The Kennedys: America's Emerald Kings: A Five-Generation History of the Ultimate Irish-Catholic Family

by Thomas Maier

Meticulously researched, The America's Emerald Kings examines the Kennedys as exemplars of the Irish Catholic experience. Beginning with Patrick Kennedy's arrival in the Brahmin world of Boston in 1848, Thomas Maier delves into the deeper currents of the often spectacular Kennedy story, and the ways in which their immigrant background shaped their values--and, in turn, twentieth-century America--for over five generations. Bringing together new research, exclusive interviews, as well as his own experience as an Irish American, Maier brilliantly illustrates the defining role of the immigrant experience for the country's foremost political dynasty.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Politics, American, Biography Memoir, Kennedy Family

736 pages, Paperback

First published October 6, 2003

About the author

Thomas Maier is the author of "MAFIA SPIES", the non-fiction spy thriller/murder mystery of how the CIA recruited two American mobsters to kill Cuban leader Fidel Castro during the Cold War, with themes very timely to today's Trump era. In a starred review, Booklist called MAFIA SPIES "enormously fun...succeeds brilliantly." Maier's previous 2014 book "WHEN LIONS ROAR: The Churchills and the Kennedys," published by Random House's Crown imprint. He is also the author and a producer of "MASTERS OF SEX", the Showtime series based on his book of the same name, which tells the story of researchers Dr. William Masters and Virginia Johnson. His other books include: "The Kennedys: America's Emerald Kings, which was adapted for Warner Home Video DVD, and the critically acclaimed Dr. Spock: An American Life, which was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year in 1999. His 1994 "Newhouse: All The Glitter, Power and Glory of America's Richest Media Empire And the Secretive Man Behind It", is currently being developed by Sony Pictures Television. Maier is a special writer at Newsday and won numerous national awards. He lives in Long Island, New York.
www.thomasmaierbooks.com

Reviews

[Ashley Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars

I don't think it's fair to call this a five-generation history when its main focus is clearly Joe and John and, to a slightly lesser extent, Bobby. It's understandable, of course, but using the subtitle of "A Five-Generation History of the Ultimate Irish-Catholic Family" feels disingenuous when all members don't get the same amount of attention. Yes, it's an enormous family. I dabble in genealogy, I understand the issues with that. But as we followed Patrick and Bridget Murphy Kennedy to America from Ireland, and we saw PJ Kennedy's rise among the Boston Democrats and his son Joseph's own impact on American and world politics from the 1930s-1960s, the book seemed to narrow in its scope. On the one hand, how could it not? The sprawling lines of such a large family would threaten any attempt at an overlying plot thread.

But to then reach Joe and Rose's nine children and largely ignore several of them? Unacceptable. Joe Jr died young, Kathleen died young, and we all know what happened to Jack and Bobby. They all received solid coverage, as did Ted and, later, Jean. Rosemary's lobotomy and subsequent shunting aside was made clear, but the author seemed uninterested in pursuing anything else about her. I don't remember hearing much about Eunice beyond her marriage to Sargent Shriver, whose name was bantered about as he worked with the brothers' political campaigns; I was expecting more about the Special Olympics, I think. Similarly, I don't remember anything about Pat besides her marriage to Peter Lawson. Of course, it's entirely possible that I'm simply misremembering what I've heard over the last few days.

The fifth-generation area of the book stuck to John and Bobby's children which, again, is understandable but also lends it an air of being incomplete. If you're going to write a five-generation history, you might wish to cover all of the people in those generations. Or at least I would.

With that said, this was a very good book in the sense that it gave a solid overview of the family's influence alongside the strength of their ties to Catholicism and their ancestral home. The various scandals and tragedies were glossed over more than I'm used to, but this isn't a tell-all or tabloid sort of book. My favorite parts included Jack's trip to Ireland in 1963 and Jean's work as US ambassador to Ireland with the Clinton administration.

-----
Narrator issues:
- it's RO-sevelt, not ROO-sevelt, despite what the spelling may make you think
- these people are "confidants", rather than "confidents"
At least it's not like you read for a living or anything.

*This book appears on the assholes-with-money shelf thanks to Joseph Kennedy*

[Bryan Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really was fascinated how much influence the Irish background really was for the Kennedys. You get hints about it in other books, but this really fills in a much needed gap in the Kennedy literature. You should read this book to get a fuller picture of the Kennedy clan.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very, very good political history book. Lots of interesting detail on politics and politicians from the 1940 Boston wards to 1960's presidential politics and more. I understand now why the Catholic church is reviled by some. (The church has been involved in politics for a long, long time in a very meddlesome manner.) Drones on a bit particularly when discussing Bobby Kennedy's piousness and towards the end when writing about JFK Jr.. But, other than that it's a very good read.

[Bookish]

The Irish Catholic family, its trials and triumphs, is all laid out in this multi-generational history, which goes back to Ireland and brings the family up to the 21st century. Thomas Maier shows how faith, clannish attitudes about political loyalty, and devotion drove not just the most politically successful generation of Kennedys—Jack, Bobby and Teddy—but the ones who gave them the chance. —John R. Bohrer (https://www.bookish.com/articles/book...)

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

750 pages long...took me probably about 3 months to finish it. Very interesting as it began with the Fitzgerald and Kennedy families in Ireland and how they ended up in America. Lots of older family history that I had not read before. Also, it did not draw out all the 'other' history that we've all either read in the past or lived through in real time.

[Annie Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book a little draggy, perhaps because it focuses more on the political than the personal.


Editing this to say at second reading I enjoyed it immensely. I've become more interested in politics of late so maybe that has influenced my reading tastes.

[Mavi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read

[Mboconnor31 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book. Originally, I picked this book for my mother who due to macular degeneration can no longer read. She asked me to find a book that would explain where the Irish came from. I chose this and it was a winner. It starts with the Kennedy clan's ancestors in Ireland and how the failure of the potato crop caused a mass exodus to the USA, including Patrick Kennedy, Joseph Kennedy's grandfather. And as the history of the dynasty unfolds you become steeped in modern history, traveling to England during WWII where Joseph Kennedy was Ambassador under FDR's administration to the ascent of Joseph and Rose Kennedy's son John aka Jack Fitzgerald Kennedy, JFK, to the presidency of the USA. Put your seat belt on for the Bay of Pigs, the machinations of the Roman Catholic Church and the early years of the Vietnam War.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I made a huge mistake checking out these tapes from the library. It could be the worst 3 dollars I ever spent. Part of the problem is the mawkish reader but his style perfectly matches the nauseating narrative that I've listened to up through the first 2 tapes. So far, I haven't heard anything except the standard whining about how tough life has been for the Irish in the land that they took by slaughtering the peaceful inhabitants that had the misfortune to arrive before them.

I'll give it my best but I don't see any chance of finishing it.

Well, I got about halfway through and finally felt guilty about running up library late fees. In fairness, I will give the book credit for becoming somewhat more objective -- at times. And interesting.

[Annetteb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book fed my curiosity about the Kennedy family - a by-product of growing up in the JFK era. Though the book wasn't a great book, I learned a lot about Irish history, the K. family and the papal influence on the US political system. If there was another Kennedy book I'd surely read it and likely it wouldn't be a page turner but I'd read it anyway.

[Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really surprised by this book to learn about how much Irish imigrants, and catholics, were persecuted 100-150 years ago. I'd known about John Kennedys comments on the separation of church and state, but reading this book puts that speech in a whole new context.

[Scott Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb. Even if you do not care for the Kennedy clan, this book is as much about the history of Irish Catholicism in America with ample research into the conditions in Ireland leading to the mass emigration. This is meticulous research worthy of 5 stars.

[Rafael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really details the life of the how the Kennedy family created their wealth during the most difficult times in America. Good read especially detailing the family history of events with the sisters and brothers to JFK.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A LOT of information, but very good if you are interested in learning more abuot the Kennedys

[Deborah Harless · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the first half....then became pretty repetitive about the importance of Catholicism in the lives of the Kennedys

[Tommie · Rating 3 out of 5]

More information than I can possibly use about the Kennedy clan. Good book telling the story of the family from their days in Ireland as O'Kennedy up until John-John's plane crash.

[Alberto Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting; from discriminated minority to Camelot.

[Hank Pharis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a pretty good overview of the history of the Kennedy clan. I learned a lot of new trivia along the way but nothing especially enlightening.

[Florie · Rating 3 out of 5]

You always understand people better after learning their heritage.

[Paul Callahan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Big book but the focus was on the family’s Catholicism. Not the book I was looking to read but it was interesting.
I was 11 when JFK was elected. 11 year old kids are not really interested in presidential elections but I was an Irish Catholic going to parochial school in Massachusetts and John Kennedy was adored in my family. I also knew that helps religion made him a lightning rod for anti Catholic hatred around the country. I remember the mother of one of my friends telling me that “your Catholic Kennedy will never be elected in this country”. That was probably the first political discussion I ever had. I had no idea why she was so pissed off.
I think I was looking for something less parochial. Joseph Kennedy is a fascinating character and I was more interested in his rise to power. I didn’t realize what an important figure he was within the American Catholic Church and his influence extended all the way to the Vatican.
The 1960 election was possibly the most impactful election of my life and while the focus of this book is clearly aimed at the religious aspect of that election my interests extended well beyond those narrow parameters.
The saga of the Kennedys is a sprawling one and it is probably naive of me to think there is a single book that will give me the full story in one fell swoop. I’ve come away with two books added to my to do list; The Dark Side of Camelot by Hersh and Robert Kennedy: His Life by Evan Thomas.
I’m giving this book two stars. I found it a slog at times and I should have done more research before diving into it but the heavy focus on the religious aspect of the family, while informative, I found of little interest.

[Nancy]

I almost never write a review, but I can't let go of the fact that the terms "mentally retarded" & "mental retardation" were used several times in this book when referring to Rosemary Kennedy. If this was truly written in 2003, that terminology hadn't been used for decades and the author & editors should be ashamed! As a sibling of a physically & cognitive sister born in roughly the same era, I can assure you that our family & friends who also had disabled children didn't refer to our loved ones that way. No other comments other than for the audio version, it should have been abridged.

[Carolyn James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Massive read, but incredibly engaging - history and biography wrapped together with the fluidity of a good novel. Read in 2007. It did make me want to learn more about the members not well covered (and I have!) This remains one of the best books I've ever read.

[Lori Winslow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the subject matter interesting, and it also took me a long time to get through the book. Not an easy read for me.