a collection of quotes by the former First Lady, as well as excerpts from some of the many other books written about her over the years. The book also includes a DVD of the Biography Channel portrait of Mrs. Onassis.
Since I have read extensively about Mrs. Onassis, there were few quotes here that I had not seen elsewhere, but for someone new to reading about her, this, along with the DVD, would be a good place to start.
**#64 of 100 books pledged to read/review during 2015**
Since I have read extensively about Mrs. Onassis, there were few quotes here that I had not seen elsewhere, but for someone new to reading about her, this, along with the DVD, would be a good place to start.
**#64 of 100 books pledged to read/review during 2015**
December 24, 2013
Very interesting and revealing to see the words actually uttered by someone who is as close to American royalty as one can get. From all these words, I sense a highly intelligent yet unhappy, repressed woman, and I can't help but wonder how her perspective would be different had she been born twenty or thirty years later.
November 23, 2007
Jacqueline was the kind of woman I admire, because of her personality and how she lived her life. This book is a perfect one to read if you just can't stand biography...you get to know someone more by reading her/his words, this just suits me.
March 2, 2010
I just love Jacqueline Kennedy - she's like the American equivalent of Princess Dianna. This book was a fun read - just a lot of her own quotes grouped together into categories. It gave me another small glimpse into her life.
June 9, 2008
I must say, I enjoyed the documentary more than the book. That being said, Jackie was a gifted writer. I love to read her writing because she was so inquisitive and assertive- very entertaining.
March 11, 2011
Interesting to read how Mrs. Onassis looked at her life.
November 3, 2012
Not the best biography (after all its only quotes) but not a bad read, and not a bad place to start for those interested.
December 7, 2014
I loved it
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews