Ask Not

The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed

De: Maureen Callahan

Narrado por: Gabra Zackman

From New York Times bestseller Maureen Callahan, a fierce, character-driven exposé of the real Kennedy Curse—the family’s generations-long legacy of misogyny, murder, and mayhem.

The Kennedy name has long been synonymous with wealth, power, glamor, and—above all else—integrity. But this carefully constructed veneer hides a dark truth: the pattern of Kennedy men physically and psychologically abusing women and girls, leaving a trail of ruin and death in each generation’s wake. Through decades of scandal after scandal—from sexual assaults to reputational slander, suicides to manslaughter—the family and their defenders have kept the Kennedy brand intact. Now, in Ask Not, bestselling author and journalist Maureen Callahan reveals the Kennedys’ hidden history of violence and exploitation, laying bare their unrepentant sexism and rampant depravity while also restoring these women and girls to their rightful place at the center of the dynasty’s story: from Jacqueline Onassis and Marilyn Monroe to Carolyn Bessette, Martha Moxley, Mary Jo Kopechne, Rosemary Kennedy, and many others whose names aren’t nearly as well known but should be.

Drawing on years of explosive reportage and written in electric prose, Ask Not is a long-overdue reckoning with this fabled family and a consequential part of American history that is still very much with us. At long last, Callahan redirects the spotlight to the women in the Kennedys’ orbit, paying homage to those who freed themselves and giving voice to those who, through no fault of their own, could not.

©2024 Maureen Callahan (P)2024 Little, Brown & Company

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Bold, brave and original, Ask Not takes a sledgehammer to the myth of Camelot. This is an unforgettable book—a necessary reckoning that will forever change the way I view modern American history." —Susannah Cahalan, author of The Great Pretender and the #1 New York Times bestseller Brain on Fire

“A harrowing, incendiary swirl of tragedy, true crime, and reconsidered history, Ask Not sets a match to the glamour and mystique of America’s most famous family. With incisive wit and wisdom, Callahan exposes the individuals and the celebrity culture that aided and abetted so many Kennedy men.” —Karen Abbott, New York Times bestselling author of The Ghosts of Eden Park and Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy

Finished this in two days

I could not put this down. I was hesitant to get it wondering if there could possibly be anything new, I'm glad i took a chance. I usually wait til books are on sale but this one I just couldn't wait. I was also worried if this was just a political "ax to grind." I had listened to a few interviews with the author and she disavowed that the book was for political purposes. I'm independent but I try to look for authors that aren't purely partisan. I want a fair, balanced approach of the good and the bad when it comes to books written about political figures. For too long we only had this gushing, romanticized myth of the Kennedys and it's long past the time to task of the rose colored glasses with them or really any influential person or family. This influential, privileged family despite all the access to power and money just can't seem to get out of their own way. Their lives and fame seem so desirable until you peel back some layers then there's A LOT Of bodies, A LOT of std's and a lot of pain. I'm of the mind set that "with great power comes great responsibility." This family theme is "with great power comes great entitlement," and it does not matter who gets hurt in the process. Rose Mary is the only innocent in this mess. My heart ached with her parents referring to her as "a loser." Only a loser of a parent would speak that way of your child that had no say in what happened to her during birth or in the sadistic way her father destroyed her. I don't care how powerful one is, only a sociopathic creature could do such a thing to a child who lived for your words of praise or a scrap of attention. The only thing I would like to have seen is more on RFK Jr. What a shame he's running for the independent slot and so many people are unhappy with the other two choices. If he just wasn't SO WEIRD and such a monster himself, he could have been a viable option in this upcoming 2024 election. ESPECIALLY after this book, the Kennedy family needs no more access to power, be it as a senator or the president. Bobby Jr is only viable as a candidate for the lobotomy his uncle forced upon Rose Mary. I knew the chatter when his ex wife Mary, passed away. Her friends spoke out and I believe they either petitioned the court so they could try to speak for their deceased friend or whether it was just a letter, but they tried to get the truth out of how awful he was to Mary. He honestly terrifies me how cruel and manipulative he is. He drove her to suicide. He gaslit Mary and it was death by a thousand cuts. One can make others believe someone is the crazy one, I've seen it in relationships around me. It's abuse and it is insidious and dangerous. Thank you for bringing this to light. I felt like we are being gaslit as the American public with him. No one brings any of this up. I don't know if it's just media manipulation and control or what, but besides the craziness of his anti vax grift (and that's all it really is *GRIFT*), telling the story of having Mary buried with all the pomp and show fitting of a Kennedy funeral and then when the spotlight is off of you you dig up your children's MOTHER and move her to a trash spot, you are a sick, soulless person. Tell the American voters that story and I would bet anything it'd be the nail in Booby's sad attempt at a presidential campaign. And shame on you too, Cheryl Hines. Do you really think you can change him?? Lol. He's probably got bodies lined up to add to his to his little diary as I write this review. How you got him is how you'll lose him. These men chew up and destroy the women in their paths. I pity anyone who gets in a relationship with a Kennedy male. You may think you're different, but look at the wake of destruction they leave. The only "Kennedy curse," is a relationship with a Kennedy man. I can't decide which one is the most loathsome creature.

Riveting

I read it in two days. I hesitated to read because side what else could be said about the Kennedy’s that hasn’t already been said or written. Be prepared to be surprised and shocked. Very readable.

Politics aside

Politics aside, this is an excellent read. Maureen really did her research. Haven’t been able to put it down. A fair assessment all around.

The Myth is only that

Book is well written. Love having an audio so I can do other task but still “read”

The truth will make you free

I enjoyed the book very much.
Joe Kennedy made a deal with the devil all those years ago and it got Joe Jr, Kick, Jack, and Bobby killed.
He was responsible for Rosemary getting a lobotomy.
Jack, Bobby, and Teddy learned from the father that it was okay to mistreat people.
That behavior continues through the next generation of Kennedys.
The Kennedys do not want this truth to come out.
But, it will come out into the open.
And only by returning to GOD can they be ready to get through this.
The Kennedys will human beings with human flaws
They, like all of us, are not perfect.
None are perfect but Jesus and Jesus alone.
They made mistakes in their private life.
This hurt a lot of men and women.
The assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy came about because Joe Kennedy made a deal with the mob and then Bobby destroyed that deal. Jack Kennedy didn't do that much during his presidency except abuse women and his wife. He tried to do something while president. The way he died and the way that he died was horrible.
There were two versions of Jack. There was the public Jack Kennedy who wanted to make America a better place. Who challenged Americans to be better. To serve and make life better. Then, there was Jack Kennedy who was a monster.
Abanded by his parents at a young age when he was sick. Told by his father that having affairs was okay and to disregard people's feelings. Jack and Marilyn Monroe were both broken people who were looking for true, honest, and caring love.
That love they didn't find.
I am willing to forgive the Kennedy Family and give them into the hands of GOD.
It is my prayer the families of the women who were hurt by the Kennedys will find peace.

Shocked at the number of disposable young women!

This book reveals shocking details about the entire Kennedy family and of their disgusting history of discarding “inconvenient” women.

Glad to learn so much on the Kennedy men and women

Straight forward. Glad to learn so mirrored this upcoming election! Politics seems to bring out the worst in people.

History and Truth

Excellent book and narrative that is a don’t miss. I enjoyed every minute of it. It’s time to hear the honest story of these women.

So interesting!

Gives you a lot to think about, how we perceive the world, what’s actually true, who do we believe and especially that there are two sides to every story.

Very enloghtening

I think we all always knew the Kennedy's were/are not goof, honest people. Now we know, they are not.