Camera Girl

The Coming of Age of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy

By: Carl Sferrazza Anthony

Narrated by: Imani Jade Powers

This revealing biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy explores her early years as a writer, photographer, and ambitious young woman—offering a fresh portrait of the future First Lady before her life with John F. Kennedy.

“One of the most detailed, nuanced portraits of Jackie to date.” —The Washington Post

From New York Times bestselling author and presidential historian Carl Sferrazza Anthony, Camera Girl is an illuminating and “wholly refreshing” (David Maraniss) look at Jackie’s formative years in Paris, New York, and Washington, DC.

In the early 1950s, long before she became an international icon, Jacqueline Bouvier was a curious, driven young journalist working for the Washington Times-Herald as the “Inquiring Camera Girl.” Armed with her Graflex camera, she roamed the streets of the nation’s capital, capturing candid photographs and asking everyday Americans thoughtful, revealing questions—producing hundreds of widely read columns.

Drawing from these columns, previously unpublished writings, and original interviews with those who knew her, this richly detailed biography traces Jackie’s coming-of-age as she pursued a career, challenged expectations placed on women, and navigated love, ambition, and identity.

A vivid work of narrative nonfiction, this book offers a compelling look at midcentury America, women in journalism, and the making of one of the most fascinating and influential women of the 20th century.

Critic reviews

"Powers takes listeners through Bouvier’s less-than-idyllic childhood with a sympathetic narration style that captures the complex experiences and emotions of a young woman at odds with her time. Her narration skillfully mimics Bouvier’s speaking style when sharing pieces written directly by her, capturing listeners’ emotions without making the performance sound over the top."

Deserving story of one if our most prominent First Ladies

Enjoyable listen and interesting description of the life of young Jackie. The description of the courtship reveals a lot about both personalities. I note that if it wasn’t for Jackie, Grand Central Terminal in NYC probably would have been torn down. She definitely used the influence she had for the good.

Amazing read to understand the icon Jackie Bouvier Kennedy

I could not stop listening!! It’s an intimate peak into the coming of age of Jackie Kennedy, well told and in impeccable detail, which really helps you understand the First Lady on a deeper level. It’s clear from listening that since Jackie was very young she was destined for greatness!

Interesting, well written, and performed book

I’ve always been fascinated by the Kennedys in high school when Kennedy was president I like many young girls was smitten with Jacqueline Kennedy. I found this book interesting, stimulating, very well performed. I did not want it to end

Fascinating

Enjoyed this listen enormously. Her public image while First Lady (when I was beginning high school) was misleading in too many respects to list. While the narrative ends with her marriage to JFK, it is well-paced and the events of her youth are sufficiently diverse and unusual to be of genuine interest even today. The story is well researched and told. In my view, JFK married her for her intellect and character, not her beauty. He is quoted as saying he never met a woman like her and this book explains why. An excellent listen, highly recommended.

Very good book

You get a lot of good information that is new and not a rehash of everything we know about her. But the audio does not include the photos, and they are important.