One can’t help but wonder if the amazing flood of feeling would have been exhibited for any president since Kennedy, and why his death elicited such response. Not all, but many Americans looked at the Kennedy’s as “America’s Family,” because they were so accessible. They were active, athletic, photogenic, and fun. Jackie invited us all into the White House for a televised tour; Jack led us through some of our best and worst times. Those were the days the media largely kept us informed of the wholesome side of public figures, protecting us from the seamier celebrity news. I don’t think we’ve lost our ability to be shocked, but perhaps knowing every dirty detail of every celebrity’s life has lessened our ability to be rocked.
Letters to Jackie is a tight focus on a time in our history when we allowed ourselves heroes, and the letters therein offer insight into how deeply three bullets could rock our nation. It is an intimate, deeply affective expose of international anguish.
Fitzpatrick includes biographical information on many of the letter writers, letter citations, and notes at the end of the book. Although given only a small sample of the hundreds of thousands of letters that were written, we are provided with an incomparable look into America’s heart.
Bottom Line: Would I buy Letters to Jackie? Yes.
Article comments
1 - Lynn Voedisch
Nice retrospective. You and I may be the only ones on Blogcritics who were old enough to remember this time. I was walking home from school when they told us. And I still remember kids from a Republican household saying, "Good!" That really shocked me. It was a real time of loss, even though I did't really understand too much, I could understand Walter Cronkite's weeping, and the somber march to the rotunda and the picture of little John-John saluting. (God, look what happened to him. So sad.)
So, I would imagine the letters would have special meaning to our generation. And something to pass on to the next, who never saw or felt it. A time when people didn't demonize the president but respected the office.
You took me back.
2 - Cathy Miller
I think this book is great. Thank you so much for the kind and comforting words. You have gave me a few tools that i will think about and will be use to guide me through life. I really appreciate your suggestions. I'll keep reading some condolence messages to relieve my pain.