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RFK Jr.: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Dark Side of the Dream Hardcover – Unabridged, September 22, 2015

by Jerry Oppenheimer (Author)
3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars 339 ratings
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From New York Times bestselling author Jerry Oppenheimer comes a sensational biography of the son of the legendary Senator and troubled standard bearer of America's most fabled political dynasty.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. inherited his assassinated father's piercing blue eyes and Brahmin style, earning a reputation as the nation's foremost environmental activist and lawyer - the "toxic avenger" - battling corporate polluters. But in this, the most revelatory portrait ever of a Kennedy, Oppenheimer places Bobby Jr., leader of the third generation of America's royal family, under a journalistic microscope.

Based on scores of exclusive, candid on-the-record interviews, public and private records, and correspondence, Jerry Oppenheimer paints a balanced, objective portrait of this virtually unaccounted-for scion of the Kennedy dynasty. Like his slain father, the iconic senator and presidential hopeful, RFK Jr. was destined for political greatness. Why it never happened is revealed in this first-ever biography of him.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    416 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    St. Martin's Press
  4. Publication date
    September 22, 2015
  5. Dimensions
    6.5 x 1.5 x 10 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1250032954
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1250032959
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Jerry Oppenheimer delves into Bobby’s upbringing ― or lack thereof ― to understand why the scion of our greatest political family has never accomplished much. Oppenheimer contrasts Bobby’s upbringing to that of John F. Kennedy Jr.” ―The New York Post

“A bombshell unauthorized biography tells the haunting past that kept Kennedy from following in his father’s footsteps.” ―New York Daily News

"A fascinating portrait . . . For Kennedy watchers, and they are legion, this is an engrossing, nuts-and-bolts view of a tragic upbringing." ―Booklist

"A harrowing tell-all biography of one of the political dynasty’s most controversial members . . . highly readable." ―Toronto Star

“Followers of the dark side of the Kennedy legacy will want to read Jerry Oppenheimer's RFK Jr. and take in its treasure trove of new revelations. They will not be disappointed.” ―David Horowitz, author of the groundbreaking The Kennedys: An American Drama (with Peter Collier ) and acclaimed biographies of the Rockefellers, the Fords, and the Roosevelts

“Jerry Oppenheimer has created a poignant and vivid portrait of Bobby Kennedy Jr. who was born to wealth and privilege but without love in his childhood. RFK Jr spent the rest of his life fighting his demons and addictions.” ―Leonard Levitt, Edgar Award-winning author of Conviction: Solving the Moxley Murder

“This latest unauthorized biography from Oppenheimer...focuses on [Robert F. Kennedey, Jr.'s] long track record of bad behavior, including infidelity and substance abuse....[A] story of a flawed son of a flawed family.” ―Publishers Weekly

About the Author

JERRY OPPENHEIMER is the New York Times bestselling author of Crazy Rich: Power, Scandal, and Tragedy Inside the Johnson & Johnson Dynasty, as well as unauthorized biographies of Hillary and Bill Clinton, Anna Wintour, Rock Hudson, Martha Stewart, Barbara Walters, Ethel Kennedy, Jerry Seinfeld, and the Hilton family. He has also worked in several different capacities as a journalist, including as an investigative reporter and a producer of television news programs and documentaries.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Press; First Edition (September 22, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250032954
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250032959
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.35 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.5 x 10 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars 339 ratings

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Jerry Oppenheimer

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3.6 out of 5 stars
3.6 out of 5
339 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Jan Genovese
5.0 out of 5 stars As Dark As It Gets
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2015
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I found this book entirely shocking. I made sure to re-read "The Other Mrs. Kennedy" (also by Oppenheimer) before this one in order to have a clearer picture of RFK, Jr.'s mother after his father was murdered. This really laid a strong foundation for "Dark Side." The Kennedy family may enjoy enormous wealth and privilege, but I am now convinced there is a definite pattern of brain disorders which run throughout this troubled bunch. Then you add in the questionable Skakel genes (a likewise dubious family) and you get a really volatile mixture. RFK, Jr.'s pathology cannot be fully explained by anything else! Here was a young boy unraveling in front of everyone yet no one took a shred of interest much less tried to help. He has a formidable personality matched only by his equally-disturbed mother! I found myself constantly wondering if he would have turned to hardcore drugs and drinking had his father been on site--but I think the answer is yes. This family is cursed by tragedy, but also genetics. A fascinating book.
20 people found this helpful
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Breezie
4.0 out of 5 stars An American Tragedy
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2018
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The week I was reading this there was a bad winter storm descending so for several days I was either reading this book or watching the mini series John Adams. The Adams series is a vivid depiction of what our founding fathers and their families went through to break away from the British Crown & to create a democracy . Sheer hell would not be an over statement. Reading RFK was a sharp reminder of the dangers of having "royal political families" as we have done with the Kennedys, Clintons, Bushes, etc.
This is a tragic story & it's a miracle this man is even alive. Clearly his mother & the entire family was suffering deeply from what is now known as PTSD, having barely recovered from JFK assasination- then RFK was killed. His mother could barely function herself much less help all those children cope with the loss of the man who was center of their childhood world. Counseling
and the kind of intense therapy need for each of these children was NOT the treatment option then that it is today although Jackie Kennedy was astute enough to get just that kind of help for her children which was very unusual at the time. So the behavior of RFK as young man, the drugs, girls,dropping out of schools right and left was a scream for attention. His mother, emotionally crippled herself, reacted in rage & threw him out. This is a dark tale that illustrates money doesn't buy happiness, if anything the kind of money he had access to from a trust fund simply supported the life of a junkie who drifted from one self imposed, self destructive crisis to another. The awful burden of being named after his father simply became an albatross around his neck. The disgusting womenizing all his life has been well documented with him and many of his brothers. While their uncles did the same as did their grandfather, strangely RFK didn't - or if he did it was rare & discreet for he seemed to truly love his wife. We now know this is a sex addiction & a symptom of many deep rooted psychological problems. Then it was seen as standard operating procedure for many (but not all) of the Kennedy men. His wife Mary who committed Suicide had major mental health problems and a serious alcoholic who truly was a danger to her children, herself and others. But, the cruelty she was treated with by RFK jr is simply incomprehensible-there is no other word for it. Now, a middle aged man who appears to have built a successful career as an environmental lawyer, seems to be in a stable marriage is a testament to an inner will to survive unlike a few of his brothers & for that I commend him and wish him well. Anyone who reads even a little bit of English history will notice an disturbing pattern in both many children of royalty and many of the Kennedy children; alcohol and substance abuse, dozens of broken relationships, rampant destruction sexual behavior,Suicides, young people dead far before their time.. This's a cautionary tale that should remind us of the dangers of creating "political royalty " who in the end are simply human & not the super heros we want to see. If you want to see a group of 'super heros' look no further than John Adams and the founding fathers. While each of them had their own flaws what they didn't have was as dangerous sense of entitlement which the Kennedys did have and the founding fathers had strong sense of integrity to fight & die if necessary for the creation of this country. Integrity was scarce ingredient for many of the Kennedys but the overwhelming sense of entitlement is deeply disturbing and counter to everything a true democracy should be. This is truly is an American tragedy in every way possible..
22 people found this helpful
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LibertarianReview
3.0 out of 5 stars JFK Jr. many problems portrayed in neglect by parents. Marriages defaulted by immortality and drugs.
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2016
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Respected author relates to the Kennedy family's lack of good judgement and privilege and how it affected the children of the family dynasty. Devotes this book on RFK Jr. many problems especially troubled marriages and drug use. Can only give it 3 stars. Some of the biography goes to the fore as a hit piece.
4 people found this helpful
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Courtney
5.0 out of 5 stars Another well written book by Oppenheimer. Camelot? The ...
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2017
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Another well written book by Oppenheimer. Camelot? The Kennedy mystique? No evidence of it here with RFK Jr. Once RFK Sr. died, his large family fell apart. His widow, Ethel, was filled with rage and wouldn't discuss with the children the tremendous grief that they were experiencing. She parcelled her boys off to boarding schools. RFK Jr. wasn't a particularly gifted student or athlete. He was expelled from his boarding schools for drug use. Hard drug use. He was eventually arrested for heroin possession. RFK was a serial philanderer and womanizer as well. His second wife committed suicide after he left her. His first wife had a lucky escape. I found nothing redeeming about this man. Entitled, lazy, coasting on the name of his famous father and uncles.
The Kennedys are not a family to be emulated or adored.
15 people found this helpful
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Rossa Worch
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in Germany on April 9, 2019
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Interesting read
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Susan Deakin
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 9, 2016
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Everything was very prompt and I appreciated it greatly.
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Client d'Amazon
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in Canada on July 9, 2016
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Intéressant mais biaisé négativement, malheureusement.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Another great Kennedy book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2018
Verified Purchase
Such an interesting family, so much wealth but so much anguish. RFK jr seemed a damaged personality -i'm
not suprised, after having read so many books about his family. He does appear to have calmed down know he is in
his sixties.
One person found this helpful
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Cary Leung
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on December 3, 2015
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Harsh reality
One person found this helpful
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