Camp David Diaries Volume IV Jackie Kennedy 1961-1963 [Paperback]

Pamela Kay Thorson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2002

Volume IV Jackie Kennedy (1961–1963). After being lulled into complacency by the Father-Knows-Best Eisenhower administration, Americans are suddenly caught up in the whirlwind of the vivacious Kennedy presidency. Blue-collar workers earn $100 a week. Postage stamps rise from four to five cents and the zip code system begins. We are all mesmerized by Alan Shepard and John Glenn, the Beatles, the Bay of Pigs, and the Cuban missile crisis. The Berlin Wall is built in just four days, and Nikita Khrushchev begins testing nuclear bombs in the atmosphere.

Volume IV contains comments by each succeeding First Lady (Lady Bird, Pat, Betty, Rosalynn, Nancy, Barbara and Hillary), who also have diaries of their own (Volumes V – XI).

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The author spent four years researching the materials for these diaries and two years preparing them for print. She is a graduate of Drake University with a BFA degree in Theatre Arts. She performs her original one-woman shows about the First Ladies throughout the country and was named 'Best Actress in Florida' by the Florida Association of Community Theatres for her portrayal of Jane Austen. She has had her own television show, penned articles for international corporate business magazines, written dozens of industrial video screen plays, produced and been on camera talent for many national and regional commercials and infomercials, and has performed lead roles in some 50 stage productions. She is also an award winning Director and playwright. In 2001, Ms. Thorson won the prestigious Lake Worth Playhouse best new play contest for "Eleanor & Hillary" which she wrote.

Product Details

• Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: Sterling-Miller Publishing Company (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0931791073
• ISBN-13: 978-0931791079
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,394,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Pulling The Wool Over Our Eyes For A Buck, June 26, 2008

By 

S. Childers (Dallas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Camp David Diaries Volume IV Jackie Kennedy 1961-1963 (Paperback)

I agree with the previous poster who is upset about purchasing these books thinking that they are authentic. As one who has been a student of the presidency since I was young, I believe that this is a terrible disservice for students of presidential history. I was stunned when I came across one volume of this book at a used bookstore today as I had never heard of this "secret" diary before and (attempting to be humble) I thought that I had an excellent working knowledge of presidents and their families. I am glad I bought this book used at a used bookstore and didn't order it through Amazon, or worse, the author's website. I am a reader of historical fiction, and I have no problem with that genre. What I do have a problem with is the author's slick way of couching these diary entries as authentic. There is no disclaimer in the introduction, no "historical fiction" wording anywhere on the book, and no statement that I could find (unless it is deeply buried in the text) stating that the book is a work of fiction. It wasn't until I visited the author's website and read very, very carefully, that I learned book was completely made up. I feel like a sucker and that I was duped. Thankfully, I only forked over a couple of bucks for this typographical error-filled, proofreader-needy "book." If the author wants to sell books, fine---just be honest with us readers.
Incidentally, Jackie Kennedy rarely visited Camp David, nor did Bess Truman---neither cared for the place very much. And Jackie was far too savvy, shrewd and not to mention private, to ever write her intimate thoughts down if she felt that it could ever be read by others, or worse, published for the masses. Same for Bess---she burned most of her old love letters from Harry. When he caught her systematically tossing these letters into the fireplace, he said "Bess, think of history!" Bess looked at him, pitched another stack of letters into the fire, and said, "I am."

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY! New Information On Jackie!, June 11, 2003

By 

Joseph J. Russo (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Camp David Diaries Volume IV Jackie Kennedy 1961-1963 (Paperback)

I am a huge Jackie Kennedy book collector and have read almost all there is written on her. I can say that although this is a very short book that it has to be one of my absolute favorite books on Jackie. It does what all the other books only speculate on, which is: describe Jackie's feelings on her husband's infidelity. As this book is taken from the private journals of not only Jackie during her time at Camp David, but of other First Ladies and their thoughts on Jackie's entries, I have to say it is the most honest book I've read. The honesty factor does go both ways though. It also shows how catty and petty other First Ladies were in regards to Jackie. Nancy Reagan is especially foul and resentful of Jackie's stay in the White House, which is shown in this book. I almost cheered from joy though when reading Hillary Clinton's entry in response to Nancy's vile messages about Jackie: "Oh shrivel up you old prune!" Ha-ha. :) In fact, after reading this book I have found new respect for Hillary as she states that she can relate to Jackie in that her husband was also unfaithful while in office. And even shock of shocks, Barbara Bush has an entry that she feels her husband was also untrue to her with his own personal secretary. All in all, this book was just so good that I couldn't put it down. I encourage all Jackie fans, or even those interested in the lives of First Ladies, to consider this book. You'll be very happy you did.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This Is FICTION, August 5, 2006

By 

E. Rusch (Grand Rapids, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Camp David Diaries Volume IV Jackie Kennedy 1961-1963 (Paperback)

Many people have purchased, read and provided reviews of this series "Camp David Diaries", with the belief that these are the actual diaries and the words written are that of the actual First Ladies. This series is not fact and these "diaries" where NOT written by the First Laides themselves, as many have been lead to believe. This is simply Pamela K Thorson's idea of what the First Ladies MAY have written. I am deeply disappointed as I purchased these books and read them believing they were written by the actual First Ladies. Upon reading an interview of Pamela K Thorson in 2004, Ms. Thorson states that she made up the diaries and she made up the entire concept of the diaries. I am angry as I feel as I have been duped into thinking this was the real thing. No where in the book is there a disclaimer that this is fiction. Many people are under the impression these are the words of the First Ladies and have developed opinions of these women (some negative which is unfair to the First Ladies since they did not write this), based on the idea that this is a factual account of their time in the White House. Pamela K Thorson and her publisher, Miller-Sterling, has done a disservice to the public and should be ashamed of themselves for not being honest with the public.