One Special Summer [Hardcover]

Lee Bouvier (Author), Jacqueline Bouvier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 11, 2006

In 1951, eighteen-year-old Lee Bouvier and her twenty-two-year-old sister Jacqueline took their first trip to Europe together. Jackie had already spent a year in France living with a French family and attending the Sorbonne. Her many cards and letters had made her sister Lee want nothing more than to see Europe with Jackie.   Having convinced their parents, the two young ladies set off to see the continent. As they traveled, they sketched and kept notes, creating an illustrated journal of their time abroad, which they presented to their parents as a thank you upon their return; that delightful chronicle is ONE SPECIAL SUMMER. 
 
Join Jackie and Lee for a tantalizing glimpse of a lost world: crossing the Atlantic by ocean liner, visits with counts and ambassadors in Paris, art lessons in Venice, and white gloves in the afternoon. Smile at the social agonies all young women suffer in common—how to politely consume an oversized hors d’oeuvre, the horror of slipping undergarments, and the art of fending off unwanted romantic advances.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It took most of spring 1951 for Jacqueline Bouvier, age 22, and sister Lee, 18, to convince their mother to let them board the Queen Elizabeth for Europe. In her preface, Lee Bouvier Radziwill describes the scrapbook of the trip they made for their mother as "a period piece." In fact, it evokes any European grand tour undertaken by two pretty and smart young things—even those who don't have society connections or extended correspondences with famous art historians like Bernard Berenson. The two women gaily write out their adventures in longhand, embellished with artful and amusing illustrations and a snapshot here and there. A delicious sense of respectable naughtiness underlies the text. Next to a photo of Jacqueline being embraced too tightly by a distinguished gentleman, mischievous Lee writes: "they treat us just like their children and really seem interested in showing us their country." Next to a photo of Lee in shorts and Jacqueline in capris: "We never go out in big cities except in what we would wear to church in Newport on Sundays." Jacqueline's often elaborate and colorful illustrations show genuine talent and humor. Created in 1951, published originally in 1974, then unavailable for many years, the book is a fun rediscovery. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"A delicious sense of respectable naughtiness underlies the text...Jacqueline's often elaborate and colorful illustrations show genuine talent and humor." -- May07 PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY

"Handwritten by both Bouvier sisters and charmingly illustrated by Jackie's drawings, SUMMER is required reading for any travel buff." -- May07 PALM BEACH ILLUSTRATED

One Special Summer by Jaqueline and Lee Bouvier Originally published in 1974, this fanciful adventure between two sisters traveling to Europe features whimsical poems, intricate illustrations, and affectionate snapshots as a tribute to one very special summer indeed. Girls of all ages will appreciate this charming collaboration. -- On-The-Town The Arts and Entertainment Magazine of West Michigan Aug. 2007

"..is a delightful book...and it makes the perfect little house gift for your host--or summer treat for yourself." -- TOWN & COUNTRY, August, 2006

"A delicious sense of respectable naughtiness underlies the text...Jacqueline's often elaborate and colorful illustrations show genuine talent and humor." -- PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, May, 2006

"Handwritten by both Bouvier sisters and charmingly illustrated by Jackie's drawings, SUMMER is required reading for any travel buff." -- PALM BEACH ILLUSTRATED, May, 2006

"...it makes the perfect little house gift for your host - or summer treat for yourself." -- Aug06 TOWN & COUNTRY

-- "[An] entertaining chronicle ... with amusing anecdotes and grand drawings that capture the wonder and glory of an exotic trip." -- TRAVELGIRL

..."is a delightful book...and it makes the perfect little house gift for your host--or summer treat for yourself." -- Aug06 TOWN & COUNTRY

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 72 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli (April 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847827879
• ISBN-13: 978-0847827879
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 0.4 x 13.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #254,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Frothy Deluxe Dee-lite!, December 27, 2006

By 

Alouette1 "alouette1" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Special Summer (Hardcover)

This was written when travel was glamorous and these two certainly made the rounds! I was journalling before journalling and scrapbooking became the present rage and enjoyed this book because it was done without the present day pre-fabbed gew-gaws. The sisters took their mother and later the lucky readers through castles and meetings with friends of friends who were high up and taught us how to handle an embarrassing situation of being taken "home" across Paris by a couple who really didn't ant to take them home, Lee did a hilarous entry of her experience at a dance where she danced with a lead-footed man who pointed out his family "all with the same noses!" and Jackie drew herself dancing with a dashing Russian Soldier during the same event. These two had a great approach to life and even their bad days were hilarious adventures. Much is written in French and it delighted my second year French-student daughter then she discovered that she was able to translate for me. After reading this book, you will discover how to have a good time and find the humor in any situation and never leave a sheet of paper or an envelope blank. Jackies' drawings are easy and cute an an inspiration! One of my daughters' teachers borrowed this book from me to show the students that they can make art anywhere about anything!

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Send Your Daughters to Europe, by Boat!!!!, June 25, 2006

By 

Trent McGuire "trentmcguire" (chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Special Summer (Hardcover)

I bought this book when I was in high school, and after studying the darling illustrations, and reading the story, I soooo longed to travel abroad, particularly by boat; and to mix with all the European dignitaries, socialites, and "Lah De Dahs" from across the pond. Now it's 30 years later, and having traveled quite extensively with my husband I still have that same longing, yet this time for my own daughters! This book and its charming illustrations make you want to send your daughter(s) or sons to Europe and travel amongst the noblesse. However impossible as that may seem to be, the good news is that today, anyone can take the Queen Mary or any number of magnificent ships (QEII available no longer) across the pond and waltz around Europe.

This is a nostalgic peek back into a time long ago; how the well-to-do traveled, socialized, lolly-gagged about, and spent their time, misbehaving and just having an all around good time. It is based on the true summer travel experience of the Bouvier sisters: Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis and her younger sister Lee Bouvier Radziwill. One became a First Lady of the United States, and the other, a Princess by marriage residing in Europe.

I recommend this darling picture book for anyone with a sense of fantacy and longing for high society adventure and travel.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I am no Kennedy-phile..., June 11, 2006

By 

N. C. Derham "homeschooling naturalist" (NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Special Summer (Hardcover)

but I enjoyed this book. It is a snapshot of the life of Jackie before the overwhelming fame. Here we see her on vacation with her sister, alternately enjoying shipboard life and dealing with the eccentrics along for the ride. My favorite image? That of Jackie trying to fish an elderly woman's dentures out of the toilet.