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Quick answer: The best books on the Kennedy family cover America’s most famous political dynasty, from Joseph P. Kennedy to his children and their tragedies. Start with The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys by Doris Kearns Goodwin, The Patriarch by David Nasaw, JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century by Fredrik Logevall, Rosemary by Kate Clifford Larson and Bobby Kennedy by Larry Tye.
Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy raised nine children who became the center of American political life. Their son John became president in 1961 and was assassinated in 1963. Robert served as attorney general and senator and was assassinated in 1968 while running for president. Edward served nearly 47 years in the Senate. Joseph Jr. and Kathleen died young in plane crashes, and Rosemary was disabled by a lobotomy and hidden from public view for decades. The family’s glamour, ambition and tragedy have fascinated readers for generations. The books below include the best family histories, biographies, memoirs by family members and those close to them, and a book for young readers.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys | Doris Kearns Goodwin | Family history | The family’s roots |
| The Kennedys: An American Drama | Peter Collier and David Horowitz | Family history | The whole dynasty |
| The Patriarch | David Nasaw | Biography | Joseph P. Kennedy |
| JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century | Fredrik Logevall | Biography | John F. Kennedy’s early life |
| An Unfinished Life | Robert Dallek | Biography | JFK’s whole life |
| Profiles in Courage | John F. Kennedy | History | JFK’s own book |
| Bobby Kennedy | Larry Tye | Biography | Robert F. Kennedy |
| Robert Kennedy and His Times | Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. | Biography | An insider’s portrait |
| True Compass | Edward M. Kennedy | Memoir | Ted Kennedy’s story |
| Rosemary | Kate Clifford Larson | Biography | The hidden daughter |
| Kick | Paula Byrne | Biography | Kathleen Kennedy |
| Times to Remember | Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy | Memoir | The matriarch’s view |
| Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy | Jacqueline Kennedy | Oral history | In her own words |
| Mrs. Kennedy and Me | Clint Hill | Memoir | A Secret Service agent’s view |
| Who Was John F. Kennedy? | Yona Zeldis McDonough | Kids’ biography | Ages 8–12 |
1. The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Goodwin tells the story of the two Irish American families from the 1860s to JFK’s inauguration. It’s rich, readable and based on family papers.
2. The Kennedys: An American Drama by Peter Collier and David Horowitz
This sweeping history covers three generations of Kennedys, their triumphs and their troubles. It’s dramatic and critical.
3. The Patriarch by David Nasaw
Nasaw’s biography of the family’s ambitious founder covers his business career, his ambassadorship and his children. It’s the definitive life.
4. JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century by Fredrik Logevall
Logevall’s first volume covers JFK’s life up to 1956. It’s balanced, deeply researched and beautifully written.
5. An Unfinished Life by Robert Dallek
Dallek’s biography covers Kennedy’s life and presidency, including his hidden health problems. It’s balanced and readable.
6. Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy
Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book profiles eight senators who showed political courage. It’s a classic of American political writing.
7. Bobby Kennedy by Larry Tye
Tye traces Bobby Kennedy’s transformation from tough political operator to champion of the poor. It’s balanced and moving.
8. Robert Kennedy and His Times by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Schlesinger, a historian who worked in the Kennedy White House, wrote this sympathetic, detailed biography. It won the National Book Award.
9. True Compass by Edward M. Kennedy
Ted Kennedy’s memoir, published after his death in 2009, covers his family, his Senate career and his mistakes. It’s candid and reflective.
10. Rosemary by Kate Clifford Larson
Larson tells the story of Rosemary Kennedy, whose intellectual disability and failed lobotomy were kept secret. It’s heartbreaking and important.
11. Kick by Paula Byrne
Byrne tells the story of JFK’s lively sister Kathleen, who married into the British aristocracy and died in a plane crash in 1948.
12. Times to Remember by Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy
Rose Kennedy’s autobiography tells the family story from her point of view. It’s warm and revealing, if carefully polished.
13. Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy by Jacqueline Kennedy
These interviews, recorded in 1964 and released in 2011, let Jacqueline Kennedy speak about her husband’s presidency.
14. Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill
Hill, Jacqueline Kennedy’s Secret Service agent, describes four years protecting her. It’s warm and fascinating.
15. Who Was John F. Kennedy? by Yona Zeldis McDonough
This short Who Was? biography tells JFK’s story for young readers, from his childhood to his presidency.
Tips for Reading About the Kennedys
- Start with Goodwin. The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys explains where it all began.
- Read about the father. The Patriarch shows the ambition behind the dynasty.
- Don’t forget the sisters. Rosemary and Kick tell overlooked stories.
- Read the family’s own words. True Compass and Profiles in Courage are revealing.
- Separate myth from history. “Camelot” was partly a story the family told.
- Visit Hyannis Port and Boston. The JFK Library is a great place to start.
Related: best books on the JFK assassination and best books on the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book about the Kennedy family?
The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys by Doris Kearns Goodwin is the best family history, and The Patriarch by David Nasaw is the definitive biography of Joseph P. Kennedy.
What is the best biography of JFK?
JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century by Fredrik Logevall and An Unfinished Life by Robert Dallek are two of the best.
What happened to Rosemary Kennedy?
Rosemary had an intellectual disability and underwent a lobotomy in 1941 that left her severely disabled. Kate Clifford Larson’s Rosemary tells her story.