GREAT READS

The Kennedy curse : why America's first family has been haunted by tragedy for 150 years

Edward Klein.

A subject of endless public attention and fascination, the Kennedy family remains the most blessed-and perhaps the most cursed-of any American family. Edward Klein, already renowned for his eye-opening and revelatory Kennedy por-traits All Too Human and Just Jackie, now delves deep into the misfortunes of the Kennedys, developing the premise that a curse has plagued them for centuries. Starting with Patrick in Ireland in 1834, Klein traces the family's mis-fortunes to the modern era, discussing both little-known and notorious subjects such as: -Joseph Kennedy's political and social machinations -John Jr.'s relationship with his fragile, troubled wife Carolyn Bessette -Jackie's anxieties about her children's problems and her almost pathological fear for their safety -The most recent theories in genetic analysis, and how the 'thrill-seeking' gene may afflict the family. In a penetrating, compulsively readable way, Klein once again offers up a fascinating analysis of this American dynasty.