Customer Reviews

The Best Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I think I can liberally say, and that others will agree, that the Kennedy family revels in their iconography (for example, the catalogue for the JACQUELINE KENNEDY: THE WHITE HOUSE YEARS exhibit.) However, every once in a while, they have an inspiring moment that allows us to see the person, and not the icon, that is celebrated. This book is one of those moments.

Now, it is a definite possibility that someone is going to complain when they get this book--they will say that there is nothing new revealed about Jackie, and that nothing Caroline Kennedy says has any depth when discussing her mother. Yes, they are right--there is nothing new revealed here, but Caroline Kennedy is not the type of person who would write a tell-all-book in the first place. As she says, this book was written because her mother gave her family their love of poetry, and she wants to inspire others to develop their own love of poetry too.

As for the poems, they range from the Biblical to the very modern poets like e.e. cummings. The book is divided into 7 sections: America, First Poems, Adventure, Escape, Romance and Love, Reflection, and In Her Own Words.
Each section opens with an introduction by Caroline as to why her mother liked or was inspired by the poems, and some of the poems have footnotes explaining why they were particularly important to include in the book.

Another thing people will be bound to complain about is that all the poetry that JKO wrote that is included in this has been published before. But that is acknowledged by Caroline, and as she explains it--that were included to encourage people to write poetry of their own.

This book was very clearly designed in such a way to make you want to pick it up and read it on a cold, windy, rainy day...sitting around the fireside... (The pages have an old book look to them) ....which is probably why it was released in October, and not, in say, June.

And as for myself, I can't put it down, even if (as some future reviewers will probably say) it is all fluff and puff with "no" substance. (I do think poetry is substance in case you are wondering!)

I will not tell you to buy whether to buy it or not, but please keep in mind it is an ANTHOLOGY OF POEMS above all else, and NOT an in-depth look of how JKO's love of literature would influence her throughout her life.

"The Best Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis," selected and introduced by Caroline Kennedy, is a beautiful book which is both a memorial to our former First Lady and a testimonial to how cultured and informed she was.

The volume is also a short course in poetry, as it spans the centuries & includes works by such renowned authors as Langston Hughes, William Shakespeare, Homer, W.B. Yeats, Emily Dickinson, e.e. cummings, and Robert Frost.

Onassis' beloved poems reveal her in depth in a manner the newspapers could not, as a patriotic American, a loving bride, a thinker, a dreamer, an adventurer, a humorist, a poet, and perhaps most of all, a dedicated and loving mother.

Surely there is no better tribute to a mother than to have a loving child publish such a book.

What a pleasure to read EACH of these poems. So many have familiar parts, and now I see them in context. I'm not a real poetry fan, so I am unfamiliar with what others might call "chestnuts." I was looking for good things to read to my 7-yr-olds, and this is wonderful. For them and for me. Thank you for a wonderful collection that is going to lead me to buy the complete works of many of these poets.

There are some short poems in this book that are very enjoyable. The poems by Edna St Vincent Millay and Emily Dickinson are great examples. I was drawn to Hope Is The Thing with Feathers I loved the interesting title, but I also appreciated the wonderful metaphor in the poem about what hope is. I loved Portrait By a Neighbor by Edna St Vincent Millay. Her poems exemplify that mere observations and perceptions can be very poetic.

I loved the poem Ithaca because it is such a motivational poem. It has wonderful vivid images. This kind of poem can motivate people to go out and seek their own adventure Another motivational poem is Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening. The last stanza of the poem was quoted by President Kennedy in his speeches. It is a great poem about determination and staying true to your goals.

Loss can be very poetic. This is evident in another one of my favorite poems in this book Annabelle Lee. It is a lovely lyrical poem about losing the love of one's life. It is about loving a person so much in life that you can't bear to live without them after they are gone.

The section in the book written by Jacqueline O herself is noteworthy. The essay about The Books I Read When I was young is very inspring. Jackie O's poem about her husband Meanwhile in Massachusetts is very reflective and prophetic.
This is one of the best books I have read all year.

A very good friend of mine gave me this beautiful collection for Christmas and it is one of my most favorite gifts to date. As a great admirer of both Jackie Kennedy and poetry I was delighted to find that the book not only featured beautiful poetry but a truly in-depth view of Jackie Kennedy as well. The same friend who gave me this book pointed out that so much can be learned about people based on the books and poems that they treasure and this was undeniably the case for me with this remarkable collection. The book, lovingly compiled by Caroline Kennedy, features poetry with themes ranging from Childhood, National Pride, Equality, Romance and Inspiration. It includes well- known poems such as `She Walks in Beauty' by Lord Byron to lesser known poems such as `When a Beggar Beholds You' (author unknown) illustrating Jackie Kennedy's dedication to the written word and her talent as an editor to collect and treasure remarkable beauty in literature. Caroline Kennedy also does a remarkable job of providing the reader with very poignant and touching family memories revolving around her mother's genuine appreciation of poetry and literature and how this love was passed on to her as well as how she continues to pass this love onto her own family. In fact, Caroline Kennedy also included some of her children's favorite poems including the lovely `He Wishes For the Heavens' Cloths' by Alfred Lord Tennyson showing that Jackie Kennedy Onassis' love of beauty and literary genius lives on with her grandchildren. Within these pages there are also beautiful pictures of the family as well as touching and heartwarming poetry written by Jackie Kennedy herself. Amazingly beautiful, this collection is a delight for all readers as well as a powerful tribute to an extraordinary girl, woman, wife, mother and icon.

Since poetry and a love of literature were passions of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, it is a touching memorial to her life that daughter Caroline has chosen to share her mother's favorite works of poetry. Each section begins with an introduction from Caroline that relates some interesting information about Jackie, how she raised her children, her spirit of adventure, her trips into imaginary places, and her belief in the importance of love and family. Poetry was a daily part of life in the Kennedy home and you'll find interesting information on the poetry scrapbooks that Jackie encouraged her children to keep, the poems they memorized for family gatherings, and more.

Although most of the poems contained in this volume may be already familiar to the seasoned reader, you will find three original poems by Jackie herself as well as an essay taken from a book she helped put together. From the poem Robert Frost read at JFK's inauguration to Rose Kennedy's favorite she recited often, you'll enjoy this trip back to Camelot. My personal favorite that I was so happy to find included in this volume was the beautiful "Ithaca" by Constantine P. Cavafy. This, as you may recall, was the poem Jackie's friend Maurice Tempelsman read at her funeral. Its message of enjoying the journey, the "beautiful voyage" seems to exemplify more than any the private lady we all admired.

It is impossible to select a favorite poem in this book, because they are all so beautiful and unique. I loved the diversity of themes in this book. There are poems about America, Adventure, Escape, Reflection, Romance and Love. These were subjects that were important to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Caroline Kennedy writes such eloquent introductions to each theme. Each introduction gives us a glimpse into what a beautiful person Jackie Kennedy was.

There are several passages from the Bible that are just wonderful. I loved the passage from Ecclesiastes, because it so deep and philosophical in the way it describes the cycle of things in life. The passage from Matthew is very good because it talks about the virtues we should all try to cultivate like being merciful and being pure of heart. The 23rd psalm is a wonderful poem. It teaches us to accept and not to be afraid of death.

I loved the poems by Robert Frost and Langston Hughes selected in this book. Let America Be America Again addresses the subject of inequality. This poem is so optimistic and patriotic as Hughes identifies himself with every race in America. One of my favorite poems by Robert Frost is presented here. I really enjoyed the Road Not Taken because it has a very clear message. Each of us has to make a decision about what path we want to take in life and that decision is not always easy.

Some of the love poems in the book are hard to understand especially the sonnets and the poems I loved the line Shall I compare thee to a summer's day. Even though I didn't understand the whole poem, the first two lines are beautiful. I loved She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron because of the poet's descriptive words and memorable phrases like the first line she walks in beauty like the night I really like the last 2 lines of this poem. I seek someone whose mind is at peace and whose heart whose love is innocent as the poem suggests. This is such a enjoyable book. It has inspired me to continue writing poetry of my own.

I would just like to say a few things: Namely, the person who wrote that review about Caroline confusing the time period when Paul Revere and her grandmother Rose were alive is completely wrong. Caroline was NOT confusing this; she didn't mean that her grandmother literally caught a glimpse of Revere, but that when Caroline was a child she thought her grandmother was the oldest person in the world and thought that Rose might've seen him.

Secondly, to the other person from S.C. who thinks that Caroline is cashing in on her mother's celebrity: The book is a tribute, not something to be used for monetary gains. Caroline has too much respect for her mother and family to do that, and plus she's loaded, why would she need the money?!!

This book is a nice, loving tribute to a famous mother who happened to like poetry. What's wrong with that?

Let me say, first off, I think Caroline Kennedy has done an excellent job in putting "Best Loved Poems" together. I had never seen such a wonderful, eclectic collection in one volume. There is a poem for every mood, or any adventure. Plus, the love Caroline had for her mother shines throughout each page. The added addition of Jackie O's own poems makes this a must own.

There are few poetry books that I have felt I needed to own. I find it tiring to read the same poet over and over again. Or, just read poems related to one subject. But, this one is different. I couldn't pass it up and I suggest you don't, either.

If you want to know someone, see what he reads. This maxim is even more true of that most personal of disciplines: poetry. The choices of Jacqueline Kennedy tell more about her than the most slavish "in-depth" interview.

The book is divided into six sections: "America," "First Poems" (children's poems), "Adventure," "Escape," "Romance and Love," and "In Her Own Words." Each section has a forward by Caroline Kennedy commenting on the selections. The collection is diverse and eclectic. Caroline's observations, though fond and proud, are quietly made.

Ms. Onassis shows a great deal of adventurousness, a surprisingly passionate nature, a wonderful sense of fun and wit, and a streak of melancholy. Some of the poems will be familiar, like returning old friends; others will be a new gift. She was very fond of Yeats, Donne and Elizabeth Bishop; all of whom can be both giddy and profound. I have always thought Elizabeth Bishop's "The Art of Losing" (entitled here as "One Art") was only a poem for the very tough of soul. The last verse:

--Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident
the art of losing's not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) a disaster.

Caroline Kennedy says the following Emily Dickinson excerpt "always reminded me of my mother,"

"Inebriate of air am I,
And debauchee of dew;---
Reeling through endless summer days,
From inns of molten blue."

What an evocation of elegance that is, and what a tribute from a daughter to a mother!

I received this book as a gift from my daughter. It is printed on a fine grade of paper and has a royal blue ribbon bookmark. I think it makes an excellent gift and is a nice addition to a collection of poetry.