Portrait of Camelot: A Thousand Days in the Kennedy White House (with DVD) [Hardcover]

Richard Reeves (Author), Harvey Sawler (Author), Cecil Stoughton (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2010

Published to commemorate the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s election as president of the United States, this book is a revealing and intimate portrait of a leader, husband, and father as seen through the lens of Cecil Stoughton, the first official White House photographer. Stoughton’s close rapport with the president and first lady gave him extraordinary access to the Oval Office, the Kennedys’ private quarters and homes, to state dinners, cabinet meetings, diplomatic trips, and family holidays.

 

Drawing on Stoughton’s unparalleled body of photographs, most rarely or never before reproduced, and supported by a deeply thoughtful narrative by political historian Richard Reeves, Portrait of Camelot is an unprecedented portrayal of the power, politics, and warmly personal aspects of Camelot’s 1,036 days. 

DVD INCLUDED: packaged with a DVD created exclusively for this book, containing color and black-and-white film footage Stoughton created of the Kennedy family in the White House, in Hyannis Port, and on holidays.

Praise for Portrait of Camelot:

"Like the TV series Mad Men, this book is also a remarkable period piece . . . informative and beautiful." --Publishers Weekly 

"This informative and beautiful book, which shouldn't stay on the coffee table, includes a DVD with film footage of the Kennedy family on vacation." 
--Publishers Weekly 

"If you care about Camelot, this is a book you won't want to miss, a perfect commemoration of a presidency that happened what seems like a very long time ago." 
--Courier-Journal

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard Reeves has received dozens of awards for his work in print, television, and film. He is Senior Lecturer at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

 

Cecil Stoughton studied with Alfred Eisenstadt and Margaret Bourke-White in the U.S. Army photographer training program and then joined the Army’s Public Information Office.

 

Harvey Sawler is a Canadian author who interviewed Cecil Stoughton extensively before the photographer’s death in 2008.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Abrams; 1 edition (November 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810995859
• ISBN-13: 978-0810995857
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 1.2 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Photojournalism
  • #20 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( K ) > Kennedy, John F.
  • #22 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > History

More About the Author

Richard Reeves is the author of presidential bestsellers, including President Nixon and President Kennedy, acclaimed as the best nonfiction book of the year by Time magazine. A syndicated columnist and winner of the American Political Science Association's Carey McWilliams Award, he lives in New York and Los Angeles.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Camelot comes to life... November 23, 2010

By Amy Y. TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

This is a gorgeous book. I stopped by a local bookstore today, just browsing, and came across this beautiful collection of photographs and stories. The price here on Amazon is considerably cheaper than what I paid but I purchased the book intending to send it to my Mother and wanted to have a chance to peruse it myself before passing it along. Now I am wishing I just ordered two copies- I still may.

This book has considerable heft but the overall size isn't impractical like so many 'coffee-table books'. As a photographer, I could have spent hours studying the photographs- many formal or set up but maybe even more candid. Some may find the candid shots the most telling, the most moving. Somehow, though, for me- the mix of staged photos was particularly poignant. I suppose that is because between the two, one gets a sense of the enormous burden of hope and expectation Kennedy shouldered upon stepping up to lead the nation. From family photos documenting days spent at Hyannis Port to press photos as Kennedy signed legislation in the Oval Office, this books provides a multifaceted look at JFK's presidency.

Ever the enticing enigma, Jackie, like a living Mona Lisa, smiles up from the pages as she cares for her children, the dutiful young wife and mother at her husband's side. Some of the stories and candid pictures reveal a glimpse of the woman beneath the careful and classy exterior. Even in her most casual moments, she seems swathed in glamor- she certainly was a lady above all else. Loved the anecdote about her address at the Orange Bowl- said to have been delivered perfectly in Spanish.

Really a wonderful collection. I'm not big on coffee table books- especially considering I don't have a coffee table but this is a book that someone might pour over for a good hour or two. I certainly couldn't pass up the opportunity to browse through it before sending it off- and once I started, I was sucked in. I think this would make a lovely gift for a Kennedy-phile (I'm not and I really enjoyed it) and certainly would be an interesting conversation starter as a 'coffee table book'.

A DVD of family movies is included. As an Equestrienne, I loved the footage of Jackie jumping her horses and leading her kids around on horseback. There are some very sweet moments captured- nice to glimpse into a First Family that truly was first a family. There were definitely good times and not just for show. Cecil Stoughton and Richard Reeves give us a lovely commemoration of the Kennedy Whitehouse, even if thoroughly steeped in the rosy glow of nostalgia.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars World Renowned Photographer & Top Historian Join Together, to Create Living History of Camelot - 5 STARS !!!! December 12, 2010

By A Customer TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

What you have here is Cecil Stoughton (died in 2008) who was TRUSTED by John and Jacqueline Kennedy to create a photographic history of their 1000 days in the White House. Imagine it, here's the ultimate couple, a photographer's dream, even more attractive than Hollywood's top casting agents could dream up, and photographs from the first ever White House photographer. The results are spectacular.

You have of course the pictures in the White House, many of which have never been seen before. There's one of John -John alone in the Rose Garden which is quite unique. There are also pictures in Hyannis Port with the family relaxing. It's literally all here and it's magical.

Prominent historian Richard Reeves has written the narrative to this book. In addition to JFK, he has written acclaimed biographies of Presidents Reagan, and Nixon. It is very fitting and appropriate that Stoughton's work is being strengthened by Reeves's written contributions.

There are a few things you need to know before you order the book:

1) All the pictures were done using 1960's chemical based photography, or another words pre-digital, but they are still spectacular.

2) Keep in mind that John Kennedy's father, Joseph Kennedy at one time owned the RKO Motion Picture Studios. This means the father always had access to the finest cameras, photographers, and techniques available. Joe Kennedy was always thinking ahead, and historian Richard Reeves has made the point that the father knew exactly what he was doing when he had the home movies made in terms of their political implications decades later.

3) There are many pictures in the book that Jackie would have never allowed due to privacy. The President on the other hand knew the political value of having fabulous pictures of the children for the voting public to view. Whenever Jackie was gone for a day or longer, or even an afternoon, the President would call Cecil Stoughton and have him come in and take some pictures of the children. The President was always ahead of the game.

CONCLUSION:

If you are interested in this period in our nation's history or you are a Kennedy fan, you will want to add this photographic history to your collection. Regardless of your politics, everyone that lived through this period has been affected for the rest of our lives by the 1960's. As a memory of a spectacular life lived, or the last photographs of his death, this is probably the finest picture history of Camelot that we are going to see for a long time. Thank you for reading this review.

Richard C. Stoyeck

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars three-dimensional feel for the Kennedy White House October 31, 2010

By anonymous

Format:Hardcover

I looked through a copy of this book today and was struck by the dimensions this book has. There are photos that feel very imperfect, as if casual family photos or "outtakes". Others feel more formal, more what I am used to seeing in Kennedy-related photo reprints. I am certain I haven't seen most of the photos in this book before, though I am not an expert by any means (just a casual reader who is happy to leaf through any Kennedy-related titles).