
Once Upon a Secret
My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath
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Narrated by:
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Susan Denaker
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By:
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Mimi Alford
In the summer of 1962, 19-year-old Mimi Beardsley arrived by train in Washington, D.C., to begin an internship in the White House press office. The Kennedy Administration had reinvigorated the capital and the country - and Mimi was eager to contribute. For a young woman from a privileged but sheltered upbringing, the job was the chance of a lifetime. Although she started as a lowly intern, Mimi made an impression on Kennedy's inner circle and, after just three days at the White House, she was presented to the President himself.
Almost immediately, the two began an affair that would continue for the next 18 months.
In an era when women in the workplace were still considered "girls", Mimi was literally a girl herself - naive, innocent, emotionally unprepared for the thrill that came when the President's charisma and power were turned on her full-force. She was also unprepared for the feelings of isolation that would follow as she fell into the double life of a college student who was also the secret lover of the most powerful man in the world.
Then, after the President's tragic death in Dallas, she grieved in private, locked her secret away, and tried to start her life anew, only to find that her past would cast a long shadow and ultimately destroy her relationship with the man she married.
In 2003, a Kennedy biographer mentioned "a tall, slender, beautiful 19-year-old college sophomore and White House intern, who worked in the press office" in reference to one of the President's affairs. The disclosure set off a tabloid frenzy and soon exposed Mimi and the secret that she had kept for 41 years. Because her past had been revealed in such a shocking, public way, she was forced, for the first time, to examine the choices she'd made. She came to understand that shutting down one part of her life so completely had closed her off from so much more.
No longer defined by silence or shame, Mimi Alford has finally unburdened herself with this searingly honest account of her life and her extremely private moments with a very public man. Once Upon a Secret offers a new and personal depiction of one of our most iconic leaders and a powerful, moving story of a woman coming to terms with her past and moving out of the shadows to reclaim the truth.
©2012 Mimi Alford (P)2012 Random HouseListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
“With the benefit of hindsight and good old-fashioned maturity, [Mimi Alford] writes not just about the secret, but the corrosive effect of keeping that secret.... You can’t help liking her, or her elegant and thoroughly good-natured book.” (The Spectator)
“Compelling...a polished voice telling a credible story you can take to the bank.” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
“Explosive...searingly candid.” (New York Post)
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Dear God! The Scandal!
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How young Mimi was and how the president’s influence overwhelmed her
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Bravery!!
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The second part of the book begins with the president's assassination and switches the focus to the author rather than the president. This was not really what I signed up for but I continued to listen for its references to historic events.
In a final section Ms. Alford's marriage falls apart and she finally discovers true love. I am glad her new relationship is happy, but I would not have bought a book about that.
I think anyone with an interest in American history will enjoy the part of this book about important national events. The rest of the book concerns a different topic, and history readers may not finish the book. The reader did an excellent job and I would certainly look forward to hearing her work again.
About half of this is interesting history
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A story of forbidden love and emotional maturity
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Any additional comments?
I thought that I would dislike her but instead I really empathized with her naivete. She gives insight into relationships. Kennedy overstepped his boundaries but in a very primitive live-for-the-moment way. The death of his infant son made me empathize more.A very compelling read.fascinating
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Not your typical mistress story
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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
No politics involved just a real story about a young girl and her life experience.What other book might you compare Once Upon a Secret to and why?
A book that would be truthful and tastful about how they tell a story.Which scene was your favorite?
Her reflections and afterthoughtsWas there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
I liked the whole storyWell written a good read !
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Interesting Insight into JFK
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Any additional comments?
This book gave insight into a very interesting time in our nation's history. It made me feel for Jackie, and all she went through.Kept my interest
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