God had a talent for creating exceptional women--Helen of Troy and Cleopatra come to mind. So does Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis; who lives again in this "warts-and-all" portrait. It's being released on the 20th anniversary of the tragic death; in 1994; of the icon who changed America's beliefs about what a woman of style; power; and influence could accomplish "behind the throne" of men whose careers changed the course of history.During her tumultuous life; she zealously guarded her privacy and her secrets; but in the wake of her death; more and more revelations have emerged about her frustrations; her rage; her passions; her towering strengths; and her delicate fragility; which she hid from the glare of the world behind oversized sunglasses. Within this posthumous biography; a three-dimensional woman emerges through the compilation of some 1;000 eyewitness testimonials from men and women who knew her over a period of decades. The public epitome of charm; grace; and elegance; the private; chain-smoking Jackie was known for her sharp wit and her acid tongue; dissing some of the great men and women she encountered. Examples include such figures as Nancy Reagan (“I heard she used to give the best head in Hollywood when she was a starlet at MGMâ€); Queen Elizabeth II (“pompous; stuffy; a heavy trip; and seriously pissed off at me for turning on Philipâ€); or Martin Luther King; Jr. (“a terrible man and a tricky; phony; skirt-chaser and race baiterâ€). This outspoken testimonial to the flimsier side of Camelot contains a cornucopia of gossip and intrigue; including details about Jackie’s scandalous love affairs with her two brothers-in-law (Bobby and Teddy); and her penchant for movie star seductions (Warren Beatty; Paul Newman; William Holden).Also detailed are her famous feuds with Grace Kelly; Marilyn Monroe; and Maria Callas; her almost unknown love affairs with Spain’s greatest matador and with Peter Lawford; her night in Georgetown coping with LBJ’s aborted seduction; her friend Rudolf Nureyev’s pursuit of both her and Bobby; her interchanges with Lem Billings; JFK’s homosexual “First Friend†whom Bobby defined as “Jack’s other wifeâ€); her blood feud with Christina Onassis; her sibling rivalry with Lee Radziwill; her illicit affair with a senator nicknamed “Gorgeous George; her love-hate relationship with Frank Sinatra; and her Italian fling with Fiat’s kingpin; Gianni Agnelli; who taught her all about La Dolce Vita during the summer of 1962.Conceived in direct and sometimes defiant contrast to the avalanche of more breathlessly respectful testimonials to the life and legacy of “America’s Queen;†this book is the latest installment in Blood Moon’s endlessly irreverent BABYLON series.
#1128674 in Books 2010-05-17Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.10 x 5.60 x 8.50l; 1.02 #File Name: 1933859911244 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The beginning of the book is very difficult to read as it reads like a text bookBy Aaron OakesI read this book to supplement another book by Gorka and it pays off. The beginning of the book is very difficult to read as it reads like a text book. That being said it really does explain where Islam went wrong and why the Islamists think the way they do. It also offers up an alternative that I believe is achievable and at one time the norm for muslims. This book has inspired me to also read the Koran and as far as I can tell Mr. Reilly is right in line with the Koran when he references it. Once I got past the first half of the book I found it to be enjoyable and couldn't stop reading it. There are a lot of Arabic names and words in this book that are hard to keep track of but worth it to try.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Lucid Look at Islamic Theology's Fall from ReasonBy The BruceA concise yet detailed examination of the evolution and devolution of Islamic theology over time. In particular; Reilly demonstrates how Islamic fundamentalists ejected reason from their religion; his key insight. This is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand Islam's never ending embrace of conquest and contempt for all "non-believers." Will the Moslems be capable of reforming their religion before we end up in another world war?1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good book; but very tedious to readBy JohnThe book contains some interesting historical information about how Islam; at one time; embraced open discussion and freedom of thought; but has now morphed into a religion of intolerance - "worship as we dictate; or we will kill you". Unfortunately; this book is written for the under-grad or grad-student of philosophy; religion or literature. I have a Masters degree too; but it is in Engineering. And I found the vocabulary used to be an impediment to my enjoyment. The book is very tedious to read.If you are a High School graduate; or a college grad in a non-liberal arts major; and you still want to read this book; then I recommend you just read the final chapter and call it 'done'.
