Remembering Jack: Intimate and Unseen Photographs of the Kennedys [Hardcover]

Jacques Lowe (Author), Robert F. Kennedy (Contributor), Hugh Sidey (Contributor), Tom Wolfe (Contributor), Thomasina Lowe (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2003

Upon Jacque Lowe's death, commentators credited his pictures with creating the myth of Camelot. Lowe's photographs of the Kennedys, taken during his span as JFK's personal photographer, have become the iconic imagery of a time that remains vividly etched in the national psyche. Of Lowe's 40,000 photographs of the Kennedys, only a few hundred have ever been seen. Authorized by the Lowe estate, REMEMBERING JACK--which is being published to coincide with the 40th anniversary of JFK's death--features more than 600 pictures, half of which are previously unpublished. All of Lowe's original negatives were housed in a bank vault in the World Trade Center and were destroyed on 9/11/01. The book includes an introduction by Tom Wolfe, Lowe's friend and photo subject for 40 years. Hugh Sidey, who was traveling with Kennedy when he was assassinated, writes the commentary, while Thomasina Lowe chronicles her father's work and legacy. The focus, however, remains on the pictures--a poignant evocation of the charm, youth, high spirits, and legend of the Kennedys, all tinged with a sense of loss.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book unfolds in candid, home-movie fashion, allowing historians—and voyeurs—into the Kennedy’s charmed circle" -- Vanity Fair

From the Publisher

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, in Dallas, TX opens an coordinating exhibit on November 22, 2003 commemorating for the 40th Anniversary of the assassination.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 424 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch; Stated First Edition edition (November 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821228498
• ISBN-13: 978-0821228494
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( K ) > Kennedy, Robert
  • #97 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( K ) > Kennedy, John F.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Tribute, October 28, 2003

By 

Phillip Smith (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Remembering Jack: Intimate and Unseen Photographs of the Kennedys (Hardcover)

This volume is first rate not only for enthusiasts of President Kennedy but also for those interested in photo journalism and the period from the late 1950's through to the early 1960's.

Despite a review stating that there is not much new here, I did not find that the case.

As stated on the jacket, there are indeed over 300 unseen photographs.

Of course, many of the photos are from a sequence of photos taken, with most of us being familiar with the image that Jacques Lowe chose for publication and general release.
However, It is very revealing to see the sequence of photos from which, for example, the photo used on the cover of Richard Reeves 1993 book was chosen. The many moods of John Kennedy are captured and it is as if for a brief moment he is once again with us.

Hugh Sidey provides a first rate narrative and the books production values are exquisite.

Given the recent death of Jacques Lowe, the book is also a final (unfortunately) rememberence of this special relationship between 2 men which produced perhaps the most intimate photographed record of a President that we are ever likely to see in our lifetime.
It is at times as if you are sitting in the Oval office with President Kennedy on any given day. I cannot recall any other President being this comfortable in his own skin and allowing such access.

For the many admirers of the late President, this book will fill your eyes with tears and your heart with hope.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the best book i ever seen!!, November 4, 2003

By 

H. Georges (montréal, canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Remembering Jack: Intimate and Unseen Photographs of the Kennedys (Hardcover)

to all kennedy fans, buy it!
there are a lot of pictures that are very rare, we can see the all family particularly rfk jfk and jackie kennedy.
I loved the pictures of rfk and kids, there are very touching, and we can how much he loved his children.
there is a good introduction too.
soif you want a great tirbute of the late president kennnedy buy it!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Jack and Jackie taught us..., October 25, 2004

By 

Kristin J. Johnson "Three-time published author" (Hilo, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Remembering Jack: Intimate and Unseen Photographs of the Kennedys (Hardcover)

The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 may have destroyed Jacques Lowe's negatives of the Kennedy family, but not the photographs or the brilliance evident in the camera capturing this shining light that once was Camelot. On the fortieth anniversary of the assassination, which is astutely, not for the first time, linked with September 11, 2001 as a turning point and a loss of innocence in our country's history, the magic of the Kennedys portrayed through Jacques Lowe's wise, perceptive lens makes us mourn for all we've lost.

Modern pundits and social critics might decry our fascination with the Kennedys, but their influence is felt strongly, especially now in Maria Shriver and hubby Ah-nold, a fierce Republican but a believer in the service to God and country that JFK practiced. You can't ignore Jack and Jackie keeping company with Premier Nikita Khrushchev, or Kennedy shaking hands with coal miners. Lowe's close-ups of the miners illuminate the dignity and strength of these men.

The Kennedys romp through a time of change in social, personal and political home movies. Particularly striking are the unguarded JFK moments, such as the photo of JFK thinking with a cigar (no Clinton jokes, please), or the sequence and closeup illustrating Kennedy's distress over hearing of Prime minister of Congo Patrice Lumumba's murder. We see the Kennedys, and they are us, with the added weight of John-John's salute. The intimacy lends more depth of history to this important, moving book.