
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
About this listen
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...
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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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- An Intimate Memoir
- By: Clint Hill, Lisa McCubbin Hill
- Narrated by: Jeremy Bobb
- Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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For four years, from the election of John Fitzgerald Kennedy until after the election of Lyndon Johnson, Clint Hill was the Secret Service agent assigned to guard the glamorous and private Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. During those four years, he went from being a reluctant guardian to a fiercely loyal watchdog and friend. Looking back, Clint Hill tells his story for the first time, offering a tender and tragic portrayal of how a Secret Service agent who started life in an orphanage became the most trusted man in the life of the First Lady who captivated first the nation and then the world.
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This Memoir is a Blessing!
- By Alexis on 04-08-12
By: Clint Hill, and others
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Collateral Damage
- The Mysterious Deaths of Marilyn Monroe and Dorothy Kilgallen, and the Ties that Bind Them to Robert Kennedy and the JFK Assassination
- By: Mark Shaw
- Narrated by: Phil Thron
- Length: 21 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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If there had been no cover-up of Robert Kennedy's complicity in the murder of Marilyn Monroe in 1962 and he had been prosecuted based on compelling evidence at the time, the assassination of JFK by Bobby's enemies would not have happened - changing the course of history and preventing the murder of media icon Dorothy Kilgallen.
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Author Makes Unsubstantiated Claim About Trump
- By Gordon Moncibais on 06-02-21
By: Mark Shaw
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The End of Normal
- By: Stephanie Madoff Mack
- Narrated by: Stephanie Madoff Mack
- Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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An explosive, heartbreaking memoir from the widow of Mark Madoff and daughter-in-law of Bernard Madoff, the first genuine inside story from a family member who has lived through - and survived - both the public crisis and her own deeply personal tragedy. In this candid insider account, she talks about her idyllic wedding to Mark, what it was really like to be a part of the Madoff family, the build-up to Bernard's confession, and the media frenzy that followed. It is about the loss of the fairytale life she knew and the tragic and final loss of her husband.
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Madoff's family values
- By Olga Rozzell on 10-25-11
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Mrs. Kennedy
- The Missing History of the Kennedy Years
- By: Barbara Leaming
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Wiley
- Length: 19 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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New York Times bestselling author Barbara Leaming answers the question: What was it like to be Mrs. John F. Kennedy during the dramatic thousand days of the Kennedy presidency? Here for the first time is the full story of the extravagant interplay of sex and politics that constitutes one of modern history's most spectacular dramas.
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An amazing woman who led a truly amazing life.
- By Jn on 02-04-24
By: Barbara Leaming
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A Very Private Woman
- The Life and Unsolved Murder of Presidential Mistress Mary Meyer
- By: Nina Burleigh
- Narrated by: Siiri Scott
- Length: 14 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1964, Mary Pinchot Meyer, the beautiful, rebellious, and intelligent ex-wife of a top CIA official, was killed on a quiet Georgetown towpath near her home. Mary Meyer was a secret mistress of President John F. Kennedy, whom she had known since private school days, and after her death, reports that she had kept a diary set off a tense search by her brother-in-law, newsman Ben Bradlee, and CIA spymaster James Jesus Angleton. But the only suspect in her murder was acquitted, and today her life and death are still a source of intense speculation.
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Easier to listen to than to read
- By Cheaton on 06-05-20
By: Nina Burleigh
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What Remains
- A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love
- By: Carole Radziwill
- Narrated by: Carole Radziwill
- Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins
- Abridged
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What Remains begins with loss and returns to loss. A small plane plunges into the ocean, carrying John Kennedy, Anthony's cousin, and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Carole's closest friend. Three weeks later Anthony dies of cancer. The summer of the plane crash, the four friends were meant to be cherishing Anthony's last days. Instead, Carole and Anthony mourned John and Carolyn, even as Carole planned her husband's memorial.
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I just couldn’t finish this book
- By Cheryle Medeiros on 10-11-15
By: Carole Radziwill
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American Predator
- The Hunt for the Most Meticulous Serial Killer of the 21st Century
- By: Maureen Callahan
- Narrated by: Amy Landon
- Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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The names of notorious serial killers are usually well-known; they echo in the news and in public consciousness. But most people have never heard of Israel Keyes, one of the most ambitious and terrifying serial killers in modern history American Predator is the ambitious culmination of years of interviews with key figures in law enforcement and in Keyes's life, and research uncovered from classified FBI files. Callahan takes us on a journey into the chilling, nightmarish mind of a relentless killer, and to the limitations of traditional law enforcement.
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Why you shouldn’t listen to Reviews
- By jofi00 on 10-23-19
By: Maureen Callahan
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JFK Jr.
- An Intimate Oral Biography
- By: RoseMarie Terenzio, Liz McNeil
- Narrated by: Michael David Axtell, Kevin R. Free, Lanna Joffrey, and others
- Length: 14 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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The first oral biography of John F. Kennedy Jr. is an extraordinarily intimate, comprehensive look at the real man behind the myth. Sharing never-before-told stories and insights, his closest friends, confidantes, lovers, classmates, teachers, and colleagues paint a vivid portrait of one of the most beloved figures of the 20th century, revealing how the boy who saluted became the man America came to know and love who still captures public imagination twenty-five years after his tragic death.
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Inspirational figure
- By Anonymous User on 07-19-24
By: RoseMarie Terenzio, and others
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Nemesis
- The True Story of Aristotle Onassis, Jackie O, and the Love Triangle that Brought Down the Kennedys
- By: Peter Evans
- Narrated by: Michael Butler Murray
- Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Through extensive interviews with the closest friends, lovers, and relatives of Onassis and the Kennedys, longtime journalist Evans has uncovered the shocking culmination of the Kennedy-Onassis-Kennedy love triangle: Aristotle Onassis was at the heart of the plot to kill Bobby Kennedy. Meticulously tracing Onassis's connections in the world of terrorism, Nemesis presents compelling evidence that he financed the assassination - including a startling confession that has gone unreported for nearly three decades.
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How troubled everyone was!
- By joefroslie on 04-18-25
By: Peter Evans
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Sinatra and the Jack Pack
- The Extraordinary Friendship Between Frank Sinatra and John F. Kennedy - Why They Bonded and What Went Wrong
- By: Michael Sheridan, David Harvey
- Narrated by: Sean Runnette
- Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Frank Sinatra desperately wanted to be part of John F. Kennedy, Jr.'s gang. He had his own famed "Rat Pack", made up of hard drinking, womanizing individuals like himself - guys like Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Peter Lawford - but the guy "Ol' Blue Eyes" really wanted to hang with was Lawford's brother-in-law, the real chairman of the board, John F. Kennedy. In Sinatra and the Jack Pack, Michael Sheridan delves deep into the acclaimed singer's relationship with the former president.
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I'm blown away by my naïvety.
- By barbara crowell on 09-06-17
By: Michael Sheridan, and others
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Come to the Edge
- A Memoir
- By: Christina Haag
- Narrated by: Christina Haag
- Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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When Christina Haag was growing up on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, John F. Kennedy, Jr., was just one of the boys in her circle of prep-school friends. A decade later, after they had both graduated from Brown University and were living in New York City, Christina and John were cast in an off-Broadway play together. It was then that John confessed his long-standing crush on her, and they embarked on a five-year love affair.
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Thoroughly enjoyed Come to the Edge
- By CapeCodLady on 11-15-19
By: Christina Haag
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Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye
- Memories of John Fitzgerald Kennedy
- By: Kenneth P. O'Donnell, David F. Powers
- Narrated by: Fleet Cooper
- Length: 17 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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As a politician, John F. Kennedy crafted an image that inspired and thrilled millions - and left an outsize legacy after his tragic murder. Only a select inner circle was privy to the man behind Camelot. In Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye, Kenneth P. O'Donnell and David F. Powers, two members of Kennedy's "Irish Mafia," give an unflinching, honest, and intimate portrayal of the Kennedy family and JFK's presidency.
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JFK an honest review of his life
- By B Lawrence on 01-08-25
By: Kenneth P. O'Donnell, and others
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The Kennedy Heirs
- John, Caroline, and the New Generation - A Legacy of Tragedy and Triumph
- By: J. Randy Taraborrelli
- Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
- Length: 18 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
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A unique burden was inherited by the children of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his celebrated siblings, Senators Robert and Ted Kennedy. Raised in a world of enormous privilege against the backdrop of American history, this third generation of Kennedys often veered between towering accomplishment and devastating defeat. In his revelatory new audiobook, acclaimed Kennedy historian J. Randy Taraborrelli draws back the curtain on the next generation of America’s most famous family.
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Well written and comprehensive
- By Richard Hadden on 08-28-19
What listeners say about Once Upon a Secret
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Amazon Customer
- 05-02-12
Dear God! The Scandal!
Mimi Alford kept her secret affair with JFK a secret for 40 some years which in a society where women are creating and "leaking" sex tapes to get attention is unheard of. Her story is engrossing and shocking at the same time. I am a huge fan of any book that deals with JFK, Marilyn Monroe, The Rat Pack etc. This book is clearly a story that would never have come out had she not been "outed". A very good listen.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Ted
- 08-20-15
About half of this is interesting history
The book is more or less divided into three parts. The first concerns one of President Kennedy's dalliances. You learn how a woman less than half the president's age caught his eye and was steered into a situation where he could take advantage of her. The system for doing so was apparently put in place by the president and used many times. For those of us who thought well of President Kennedy this might be disappointing, but it is definitely an interesting bit of history. Ms. Alford makes it clear that she was not a victim, apart from having been cornered in the first encounter.
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.
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1 person found this helpful
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- David T
- 12-28-22
A story of forbidden love and emotional maturity
I know little about Kennedy except the major events we all learned about in school. And of course Marilyn Monroe. This story was an interesting journey into one of the unknown characters in the president’s life. Fascinating. I enjoyed Mimi’s later life insights even more once knowing about her dalliance with Kennedy while barely teetering on the edge of adulthood.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Christine
- 09-18-12
fascinating
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.
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- Kristi
- 05-19-24
Not your typical mistress story
Admittedly when this book came out originally I was a little put off. I couldn't understand why this woman was coming out all of these years later with this information. After listening to this audiobook I get it. it was very well done, very emotional, and I was never against the author. She was young and naive and suffered greatly for her decisions throughout her life. I'm very pleased to say at the end of this book I was completely team Mimi. Definitely worth the time.
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- Sharon
- 03-05-12
Well written a good read !
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 afterthoughts
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
I liked the whole story
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5 people found this helpful
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- Honest Aithor
- 11-16-23
Interesting Insight into JFK
Well-done. Felt like I was there. Glad she told this story. Great insight into JFK’s inner world. What happened to her with first husband also telling. Highly recommended read, especially for women.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Susan Weldon
- 04-17-12
Kept my interest
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.
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- Elizabeth
- 04-19-12
Intriguing but loses steam after affair
Would you listen to Once Upon a Secret again? Why?
No, b/c I heard what I wanted and it is definitely not something I would listen to over and over again.
What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)
Lame, but understandable.
What aspect of Susan Denaker’s performance would you have changed?
I would have shortened the synopsis of life after the affair while still getting her message across.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Made me sad for her, and the fact that she even in later years thinks love can solve life's emptiness....it can but not from an earthly man.
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- Deanie McLaughlin
- 09-08-24
Mrs. Alford’s honesty.
Very interesting story, not because of JFK as much as how Mrs. Alford learned from her experiences & moved forward.
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