Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye

Memories of John Fitzgerald Kennedy

By: Kenneth P. O'Donnell, David F. Powers

Narrated by: Fleet Cooper

An intimate portrait of an iconic American from the men closest to him

As a politician, John F. Kennedy crafted an image that inspired and thrilled millions - and left an outsize legacy after his tragic murder. Only a select inner circle was privy to the man behind Camelot.

In Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye, Kenneth P. O'Donnell and David F. Powers, two members of Kennedy's "Irish Mafia," give an unflinching, honest, and intimate portrayal of the Kennedy family and JFK's presidency. As they recount Kennedy's journey from his charismatic first campaign for Congress to his rapid rise to national standing, culminating on a November day in Texas, O'Donnell and Powers reveal the inner workings of a leader still mourned today.

©1970, 1972 Kenneth P. O’Donnell and David F. Powers (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

JFK an honest review of his life

I appreciate the true anecdotes shared by those who knew him and loved him. America lost one of its best because of a senseless crime.

Very Interesting

The story is great but the narrator needs to research names of subjects before taking job. Very hard to enjoy with so many mispronounced names.

Very well written and read!

One of the best books of the political life of President John F. Kennedy that I have had the privilege of hearing. I have always been a JFK fan and have always tried to read everything about him and his family that I could get my hands on. Such a fan of JFK I am that I have traveled from Western Kentucky to his gravesite three times and wish I had the honor of meeting him when he was alive, but I would have needed a time machine to have done that. The things that would have been different had he lived. No United States soldiers would have been involved in the Viet Nam conflict for one. How many families lives would be different today for just that? He truly was a Great Man. Thank you Kenner P. O’Donnell & David F. Powers for such a well written story and thank you Fleet Cooper for a great and enjoyable narration!

Well, they were his friends . . .

It's good, but sanitized. Early in the book, there's one paragraph regarding the "myth" that Kennedy had Addison's disease. Throughout the book, the authors emphasize his vigor and obvious good health despite the pain from his back problems. No mention of his womanizing. It was more politics than personal. Which is okay. I think his womanizing was probably not as widespread as the tabloids would have us believe. With all the meds he was on, I would think his ability to perform would be impaired.

If you're looking for details about his personal life, look elsewhere. There are bits and pieces, but they're covered better by other authors in other books.

Narration: Fleet Cooper needs to learn how to pronounce some names. He had me grinding my teeth. Most notably: journalist Sander Vanocur (emphasis on the second syllable /vænˈoʊkər/) and Senator Birch Bayh (rhymes with "eye" /bai/). His voice is okay; no intonation issues.