In the Kennedy Style

Letitia Baldrige, Jackie Kennedy's former White House Social Secretary, and co-author Jay Mulvaney present an inside look at entertaining during the Kennedy administration. The book details the planning and execution of state dinners, formal gatherings, and private parties at the White House from 1961-1963. The authors provide original menus, guest lists, recipes, and previously unpublished photographs from official events and private functions. Through archival materials and firsthand accounts, they document Jackie Kennedy's influence on White House social protocols and her creation of new American entertaining standards. The focus extends beyond food and decor to explore the diplomatic significance of these events during the Cold War era. Social gatherings became opportunities to showcase American culture and hospitality while advancing international relations. This work serves as both a historical record and a study of how style and substance intersected in American diplomacy during a pivotal period. The Kennedy administration's approach to entertaining reflected larger cultural shifts and a new vision of American identity on the world stage.

Readers appreciate the detailed photographs and behind-the-scenes accounts of White House entertaining during the Kennedy era. Multiple reviews highlight the menus, recipes, and table settings as valuable references for formal entertaining. Positive comments focus on Letitia Baldrige's firsthand knowledge as Jackie Kennedy's social secretary and the inclusion of handwritten notes and planning documents. Several readers note the book provides cultural context beyond just event planning details. Common criticisms include: - Too much emphasis on flatware and china patterns - Limited new information for those already familiar with the Kennedy White House - Some recipes seem dated or impractical for modern use Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (48 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 reviews) "A treasure trove for anyone interested in formal entertaining history" - Amazon reviewer "Expected more personal anecdotes and less focus on place settings" - Goodreads reviewer

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🌟 During her time as First Lady, Jackie Kennedy transformed White House entertaining by blending European sophistication with American traditions, replacing the previous "rubber chicken circuit" style events with elegant cultural gatherings. 🎨 Jackie Kennedy personally selected every detail of state dinners, from the menu cards and floral arrangements to the seating arrangements and musical performances, often staying up until 3 AM to perfect the details. 🏛️ The book includes never-before-published White House documents, including guest lists, menus, and personal notes from Jackie Kennedy to her staff about party planning and protocol. 🎵 The Kennedys made history by being the first to regularly feature performances by prominent American artists at White House events, including Pablo Casals, who had previously refused to perform in America in protest of U.S. support for Franco's Spain. 🍽️ Before each state dinner, Jackie Kennedy would have the White House chef prepare sample plates of every course, which she would personally inspect and photograph to ensure the presentation met her exacting standards.