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Forever Young: My Friendship with John F. Kennedy, Jr. [Hardcover]

William Sylvester Noonan (Author), Robert Huber (Author)
3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)

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Book Description

September 19, 2006
A uniquely intimate portrait of John F. Kennedy, Jr., from his closest friend

For twenty-five years, William Noonan and John F. Kennedy, Jr., were best friends. Sharing an adolescence in Hyannisport, Massachusetts, the two frequented beach bonfires and the Monday night yacht-club dances, took road trips, shared albums, sneaked cigarettes on the widow’s walk of John’s house, and scored beer together. And as they grew older, John and Billy never lost the connection they forged in the Kennedy compound as two young boys who had both tragically lost their fathers.

A humble and touching memoir, Forever Young uncovers the private John F. Kennedy, Jr., from the matchless vantage point of a longtime childhood friend. Forever Young is packed with never-revealed details of John and Carolyn Bessette’s courtship and wedding, the launch of George, John’s unusually close relationship with his mother Jackie, and the heartbreaking aftermath of the plane crash off Martha’s Vineyard that killed John, Carolyn, and Carolyn’s sister. Noonan also shares the more ribald episodes, including John’s many famous conquests, skirmishes with paparazzi, and his stint as People’s “Sexiest Man Alive.” The definitive story of the son of Camelot, Forever Young is a touching and revelatory tribute to a friendship between two men—and a life cut devastatingly short.


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Forever Young: My Friendship with John F. Kennedy, Jr. + The Men We Became: My Friendship with John F. Kennedy, Jr. + What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Though listeners will undoubtedly question Noonan's motive in penning this memoir-as well as his assertion that he and John F. Kennedy Jr. were best friends-Grupper's fluid, impartial delivery allows the material to speak for itself, resulting in an audio that is both easy to enjoy and easy to debate. Noonan has set out to debunk what he calls the "prince of Camelot myth" surrounding John. In its place, he draws a portrait of a flawed but intelligent individual who continually struggled under the weight of his legacy. Noonan's memoir is best at relaying anecdotes, such as the night Noonan tried to take on the paparazzi after John's 18th birthday bash, earning him the tabloid title of John's "beefy buddy." The audio isn't all fond memories, however, and at times something akin to bitterness creeps into Noonan's narrative. Though this may cause some listeners to tune out, most will take these moments-which Grupper wisely doesn't dramatize or downplay-in stride and enjoy the glimpse Noonan provides of the son of the Camelot myth.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

William Sylvester Noonan is a graduate of Boston College.

Robert Huber is a senior editor at Philadelphia Magazine and recently completed his first novel, Finding Carol.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 228 pages
  • Publisher: Viking Adult (September 19, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0670038105
  • ISBN-13: 978-0670038107
  • Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #497,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

49 Reviews
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 (10)
3 star:
 (4)
2 star:
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Average Customer Review
3.5 out of 5 stars (49 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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33 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars Forever Boring, November 6, 2006
This review is from: Forever Young: My Friendship with John F. Kennedy, Jr. (Hardcover)
I was anticipating loving this book. I am an Irish Catholic, from Boston, and a fan of the Kennedy legacy. Forever Young does not tell you anything new. The author is a megalomaniac and it comes through loud and clear in his writing. He credits his father and himself for many things that occur in JFK's and JFK Jr.'s lives. Another reviewer wrote how they were appalled about the way William Noonan treated his mother. I could not agree more. This review seems to be more about the author than the book about JFK Jr. That seems fitting, since the book is really more about Billy Noonan than the person you are interested in learning more about, JFK Jr.
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19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An Exceptional Man, November 10, 2006
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This review is from: Forever Young: My Friendship with John F. Kennedy, Jr. (Hardcover)
I've never been a JFK detractor or big fan but have always admired the way JFK, Jr. carried himself. This book confirms that what the public saw in the brief moments was really exactly what he appeared to be, a well grounded, bright, loyal, compassionate man who valued his privacy but could live with the attention maybe better than anyone thus far.

Written by one of John's longest friend, Billy Noonan describes how they met on the Cape and how they lived their lives. Billy spent a great deal of time with Jackie also and gives a great perspective of her life and his respect for her. In addition, Billy lost a father at 13 and had this in common with Jr.

This book is nothing more than a tale of two Baby Boomers living in a glorious period in America. But when one of the "normal" individuals is JFK, Jr., it takes on an entirely different perspective. The incidents that happened due to this fame are interesting to read as he relays his fascination and JFK, Jr.'s frustration dealing with the problem. Unfortunately, Carolyn Bessette was not equipped to deal with this intrusion into a normal life. I remember the incident where JFK poured water on a paparazzi on the Cape intruding on Carolyn and how he later came out and talked with the photographer attempting to apologize or at least ask for space. This is what is conveyed in this book. A compassionate individual who understood much more than the world will ever know. Always willing to help others in the world and as relayed by Noonan, a deeper understanding of the world problems brought out in their debates where Noonan took on a more conservative approach.

I haven't voted Democratic and encourage you to not let your politics influence your decision to read this book. JFK Jr. is as close as this country will ever have to royalty and this book confirms what I've always felt, he wears the crown well.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Forever Sad, April 23, 2008
By 
S. J. Goldberg "scottie" (Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Forever Young: My Friendship with John F. Kennedy, Jr. (Hardcover)
I bought this book with some trepidation since Billy clearly sold his soul to write it. But, I could not resist. I was always a great admirer of JFK, Jr. - he was such a classy guy - and such an immense force to try to harness for friendship. The book lays out in vivid detail their amazing friendship and the many happy and horrifying times they shared. This book basically makes you a "fly on the wall" witnessing one of the most profound and beautiful friendships ever put to print. I could not put it down - JFK, Jr. and I are exactly the same age and passed through some of life's milestones at the same time. I found myself comparing where I was in my life as the book unfolded. I am writing this review having just now finished the book and feel an overwhelming sense of sadness - I cried so many times - the great highs and thrills always seemed to be overshadowed by the immense burden of sadness, tradgedy, disease and death that surrounds The Kennedys and those close to them. I can only hope that during my life I will share such a stong, loving, and enduring friendship with another person. Maybe John is looking down on us now laughing at all this debate - I find myself missing him during this season of politics. The world should still have John in it - he lived well, richly and fully - never squandering what he had been given. Make sure you are in the right frame of mind to read this - it may impact you more deeply than you can know.
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
ONE CANNOT have grown up Irish Catholic in mid-twentieth-century Boston without, at some point, crossing paths with America's most famous family. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Secret Service, Billy Noonan, Cape Cod, John Kennedy, President Kennedy, Palm Beach, Bobby Kennedy, Senator Kennedy, Timmy Shriver, Jack Kennedy, Daryl Hannah, Tom Noonan, Labor Day, Anthony Radziwill, Boston College, First Lady, Red Gate, United States, Christina Haag, Meg Azzoni, Nantucket Sound, New Haven, Ambassador Kennedy, Big Bad Bill
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