When most people think of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, they remember the elegant, demure woman of Camelot days or her second marriage to a Greek tycoon. Yet her 19 years as a book editor were longer than either of her two marriages and was a time when she could define herself as a person beyond the shadows of her two husbands.
Unless you’ve read much about her career, you might have the impression – as I first did – that her spot in the publishing world was another case of who you are and who you know rather than what you know. But that is only partly true. Certainly, her mentor at Viking Books was immediately open to giving her a job because of her connections with fascinating people.
But over the next two decades she made her mark by supporting authors who came to her with all kinds of ideas. Though she worked with some big names, she also had a knack for spotting interesting stories and she would nurture her authors through the writing process, making handwritten notes that demonstrated her knowledge of the topic and her innate sense for what keeps readers interested. She was effusive in her praise and bemused by authors who themselves were some real characters, including one who stood on top of her desk to demonstrate the march of a Prussian soldier.
She capitalized on her artistic flair by producing many lushly illustrated books – not all coffee table books with nice pictures and filler – but real stories with pictures of places in time. Two years after joining Viking, she resigned over a flap involving an unflattering book the publisher released about Teddy Kennedy. She joined Doubleday and remained loyal, despite change in ownership and philosophy. Although author Greg Lawrence keeps reminding his readers that Jackie was treated like any other editor who had to sell a book on its potential for profit – she would often snatch manuscripts out of the slush pile and make a writer’s day. One author describes how he was dejectedly eating pork and beans straight out of the can when Mrs. Onassis phoned and his dad answered the call. It was a moment both men would remember.
This book is written in chronological order with anecdotes from writers, editors and friends who remember the genesis of each book. I wonder what Jackie would have written in the manuscript margins. If I were the book editor, I would suggest a less workmanlike accounting. It’s too much for the reader to remember. This reader anyhow. At work, I’m reading a technical manual to teach myself some new tricks. Technical book reading is about as much fun as an appendectomy. But this particular book is very readable. It’s like a good friend is sitting down with you, showing you some code, and then letting you try it yourself to see the results.
I think the Jackie book would have been more readable if the author broke the story into book types. Or if he was less repetitive about how Jackie was a kind, brilliant and nurturing editor and if we could see a little more of her in the workplace. About the only fresh insight came from Jackie’s good friend Carly Simon, who summered with her on Martha’s Vineyard. The two women shared their vulnerabilities. A little bit of trivia I didn’t know: Carly Simon’s father is the Simon in Simon & Schuster. The world of the glitterati and literati is very small indeed (unless you start counting people like John and Kate, their eight and Russell Brand – whoever the hell they are and why do we care?)
At the end of the book, the author lists four pages of books published by Mrs. Onassis. It is also surprising to me that book editors were so prolific. Here is a baker’s dozen. Just a sample, really.
- “Sally Hemings” by Barbara Chase-Riboud
- “Himself! The Life and Times of Mayor Richard J. Daley” by Eugene Kennedy
- “Inventive Paris Clothes: A Photographic Essay” by Irving Penn and Diana Vreeland.
- “Fred Astaire: His Friends Talk” by Sarah Giles
- “Egyptian Time” by Robert Lyons
- “Stanford White’s New York” by David Garrard Lowe
- “Diary of a Napoleonic Foot Soldier” by Jakob Walter
- “The Garden of Life: An Introduction to the Healing Plants of India” by Naveen Patnaik
- “The Power of Myth” by Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers
- “Fireworks: A History and Celebration” by George Plimpton
- “How to Save Your Own Street” by Raquel Ramati
- “Moonwalk” by Michael Jackson
- “Up Through the Water” by Darcy Steinke
Very insightful, Donna. But, then again, most of what you post is.
By the way, a Baker’s Dozen, I believe, is ten (10), not thirteen (13). Just thought I’d mention that, although I knew what you meant, hehe.
One question: What do you believe would have been Jackie’s chances of becoming such a successful editor had she not had those legendary marriages? I’d like to think associations exist, although I realize that her capabilities as an editor or publisher do stand on their own.
Ooops! Sorry. Donna, Mark here. Researcherone is another blog I have (I think you are aware, but I wasn’t sure). I am signed in there now. I didn’t want any confusion.
I know who you are researchone. You can’t hide from me. You also must go to a real cheapskate baker and have been getting ripped off for years.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/baker's+dozen
Who knows what anybody’s chances are to get any job. I always believed that the prestigious jobs go to people with Ivy League educations and the proper pedigree. But then, the other day, I saw a really personable anchorwoman who was not afraid to say she went to public school. She was, however, on CNN’s morning weekend show, being all jocular and shit, and not among those thoughtful chin-strokers on primetime. Before you start drooling, you might be interested to know that Jackie’s salary in 1975 was only a bit more than my husband was making working for a local newspaper. She didn’t really need the money, but still. Making peanuts takes the lustre off of any job for me these days.
You could certainly see your enthusiasm within the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart.
Thank you, Mr or Mrs. Jan. 12 comment. I’m sorry I don’t read your language so can’t read your name, but I appreciate the kind words.