Jacqueline Kennedy ( Modern First Ladies Series) : First Lady of the New Frontier »

"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

Author Biography: Barbara A. Perry's lifelong interest in the Kennedys dates to 1960, when, as a child, she was taken to see JFK at a campaign rally. A former judicial fellow at the U.S. Supreme Court, she is now Carter Glass Professor of Government at Sweet Briar College in Virginia. Her other books include The Priestly Tribe: The Supreme Court's Image in the American Mind and, with Henry J. Abraham, Freedom and the Court: Civil Rights and Liberties in the United States.

Publishers Weekly

Written to assess "Jackie Kennedy's historical impact on the institution of the First Lady," this account by Perry, a professor of government, chronicles Kennedy's push to restore the White House, promote the arts and cultural institutions, and define her husband's legacy. Perry argues that Kennedy was significant, in part, because she was a transitional figure. She was, according to Perry, among the last of the "traditional First Ladies"-women who defined themselves as "supportive spouses/model wives"-but she also stepped out of that role. In fact, Kennedy "established a pattern that her successors could adopt and adapt to publicize their own less traditional policy agendas." However, Perry spends little time expanding this insight. Instead, her book chronicles Kennedy's work and decision making in minute detail, recounting the particulars of correspondence between the First Lady and her staff about White House decor or plans for redesigning Lafayette Square. Perry also portrays Kennedy as a woman who presented herself, her family and the White House as icons of American freedom designed to promote democracy and challenge the legitimacy of Soviet communism. But once again, this argument remains undeveloped. Perry's study provides few new analytic insights about Jacqueline's tenure in the White House or beyond. The book's strength lies in Perry's attention to detail. 16 photos. (Sept. 9) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.