Sons of Camelot: The Fate of an American Dynasty

From renowned biographer and New York Times bestselling author of The Kennedy Women and The Kennedy Men comes THE SONS OF CAMELOT, the second volume in a multi-generational history bound to be considered an American epic.

Almost a year before publication, THE SONS OF CAMELOT: The Fate of an American Dynasty was already being widely discussed and debated in the media. Based on exclusive interviews with many Kennedy family members, their closest friends and associates, and five years of research, THE SONS OF CAMELOT is neither tabloid fodder nor a sanitized authorized biography but a stunningly revealing, deeply truthful account with intimate new information on every page.

In this outstanding continuation of The Kennedy Men, his powerful American epic of the Kennedy family, Laurence Leamer chronicles the lives of the Kennedy sons and grandsons after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and their struggle to fulfill the family legacy. These lives make for a book of overwhelming drama full of exalted aspirations, notable achievements and the most spectacular mishaps, excesses and tragedies. For the most part, these Kennedy men fell far short of the great vision that Joseph P. Kennedy had for his sons and grandsons. Their lives have been a bewildering juxtaposition of the most notable achievements and the most spectacular failures. There have been needless deaths, crippling accidents, drug addiction, alcoholism and allegations of rape. Their pratfalls, mishaps, excesses and tragedies have been one of the most certain forms of American popular entertainment for the last four decades. Yet among them are those who have helped Americans to have better health care, to sail on clean waters, to raise the rights and lives of those with mental retardation, to assist the poorest of African nations, to enable those with disabilities to lead normal lives, and to give health care givers opportunities.

In Leamer’s passionate narrative, each Kennedy man becomes not the passive victim of the happenstance of birth and upbringing, but a full participant in his own fate. The good that the Kennedy sons have done is amply chronicled, and so is the bad and the tragic. John F. Kennedy Jr.’s life is a thread running through the pages of THE SONS OF CAMELOT. Some may be drawn to the book largely to read the definitive portrait based largely on the full cooperation of his eight closest friends. Others may come intrigued to read the intimate story of Senator Edward Kennedy or the stirring tale of Timmy Kennedy Shriver’s rise to the head of Special Olympics International. But whatever draws the readers, they will read on driven by the powerful dramatic narrative with its impeccably researched details.

Some of these pages are inspiring, some are shocking, but all the pages are truthful. THE SONS OF CAMELOT is a spellbinding history of individuals and a family, a journey of character through time told by a brilliant, masterful writer.

How did the sons and grandsons of America’s most famous political family grapple with an epic legacy?

• A Sweeping Family Saga: Follow the Kennedy sons and grandsons as they grapple with an epic family legacy in the decades after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
• Unprecedented Access: Go behind the headlines with a narrative built on five years of research and exclusive interviews with Kennedy family members, their closest friends, and associates.
• The Life of John F. Kennedy Jr.: Discover a definitive and intimate portrait of the president’s son, from his childhood in the White House to his adult life, drawn from the accounts of those who knew him best.
• Triumphs and Tragedies: A deeply truthful account that balances the family’s notable public achievements with their most spectacular personal mishaps, excesses, and tragedies.

One of Bobby Kennedy's first acts after JFK's assassination was to write a letter to his eldest son, reminding him of the obligations of his name. Bobby sent the letter to eleven-year-old Joe, but the message was meant for all his sons and nephews.

Sons of Camelot is the compelling story of that message and how it shaped each Kennedy son and grandson in the aftermath of President John F. Kennedy's death. Based on five years of rigorous research and unprecedented cooperation from both the Kennedys and the Shrivers, Sons of Camelot examines the lives characterized by overwhelming drama -- from the most spectacular mishaps, excesses, and tragediesto the remarkable accomplishments that have led to better lives for Americans and others around the world.

The third volume in Laurence Leamer's bestselling history of America's first family, Sons of Camelot chronicles the spellbinding journey of a message sent from a father to his son ... from a president to his people.

“Haunting…Leamer succeeds in...show[ing] how the Kennedy male offspring often crumbled under the weight of expectations.” - Daily News

“Leamer’s portrait of John F. Kennedy Jr., and his marriage…feels more intimate and immediate than many that have recently appeared.” - New York Times

“Kennedy watchers, who continue to be legion, will find this a fascinating chapter in the never-ending story.” - Booklist

“Leamer has wisely loaded [SONS OF CAMELOT] with more than enough scandal to satisfy audience expectations.” - Publishers Weekly

“A stunning glimpse of the inner lives of the not-so-young-any-longer Kennedys.” - New York Post

“Leamer’s interviews with his friends and associates provide the fullest portrait of [JFK Jr.’s] adult life to date.” - New York Times Book Review

“Impeccable: Leamer never overreaches, delivering accessible and even insightful portraits of Camelot’s sons.” - Kirkus Reviews