[.ca] Sweet Caroline: Last Child of Camelot (ISBN 0061032255)

Truthful Yet Sensitive:
It can't be an easy thing, writing a biography of someone who's still alive. If, as is the case with singer Johnny Mathis, the author has to go through paid spin doctors who try to control what is and isn't told, getting a book together that's sensitive to the subject yet doesn't back down from the truth can be darn near impossible. I read a third of this book while browsing in Target, and it was evident Mr. Andersen had exceptional access to confidantes and other sources to put this book together. I found it a very readable, fascinating view of a privileged little girl who adored her father and her little brother and had to absorb so much at a very young age. But this isn't a children's book; there's enough real life in this story to give even the hardened biography reader pause. I appreciate a biography of a living public figure that isn't all fluff and dander. I appreciate what the author had to go through to put a book like this together, and I highly recommend it.

To be admired: the survivor daughter:
I was entranced by Andersen's account of Caroline Kennedy and realize that as a former editor of People Magazine that he has had access to mountains of information/misinformation on the Kennedy family. I found his treatment of Caroline's story to be sweet, as in the title, but not saccharine. And the admiration I already had for her has been upped by this biography. I feel sure that this is purely unauthorized. But it does not scandalize Caroline. And, although I am certain it further violates her privacy, I feel that Andersen's work ennobles Caroline as the lone survivor of the Camelot family. Perhaps it is because I am an inveterate reader of People that I found Andersen's style so readable. But I really did want to keep reading. And not all biographies are so enticing. Of course, there is the lure of trying find out another scoop on one of the chosen Kennedy clan. But I honestly find this volume on Caroline to be uplifting, although I know that there are things yet to be known about her. Time will tell about the rest of her life, yet a young life in the scheme of things. One just hopes that she not only survives her family's tragedies, but that she and her spouse and children and their progeny prosper and continue to use their wealth to enrich not only themselves, but this nation. Brava!

Same old, same old:
This was said in another review but it is true..this book is a rehash of the Kennedy family. I was hoping to find out about Caroline Kennedy as a grown up, a mother and a wife. There is little insight into who Caroline Kennedy is today. Mr. Andersen just takes us through the bad times and rehashes them again. Good for Caroline Kennedy with all she has been through she still has good friends and family that will not talk to Mr. Andersen about her. I am glad her private life is private. So if you want to rehash what you already know by all means by this book.

Same Old Stuff:
Just finished this book. I've read many Kennedy Bio's and this was no different. Learned nothing new. Save your money,don't buy this one.

Not only "same old, same old"... but inaccurate:
I have read all of the Kennedy biographies and there is very little new information in this biography. The first part has been covered in all of the others, and the second part has been covered in the tabloids, which makes we question the accuracy of anything here that has not been lifted from another source. I noted two parts of this book that do not appear to be in keeping with what has been well documented. 1. The books states, that on April 4, 1968, Caroline was in her classroom when a teacher came in and whispered to her teacher that Martin Luther King had been shot. Quick research on the Web states this happened at about 4:30PM EST..Are 11 year olds in class at that time? 2. The books states that when visiting the White House JFK Jr. told then President Nixon, that he used to play under his desk. Everyone knows that the famous Kennedy desk was removed when he died, and not used again until it was brought back by President Clinton.