The Other Mrs. Kennedy : An Intimate and Revealing Look at the Hidden Life of Ethel Skakel Kennedy [Mass Market Paperback]

Jerry Oppenheimer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 1995

She's the real power behind the Kennedy name. Now, for the first time, her secrets are exposed..

She ruthlessly mocked her sister-in-law Jacke's breathy voice and often referred to her as "the Debutante"
She kept a lengthy "enemies list" and blackballed those who she felt were disloyal or critical of the Kennedys
She turned Hickory Hill into an eerie shrine that included life-sized photos of Bobby in closets that startled visitors
She made one fo the most difficult decisions of her life when she agreed to "pull the plug" on Bobby as he lay dying after being shot by Sirhan Sirhan
She distanced herself from her own Skakel family, whose scandals exceeded those of even the Kennedys.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Oppenheimer paints a revealing portrait of Ethel Skakel Kennedy, widow of former attorney general Robert Kennedy and whose own family history offers its share of scandal.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Meticulously researched...exposes backstage dramas at Kennedy nerve centers."
--Greenwich, CT News

"Vivid detail." --Booklist

"Riveting!" --Nashville Banner

"Provides all the dish about Ethel Kennedy." --The Washington Post

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 733 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (May 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312956002
• ISBN-13: 978-0312956004
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #784,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, yet somewhat pathetic, November 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Other Mrs. Kennedy : An Intimate and Revealing Look at the Hidden Life of Ethel Skakel Kennedy (Mass Market Paperback)

Ethel Kennedy's shining exterior as the sainted widow is systematically tarnished with every passing page in this revealing look at her life. For those of us who remember that era, Mrs. Kennedy was nothing short of a saint in the face of tragedy. And the images of the pregnant widow with all those children made us feel deep sympathy for her situation. After reading Mr. Oppenheimer's book, it would seem that Ethel was not only a fiercely jealous, overly competitive barracuda, but also a terrible cheapskate. The Kennedy version of Leona Helmsly, with one exception, Leona was at least intelligent. It was obvious that the only person capable of controlling Ethel's behavior was Bobby Kennedy. Her treatment of staff and family after his death (including her own children) will leave the reader's mouth hanging open. When I was finished, I wondered why no one sent this woman for therapy!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great insight into Ethel and her offspring's ways!, August 24, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Other Mrs. Kennedy : An Intimate and Revealing Look at the Hidden Life of Ethel Skakel Kennedy (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a great book about the Skakel and Kennedy families. The Skakel's were far wealthier and a much more livelier and crazy family than the Kennedy clan. One gets the feeling you would have more fun and laughs hanging out with a Skakel than a Kennedy. Provides insights to people who believe they do not have to follow the rules of the rest of society in this country.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sad but Probably True!, January 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Other Mrs. Kennedy : An Intimate and Revealing Look at the Hidden Life of Ethel Skakel Kennedy (Mass Market Paperback)

I think Mr. Oppenheimer was very through in his research. Unfortunately, it doesn't reflect very well on Mrs. Kennedy. Course her children (well some of them including my esteemed Congressman, Joe ) don't reflect very well on her anyway. Mr. Oppenheimer must have ate, drank and slept the Kennedy/Skakels for a long time to come up with everything in this book. If you like the Kennedy's and biographies, you'll like this book. Well, maybe not like Ethel, but appreciate how thorough the background and research was in The Other Mrs. Kennedy.