Review of the Kennedy family through the eyes and stories of various women. There are many you know (Jackie, Marilyn) and some you don’t. While we know the overall story of these men, actually reading the details, of which there are many, is hard to stomach. The women were disposable. The men were kings.

In terms of the book itself, it’s slightly organized but also jumps around a lot. And everything with Marilyn Monroe… I’ve read extensively about her and while the way JFK is portrayed as terrible (he was), he was certainly not Marilyn’s “cult leader, ruler and guru.” So since I know that about Marilyn, I do wonder about other details.

The information about Rosemary Kennedy’s lobotomy with Dr Freeman is also wrong. He did do it, but saying it wasn’t the icepick method which was the earlier method is not true and actually is the opposite.

At the very least this gets you thinking. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

When I heard this book was coming out, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. The concept sounded fascinating to me, and as someone who is very interested in Marilyn Monroe, I always wondered if the Kennedys were the good guys they were portrayed as. If you read this book, you’ll have your answer to that. This book was fascinating, and I loved reading about all these incredible women, who all had the misfortune of getting swept up into an extremely dysfunctional family. It was hard to read at times because it was so enraging to hear about how the Kennedy men were constantly getting away with horrible behavior, and in some cases, crimes, and never seem to be held to account, even today. I’m glad someone finally decided to tel these women’s stories, and give them the recognition they deserve.

This book ended up being a little more gossipy then I thought it would be. And, with the way it was written, I had a hard time feeling sympathy for the Kennedy men or the women they treated so horribly. It is definitely an entertaining book. I just felt a bit icky while reading it. Received a digital review copy through NetGalley.

Thank you to Net Galley for this e-copy of AsK Not by Maureen Callahan in exchange for a honest review . As a first generation Irish Catholic who adored the Kennedy’s , I was very unprepared to read this powerful, emotional and totally heart wrenching account of the emotional wreckage that the Kennedy men wrought upon the women in their lives. From Joe Sr’s lobotomization of his poor daughter Rosemary to the repeated adulteries of Joe , Robert and Ted and their lack of concern for their spouses to the 3rd generation of Kennedys who continue the family legacy of reckless disregard for the women who they use and discard.. This is a must read for anyone who held the Kennedys in high esteem.

"Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed" by Maureen Callahan is a compelling and fierce exposé of the infamous Kennedy family, meticulously uncovering the dark legacy of misogyny and abuse that has long been overshadowed by their public image of wealth, power, and glamor. Callahan delves deep into the generations of Kennedy men who have physically and psychologically harmed women, leaving a trail of ruined lives and shattered dreams. This book sheds light on the true nature of the so-called "Kennedy Curse," focusing on the women who suffered at the hands of this powerful dynasty.

Callahan's narrative is both gripping and heart-wrenching, bringing to the forefront the stories of women such as Jacqueline Onassis, Marilyn Monroe, Carolyn Bessette, Martha Moxley, Mary Jo Kopechne, and Rosemary Kennedy, among others. These women, often relegated to the sidelines of history, are given their due recognition and voice. The book does not shy away from detailing the horrific experiences these women endured, from sexual assaults and reputational slander to suicides and manslaughter, all while the Kennedy men continued their destructive behavior with impunity.

What makes "Ask Not" particularly powerful is Callahan's ability to blend meticulous research with evocative prose. She draws from years of explosive reportage, providing a well-documented and thoroughly researched account of the Kennedy family's dark side. The book is not merely a sensationalist hit piece; it is a necessary reappraisal of the Kennedy legacy, highlighting the systemic abuse and exploitation that were integral to their rise to power.

Despite the heavy subject matter, Callahan's writing remains engaging and accessible, making it a compelling read for those interested in true crime, history, and the complexities of power dynamics. The book also serves as a sobering reminder of the pervasive nature of misogyny and the long-lasting impact of trauma on the lives of women.

Overall, "Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed" is a significant contribution to the understanding of one of America's most storied families. It restores the narratives of the women who were victimized and often forgotten, offering a necessary and long-overdue reckoning with the darker aspects of the Kennedy legacy. This book is highly recommended for readers looking for a thorough and thought-provoking exploration of the real Kennedy Curse.

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book. This review reflects my honest opinion.

This was a fascinating look at an iconic family. The author is a journalist and her careful research and in-depth interviews showed through. Although the book faulted the male Kennedys for their appalling treatment of women, it showed the strength and resilience of many of the wives and mistresses. So much of the behavior wouldn't be tolerated today, for example, the White House interns having regular "pool parties" with JFK and his friends. They were young girls, impressed by the power and charm of JFK. Definitely give it five stars.

Reading across the political spectrum part 3: a smashing success. Callahan writes for the Daily Mail a lot, which is not a source I trust, and it also advocate for ideas I strongly disagree with. However, I was absolutely enraptured by the stories of the many women used by the Kennedys. Callahan had no interest in portraying any of the Kennedys, male or female (except for Jackie and Kick) at all positively, but these horrible people just draw me in.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I was intrigued immediately by this books description. It did not disappoint! The stories of these women were aching to be told and the author did a fantastic job. The story had me gripped throughout and I learned quite a bit. Very well researched and written I would suggest this book to many genre lovers.

Rating: 3 stars

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for my arc copy of Ask Not.

This book obviously proved to be an interesting read - super scandalous and not lacking details. I found myself completely disgusted by the supposed actions of the Kennedy men and so absolutely devastated for the women who suffered by being involved with them. Lies, deceit, womanizing… some of these women even died alongside their Kennedy men or because of them.

So much of what is written I am sure could be debated as most of these stories were shielded from the public during times where the press had a major respect for the Kennedy family and/or an agreement of sorts. I also find that with what we know of the past and how these types of scandals would have been handled that there is also likely a lot true written.

I found the book to be very interesting, well written and an exciting read. I absolutely would/will recommend it to any history lovers or readers interested in knowing more in depth stories about the Kennedy family or their interactions with women & how they played out.

This was a book I wished was a series of books on each woman and their lives. I grew up with a “Camelot” loving mom and so I’ve been reading about the male Kennedys for years.

As usual, it’s the women who are the most interesting people. I loved that the author made sure to mention the flaws of the women, it made them more real and oddly more tragic. The details in here are amazing!

The men in the family finally get the calling out they desperately needed. This is a book full of red flags for every woman, in any kind of a power heavy relationship. I knew going in that they’d done a lot of bad things, but the extent surprised me. These men were horrible.

Really well researched and written! Couldn’t recommend more!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC. All of my opinions are my own.

Maureen Callahan's "Ask Not" is a piercing exposé of the infamous Kennedy family, peeling back the layers of their public image to reveal a dark legacy of misogyny and abuse. In “Ask Not,” Callahan meticulously documents a Kennedy history rife with violence and exploitation against women, challenging the myth of American Royalty. Recounting the tragic tales of Jacqueline Onassis, Marilyn Monroe, Martha Moxley, and Mary Jo Kopechne, among others, Callahan brings their injustices to light. The narrative doesn't just recount the horrors, and there are many but also pays tribute to the resilience of the women who managed to break free and honor the lives of those who could not. With incisive prose and thorough research, "Ask Not" restores the voices of the women who were for so long overshadowed, reclaims their narratives, and presents a stark, necessary reappraisal of the Kennedy legacy.

This was an interesting and informative offering regarding the Kennedy men and how they've mistreated their women throughout history. Some of the women who were the collateral damage in their lives were:

Jackie Kennedy
Joan Kennedy
Rosemary Kennedy
Mary Richardson Kennedy
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy
Mary Jo Kopechne
Kick Kennedy
Marilyn Monroe
Martha Moxley
Pamela Kelley
Christina Haag

There are mostly accounts of serial cheating, but other moral lapses include rape, sex with minors, murder, leaving a young woman to drown, causing a young woman to be permanently paralyzed, driving someone to suicide, putting women in reckless, dangerous situations, arranging a lobotomy, and mental cruelty. Rarely was there any serious accountability. I heard a lot of these stories before, but this author really fleshed out these cases in detail. I often see her articles in The Daily Mail Online app, and this book has been heavily serialized there prior to its imminent release. This was a sobering and well-written read.

Thank you to the publisher Little, Brown and Company who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

This book really makes you think how different the Kennedy men would be viewed in current times.
A very thought provoking book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

This book is a somewhat depressing read that could have been better organized. It also included a chapter on Kick Kennedy who really wasn’t destroyed by the family and one individual who actually wasn’t even a Kennedy (I suppose it was included to help ramp up the salaciousness of the book). The book is obviously well researched, but could have been better by following one continuous timeline and covering all of one individual in a chapter instead of two or three with several other ones in between. The author’s intent that the Kennedy men in the book had no redeeming qualities when it came to women definitely comes through. It reminds of the book – The Dark Side of Camelot that came out many, many years ago.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.I'll say this was a great read. Learning about all the women these men destroyed. Like I was shocked with some things that I didn't know. You know but some people can be great, and do shitty things at the same time. JFK did great things but also destroyed a lot of women.

I loved this.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed by journalist Maureen Callahan is an informative, interesting, gossipy, juicy, rehashing of years of scandals involving members of the Kennedy family. The retelling was a sad reminder for this political junky who was as versed as was possible from the presidential campaign of JFK through the rest of the events the author covers. Press coverage always protected the Kennedy men and continued to imply that whatever had happened was because of some failing in the women. An example of this that comes to mind is that at the time, the given reason JFK, Jr. last flight was late leaving was because he had to wait until it was close to dark for his wife to get her toenails painted. This reviewer also encourages reading the author’s end notes for additional information. It is way past time for this unmasking especially of the Kennedy politicians who in spite of their despicable behavior have been placed on very high pedestals. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Highly recommend.

#AskNot by Maureen Callahan is the most scandalous read of the year! The Kennedy family has been on top for so long and stepped on many women along the way and this book shares just a fraction of what they endured and how they succumbed or rose above it!
A CAPTIVATING EXPOSE that I haven’t been able to stop talking about. At times while reading I was in tears and others filled with anger at what and how these women were used, objectified, and discarded.

I want to thank little, brown and company and #NetGalley for the chance to read an advanced readers copy. This read was phenomenal and i greatly enjoyed it. This will be on my bookshelf come July 2nd!

In case you’re wondering who makes the list of destroyed women, here they are in the order they first appear in the book:

Carolyn Bessette
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy
Mimi Beardsley
Diana de Vegh
Marilyn Monroe
Mary Richardson Kennedy
Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy
Mary Jo Kopechne
Joan Bennett Kennedy
Pamela Kelley
Martha Moxley
Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy
Rosemary Kennedy

It’s a sickening feeling to read this book. Sort of like watching a horror movie with people shouting at the screen for the young woman not to go into that house, many readers will wish they could have told these women to flee upon introduction to anyone in the Kennedy family. There is a lot here that most readers will have heard of, at least superficially, but when the various victims and perpetrators are all presented in one book in detail, the relentless and destructive misogyny is overwhelming.

Most of the famous Kennedy men—Joe, JFK, JFK Jr., Ted, RFK Jr.—are portrayed as womanizers who used the women in their lives and gave them little respect or consideration. Ethel Kennedy’s other sons and her nephews, and Aristotle Onassis are also shown as causing death and serious injury to numerous women. But many women in this book don’t come off well, either. Carolyn Bessette is depicted as a partier who was casually cruel to boyfriends, including JFK Jr. Both the family matriarch, Rose Kennedy, and RFK’s wife, Ethel, are painted as women who dutifully produced enormous families but then neglected their children or treated them badly. Even Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg takes a hit for purportedly shunning her sister-in-law’s family after she and her sister were killed in a plane crash caused by JFK Jr.’s recklessness, and sending her husband to deal (coldly) with them.

I don’t think the inclusion of Kick Kennedy as a woman destroyed by the family holds up, and it was Ethel Skakel Kennedy’s nephew (in other words, not a Kennedy) who was convicted of murdering Martha Moxley. But Kennedy men did directly use and abuse the other women listed above.

The author certainly has an agenda—which may be betrayed by the fact that she works for the Daily Mail, a right-wing tabloid—and some readers may question her characterizations of the people and events. She so rarely has a good word to say about anyone in the Kennedy family, male or female, that I wonder about bias. She has an extensive note section, but most of her sources are secondary and, of course, it’s easy to pick sources that happen to align with one’s own biases. Still, this is an interesting take on America’s most famous family. Be prepared to be depressed and infuriated at the depicted complicity of the family in throwing women to the wolves for the sake of protecting the Kennedy men, no matter what they did. At the time of publication, summer 2024, I can’t imagine RFK Jr. will be at all happy with the revival of stories about his past. In particular, it won’t help him with women voters.