Tag: #biography

Friday Feature Author Interview with Elise Cooper: My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy by Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin Hill

Book Description

The #1 New York Times bestselling authors of Mrs. Kennedy and Me reveal never-before-told stories of Secret Service Agent Clint Hill’s travels with Jacqueline Kennedy through Europe, Asia, and South America. Featuring more than two hundred rare and never-before-published photographs.

While preparing to sell his home in Alexandria, Virginia, retired Secret Service agent Clint Hill uncovers an old steamer trunk in the garage, triggering a floodgate of memories. As he and Lisa McCubbin, his coauthor on three previous books, pry it open for the first time in fifty years, they find forgotten photos, handwritten notes, personal gifts, and treasured mementos from the trips on which Hill accompanied First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy as her Secret Service agent—trips that took them from Paris to London, through India, Pakistan, Greece, Morocco, Mexico, South America, and “three glorious weeks on the Amalfi Coast.” During these journeys, Jacqueline Kennedy became one of her husband’s—and America’s—greatest assets; in Hill’s words and the opinion of many others, “one of the best ambassadors the United States has ever had.”

As each newfound treasure sparks long-suppressed memories, Hill provides new insight into the intensely private woman he always called “Mrs. Kennedy” and who always called him “Mr. Hill.” For the first time, he reveals the depth of the relationship that developed between them as they traveled around the globe. Now ninety years old, Hill recounts the tender moments, the private laughs, the wild adventures, and the deep affection he shared with one of the world’s most beautiful and iconic women—and these memories are brought vividly to life alongside more than two hundred rare photographs, many of them previously unpublished.

In addition to the humorous stories and intimate moments, Hill reveals startling details about how traveling helped them both heal during the excruciating weeks and months following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November 1963. He also writes of the year he spent protecting Mrs. Kennedy after the assassination, a time in his life he has always been reluctant to speak about.

My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy unveils a personal side of history that has never been told before and takes the reader on a breathtaking journey, experiencing what it was like for Clint Hill to travel with Jacqueline Kennedy as the entire world was falling in love with her.

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Elise’s Thoughts

My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy by Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin Hill reveal never-before-told stories of Secret Service Agent Clint Hill’s travels with Jacqueline Kennedy through Europe, Asia, and South America. This book features more than two hundred rare and never-before-published photographs, many found in an old trunk in his house.

There are First Ladies and then there are First Ladies.  No First Lady can come close to what Jackie Kennedy accomplished. As a First Lady she was admired, respected, and revered. She had many talents, able to influence with her fashion styles, hair, and a public mother/wife.  But she also played a much larger role in the Kennedy administration, as a de facto diplomat. Clint Hill had a birds-eye view, and this book helps Americans to understand why this period of history was called the Camelot years.

People might not recognize the author, but the photo of him jumping on the Presidential car is engrained in most everyone’s mind.  He is the Secret Service Agent that heroically leaped onto the Kennedy car in Dallas after the President was shot.

Hill provides new insight into the intensely private woman he always called “Mrs. Kennedy” and who always called him “Mr. Hill.” For the first time, he reveals the depth of the relationship that developed between them as they traveled around the globe. Now ninety years old, Hill recounts the tender moments, the private laughs, the wild adventures, and the deep affection he shared with one of the world’s most beautiful and iconic women—and these memories are brought vividly to life alongside more than two hundred rare photographs, many of them previously unpublished.

From the very first page readers will be immersed in their world.  The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words,” applies to this book. People seeing the photographs with commentary will run a range of emotions from sad, happy, melancholy, to putting a smile on their face.

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Author Interview

EC: What are the top five photographs that are special to you and why?

CH and LM: The picture of the trunk – because it held such wonderful things reminding me of the travels and it was so unique. Unfortunately, it had to be destroyed because it had water damage in the bottom. I’m glad we took a picture of it before we opened it. We’ve noted the page numbers in the book where the photo can be found.

Page 15: Mrs. Kennedy talking with French President De Gaulle – this photo shows how close they were and how easily she was able to communicate with him in French. He was captivated by her and that undoubtedly helped relations between our two countries. This is typical of the relationship she had with most heads of state. She spoke fluent Italian and Spanish too, and she used that on foreign trips. President Kennedy was very proud of her when she spoke to people in their own language – something he couldn’t do.

Page 43: When I held John on the back of the jet boat – showing how it worked. This shows the close relationship I had with the Kennedy children. Mrs. Kennedy always told us, the agents, to treat them like normal children, to not give them special treatment. If they fall, don’t pick them up. She didn’t want them spoiled. But whenever she was with her children, I was there too—those were special times. 

Page 44: President Kennedy placing the paper medal around my neck after completing the 50-mile hike. This is probably the most unique memento I have—something no one else has. No one ever knew about the 50-mile hike until I wrote about it. At the time, I wasn’t too pleased about going on an impromptu 50-mile hike with the president’s brother-in-law and best friend, but it turned out to be one of my most treasured memories.

Page 265: We were in the airport in Rome – she’s wanting to buy something for the kids, and she sought my advice. Shows the relationship she and I had that she sought my opinion.

Page 175: Walking with Mrs. Kennedy through the ancient stone streets of Ravello. I had arrived in Italy with my usual Florsheim wingtips, but Mrs. Kennedy convinced me they looked out of place and assisted me in buying those white handmade Italian loafers. This photo also shows how relaxed we were on that trip which was purely a vacation for her. Our relationship had really changed by this point—she trusted me with everything to the point that she didn’t bring any other staff along. I was social secretary, press secretary, as well as Secret Service agent.

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EC: Do you agree that Mrs. Kennedy was not just a First Lady but also a diplomat?  Please explain.

CH and LM: Yes, she dealt on a one-on-one basis with all people—from the lowest, downtrodden, to the highest ranking in every country she visited. She sought out opportunities to better the relationship between the U.S. and the countries she visited. I put in this book quote, “Mrs. Kennedy was more effective than any ambassador or diplomatic relations policy that had been before or since, creating goodwill while she was making history, shaping international relations…She proved herself to be, arguably, one of the best ambassadors the United States ever had, to be one of the President’s secret weapons on the international front.”

EC: Why do you think people gravitated, admired, and had their hearts captured by Mrs. Kennedy?

CH and LM: Mostly because of her grace and beauty, her authenticity. She was the real thing. Many people wished they could be like her or be a friend of hers.

EC: Do you feel you are an “interpreter” to history for the American people?  Please explain.

CH and LM: No, I don’t believe I am an interpreter to history. I’m just one of many that was given wonderful opportunities to serve my country. I’ve realized the historical significance of what I’ve seen and what I’ve done.  It is disappointing and irritating to me when I see how people have made up things that were untrue, whether it be in books, movies, or television series. They call it “dramatic license” but often it’s purely made-up and contains no basis in fact. I’ve seen myself portrayed in movies doing and saying things I never said or did. Yet no one bothered to ask me. It’s important to me to keep the record straight, factual, and honest. 

EC: How would you describe the First Lady?

CH and LM: She was educated, well read, astute, curious, fun loving, adventurous, spontaneous, down to earth, elegant, charming, smart, and intuitive.  That’s who she is. I don’t have anything more to add—those are all the words I would use to describe her.

EC: What was your relationship with Mrs. Kennedy? 

CH and LM: There is this book quote, “A bond based on trust and mutual respect.  As time went on, that had just grown stronger and stronger.” That’s what this entire book is about. All the stories and photographs contained within it are the answer to your question. Our relationship changed over time.

EC: Considering that tragedy if you could go back in time would you not want to have been assigned to that detail? 

CH and LM: I would want to have been assigned to that detail. The only thing I would have changed would have been the outcome of what had happened. I would be dead, and President Kennedy would be alive.

EC: What do you want Americans to get out of the book?

CH and LM: A better understanding of exactly who Jacqueline Kennedy was, what she stood for, and how important she was to all the people of the United States and relations with foreign countries. I think it also shows the special and unique relationship between Mrs. Kennedy and me—it was a different time, and because of limited manpower, one person was required to do the work of many and that meant a much closer relationship between the protector and the protected. It was not political, but very professional.

THANK YOU!!

***

BIO: Elise Cooper has written book reviews and interviewed best-selling authors since 2009. Her reviews have covered several different genres, including thrillers, mysteries, women’s fiction, romance and cozy mysteries. An avid reader, she engages authors to discuss their works, and to focus on the descriptions of their characters and the plot. While not writing reviews, Elise loves to watch baseball and visit the ocean in Southern California, with her dog and husband.

Friday Feature Author Interview #1 with Elise Cooper: Sho-Time by Jeff Fletcher

Book Description

Shohei Ohtani of the Los
Angeles Angels is playing baseball like no other since the legendary Babe Ruth.
Ohtani’s dominance as a two-way player, one that pitches and bats effectively,
has taken the Major League by storm. Since entering the league, he won the 2018
AL Rookie of the Year, competed in the 2021 Home Run Derby, started in the 2021
All Star Game as both a pitcher and hitter (the first player to ever do so),
won the 2021 Most Valuable Player award, and was named to Time 100’s
list of most influential people of 2021. The question on everyone’s mind is how
is this Japanese phenom doing this? And how far can he go?

As the next generation of
baseball superstars cement themselves, Ohtani, who can pitch a 100mph fastball
and was a Top 3 home run leader at the end of the season, stands out amongst
them all. Major League Baseball has found the new face of the sport.

In Sho-time, Jeff
Fletcher will examine the player’s path from his early days in Japan, his
transition to the MLB, and a start-to-finish inside look at his historic 2021
MVP season. Along the way, Fletcher will detail other players who have crossed
over from Japan to the major leagues, how Ohtani brought his phenomenal talent
to the game at a time when technology is exploding as a means toward maximizing
performance, and the role that Ohtani and his otherworldly teammate Mike Trout
are playing in helping to lead baseball into the next generation.

***

Elise’s Thoughts

Sho-Time by Jeff Fletcher tells the inside story of the Los Angeles Angel’s Shohei Ohtani, a “two-way” baseball player.  From the time he started playing baseball for the Angels he has become a celebrity.  Shohei is a unique player, a unicorn to use baseball language, because he can pitch and hit, in the same game.  Ohtani just made history as the only player to be named to the ALL-STAR team as both a pitcher and hitter two years in a row.

Jeff Fletcher uses his own experiences to explain the Shohei phenomenon. As the writer for the Orange County Register for the last eight seasons, he uses his vast knowledge of baseball and the Angels to delve into the challenges, triumphs, and journey of this baseball superstar.

The book covers Ohtani’s path through Japanese baseball including a championship with the Nippon-Ham Fighters, to his desire to play American Major League baseball.  Readers get details about the recruiting war by Major League clubs, why he picked the Angels, Ohtanis’s 2018 Rookie of the Year campaign, the injury-riddled seasons, and his MVP year in 2021 with 157 strikeouts, an ERA of 3.18 ERA, 46 home runs and 10 triples. Most people believe that Ohtani is a dominant pitcher and a powerful designated hitter, a once in a lifetime player.

***

Author Interview

Elise Cooper:  Why is he considered a one-of-a-kind player?

Jeff Fletcher: There has not been anybody succeeding in such a significant degree as both a hitter and pitcher since Babe Ruth, who did it more than 100 years ago. Ruth was a pitcher who realized he was a good hitter and decided not to pitch anymore. He did not intend to be a two-way player the way Shohei has. He does not match up with anyone.

EC:  In the book there is this quote by Babe Ruth, “I don’t think a man can pitch in his regular turn and play every other game at some other position, to keep that pace year after year.” Do you think Ohtani will be able to do it?

JF:  I do not know the answer to that.  Since no one has ever done it, there is no precedent for it. He obviously has had some injury problems.  Hopefully he can be productive and healthy as he had this last year and a half. Everyone should enjoy it while it lasts. What Ohtani did was harder than what Babe Ruth did. The level of competition today in the Majors is so much higher, especially with the analytics and the defensive positioning. Yet, today no one could do what Babe Ruth did, playing outfield for four days and then pitching.  It has certainly helped Ohtani to be a designated hitter when he is not pitching.

EC:  How would you describe Ohtani as a player and a personality?

JF: As a personality he has a good sense of humor that can be seen through his interaction with his teammates, happy, and enjoys playing baseball. As a player he has so much talent, being able to pitch and hit at such a high level, which is incredibly difficult.

EC:  Is he a better pitcher or hitter?

JF:  I think he is a little better pitcher because he is more consistent. If someone ranked all the pitchers and hitters in baseball, he probably is higher on the pitcher list. Shohei has had stretches as a hitter where he has struggled a month at a time.  But he has never really had that as a pitcher, except for injuries.

EC:  He will be a free agent in 2024, do you think he will sign a new contract with the Angels?

JF:  It is hard to know the answer since there is no precedent how a player like this will be paid. The problem is no one can predict what his performance level will be like. Although this is true for all players, there is nothing to compare it to for him. Eventually his contract will need to have clauses and triggers, such as he gets paid x amount if he is a pitcher and a hitter or will be paid y amount if he only does one skill. I do think he will sign a contract with the Angels.  They know what they have in him, a great player and someone very good for business.  The only reason he would not sign is if he does not think the Angels can win. 

EC:  Why do you think he signed with the Angels?

JF:  He did not decide to go with a team that had another Japanese player. This was and is not his primary goal.  His goal is what feels comfortable to him. He did not choose the Angels because they had this great winning tradition, because they don’t. It was basically the people who talked to him convinced him it is a comfortable environment to be in and this is still the case.

EC:  In your book you discuss Ohtani being managed by Mike Scioscia versus Joe Madden.  Who was the better manager for him?

JF:  Hindsight is 20-20 so obviously Joe Madden. He got the better performance out of Ohtani.  Mike Scioscia treated Ohtani the way he pitched in Japan.  He did not hit the day before or the day after he pitched and very rarely hit the same day he pitched. Also, they were under the impression Ohtani would not speak up if he were tired or needed a break.  All that was true at the time.  Now he says when he needs a break and when he does not, knowing himself a little better.

EC:  Why was he better in 2021?

JF:  He did a lot of training at Driveline in the winter before the 2021 season. This helped give him real hard data on what his energy levels were like. In that way, he would know when he needed a break.

EC:  Did he ever comment that he has an advantage being a hitter and a pitcher.  When he is hitting does he think like a pitcher and vice-versa?

JF: He has said he feels it is an advantage for him that he is a hitter and a pitcher. He sees the way pitchers approach him and the way hitters do it. He files all that a way. He has a nice perspective that other hitters and pitchers don’t have considering he is a two-way player.

EC:  Relationship with Mike Trout?

JF:  They are like other teammates.  There is a scene in the book how Mike Trout called him during home run derby and said just relax.  Mike Trout understood what the spotlight is like.

EC:  Will he be a role model for other children who come up through the system and will there be more two-way players?

JF:  I don’t think so.  What he does is so difficult.  A player would have to have a lot of physical talent. 

EC:  In your book you quoted him saying that Home Run Derby was fun, but tiring.  Will he play this year?

JF:  I don’t think it had any impact on his performance for the second half of the season.  It makes no sense. Home Run Derby was on July 13th, and he started his slump on August 20th. This year, I am sure he can use the break so I do not think he will participate. Either will Mike Trout. He has never had an interest in doing it because he also wants to relax.

EC:  Do you think Ohtani and Trout are striking out too much?

JF:  Ohtani is striking out less than last year, while Trout is striking out more. First off everyone is striking out more than people would like to see.  Strikeout numbers for the last 15 years have gone up exponentially.  I think there are more strikeouts than hits, which is disturbing.

EC:  Where can people get the book if they want to?

JF:  Bookstores and on Amazon. It is available on Kindle and on Audio. It has been translated into Japanese.  I am doing a book signing in a little bookstore in Tustin, the “RV Company” on July 17th. People can go to my website, https://jefffletcherwrites.com/ to get the latest information.

EC:  Will this book appeal to all baseball fans?

JF:  Yes. People who are not Angel fans might enjoy the book more since Angel fans might know a lot of stuff. Anyone who wants to learn about Ohtani might want to read this book since he has done something that no one has done in a hundred years.

THANK YOU!!

***

BIO: Elise Cooper has written book reviews and interviewed best-selling authors since 2009. Her reviews have covered several different genres, including thrillers, mysteries, women’s fiction, romance and cozy mysteries. An avid reader, she engages authors to discuss their works, and to focus on the descriptions of their characters and the plot. While not writing reviews, Elise loves to watch baseball and visit the ocean in Southern California, with her dog and husband.

Book Review: David Bowie: A Life by Dylan Jones

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

DAVID BOWIE: A LIFE by Dylan Jones is classified as a biography, but it is not written in the traditional style. The entire life of David Bowie is laid out chronologically, but told in more of an oral history style by people who have been involved in or impacted by Bowie’s life either for a short time or many years.

This book clearly shows that David Bowie was the artist and innovator, while David Jones was the charismatic and flawed human. David Jones was influenced by his schizophrenic older brother and learned at a young age how mental illness can effect a family. He escaped the suburbs of London to live a life of continual self-reinvention, absorption of ideas and a lifelong love of learning and world travel.

The many voices that tell of his life are what make this book different. There are friends who were with him for many years and give their views of what David meant to their lives and careers and there are those voices that feel that they were used for a short time and then discarded. All say that David could turn on his charisma at will and make you feel the center of his world, but he could also cut you to the quick if he was done with you.

The author does not shy away from the sex and drugs of the 60’s and 70’s that were pervasive in the rock and roll culture, but he has people on both sides tell of the abuses and how they perceived them and how some were able to conquer them. It is told in a non-judgmental way. There are personal and professional stories of love for Bowie as well as jealousies. I do wish there were more passages by Bowie himself, but I really believe this book is like his life, it is all about what you experienced and what you personally took away from his music and art.

On a personal note: I saw David Bowie perform on his “Serious Moonlight” tour when he came to the Richfield Coliseum for my birthday many years ago. It was an amazing show with the most charismatic singer I have ever seen in concert. I have followed him through every incarnation and have always loved his voice, lyrics, fashion and smile.

Thanks very much to Crown Publishing and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for and honest review.

Book Review: Henry: A Polish Swimmer’s True Story by Katrina Shawver

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

HENRY: A POLISH SWIMMER’S TRUE STORY OF FRIENDSHIP FROM AUSCHWITZ TO AMERICA by Katrina Shawver is a memoir/biography that had me turning the pages and finishing this memorable read in just two sittings.

Katrina Shawver was trying to come up with a new story for her column in ‘The Arizona Republic’ when she heard about a former Polish swimming star who survived the death camps of WWII Germany. After her column ran, she knew she had to continue meeting with Henry and tell his entire story. He had an amazing cache of original documents and pictures with stories for them all. This book documents Henry’s story in his own words and the author interjects her own research that verifies Henry’s stories.

Henry tells his story to Ms. Shawver over many taped meetings. With gallows humor and always a sense of hope, Henry recalls his youth and capture by the Germans as they rounded up all Polish young men after their invasion. Henry was a strong young man who was a champion swimmer and water polo player for the Krakow YMCA team at the time of his arrest. Catholic and a proud Pole, Henry was sent to Auschwitz 1 as a political prisoner.

There are several instances when Henry should have died, but he always seemed to know someone who would find him at just the right time to help him survive. Henry knows he was incredibly lucky. From Auschwitz to Buchenwald, Henry details camp life. Even with all the killing and death, there are stories that sound absurd to the situation, but were small moments to forget where and what they were living through so that they could hope and survive for another day.

I have read many stories of the camps from Jewish survivor stories, but this book is through the eyes of a Polish political prisoner. I learned that they could and did send and receive mail, that there were underground activities ongoing in the camps and that the prisoners were segregated from the Jewish prisoners. Buchenwald held mainly German communists, criminals, Jehovah Witnesses, gypsies and the 1000 political prisoner Poles sent from Auschwitz until almost the end of the war.

Henry survives to live under communist rule in Poland because he returns home to his mother. After she is gone, he and a friend have the chance to escape to freedom in the west and they take it.

You will not be able to resist Henry. He is an ordinary young man who survived and lived an extraordinary life. If you are like me and devour books about WWII, this one should definitely be on your list.

Thanks very much to Koehler Books and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review. I could not have enjoyed it more.