Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter

I learned, I was absorbed, I was emotionally invested = 5 stars. Review of the audio. Rosemary Kennedy, the third child and first daughter born to Rose and Joe Kennedy, was intellectually disabled due to a trauma during her birth. It was both interesting and devastating to learn how the Kennedys, the medical field, and the mainstream U.S. culture, felt about the disability at the time. I hope we’ve made some strides in this area, but there is definitely room to grow. The Kennedys were staunch in their beliefs that, as a young child, Rosemary could grow developmentally and reach the achievements, both physically, academically, and cognitively, of her siblings. As she got older, the Kennedys were tireless in their efforts to find an appropriate school for Rosemary, where she would excel. She had so many transitions, and transitions were hard for her. As she got older, Rosemary had some anger and outbursts more frequently, and the family went in search of another type of care for her. They literally tried all of what was available for her at the time, and some of these things were positive (like the Devereaux School which was ahead of its time) and others were traumatic and destructive. The author follows from before Rosemary’s birth (how her parents met, the two sons born before her) all the way through the end of Rosemary’s life and after. This was a nonfiction book filled with well-researched detail about the Kennedy family and the time period. Rosemary is whom it’s all about, and she was on my heart. I can’t help but wish she had been born in a different time when intellectual disabilities were more accepted, where treatments were safer, and where she could be free to be the lovely, radiant person she was. Even if they didn’t always express it how I would have, I was struck by her family’s love for her, especially Eunice’s devotion. The last few paragraphs of the book include some thoughts from Rose who had a conflicted relationship with Rosemary, but early in her life, she had been her biggest advocate and protector. Rose discussed what she felt the purpose of Rosemary’s life had been for the family. That was touching. She finally got it. Or a little bit of it. I never felt bogged down in the details on this one. It was a pleasure learning about the time period, which gave context to Rosemary’s life. Overall, this was a solid listen.

I've always found the Kennedys to be a fascinating family, especially JFK and his wife, Jackie. I've seen a few movies about them, know the basics about Joe and Rose Kennedy and their famous political sons, but I had never heard of Rosemary Kennedy before (or, at least, I don't remember ever hearing of her). When I saw Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter come up for sale as a Kindle/Audible audiobook combo I knew I wanted to learn more. I'm so glad I purchased it because this story completely expanded my view of the Kennedys as a whole (not always in a good way) and introduced me to this remarkable member, one that's life was infinitely tragic. This really is more than just the story of Rosemary. While she stays center to the story the author does a really good job of giving a solid background on her parents - Joe and Rose Kennedy - as well as each sibling. If for no other reason I think including this information was an excellent choice as detailing the various Kennedys' ambitions, skills, competitiveness, and drives went a huge way towards highlighting Rosemary's limits and the frustrations and disappointments she would have naturally felt growing up under the Kennedy regime. While I know this was a different time and place, it was upsetting to hear how Rosemary was pushed to achieve more than she was mentally capable of and how she was shuttled around and kept hidden often when she didn't live up to her parents' expectations. As a mother I cannot imagine sending my child off over and over again to let other people take care of her while I go on a myriad of vacations and concentrate on my more capable children. It's just appalling to me! I honestly had to stop listening for a while when I got to the part about the lobotomy. I could not believe that her father agreed to such a drastic, invasive measure to "fix" his (in his eyes) imperfect daughter instead of just accepting her with her limitations and letting her know that she was just fine the way she was (which, in my opinion, might have helped with the increased tantrums she had as she tried to keep up with the demands of her family). Top that off with the fact that she was then placed in an institution far from her family for decades so that no one knew how catastrophic a mistake they had made is just unimaginable to me. This biography left me with a bitter dislike for Joe and Rose Kennedy and for the lengths they went to for their own ambitions for their family. What I enjoyed most about this book is the detail given to discussing how mental deficiencies and delays were viewed and dealt with in general during the early to mid 1900s and how those views shifted and changed with further study, exposure, and treatment, much of which was advanced by the Kennedy's philanthropic foundations and Eunice Kennedy's work and efforts in particular. So, in the end, whether from love, guilt, or whatever other motives might have fueled them, their experiences with Rosemary and her many trials ended up doing so much for other people like her. I also became a huge fan of Eunice Kennedy (someone else I wasn't overly familiar with) due to the fact that she was really the only one who took the time to spend quality time with Rosemary and wasn't as afraid as the others to speak about her disabled sister. Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy is a wonderful look into the Kennedy family as a whole and this intriguing and tragic member in particular. I'm not sure if what is discussed within its pages are already well known facts to those that have studied the Kennedys but I learned quite a bit and now want to read even further about the family. I can't help thinking how much happier Rosemary's life might have been if she was born into a less ambitious family or a different time. The author (and narrator!) did an excellent job of making me feel for Rosemary and, for me, that is the mark of a great nonfiction book.

The book arrived in excellent condition, but I haven't had time to read it yet and so can't comment on its contents for the moment. I have however skimmed through a few of the pages and it seems to be an excellent read ! Contact me later once I've read the book for a fuller review. Robert Bullock.

Pleased with purchase. No problems as usual. Amazon you’ve delivered again!

Eine sehr eindrucksvolle Biografie, die sehr zu Herzen ging. Der Inhalt hat mich noch eine Weile beschäftigt und ließ mich nicht los. So ein armes Wesen, das nicht so sein durfte, wie es war.

There's nothing more intriguing that a mystery-people go to great lengths to find out the truth. This biography is intriguing from it's cover onward. Why? Most people did not know about Rosemary and those who did assumed her to be dead. A great deal of money spent in fear of stigma allowed the Kennedy's to put her in seclusion.

Well written. Such an interesting powerful book that I could not put down . Thoroughly recommend this book great author.