The Kennedys: After Camelot (Book Club Reading & Discussion)

When her husband Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was shot and killed by an assassin right before her eyes in June 1968, Ethel was pregnant with their 11th child. At the time, Ethel could not imagine a life without Bobby — the man she had devoted her entire life to for 18 years. Bobby was her soulmate; her everything. “I love Bobby through eternity,” she once told future suitor Andy Williams. “Do you know how long eternity is? Well, it’s a hundred times longer than you think it is.” Although Ethel would try to date other men after Bobby’s death, it soon became clear enough to all of them that no one could ever replace Bobby in her heart, or her home. And why would any man in his right mind want to take over the immense challenge of playing father to 11 kids, several of whom were now unruly teenage boys partaking in drugs and constantly getting themselves into trouble? It was a big ask of any man who might be thinking of marrying #RFK’s widow, and a huge, heavy cross for Ethel to bear all by herself, but — that’s how she wanted it to be. It was a choice Ethel made not to seek another husband, to remain loyal to Bobby’s memory and raise their children as best she could. As a result, Ethel’s Hickory Hill home was a literal zoo (mainly due to RFK Jr.’s fascination with exotic animals kept as family pets). Her children were rarely disciplined, and were mostly raised by each other and an ever-changing array of nannies. Ethel seemed to find it impossible to control her large brood — especially the oldest boys Joe, Bobby Jr., and David. Nothing she tried worked, so she often resorted to the ultimate in “tough love": physical beatings, emotional abuse, and throwing them out of the house; threatening to disown them and cut them off of their family inheritances. The assassinations of their father and uncle #JFK, combined with the abuse and neglect their mother subjected them to during their youth would leave lasting, lifetime scars on the eldest sons, especially David, who died of a drug overdose in 1983, and Bobby Jr. — current Secretary of Health and Human Services for President Trump — who was a heroin addict for 14 years. The rift between #RFKJr. and Ethel never healed; she reportedly refused to see him on her deathbed and cut Bobby Jr. out of her will. Secretary #Kennedy was also shunned by his siblings at Ethel’s funeral, as revealed in a recent New York Magazine cover story. In Ep. 5, we will read and discuss this chapter about Ethel’s struggles in the immediate aftermath of RFK’s assassination from J. Randy Tarraborrelli’s book “The #Kennedys: After #Camelot.” Listen to every episode of “The Kennedys: After Camelot” series here. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXBcSYiYQxlfmKsmC90spusOEuGehKdp7&si=Sy1Tm1THhSTsrxD_

Just as Napoleon's decisive loss in the 1815 Battle of Waterloo marked General Bonaparte's final defeat and the end of the Napoleonic Wars, Chappaquiddick was Sen. Edward Kennedy's Waterloo; marking the end of his presidential chances and sounding the final death knell of Camelot. 56 years ago tonight, Ted's black Oldsmobile crashed off a small bridge on the tiny Massachusetts island of #Chappaquiddick and landed in the water. The next morning, the body of Mary Jo Kopechne — a 28 year-old woman who had worked for Ted's late brother, Robert F. Kennedy — was found inside the mostly-submerged car. What happened in those hours between midnight on July 18, 1969 and the morning of July 19 will forever remain a mystery. All we do know is that Sen. #Kennedy failed to report the accident for more than 10 hours, and not until local authorities had already discovered the car in Poucha Pond with a dead girl inside. #TedKennedy himself never offered a believable explanation for his actions that night. His own autobiography ("True Compass," published posthumously in 2009) gave the public no further details or closure. The truth about Chappaquiddick went with Teddy Kennedy to his grave. In his book "The #Kennedys: After #Camelot" author J. Randy Tarraborelli expertly pieced together the puzzle from interviews with Ted Kennedy's closest advisors, family members, witnesses, and court records -- it's packed with details never before heard, until now. Don't miss today's history book club reading of "The Kennedys: After Camelot, Episode 4 -- Teddy at Chappaquiddick." Listen to every episode of "The Kennedys: After Camelot" in this playlist. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXBcSYiYQxlcI6SqtEgPeYlB7MjBPUoZY&si=FjmxSP_a5BNfiwUU

In this new History Book Club audio podcast series, historian Lori Spencer hosts a reading and discussion of selected chapters from "After Camelot: A History of the Kennedy Family From 1968-Present" by New York Times bestselling author and prolific Kennedy chronicler J. Randy Taraborelli. This book picks up the story where Lori’s investigative true crime 13-part podcast series "Who Killed Bobby Kennedy?" left off: what happened to the #Kennedys after the assassinations of #JFK and #RFK? In Episode 3, we explore the extraordinary life and accomplishments of a man many have called “the best #Kennedy” (even though he wasn’t a Kennedy); or the “other Kennedy brother" — Robert “Sargent” Shriver, husband of Eunice Kennedy. “Sarge” as he was known, was perhaps the most idealistic and driven New Frontiersman of them all. He founded the Peace Corps, Head Start, Vista, the Job Corps, and the #SpecialOlympics, alongside Eunice. In addition to his service in President John F. Kennedy’s administration, Shriver later directed the Office of Economic Opportunity, which was a key part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. He also served #LBJ as the US Ambassador to France from 1968 to 1970. It seemed that Shriver was on-track to become president someday; an ideal heir to the Camelot throne. The crown might not have been his by birthright, but Shriver wanted to earn it through hard work. Sarge had it all — movie star looks, charisma, personality, smarts, ambition, and a deep commitment to making the world a better, more peaceful, and more equitable place for all. So what — or WHO — held him back from achieving the presidency? The entitlement, resentment, and jealousy of his own Kennedy in-laws. In this episode we will explain why certain branches of the Kennedy and Shriver family trees still cross swords, even today in 2025. President #Trump's Secretary of Health and Human Services is #RFKJr, nephew of Eunice and Sargent Shriver. His recent controversial statements on the causes of autism and approaches to viewing people with intellectual disabilities upset his Shriver cousins deeply, and HHS budget cuts now threaten the very existence of programs such as Head Start and Job Corps — the Shriver family legacy. Join Lori Spencer for "The Kennedys: After Camelot" -- a continuing history book club series that explores the lives of Sen. Edward Kennedy, Eunice and Sargent Shriver, JFK's sisters Jean and Pat, the Lawfords, the Smiths, Ethel, Jackie, and Joan Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, JFK Jr., and of course, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. as well. This history book club series is in memory of RFK's widow, the late Ethel Skakel Kennedy. Listen to ALL EPISODES of "The Kennedys: After Camelot" here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE0M1qzXbdpsFSBho4xv1fm6KSGiNvmWR&si=zglL8pmVZ6cq_PNF • The Kennedys: After Camelot Buy the book and follow along in your copy with this book club reading! https://www.amazon.com/After-Camelot-Personal-History-Family-1968-ebook/dp/B005S8O9F6 WATCH my investigative true crime series "Who Killed Bobby Kennedy" in this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE0M1qzXbdpv7buk6njq1UFEl6O_waI7r&si=MLzO6AFkY2-r2tDw Support my work with a donation or monthly membership http://LoriSpencer.wordpress.com/donate Buy a book from my wishlist for a future history book club reading here: http://GiftApp.com/RealLoriSpencer

In this new History Book Club audio podcast series, historian Lori Spencer reads and discusses selected chapters from "After Camelot: A History of the Kennedy family from 1968-Present" by New York Times bestselling author and prolific Kennedy chronicler J. Randy Taraborelli. This book picks up the story where my investigative true crime 13-part podcast series "Who Killed Bobby Kennedy?" left off: what happened to the #Kennedys after the assassinations of #JFK and #RFK? In Episode 2, we tell the sad story of Rosemary Kennedy, who was infamously subjected to a lobotomy operation at age 23 to "cure" what was most likely a mild, treatable form of #autism. The failed operation destroyed young Rosemary's brain and left her severely handicapped for the rest of her life. We will also explore how Rosemary's tragedy was covered up by the politically ambitious Kennedy family for decades, until one brave sibling -- Rosemary's sister Eunice Kennedy #Shriver -- made inclusion and proper treatment of mental and physical disabilities her life's mission and founded the #SpecialOlympics in 1968. President #Trump's Secretary of Health and Human Services is #RFKJr, nephew of Eunice and Rosemary Kennedy. His recent controversial statements on the causes of autism and plans for an autism registry database set off a firestorm of anger among disability advocates, which we will discuss in a historical context of #eugenics and outdated approaches to viewing people with intellectual disabilities. I hope you'll enjoy this excellent book along with me, as we trace every branch of the Kennedy family tree from Joe and Rose Kennedy through their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; their tragedies and triumphs, told accurately and thoroughly by the author. Join me for "The Kennedys: After Camelot" -- a continuing history book club series that explores the lives of Sen. Edward Kennedy, Eunice and Sargeant Shriver, JFK's sisters Jean and Pat, the Lawfords, the Smiths, Ethel, Jackie, and Joan Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, JFK Jr., and of course, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. as well. This history book club series is in memory of RFK's widow, the late Ethel Skakel Kennedy. Listen to ALL EPISODES of "The Kennedys: After Camelot" here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXBcSYiYQxlcI6SqtEgPeYlB7MjBPUoZY&si=uc-5eYJjZ52jKDfc Buy the book and follow along in your copy with this book club reading! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/after-camelot-j-randy-taraborrelli/1110780428 Support my work with a donation or monthly membership http://LoriSpencer.wordpress.com/donate Buy a book from my wishlist for a future history book club reading here: http://GiftApp.com/RealLoriSpencer

In this new History Book Club audio podcast series, historian @RealLoriSpencer reads and discusses selected chapters from "After Camelot: A History of the Kennedy family from 1968-Present" by New York Times bestselling author and prolific Kennedy chronicler J. Randy Taraborelli. This book picks up the story where my investigative true crime 13-part podcast series "Who Killed Bobby Kennedy?" left off: what happened to the #Kennedys after the assassinations of #JFK and #RFK? In Episode 1, we will learn how President #Kennedy's widow Jacqueline struggled with severe depression, nightmares, and PTSD following the brutal murder of her husband, and her romance with a man the Kennedys detested -- Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis -- whom she would wed just four months after Robert Kennedy's assassination in 1968. I hope you'll enjoy this excellent book along with me, as we trace every branch of the Kennedy family tree from Joe and Rose Kennedy through their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; their tragedies and triumphs, told accurately and thoroughly by the author. Join me for "The Kennedys: After Camelot" -- a continuing history book club series that explores the lives of Sen. Edward Kennedy, Eunice and Sargeant Shriver, JFK's sisters Jean and Pat, the Lawfords, the Smiths, Ethel, Jackie, and Joan Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, JFK Jr., and of course, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. as well. This history book club series is in memory of RFK's widow, the late Ethel Skakel Kennedy. Buy the book and follow along in your copy with this book club reading! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/after-camelot-j-randy-taraborrelli/1110780428 Support my work with a donation or monthly membership http://LoriSpencer.wordpress.com/donate Buy a book from my wishlist for a future history book club reading here: http://GiftApp.com/RealLoriSpencer

In this new History Book Club audio podcast series, historian Lori Spencer reads and discusses selected chapters from "After Camelot: A History of the Kennedy family from 1968-Present" by New York Times bestselling author and prolific Kennedy chronicler J. Randy Taraborelli. This book picks up the story where my investigative true crime 13-part podcast series "Who Killed Bobby Kennedy?" left off: what happened to the #Kennedys after the assassinations of #JFK and #RFK? Now that Sen. Kennedy's son, former 2024 presidential candidate Robert F. #Kennedy Jr. has been appointed by President #Trump as Secretary of Health and Human Services, the public's interest in the Kennedy clan is rekindled. A new generation of Americans are curious to learn more about #RFKJr's storied family's history. I hope you'll enjoy this excellent book along with me, as we trace every branch of the Kennedy family tree from Joe and Rose Kennedy through their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; their tragedies and triumphs, told accurately and thoroughly by the author. Join me for "The Kennedys: After Camelot" -- a continuing history book club series that explores the lives of Sen. Edward Kennedy, Eunice and Sargeant Shriver, JFK's sisters Jean and Pat, the Lawfords, the Smiths, Ethel, Jackie, and Joan Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, JFK Jr., and of course, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. as well. This history book club series is in memory of RFK's widow, the late Ethel Skakel Kennedy. Buy the book and follow along in your copy with this book club reading! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/after-camelot-j-randy-taraborrelli/1110780428 Support my work with a donation or monthly membership, or buy me a good history book for a future book club reading! http://LoriSpencer.wordpress.com/donate