Karen M. Dunak’s Our Jackie: Her Life in the Public Eye offers a compelling exploration of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s enduring cultural significance. Far from a traditional biography, Dunak’s work examines how Jackie’s carefully curated public image evolved over time and shaped the perceptions of a nation.

The book delves into Jackie’s role as a First Lady, cultural icon, and private individual navigating the intense scrutiny of the public eye. Dunak skillfully contextualizes Jackie’s life within broader societal trends, showing how her fashion, poise, and grace symbolized ideals of femininity, class, and resilience during pivotal moments in American history.

What sets Our Jackie apart is its focus on how Jackie’s image was not only crafted by her but also interpreted and reimagined by the public and media. Dunak explores the complexities of her legacy, from her portrayal as a grieving widow to her reinvention as a fiercely private professional in the publishing world. This analytical approach provides a fresh perspective, inviting readers to consider the intersection of celebrity, gender, and power.

Dunak’s prose is engaging and thoroughly researched, blending historical analysis with vivid storytelling. The result is a nuanced portrait that respects Jackie’s humanity while acknowledging her iconic status.

Our Jackie is an insightful read for those interested in American history, media studies, or the life of one of the 20th century’s most enigmatic figures. Dunak’s thoughtful examination ensures that readers come away with a deeper understanding of not just Jackie Kennedy Onassis, but the cultural forces that continue to define her legacy.

I've always loved & had a fascination with Jackie Kennedy & this was a great read that I really enjoyed.

I have always been interested in the life and story of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis so I was excited to read this and learn more about her story over the years.

I love reading anything about Jackie Kennedy and the Kennedy family, so when I saw this book available on NetGalley, I immediately requested an ARC of this book. This was an interesting read and I definitely learned a few new facts about Jackie Kennedy that I did not know prior to reading this book by Karen M. Dunk. This book focuses more on Jackie's public persona as opposed to who she was in her private life amongst her family members and friends, which I found to be an interesting perspective of her life as a First Lady and public figure. This was not the most groundbreaking or unique book on Jackie Kennedy but it was interesting nonetheless, particularly for those of us who love reading anything about Jackie Kennedy.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is the first book I’ve ever read about Jackie Kennedy and I found really interesting. It was well structured and easy to follow.

NetGalley review


As time goes on I find books about Jackie Kennedy- Jackie O it’s always a lot of the same information. Here too. Come same photos that have been in other books. A story retelling again just from another person.
Not sure I’d purchase for my shelves but if a collector it may be worth an add and read.

This book was read as more than 300 pages report that summons newspapers’ coverage about Jackie’s life. It was very thoroughly analyzing (I have to applaud to the level of research) what different sources had been writing about her, their responses to the events and their criticism of what Jackie should and shouldn’t do, but at the end, do I really got any glimpse on her private life as the title of the book promised? No. Unfortunately I found this book very dry and got lost in numerous quotations.

The book offered a captivating glimpse into Jackie Kennedy's life, shedding light on her persona before marriage. One of the reasons I love reading biographies and memoirs is I get a glimpse into who the character is and behind the scenes, this book gave me that glimpse.

I love the part of the book on the campaign trail and how she handled the press. However, the book's academic tone and formal language often made it feel like a chore to read. Despite my initial enthusiasm, I found myself struggling to stay invested. The author's meticulous research was evident, but the writing style sometimes overshadowed the fascinating subject matter. Overall, a worthwhile read for die-hard Jackie Kennedy fans, but not the most engaging biography for casual readers.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis was a striking figure in history. In some cases people thought that she was just like them. In others, she was something that a woman of the time strived to be, but couldn't possibly achieve. In Our Jackie, the author visits every major version of Kennedy Onassis, how the public saw her, and how she had more to do with crafting her own public image than many thought possible.

There are so many versions of a person, especially those who spend their lives in the public eye. However, you will find that people react differently to each version, finding the one that they like best and championing it, no matter what others may say. With Jackie, some love her as the president's wife, some love her as the grieving widow, while others will scold her choice in a second husband and scoff at her later years of independence and career which contrasts with her beginnings of devoted wife and mother.

This book goes to prove that no matter who you are, you can never really know another person when

A very well written book.
As a non-US citizen it was interesting to read about how Jackie O was perceived by her fellow countrymen. I was born way after JFK and got to know her via the media at home as Jackie O.
I found the book well researched and without sensational "gossip" and shock factors. It gave a well rounded view of the former first lady and her public life.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.

Thanks to NYU Press and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

When I was growing up, “Jackie O” was largely out of the limelight. I didn’t read tabloids, but I remember comedian Joan Rivers picking on her. In high school, the 25th anniversary of John Kennedy’s assassination brought forth a bunch of new documentaries and books about the Kennedy family, and I was hooked. Just like with Princess Diana, I read and watched everything I could on the women. This book, more than any other on Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, made me realize how similar the women’s experiences were with the press.

Her story is told through media coverage of the day. I really appreciate the author’s efforts at researching the various publications archives, such as Womens Wear Daily, Photoplay, Life, Time, and The Saturday Evening Post, as well as local publications across the United States. What’s really telling throughout the years is that by choosing not to engage with the media with a few exceptions, the media machine created the image we have of Jacqueline Kennedy. She only gave a handful of interviews throughout her 64-year-old life, and portions of those interviews are included in this book.

No matter what Onassis said, or didn’t say, or wore, or how she had her hair styled, was fodder for the tabloids and mainstream press, just like Princess Diana a few decades later. What is most galling is that, when she was raising John and Caroline in New York City, the venerable Saturday Evening Post wrote an in-depth article about her with a map of the 30 most frequented places for her and the kids, with their addresses and time of day they were there, including the kids’ school schedules. What in the actual ???? You can see why Jacqueline wanted a life out of the spotlight and was worried about her children’s safety.

There are other infuriating things about the media in this book and their treatment of “America’s Widow,” but suffice it to say that once you read all the coverage of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, you’ll get a better understanding of how/why her image is what it is today.

Beautiful biography on this famous first lady that is a perfect read for any Jackie O fan. Interesting to see how media shaped her life and I loved the pictures throughout. If you enjoy reading in depth about Jackie Kennedy Onassis then this is for you.

Our Jackie by Karen Dunak follows the life of Jackie Kennedy Onassis throughout her life, and reflects on the way the media portrayed her, arguing that the various portrayals reflected the view of women in society at the time.

A fascinating look at how media coverage of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis evolved throughout her life. A unique capture of the beloved former First Lady.