In this probing expose Edward Klein unravels one of the great mysteries of our time, and explains why the Kennedys have been subjected to the chain of many calamities, The Kennedy Curse is an attempt to to de-mystify the family

The Kennedy curse: why America's First Family has been haunted by tragedy for 150 years/Edward Klein-1st. ed.

The Kennedys rose from the slums of Boston to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the United States, but their journey had not been an easy one. Of Joe Kennedy's nine children, two were killed in plane crashes, two were assassinated in public office, one was institutionalised and one had his political career ruined by an accident that resulted in the death of a young campaign worker. These and other tragedies have given rise to the legend of the "Kennedy Curse," but this book aims to show that there was no curse at all. We look at each of these events in some detail and in context with one another and we see that they follow the simple rule of cause and effect. Most of the tragedies that have befallen the Kennedy family were borne out of Joseph Kennedy's obsessive desire for wealth and political power. He drove his children hard and many achieved great things, but they made a lot of dangerous enemies along the way. The Kennedys were raised to believe that they were better than anyone else and that the normal rules of life did not apply to them. They were ruthlessly ambitious and would stop at nothing to get what they wanted and they pursued Joe Kennedy's dream with the passion of a crusade. But there would be a heavy price to pay and old Joe could only look on as one after another of his precious children were either taken from him or ruined. He witnessed almost all of these tragic events as they unfolded and as he saw the pain and misery the family had endured, he must have wondered if it had all been worthwhile.

Explains why the Kennedy's have been subjected to such a mind-boggling chain of calamities. Explores the underlying pattern that governs the Kennedy Curse.Ó Offers penetrating portraits of the Irish immigrant Patrick Kennedy; Rose Kennedy's father; the dynasty's founding father, Joe Kennedy, & his ill-fated daughter Kathleen; Pres. Kennedy; accused rapist William Kennedy Smith; & the star-crossed lovers, JFK Jr. & Carolyn Bessette. Each of the 7 profiles demonstrates the basic premise of this book: the Kennedy CurseÓ is the result of the destructive collision between the Kennedys' fantasy of omnipotence -- a desire to get away with things that others cannot -- & the cold, hard realities of life. Black & white photos.

Traces the misfortunes of the Kennedy family from the 1830s to the present to consider the author's theories about the family's biological inclinations toward trouble.

Kennedys were always taught to win at all costs. And they did -- but the price they paid was unimaginable... Across decades and generations, the Kennedys have been a family of charismatic adventurers, raised to take risks and excel. Their name is synonymous with American royalty. Their commitment to public service is legendary. But, for all the successes, the family has been blighted by assassinations, fatal accidents, drug and alcohol abuse and sex scandals. To this day, the Kennedys occupy a unique, contradictory place in the world's imagination: at once familiar and unknowable; charmed and cursed.

Cholera. Plane Crashes. Assassinations. Lobotomies. Crib Death. Suicide. Sex Addiction. Miscarriages. Mental Illness. Drug Abuse. Car Wrecks. Cancer. With a family history like that, you'd think they were cursed. The American Camelot meets Grand Guignol in The Kennedy Curse, the latest anthology from the publishers of Big Pulp magazine! Featuring fiction and poems by Nick Andreychuk, R.H. Blackburn, Patricia Bruce, Gary Cahill, Harri B. Cradoc, Jarrid Deaton, Liz Dolan, Milo James Fowler, Raymond Gallucci, A.A. Garrison, Walter Giersbach, John Grey, Atar Hadari, John Hayes, L.L. Hill, Jack Horne, Tony Laplume, Tim Lieder, Paul Lorello, Zoe McAuley, Terrence McCauley, James Penha, Terrie Leigh Relf, James Frederick William Rowe, E.F. Schraeder, Mike Sharlow, R.J. Spears, Anna Sykora, and Sarah Delap U

JAMES PATTERSON'S MASTERPIECE ________________________________ Kennedys were always taught to win at all costs. And they did - but the costs were unimaginable... Across decades and generations, the Kennedys have been a family of charismatic adventurers, raised to take risks and excel. Their name is synonymous with American royalty. Their commitment to public service is legendary. But, for all the successes, the family has been blighted by assassinations, fatal accidents, mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse and sex scandals. To this day, the Kennedys occupy a unique, contradictory place in the world's imagination- at once charmed and cursed; familiar and unknowable. The Kennedy Curse is a revealing, fascinating account of America's most famous family, as told by the world's most trusted storyteller. ________________________________ 'When I wrote my first novel after several non-fiction works about politics, James Patterson lovingly lambasted me for infringing on his thriller territory. Now I know how he feels as he crosses into non-fiction politics with this juicy and entertaining look at a political family that continues to wield power and influence. He's too good - it isn't fair!' JAKE TAPPER, CNN anchor and author of The Hellfire Club