Maureen Dowd: Jackie Kennedy: Memoirs of a Geisha

Maureen Dowd is an op-ed columnist for the NYT.

The most mysterious, fascinating — and feline — woman in American political history has at long last spoken up. And Jackie Kennedy has plenty to say in that inimitably breathy little voice.

The former first lady talked to historian and courtier Arthur Schlesinger after J.F.K.’s assassination in taped interviews that were sealed for 47 years. Caroline Kennedy is now releasing them as a book and audio recording, “Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life With John F. Kennedy.”...

But she maintains her reputation as J.F.K.’s best image wizard, a novelistic observer of history and the most deliciously original, glamorous and compelling political spouse we’ll ever see.

Who else would read “War and Peace” during the Wisconsin primary and recommend the “Memoirs of Duc de Saint-Simon” as the best preparation for life in the White House?

Who else could persuade the Egyptians to hand over the Temple of Dendur and the French to lend the Mona Lisa, and rediscover the sidelined HMS Resolute desk for the Oval Office?...