The Kennedys: After Camelot, Ep. 3: Sargent Shriver

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

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