This was an interestingly odd book; I thoroughly enjoyed it even though the ARC copy I received (gratefully!) was formatted really haphazardly and the images did not translate well to Kindle at all. The book read like a travel guide to NYC sites that various Kennedy family members had visited or frequented from the time of Joe, Sr. and Rose all the way through JFK, Jr and Carolyn. Addresses and cross streets were given for each location and the author also noted if the site was still in operation. Sadly many of the entries are now closed for various reasons. I noted the same factual error at least two times -- Senator Joe McCarthy was erroneously referred to as "Minnesota Senator". In the last reference to McCarthy, he was accurately associated with Wisconsin. Perhaps that will be caught during further editing (?). It was a quick read, and despite the formatting problems on the ARC Kindle version, I learned quite a lot!

Thanks to author Tim English and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I’m always looking for book on Presidents and presidential families on NetGalley, especially the Roosevelts and the Kennedys. They are both fascinating families to study, either for their accomplishments, or because of their unrealized potential to do good. When this book popped up, I decided I’d take a chance and read it.

I had just gotten done with a book called Our Jackie: Public Claims on a Private life. One of the creepier things I read and reviewed about was how one well-known magazine published an article with a map of the 30 most important spots in New York and when Jackie Kennedy and her children visited, including times of day. This book felt a lot like that, but at least this examination of the Kennedys’ life in New York was written decades after the fact.

If JFK, RFK, Jackie, or any Kennedy-adjacent relatives ever had lunch at restaurant, it’s noted in this book. On the one hand, it must have taken a lot of research to come up with all these obscure and not-so-obscure restaurants and shops in NYC, but on the other hand, who cares where Jackie sold her clothes she bought when she was married to Onassis so she could pocket the cash? Most of the places featured have been closed for decades (under each entry, it mentions whether the establishment is still open or not.) This micro-detailed look into the Kennedy family’s time in New York would be interesting to Kennedy completists or those who live in or enjoy the history of NYC. I appreciate the work that went into the book, but even for this die-hard Kennedy follower, it was a bit too much detail and a bit too much “George Washington Slept Here.”

The Kennedys' New York is not going to win major awards and it really didn't offer anything new - BUT I still really enjoyed this look at the tragic history of America's Family.

Also, the cover with John John....*chef's kiss.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.