10 Books About the Kennedys

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Gary Wills examines the entire Kennedy clan to uncover the source, attainment, and maintenance of their illustrious power. He points a finger at the patriarch, claiming Joseph was the first to manipulate facts and fictions according to his needs. It was a behavior passed onto his children—seen in the tales of JFK’s Navy heroics to coverups of Ted’s drunken antics. By tracking decades’ worth of corruption, The Kennedy Imprisonment creates a compelling but unforgiving portrait of the American royal family.

As an anti-war candidate and advocate for struggling minorities, Bobby Kennedy seemed like the perfect antidote to the unrest of the 1960s. But on June 5, 1968, that dream was ripped away when Bobby, fresh from a victory in the California primary, was shot by Sirhan Sirhan. But though he never sat in the Oval Office chair, Bobby's legacy lives on in David Halberstam's book, which tracks his journey from the U.S. attorney general to campaign manager to New York senator. Called “the best book" written on the subject (New York Times), it’s an insightful look at a man who wanted a better future for his country, but whose own future was tragically stolen.

Benjamin C. Bradlee was JFK’s right-hand man from 1958 to 1963, serving as a trusted confidante and presidential tour buddy. His New York Times bestseller offers a glimpse inside their five-year relationship—from casual weekend hangouts to serious political discussions—and exposes a new side to Kennedy, the people's president: Kennedy, the caring friend.

Joseph Kennedy was as green as grass when he first worked with Franklin Roosevelt, the future president of the United States. Despite their different backgrounds—Roosevelt was quite famous, while Kennedy was merely up-and-coming—their partnership was an effective one. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing: They disagreed on America’s role in the Second World War, and an infamous “pants-dropping incident” indicates a certain level of antagonism and distrust. Michael Beschloss studies these contrasts, and more, in his book—revealing the inner workings of a bond between two very powerful, very ambitious men.

The youngest of the Kennedy brood, Ted Kennedy may also be the most notorious—shadowed not just by his family’s legacy, but by the 1969 Chappaquiddick incident. And yet, years of misbehavior and professional failures were followed by an impressive, 180-degree transformation in late adulthood. Last Lion chronicles this evolution from a disgraced party boy and politician into a wise, progressive spokesman. The result is an eye-opening biography that acknowledges Ted’s faults without forgetting his accomplishments.

The Kennedy women were as fascinating as the men in their lives, and Amber Hunt’s New York Times bestseller is a testament to their equal strength, intelligence, and presence. By exploring the many facets of their lives—from their marriages to their careers—Hunt exposes the inner struggles and triumphs of Rose, Jackie, Ethel, Joan, and Vicki. When burdened by public scrutiny or dogged by tragedy, these women took their hardships on the cuff and kept their heads high.

We'll never get the chance to live inside the Kennedy household, but perhaps The Nine of Us is the next best thing. Written by Jean Kennedy Smith—the sole survivor of her eight siblings—it’s a poignant memoir about growing up among her precocious brothers and sisters. In it, she describes how her parents, Rose and Joe, primed the Kennedy kids for the world stage, turning mealtimess into debates and thoughtful discussions. These kinds of anecdotes are included throughout—all accompanied by personal photos—and they help provide a view of the great American family you can't find anywhere else. 

For decades, the media has swarmed with stories of the Kennedy kids—all except one. Her name was Rosemary, and until this 2015 bestseller, she’d languished in the shadows of her more well-known siblings. Though she led a childhood much like JFK's and Bobby's—one filled with private schools and world travels—hers was haunted by mental disability. Ashamed and uneducated, Joe Kennedy arranged a hush-hush lobotomy, which then left her incapacitated for life. As Rosemary brings the long-hidden deception out of the dark, it shines a light on this remarkable woman for the very first time.

Like her brothers, Kathleen Kennedy met a tragic, premature end—but that isn't the complete "Kick" story. Magnetic, daring, and the apple of her father's eye, she came of age during a time of great uncertainty, navigating the wilderness of love and sex as the world braced for another global war. Ultimately, Kick would find that love and lose it—then find it again in 1948, and pay an unfair price. Barbara Leaming covers it all in her "strikingly original" biography (Wall Street Journal), paying tribute to a woman who brought her family so much joy and still had so much more to give.

Christina Haag was just a kid when she met JFK Jr. who, likewise, was merely a prep school boy in her social circle. Years later, the pair would reunite after college graduation, turning from childhood acquaintances to steadfast lovers. Haag writes of their transformative, five-year relationship in her New York Times bestselling memoir, providing a unique perspective that eschews tabloid-style stories for “tender, aching memories” (Los Angeles Times).