Customer Reviews

The Men We Became: My Friendship with John F. Kennedy, Jr.

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Rob Littell's book is a splendid, knockabout story about an extraordinary friendship cut short by tragedy. It's a matter-of-fact telling of two college freshmen who formed a brotherly bond that transcended celebrity and breathtaking privilege. For those of us who never had the opportunity to meet John F. Kennedy, Jr., it gives a rare glimpse of the man - or, rather, the gentleman - behind the headlines. After getting to know these two young men and the nature of their relationship, one comes away with the feeling that JFK, Jr., almost helped write the chapters - almost a dictation from heaven. "Hey, Littell, you missed one!" (You have to read the book to fully appreciate this line.) We get to meet Mrs. Onassis, too, away from the flashing light bulbs and glamorous "sets"; and - surprise! - she's just like any other proud, protective parent. One gains an appreciation for how well she balanced her different roles and how close to the earth she truly was. What harm there is in any of these pages, only a green-eyed skeptic knows. For the rest of us, The Men We Became is what a best friend writes to vanquish the sorrow of what never will be. This is a charmer - from the first page to the last.

For those with a case of Kennedy mania here's one more author promising to reveal hitherto unknown information - this time about John F. Kennedy, Jr.

As read by the author, it is an engaging tribute to a friend. Not at all a polished voice performer, Littell delivers his work conversationally. This, to a great degree, makes the listening even more enjoyable. As the author recounts conversations he shared with JFK, Jr., the listener almost feels as if he/she had been a third party sharing these times.

The pair met during orientation week at Brown University, and soon became friends. This was a friendship that was to span graduation and their professional lives. Littell took part in Kennedy's wedding to Carolyn Bessette and a too short three years later served as a pallbearer at his funeral.

Among the confidences Kennedy shared with the author were remarks concerning his relationships with other family members, his now widely publicized marital problems, and his hopes for the future.

Rather than exploitive, this listener found Littell's work to have come from the heart.

- Gail Cooke

I read The Men We Became in two nights. What fun! And I must thank Rob Littell for defending his freind. It must have been hard to watch his reputation get dragged thorugh the mud for so long. Most of America loved John Jr., and I now feel that he loved us back. I laughed out loud and cried and felt like I knew the man I had always admired. I figured this book to be another tell all, but to my happy surprise it's not. It's a great story about a favorite American Son. One that I'm sure Carolyn Bessette's mother must be grateful for the effort.

People are going to write about and reveal the private details about John's life anyway; it might as well be done by someone who loved him and really knew him. I came away from reading this book liking and understanding John, Carolyn, and Jackie more than I ever did before, and therefore I think Robert Littell has succeeded with what he wanted to do. The insight on the Kennedys lifestyle was fascinating, lots of description and detail - I loved it. The book is interesting, personal, and emotional.

I'm not exactly sure what the negative reviewers here are so bitter about compared to the really awful memoirs by people that barely knew John.

Above all else, this is a testament to a loving friendship. As a man the same age as these two friends I could completely relate to the overriding theme of Rob's writing. Friendship and a very close one at that. Which other family would consistently serve burned hamburgers (Rob's favorite) to a grown man because he's a picky eater?

Aside from tasteful and measured insights into the Kennedy family's homes and personal tastes and marriages, one is left
saddened by Rob's loss. The book is summed up in the line offered by Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg after John's memorial service when Rob tells her how much John loved her, to which she replied "Thank you Rob. John loved you too."

Rob, you could not have written this book as easily as writing it. Thanks from "a guy" for writing it.

It's funny how Rob had no hope upon hearing the news about John's plane missing. I can remember the sinking feeling myself and the word NO! bouncing around in my head. This story is nicely written and the author gave just enough and not too much. Although I was born in the late 60's I grew up knowing the Kennedy name immediately. In fact my father has not recovered since November of '63. We needed John whether or not he was to be President. This man, while living under the same moon as the rest of us made us feel better somehow...maybe that Camelot was not completely lost. The author speaks of John and Carolyn being "buried at sea" even though John was not a seaman...he was our first son and I think we owed that much to the Kennedy family and it seemed appropriate although like Rob said there is no visiting place to go and reflect on John. So, swim Rob.
Thank you author for this good look inside. Get it enjoy it.

This story made me laugh, brought back really exact memories of college life I'd forgotten and allowed me to travel to places the author and John went for fun. I think it is important the human side of John is written about and his friend did him a great honor by doing so in this book.

I, like so many Americans, grew up with John as we were born the same year. I always felt as if I knew him somehow and now I see that he is very much as I expected...as I walked with Littel down memory lane, I felt like I was back in college and I was getting to know a couple of guys who are oh-so-normal yet one with the unimaginable burden of being the child of an American Icon.
I also felt as if Littel really did want to capture his memories by putting his thoughts on paper. I never felt as if this book was a sell-out...I think John may have enjoyed the read too or perhaps at least given his buddy hell for having written it.
Bottom line...loving insight into a friendship of 20 years and how that friendship shaped both young men.
M. Wall

This is a great book written by a friend about a good friend. Easy reading, but with a lot of insight on the extended Kennedy family from an outsider's view. I highly recommend it.

With a sound amount of scepticism, I picked up this book, wanting not a whole lot of gossipp and trash but a book of memories. This, I think, I got.

A friend remembers his friend through the haze of 20-odd years -- never planning to be the great auto-biographer. In short, I found it to be a touching tribute. We should all have friends so generous to our little lives once we're gone.