Reviews
"In her clear, engaging study, Perry . . . argues that Jackie exerted an impressive, enduring cultural influence on Washington and the White House, an influence unsurpassed by other first ladies. . . . Perry's book has a special focus that has been insufficiently developed in other studies. Although sympathetic to her subject, Perry identifies some of Jackie's less favorable traits and at times discusses her marriage when it relates to the book's focus. . . . General readers will find [this book] enjoyable, and scholars will appreciate its research base."-- History: Reviews of New Books "The book's strength lies in Perry's attention to detail."-- Publishers Weekly, "Free from Camelot idolatry and untainted by revisionist sensationalism, Perry delivers a nuanced and insightful profile of Jacqueline Kennedy's fascinating life, from debutante to First Lady to custodian of her husband's legacy. More clearly than ever, we can now appreciate how much she changed the institution of First Lady and, also, how much it changed her."-- Douglas Brinkley , author of Tour of Duty: John Kerry and the Vietnam War "Perry has done a superb job, looking beyond the multitude of myths surrounding one of our most enigmatic First Ladies to reveal not just what she did but how her inner circle worked. . . . An important contribution."-- Betty Boyd Caroli , author of First Ladies: From Martha Washington to Laura Bush, Free from Camelot idolatry and untainted by revisionist sensationalism, Perry delivers a nuanced and insightful profile of Jacqueline Kennedy's fascinating life, from debutante to First Lady to custodian of her husband's legacy. More clearly than ever, we can now appreciate how much she changed the institution of First Lady and, also, how much it changed her.-- Douglas Brinkley , author of Tour of Duty: John Kerry and the Vietnam War Perry has done a superb job, looking beyond the multitude of myths surrounding one of our most enigmatic First Ladies to reveal not just what she did but how her inner circle worked. . . . An important contribution.-- Betty Boyd Caroli , author of First Ladies: From Martha Washington to Laura Bush, "Free from Camelot idolatry and untainted by revisionist sensationalism, Perry delivers a nuanced and insightful profile of Jacqueline Kennedy's fascinating life, from debutante to First Lady to custodian of her husband's legacy. More clearly than ever, we can now appreciate how much she changed the institution of First Lady and, also, how much it changed her."- Douglas Brinkley , author of Tour of Duty: John Kerry and the Vietnam War "Perry has done a superb job, looking beyond the multitude of myths surrounding one of our most enigmatic First Ladies to reveal not just what she did but how her inner circle worked. . . . An important contribution."- Betty Boyd Caroli , author of First Ladies: From Martha Washington to Laura Bush