INBLOOM - Shop now
Your audiobook is waiting!
Enjoy a free trial on us
$0.00
  • One credit a month to pick any title from our entire premium selection to keep (you’ll use your first credit now).
  • Unlimited listening on select audiobooks, Audible Originals, and podcasts.
  • You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
  • $14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel online anytime.
Learn more about membership
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
List Price: $33.74
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible’s Conditions Of Use. and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company

Jackie, Janet & Lee: The Secret Lives of Janet Auchincloss and Her Daughters, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Lee Radziwill Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

J. Randy Taraborrelli (Author), Ann Marie Lee (Narrator), Macmillan Audio (Publisher)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 2,289 ratings
See all formats and editions

A dazzling audiobook biography of three of the most glamorous women of the 20th century: Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis; her mother, Janet Lee Auchincloss; and her sister, Princess Lee Radziwill.

"Do you know what the secret to happily ever after is?" Janet Bouvier Auchincloss would ask her daughters, Jackie and Lee, during their tea time. "Money and Power," she would say. It was a lesson neither would ever forget. They followed in their mother's footsteps after her marriages to the philandering socialite "Black Jack" Bouvier and the fabulously rich Standard Oil heir Hugh D. Auchincloss.

Jacqueline Bouvier would marry John F. Kennedy Jr., and the story of their marriage is legendary, as is the story of her second marriage to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. Less well known is the story of her love affair with a world-renowned architect and a British peer. Her sister, Lee, had liaisons with both of Jackie's husbands in addition to her own three marriages - to an illegitimate royal, a Polish prince, and a Hollywood director.

If the Bouvier women personified beauty, style, and fashion, it was their lust for money and status that drove them to seek out powerful men, no matter what the cost to themselves or to those they stepped on in their ruthless climb to the top. Based on hundreds of new interviews with friends and family of the Bouviers, among them their own half brother, as well as letters and journals, J. Randy Taraborrelli paints an extraordinary psychological portrait of two famous sisters and their ferociously ambitious mother.

Jackie, Janet & Lee will drop listeners directly into the gilded, tangled web of secrets surrounding one of the most recognizable families in American history.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Listening Length
    20 hours and 16 minutes
  2. Author
    J. Randy Taraborrelli
  3. Narrator
    Ann Marie Lee
  4. Audible release date
    January 30, 2018
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Macmillan Audio
  7. ASIN
    B076KRZHCH
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next slide of product details

Read & Listen

Switch between reading the Kindle book & listening to the Audible audiobook with Whispersync for Voice.
Get the Audible audiobook for the reduced price of $7.99 after you buy the Kindle book.
Dive deep with Adam Grant
Hear Adam Grant on Self-Conscious, Chrissy Teigen's new well-being podcast from Audible. Listen now.

Product details

Listening Length 20 hours and 16 minutes
Author J. Randy Taraborrelli
Narrator Ann Marie Lee
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date January 30, 2018
Publisher Macmillan Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B076KRZHCH
Best Sellers Rank #56,337 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#572 in Biographies of Women
#931 in Biographies of Celebrities & Entertainment Professionals
#1,051 in United States History (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
2,289 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the insightful information and new perspective it provides on the family's relationships. Many of them describe the book as eye-opening and realistic, offering a glimpse into the lives of wealthy Americans. The emotional connection between the characters and the reader is praised. Overall, they describe the book as a page-turner that holds their attention throughout.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

ReadabilityInformation qualityInsightEye openingEmpathyPage turnerLength
142 customers mention "Readability"130 positive12 negative

Customers find the book interesting and well-written. They appreciate the respectful approach and find it compelling, well-researched, and informative. While some readers felt the writing was stilted at times, overall they found the book enjoyable and informative.

"The work is readable, compelling, and well researched; the author is sympathetic but not saccharine...." Read more

"...I think she's fascinating as a pop culture figure. But overall, it's well-written and I would recommend it." Read more

"...It’s easy to read, slightly gossipy, not really their secret lives - but does tell a great deal of their lives that you may not have known...." Read more

"...I read this book as a collection of stories, not quite scandalous, but with a dose of skepticism, as most of the recollections are from 2nd, 3rd,..." Read more

60 customers mention "Information quality"60 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and interesting. They appreciate the depth of research and descriptions of the influences the sisters had on each other. The book provides a more intimate view into the lives of these fascinating women. Readers recommend it as a gripping historical read that provides new insights into Jackie Onassis's life.

"...It explores their childhoods and adult years alongside their strong-willed mother, Janet Auchincloss...." Read more

"...She never exhaled. This is probably the most informative biography of the three women to date...." Read more

"...The research was amazing, bringing out many facts that I hadn't seen in any of the other books I've read...." Read more

"Stories of mother-daughter-sister relationships can be fascinating and this book didn't disappoint...." Read more

17 customers mention "Insight"12 positive5 negative

Customers find the book provides interesting insights into the family and relationships. They say it gives a new perspective on the clan and shows a different side of the Jacqueline Bouvier family. Readers describe Jackie Kennedy's life as romantic, epic, tragic, and exhausting.

"...To the author's credit, he does an excellent job describing family dynamics in general, and the kinship politics of Jackie, Janet, and Lee in..." Read more

"...A true love hate relationship between two sisters who competed for the love of their parents and of some of the men in their lives ." Read more

"...The whole chronicle is sickening, despite the author's attempt to portray them in a positive light." Read more

"...Anyone born before 1950 knows the amazing story of these entitled families...." Read more

14 customers mention "Eye opening"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and engaging. They describe it as a realistic look into the privileged lives of wealthy Americans from a fresh perspective. The author paints vividly the experiences of the family.

"...It gave a realistic glimpse into the privileged lives of wealthy American women of the late 19th and 20thC - and explains much about them today...." Read more

"...It's a fascinating look at another world, and such totally different people." Read more

"...Written so far, from a very complimentary viewpoint- mostly the mother Janet which surprised me as I have never read anything positive about their..." Read more

"Fascinating look inside the lives of the ultra rich. Well written biography of three fascinating women...." Read more

7 customers mention "Empathy"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book emotional and well-written. They connect emotionally with the characters and find the author compassionate and kind. The book is described as touchingly intimate, portraying all characters in a positive way, even though there are some dramatic and painful subtexts.

"...That's due to the emotional umbilical cord connecting the reader to the author's characters and their worlds. Each woman is remarkably relatable...." Read more

"...Janet where others fail to do that, and I thought all were portrayed in a positive way...." Read more

"...Well-written and psychologically interesting because everyone is in competition with the other...." Read more

"...not the usual gossipy type book about just Jackie O. It gave the reader a look at Jackie, Lee and Mom and how much their family relationships..." Read more

5 customers mention "Page turner"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it an engaging read that keeps their attention throughout.

"...Over all, I think it's an interesting read that will keep you turning pages...." Read more

"I even enjoyed the notes. Taraborrelli knows how to keep your attention. I went from "not very interested " to "totally enjoying" this book." Read more

"Page turner. Learned new details about the lives of the sisters and their enigmatic mother" Read more

"...Great story, definitely a page-turner! Good entry book into reading biographies. Lots of insight." Read more

5 customers mention "Length"2 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the book's length. Some find the chapters short and to the point, while others describe it as long like an article in Vanity Fair. The advertised number of pages is incorrect, and the actual number may be less than 400.

"Overly long and repetive" Read more

"...What I love about Randy's book is his chapters are short and to the point; not a lot of fluff and fillers...." Read more

"...Sometimes is seems like a very, very long article one might find in a Vanity Fair magazine...." Read more

"...Couldn't wait to get back to it. I loved the short chapters. Very entertaining and enlightening book!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Lanelle Clayton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, Enlightening, Entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The work is readable, compelling, and well researched; the author is sympathetic but not saccharine.
    There are plenty of biographies of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and many cover her roller coaster relationship with her sister, Lee Radziwill, but this inspired work covers a lot of new ground. It explores their childhoods and adult years alongside their strong-willed mother, Janet Auchincloss. How the mother developed and shaped her daughters attitudes about life, men, love and each other, is fascinating. The rich may well not be like you and me, but from the first few pages all the way until the end - the author engages us to the point that we feel like we could fit right into their glamorous worlds, no matter our differences. That's due to the emotional umbilical cord connecting the reader to the author's characters and their worlds. Each woman is remarkably relatable. I found myself often thinking, "I could have done that," or, "I felt the very same way." There are many new stories that Mr. Taraborrelli has plucked from near obscurity, which include breathing life into Jackie and Lee's half-brother and half-sister. We come to know these siblings as the 'secret family' of Jackie and Lee's. Amazing how so few people have talked or written about these additional family members in all these years of multiple Kennedy'esque books. The work is readable, compelling, and well researched; the author is sympathetic but not saccharine.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Ryan Field
    4.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I've read a lot about Jackie and Lee, but never that much about Janet. Who knows if any biography is totally accurate? I don't think it's possible to find a bio that's absolutely completely 100% accurate. There will always be hearsay. No matter who writes it there will always been a certain amount of room for doubt. However, with that said, this book does talk more about Janet where others fail to do that, and I thought all were portrayed in a positive way. Nothing was trashy or dishy, and the content was respectful to all of these women and their families. I learned a little more about Jackie, too, especially the parts about what an excellent caregiver she was with her sister and her mother. I also learned more about Hammersmith Farm, which seems to agree with everything else I've read. Over all, I think it's an interesting read that will keep you turning pages. Even the sections where "Booch" is described are more in-depth than most books (I tend to agree with Jackie about "Booch"). I just wish there had been more about Lee. I think she's fascinating as a pop culture figure. But overall, it's well-written and I would recommend it.
    15 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Amanda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cracking Good Read
    Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I’m afraid not much work got done & I stayed up until 2 am a couple of nights to get this finished. It’s easy to read, slightly gossipy, not really their secret lives - but does tell a great deal of their lives that you may not have known. Thankfully it does not, as some biographies do, get bogged down in an explanation of the politics of the time. That would be unnecessary- nor a rehash of The Assassination, as we all know about that. It gave a realistic glimpse into the privileged lives of wealthy American women of the late 19th and 20thC - and explains much about them today. I knew a little more about the Bouvier sisters & their mother. Liked them even less. Learned that for them being poor is being down to your last $1m.....Jackie O was just one of the first media celebrities- famous for being famous. Do I feel sorry for her? No. Am I envious? No!!
    12 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Anna V. Carroll
    5.0 out of 5 stars Be Careful What You Wish For!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This book answers many questions I have had over the years about these sad, selfish women. Surprisingly, he changed my negative opinion of Jackie with the deep concern she had for her mother when she became ill. Why has no other author gone into such detail about this episode of her life?

    Lee, who died ten days ago here in Manhattan of old age, was never on my radar. She was always the sister who lived in the shadow of her super famous sister. I cannot imagine what an emotional rollercoaster her life must have been all those years.

    This book, regardless of the One Star reviews, was meticulously researched by the author. When I finished it, I wondered what he left out, not what he wrote about. The off-the-record interviews he must have had with men and women who knew the family must have been daunting. What to include and what to exclude. After all, both Caroline Kennedy and Tina Radziwill are still alive.

    Still alive. A cast of hundreds in the Kennedy-Radziwill-Bouvier circle have already passed away. Jack, Bobby, Ted, John, Jr., Stas, Tony, Herb Ross, Janet Jr., Truman, Ari Onassis, his son Alexander and daughter Christina, Maria Callas. The list is endless. Few things surprise me, but the death of John, Jr. his wife and sister-in-law, really did me in emotionally. So many stories about that day from many writers and friends of the couple. None of them flattering, I'm afraid. By now, John would have been president with a family of little Kennedy kids running around the White House and Hyannis Port. If not president, surely Governor of New York State. A Kennedy Curse? Absolutely. Jackie was infected with it.

    I always wondered how soon after the wedding Onassis realized he had bitten off more than he could chew? When he realized what a mistake he had made marrying Jackie and not Maria, he must have been overcome with depression. Too late.

    When Jackie died from cancer, I remember John, Jr. speaking to the press outside her apartment building telling everyone she had died surrounded by her family and her books. Excuse me?! As a friend of mine said, "How sadly fitting." My greatest regret was she left no real legacy. When Jack was murdered, she could have gathered all their monied friends to set up a foundation in his name that would have become a becon for the world to help all humanity. She didn't do this. She never did this. Regardless of the people she helped we don't know about, she missed her chance to create a legacy of giving, caring.

    Jackie and Lee (and their mother) went from man to man to man, unable to live alone and independent of someone else's money to sustain them. Perhaps they were victims of their era. By the time she died, Lee Radziwill was a skeleton, in designer dresses and heavily made up in unflattering cosmetics. The last few photos of her were scary to look at. She never exhaled.

    This is probably the most informative biography of the three women to date. Only Caroline Kennedy or Tina Radziwill could write the unvarnished truth. Of course they never will. Happily, Caroline's children have remained under the radar all these years. No scandals, drug overdoses, Page Six gossip. Good for her! The way she raised her children to be productive adults is the one saving grace that Jacqueline Kennedy performed. Job well done.
    51 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Mel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Me encantó
    Reviewed in Mexico on November 21, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Fue muy difícil soltarlo
    Report
  • Tex1954
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb read.
    Reviewed in Canada on June 4, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Yes, I am a self-confessed Kennedyphile. Was in Grade 5 when JFK was assassinated. It was the 1st Global tragedy of my life and 22 November was my late Papa's birthday. It was a very sad day in our household, no birthday festivities as everyone was in tears glued to the TV set. I was at home, sick with the measles and was able to watch the entire televised funeral. It was a massive, heartbreaking event for me. Have many, many " Kennedy " books, including the one ( " The Torch is Passed " ) published by UPI in Jan of 1964. A coffee table book filled with many photos, both B & W as well as a few in colour. Mr. Taraborrelli does a spectacular job in this multi-layered and well researched book. It is the first so-called " Kennedy " book told from the perspective of the Bouvier/Auchincloss family. As such, I found it particularly fascinating as its' point of view is so different than most other " Kennedy " books which are told ( usually ) from the Kennedy family perspective. So much so that it is easy to overlook Jacqueline Kennedy has a rich family history apart from the Kennedy faction. A thoroughly enjoyable/informative read. Very interesting to learn more about Janet Bouvier Auchincloss, " black "Jack Bouvier, Hugh D. Auchincloss, Yusha, Jamie, & Janet Jr. As well as the James T. Lee connection. Fascinating info about Jackie's sister " Princess Lee Radziwill ", her 3 husbands and two children. Highly recommend this book as not only a great read, but a highly readable read. Enjoyed it immensely and am presently re-reading it for the 3rd time. There's always a few items one misses, or does not quite grasp in the first read. Quite certain I will be re-reading this gem of a book many, many times.
    Report
  • Mrs Bojangles
    5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant read, I couldn't put it down
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 7, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    A brilliant read, I couldn't put it down. This book will keep you interested until the very last page. Highly recommended. The only complaint I have was the binding and finish on the book, it was dreadful, really badly finished, it looked like it had been cut with pinking shears. It couldn't take away from a well written, entertaining read though. J Randy Taraborrelli didn't disappoint !!!!!
    Report
  • Beverley Chong
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on April 8, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    OK but nothing new.
    Report
  • SHirlee MEdjuck
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very informative and interesting read.
    Reviewed in Canada on March 22, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Great read. Interesting and informative.
    S. Medjuck
    Report