Sweet Caroline: Last Child of Camelot

by Christopher Andersen

She is the heiress to a legacy of power, wealth, unfulfilled promise, and unspeakable tragedy. Her father was gunned down before a stunned world forty years ago, forever changing the course of history. Her mother became the most celebrated American woman of the twentieth century -- an icon of style, glamour, and personal courage. Her brother was the most promising Kennedy of his generation -- a global heartthrob who was killed when his plane crashed within sight of his mother's estate on Martha's Vineyard. Through it all, the sole surviving member of Camelot's First Family, Caroline Kennedy, has remained largely a mystery. Until now. In the manner of his #1 "New York Times bestsellers "The Day Diana Died and "The Day John Died, as well as his other bestselling books on the Kennedys, "Jack and Jackie and "Jackie After Jack, Christopher Andersen draws on important sources -- many speaking here for the first time -- to provide a full, compelling portrait of Caroline, the young wife and mother left to carry on in her legendary family's name. Among the revelations: New details about life inside the Kennedy White House -- and the events surrounding JFK's assassination -- from Caroline's unique perspective. A spellbinding account of the surreal years she spent as the stepdaughter of Aristotle Onassis. Caroline's own battles with a variety of harrowing personal problems, both physical and emotional. The times she, too, cheated death; the stalkers who have caused her to fear for her life. Her often frustrating attempts to carve out an identity for herself in the shadow of her famous mother. Her loves, and the enigmatic character she chose to marry. The way she coped with the heartbreakinglosses of her father, mother, and brother -- as well as the countless catastrophes that have plagued the Kennedy family over the last half-century and the demons that haunt her to this day. How she is raising her children, and what lessons she is teaching them about love -- and loss. "Sweet Caroline: Last Child of Camelot is an often moving, always captivating look at the life of one little girl who was handed more than her share of heartache -- and has not only survived but flourished. It is the story of America's daughter.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, Politics

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Christopher Peter Andersen is an American journalist and the author of 32 books, including many bestsellers. A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Andersen joined the staff of Time Magazine as a contributing editor in 1969. From 1974 to 1986 Andersen was senior editor of Time Incorporated's People Magazine. He has also written for a wide range of publications, including The New York Times, The New York Daily News, Life, and Vanity Fair.

While his early nonfiction books veered from psychology (The Name Game) to true crime (The Serpent's Tooth) to art collecting ('The Best of Everything', with former Sotheby's chairman John Marion), he is best known for his controversial biographies. Between 1991 and 2011, he published 14 New York Times bestselling biographies. Andersen wrote Mick: The Wild Life and Mad Genius of Jagger to mark the 50th anniversary of the Rolling Stones in July 2012. The book quickly became Andersen's 15th New York Times bestseller.

Reviews

[Laurel-Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a compelling and page-turning memento to a long-ago dream—of the iconic Jack and Jackie and the legend of Camelot—this story begins with the parents, spotlights Caroline and John-John as they grow up in the eye of the public, and then outlines their individual quests for privacy amidst the media storms that surround them.

Much of the early part of the book was familiar to me, having read several other Kennedy family chronicles, but it is in the second half that I really came closer to knowing more about Caroline herself. The tragic princess who faced life's tragedies with dignity, and yet who was forever the well-behaved and good girl member of the family, displayed her only rebellions when she, like her mother before her, sought an independent life whenever possible.

At times, I found myself tearing up as I relived some of the moments played out for the public's eye, like Jackie's death; John's tragic plane crash; and the constant barrage of paparazzi and stalkers that became as much a part of Caroline's life as the famous name and the legacy that shrouded her life and prevented any attempts at normalcy.

In the final pages of Sweet Caroline: Last Child of Camelot, the author really grabbed me with these passages:

"Perhaps more than any other American's, Caroline's personal life paralleled that of the country. Her private tragedies were our national ones—from the assassinations of her father, Jack, and her Uncle Bobby to the untimely deaths of her mother and her brother. John would be remembered for delivering history's most famous salute at their father's state funeral, but it was Caroline who would remember it all, and become a repository of her family's—and the nation's—grief...."

And in this excerpt: "As the public got to know the grown-up Caroline better, it became increasingly clear that, like Jackie, she displayed what Arthur Schlessinger called `a certain gallantry.' She could not escape her destiny any more than her father, mother, and brother could escape theirs. From the beginning, Caroline was—and remains—America's daughter."

There is nothing more that I can say to convey how touched and affected I was by this story. Five stars seem inadequate. This is a book I would highly recommend for anyone who enjoys tales of family, of obstacles, and of the American political life and its iconic figures.

[Rupal Patel · Rating 3 out of 5]

She is the heiress to a legacy of power, wealth, unfulfilled promise, and unspeakable tragedy. Her father was gunned down before a stunned world forty years ago, forever changing the course of history. Her mother became the most celebrated American woman of the twentieth century -- an icon of style, glamour, and personal courage. Her brother was the most promising Kennedy of his generation -- a global heartthrob who was killed when his plane crashed within sight of his mother's estate on Martha's Vineyard. Through it all, the sole surviving member of Camelot's First Family, Caroline Kennedy, has remained largely a mystery. Until now. In the manner of his #1 New York Times bestsellers The Day Diana Died and The Day John Died, as well as his other bestselling books on the Kennedys, Jack and Jackie and Jackie After Jack, Christopher Andersen draws on important sources -- many speaking here for the first time -- to provide a full, compelling portrait of Caroline, the young wife and mother left to carry on in her legendary family's name. Among the revelations:

New details about life inside the Kennedy White House -- and the events surrounding JFK's assassination -- from Caroline's unique perspective.
A spellbinding account of the surreal years she spent as the stepdaughter of Aristotle Onassis.
Caroline's own battles with a variety of harrowing personal problems, both physical and emotional.
The times she, too, cheated death; the stalkers who have caused her to fear for her life.
Her often frustrating attempts to carve out an identity for herself in the shadow of her famous mother.
Her loves, and the enigmatic character she chose to marry.
The way she coped with the heartbreaking losses of her father, mother, and brother -- as well as the countless catastrophes that have plagued the Kennedy family over the last half-century and the demons that haunt her to this day.
How she is raising her children, and what lessons she is teaching them about love -- and loss.
Sweet Caroline: Last Child of Camelot is an often moving, always captivating look at the life of one little girl who was handed more than her share of heartache -- and has not only survived but flourished. It is the story of America's daughter.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition. Amazon.com

[Lennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While there is so much written about JFK, jr. it is refreshing to read about Caroline Kennedy. Despite all the loss she has suffered over the years and the tragedies she had to endure, I think Caroline has done an amazing job in carrying on her family's legacy with the charities she's involved with that bear the Kennedy name. I enjoyed reading this book and it was nice to learn some things about the daughter of one of the greatest presidents.

[milena sherman]

what if your dad DIED and then your mom DIED and then your brother DIED

[Terimorse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am one of those people that felt President Kennedy would have been a wonderful president had his life not been taken so soon. So the Kennedy's have always intrigued me and found Sweet Caroline a very good and detailed read into her life after losing her whole family. Caroline Kennedy really is an amazing person to be able to cope with what she has had to endured all these years.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read. My heart certainly went out to Caroline and all the losses she suffered from her Dad’s assignation to her brother’s death. I certainly don’t think I could’ve been as strong as she was/is. I also can’t imagine living in such a fishbowl and having every little thing you do captured by the paparazzi. Learned a lot about the family in this book as well.

[Cyndie Adamski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated with Camelot and the Kennedys . I have read many books about Jackie and JFK and John John, but not much was said about Caroline. This book was full of more eye opening things about the Kennedys relationship that was more in depth than most books. The best part of the book was that it truly is about Caroline. What her life was like and the person she became . If the Kennedys interest you I think this book will be eye opening.

[Koren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written bio of a child of a US president. Your heart will go out to this woman who has suffered so much loss in her life. I just wanted to wrap my arms around her and give her a hug. The bio starts with the death of her brother and then backtracks to her parents early years. If you have read other bios of the Kennedys you may not learn much new until you get to the post presidential years. I was interested in Caroline's relationship with her step-father, Aristotle Onassis and his family and also what has happened to her in her adult life. The book was published in 2003 so it ends before the death of Ted Kennedy, who was an important father figure for her. My eyes were opened to what it is like to live in the public eye and constantly be followed by the media and curiosity seekers, which is a common theme throughout the book.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

An informative account of the American era known as Camelot, when the name Kennedy first became part of American households.
To understand Caroline Kennedy one must understand the Kennedy Family if indeed that is possible. This book is just as much about all the Kennedy influences on Caroline as it is about Caroline Kennedy the daughter of Jack and Jackie, the Brother of John (John John) and the current Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg.

[Rho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this book up in a used book sale - was unaware of it. I could not put it down - a very quick read. I have always had respect for the way Caroline has dealt privately with happiness and sadness. Jackie did a great job as a mother when she could have ended up like Ethel!

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book,though it was much more about the Kenedy family in general than Caroline specifically.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good biography, however it is unauthorized so you don't really know how much of it is true.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

FABULOUS book. Christopher Andersen is one of the best Kennedy authors

This woman has seen it, lived it, breathed it all and yet holds her headup high,amazing what she has lived through

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written, well-documented biography of Caroline Kennedy, a little girl born into privilege but destined for heartbreak.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read with stories about Caroline john Jackie and JFK.

[Pam Herrmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Caroline Bouvier Kennedy. I never realized how much death the Kennedy family endured until I read this book. They didn't have very good odds of making it to old age. She was almost 6 when her dad John Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Bobbie Kennedy was assassinated in 1968. Her stepfather Ari Onassis died in 1975. Her London host's neighbor Gordon Fairley was killed by a car bomb that Caroline was supposed to be in right around that time. Her mom Jacqueline died in 1994. Then her brother John died in a plane crash in 1999. Her mom had a stillborn daughter the year before Caroline was born and another brother Patrick who died 2 days after being born in 1963.
Caroline was a very private person and struggled with the media who would not leave her alone. I read that she is now an Ambassador to Australia. She is married to her husband ed Schlossberg and they have 3 children, Rose, Tatiana and John aka Jack.

[Ruthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of Kennedy books, but never one solely focused on Caroline. I really loved this book and loved learning about her and her pov on the historical events that shaped her life, but also the simple things that make her who she is. Also really liked the writing style and how it felt like a story and not so documentary/interview style

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writing and good reading. Difficult to imagine all the tragedy that this woman has faced. I always felt a slight kinship with her because she is less than a month older than I am. I do wish that there had been some evidence of a knowledge of God and His promises rather than only leaning on the routines of their formal church upbringing.

[Jasmine Dorsett · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very insightful to be able to look a little closer into the personal lives of the Kennedy's and hear personal witness to hippie they lived and dealt with loss. I've always loved the Kennedy family and I loved this book.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it’s typical of these types of biographies but at times, especially early in the book, I felt like I was ready excerpts from the National Enquirer. That put me off enough that I read the rest of the book thinking that at least 50% was dubious at best.

[Noreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jackie preferred Caroline’s husband to be 12-15 years older. Jackies advice to her children “You would do well to consult with Maurice Templesman on financial matters.” On her dying days , she advised her exhausted children to go home and get some rest. With celebrity comes crazy loonies. Aristotle Onassis wanted ultimate trophy wife in Jackie.

[Kay Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. First half basically a repeat of things already known however I didn’t know much about Caroline’s life as an adult. A remarkable lady who’s strength and dignity belies her tiny frame.

[Tom Sparrenberger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read several other Christopher Andersen Kennedy books, I didn't find the book overall that "new/fresh" but was the first book that solely focused on Caroline. She's lived a life of privacy from the start and still carries that torch today.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully intimate biography of a very private woman. Christopher Andersen does a good job profiling America's favorite princess, and reveals how she became the woman she is today. A great read that was over too quickly.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at Caroline Kennedy who has managed to stay mostly out of the spotlight. But what a lot of tragedy in her life -- so much for one person to bear.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A glimpse into her life

[Vickie Mcintire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Learned new things about the Kennedy’s.

[Cheryl Blask · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done and excellently sourced biography.

[Paula Dembeck · Rating 2 out of 5]

This unauthorized biography of Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of former American President John F. Kennedy, follows her life from her birth until after the tragic death of her brother John. Jr.

Caroline entered the White House when she was three, immediately becoming a public figure adored by the American public. Anderson portrays her as a shy, reserved and well-behaved child, in sharp contrast to her brother, whose playful energy often led to his more erratic behavior.

As a young adult, she was personally strong, known to maintain her dignity no matter what was going on around her. As she and her brother grew up in the White House, the two stayed close, although John had a very different personality, remained easily distracted, struggled with his bar exams and was known to engage in “risky behavior”. On the other hand, Caroline always did well academically, attended Radcliff College, graduated with a Fine Arts degree in 1980 and then studied law at Columbia, graduating in 1988. In 1986 she married Edwin Schlossberg, but never changed her name. The couple have three children.

In 1999 John Jr., his wife Carolyn and her sister Lauren were killed when the plane he was piloting on the way to a Kennedy family wedding, crashed off the coast of Massachusetts. Caroline was devastated by yet another tragic family loss and has rarely spoken about his death. She is now the sole surviving member of her immediate family.

As an interesting aside, Anderson’s narrative portrays Caroline’s mother Jackie as a chain-smoking anorexic and bulimic, who took amphetamine cocktails, administered by a physician, considered an acceptable practice at the time.

Although this is the story of a privileged young girl, she has endured so much, yet has always showed her strength through the losses of her father, her uncle Robert, her mother Jackie, and her brother John. She came out of her shell after her brother’s death, but remains a very private person.

This is a well written, very easy read. There are no dramatic reveals or shocking tell-all moments. It is simply the life story of the well-known daughter of a former President, who Americans have continued to admire.

[Debi Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

John F. Kennedy was assassinated Nov. 22, 1963 exactly 1 week before my 13th birthday (on the 29th). Along with most people alive at that time, the images linger, especially those of Caroline and John Jr. Since that day, I have not been able to celebrate a birthday without thinking of the assassination. When I found out that JFK's funeral was held on John Jr.'s 3rd birthday and Caroline's 6th was only 2 days later (2 days before my own), I was saddened beyond belief: if the assassination affected me so profoundly, what was it like for these 2 small children who would never celebrate a birthday without being reminded - very publicly - of the loss of their father? Through the years, Jackie dominated the news, then John Jr., but not much was heard of Caroline. I was always curious about this girl/woman, only 7 years younger than myself. Another great biography by Christopher Andersen has satisfied my curiosity. He paints an excellent portrait of a very courageous woman.