NEW: Chappaquiddick Read-Along

[@dockaren]

When Ted Kennedy died, People Magazine ran a puff piece on him, calling him "The Lion of the Senate." Two of the ladies who worked in my office were surprised to hear about his actions at Chappaquiddick and the death of Mary Jo Kopechne. They were born in the late 1970's and had never heard the story. I find it disgusting that this story has been buried by the American press. Thank you for reviewing this book.

[@Jess_Connell]

It’s truly CRAZY how it was buried and forgotten.

[@juliek2196]

I am so thankful for your review of this book! It is not available for me to borrow from my library.

[@janloftness]

I remember when it happened. I always assumed it was common knowledge. But I’ve realized that people much younger than me don’t necessarily have the same worldview as I do. ( I know, duh).

[@Jess_Connell]

@@janloftness and we aren’t given the same information- nor is the significance of the information we ARE given well-communicated.

[@michelegraham9044]

Even I remember when it happened and I’m an Aussie who has never lived outside of Australia. I’m also aware of the controversy surrounding the death/manslaughter/dangerous driving. What I DIDNT know was that even back that People magazine was a vehicle for PR machines. I DO remember to subscribing to Time magazine for example at a time when you could TRUST the media. Good to know about People though in regards to others although I doubt I’d heard of it back in the 80s & before that.

[@jaynaMgerlach]

It’s so unbelievable how shallow the water was - absolutely heartbreaking 💔

[@MR2spyder100]

The last time he explored a presidential run, there were enough memories of Chappaquidick to shut that down fast.

[@Jess_Connell]

And how thankful we all are that that was the case. Many had forgotten but enough remembered that it was a non-starter.

[@marys33794]

Hi Jess, 👋🏻 👍 Author Leo Damore was brave to research and write the book and get it published. Some years later, he was researching to write a book on JFK's assassination. The research stopped when his health deteriorated, and he ended his life with a sawn off shotgun. A few of his good friends at the time suspected foul play. As the saying goes,'We'll never know' for sure. Cork, Ire

[@aliciab4236]

The Chappaquiddick book was eye-opening for me. I'm looking forward to read it again with you.

[@realsteelmagnolia]

Yay! ❤ I read the book years ago and have the Audible version. So excited to read with you and get your take. Thank you 😊

[@judyholiday1794]

I couldn't click fast enough when I received the notification for this book..I am so looking forward to this one because I have always been interested in history..Take care 😊

[@carolinejohnson]

Jess, I never really appreciate your book reviews. Reading was always my favorite pass time but now that I’m older it’s hard for me to read books. I love your commentary and you seem like an awesome person! Keep up the good work ❤

[@phulanadethal]

I can’t wait. As a lifetime bookworm myself, I love your input on these books. I also want to tell you that I love your candid inserts on faith. Love from Asturias, Spain 🇪🇸

[@Jess_Connell]

Good to know! Thanks for the comment -- can't wait to read the book together!

[@jackiehardyful]

Looking so forward to this book and hearing your commentary on it!!!!

[@msw8839]

This is great, Jess. I will go find the book.

[@m.pathak9943]

I love reading Kennedy books with you! Thank you

[@Jess_Connell]

🎉🎉🎉

[@dawnfalvey6766]

Yay! Can’t wait Jess!! (If anyone is interested Chappaquidick is streaming on Prime video if you can’t get the book or just want to see it before Jess’s review).

[@Jess_Connell]

Awesome- good to know!! 👍🏻

[@Creyole]

At your suggestion I just watched it. What an entitled pompous ass Ted Kennedy was. I’m so sorry Mary Jo lost her life. May she rest in eternal peace…smh😔

[@Jess_Connell]

@@Creyole truly entitled and rudderless. That movie shows him as a Waffler who lacked the courage or even impetus to do what was right in each situation he came to.

[@Creyole]

@@Jess_Connell I was absolutely slack jawed when Ted blamed his lawyer Joe for how everything unraveled when he (Ted) said he would report the accident and didn’t. Unbelievable!

[@Ellie-Mae]

Fantastic! Looking forward to your discussion of this book. 😊🇨🇦😊

[@ValerieRauha]

Yay! 😊 Thank you soo much for the invite 😃

[@jaynaMgerlach]

Can’t wait for more, more MORE Jess! 🙏❤️🙃

[@Jess_Connell]

Yay! First episode tomorrow!! ❣️

[@jaynaMgerlach]

@@Jess_Connell can NOT wait 👏👏👏

[@moviestarmemories630]

YESSSSSSS

[@dazzlingchick]

✨Looking forward to this one Jess! Thank you again. ~Love&Light♥️C.

[@DonnaRhodesletstakeupmakeup]

Can't wait Jess! I'm all in

[@Jess_Connell]

🤩🎉 yay! First episode tomorrow!!

[@pamelav4628]

Will join you. Thank you so much for taking us through the Kennedy's and the Amen they destroyed book - Very interesting and I learned so much.

[@rlpb2269]

Reading/reviewing this book is a great decision… 🤩 thanks Jess! Specially now when there is other member of the infamous Kennedy clan running for president! That is to be shameless ! I’ll be more than glad following you through your reading!!! 📖

[@Jess_Connell]

So glad! Yes the Kennedy name continues at those high levels.

[@rlpb2269]

@@Jess_Connell that’s a shame and a waste of money, there is no way for him to win. See you next Wednesday! 👋🏻

[@Jess_Connell]

@@rlpb2269 today (9/4) is the first episode of Chappaquiddick! 👍🏻🎉

[@rlpb2269]

@@Jess_Connell wow… thanks for letting me know!!! 🤗

[@nrutluj]

You do such an excellent job of narrating and reviewing books, Jess. Now, I’m so looking forward to exploring “Chappaquiddick” with you.

[@Jess_Connell]

THANK YOU. It encourages me to know you will join me for this crazy ride of a book!

[@nopereradicator]

I’m so excited. I cannot wait.

[@MsBackstager]

I luved your full coverage of the book.

[@Jess_Connell]

Yay!! 😁

[@psmith2714]

This will be great

[@kellyburgess671]

so looking forward! ty for doing this one

[@Jess_Connell]

Episode one came out on Wednesday! It’ll be the next few Wednesdays until we finish Ask Not! 😍🤩

[@midgebarger1363]

Can't Wait !!!!!

[@judyholiday1794]

There is an interview with Cricket one of the famous boiler room girls on KZbin..It took place back in 1992 and she has been the only one that has spoken about that night..I was actually surprised that even to this day she is deeply loyal to Ted Kennedy and kept stating that this was an awful accident and that Ted was very sorry for what happened to Mary Jo..I was thinking really lady..🙄

[@Jess_Connell]

It’s very suspicious. She was the one whose purse and room keys were in the vehicle. She is also the only one who put out a statement on the 5 year anniversary and it’s suspect also. She said “Mary Jo was in the wrong car at the wrong time with the wrong people.” What does she mean, “people?” Very suspicious to me.

[@gracie3174]

Exactly

[@judyholiday1794]

@@gracie3174 It is suspicious no matter how you look at it .Sadly we will never find out the real story..

[@janehilton224]

Have both books but always look forward to ur read alongs im in 😍

[@Jess_Connell]

Yay! So glad.

[@isobeloconnell9385]

Another Kennedy family member, and one who could be an interesting character to read about, is Peter Lawford. He married Patricia Kennedy an original Kennedy sister/ daughter. Has a book been written about him?

[@Meljassy]

Omg yesss he was such an alcoholic sleezeball! Ive read articles but no book i believe 🤔

[@Jess_Connell]

No idea but I’ll look. It does seem like he was a handler for the Kennedy men… he was also Marilyn’s contact.

[@isobeloconnell9385]

@@Jess_Connell Yes Peter was a shady character but a small argument says that he was used by the Kennedy family when JFK was running for President.

[@janloftness]

Looking forward to it!

[@BethHopkins-dt2yw]

I love starting new books. It's exciting. I look forward to reading this with you. You are so pleasant to listen to.

[@Jess_Connell]

💯 I agree!! why does the start of a book feel so much more exciting than the 17th installment? 🤣🫣 is it just our own discontentment? 😳😂

[@MSArtist01]

Looking forward to it ❤

[@sm-k5513]

It will be very interesting! Looking forward to it!

[@pacificblu9662]

Thank you, new subscriber. I love your read-a-longs

[@Jess_Connell]

🎉🤩 welcome!! Glad you’ll be a part!! 🤍

[@lauramason5667]

We used to go to Martha’s Vineyard in the summers when I was a child. I remember going across Chappaquidduck bridge and this was like in 1979. I remember thinking it was like a creek and it was so small. I think a lot of people don’t have an image of what it looks like. It was not some huge bridge. it’s one of the saddest stories ever told

[@Jess_Connell]

Wow. Thanks for sharing. Goodness. Yes the measurement is not big. The entrance to the bridge was 15 feet across. Smaller than the width of most living rooms.

[@Meljassy]

I dont think Ill get the book to read but def gonna listen to your fabulous channel 🎉 as you read 😂❤

[@Jess_Connell]

That’s cool! It’s quite a thick book 😂😭🫣 maybe not for everyone!

[@Meljassy]

@@Jess_Connell ive been moving and nesting and your reading and commentary style is soo fabulous! Ill just stick to that 😀 also the story is soooo sad! Idk if i have the energy to read a sad book at moment

[@Jess_Connell]

@@Meljassy thank you for that! Very thankful for your regular encouragement along the way!

[@elizabethannegrey6285]

Can’t wait!

[@MurielSteinhauer]

Jess, I am so excited to see you continuing your journey.❤. My daughter Jayna told me about you reading Ask Not and I fell in love with your story hour 😊. So I was am still with you on Ask Not and staying on for Chapaqid……😂. Thanks for your sharing your thoughts as well.

[@Jess_Connell]

Yay!! 😁 welcome! so glad you’ve joined us!

[@LeslieBigos]

Im in! Just ordered the book.

[@Jess_Connell]

@@LeslieBigos 😍 yay!! 😁

[@ola9415]

I have seen the film you mention, it was excellent. Looking forward to this read along very much.

[@Jess_Connell]

First installment at 1pm tomorrow :)

[@karencap1690]

Would love you to read Chappaquiddick!

[@kimberlynolin2100]

I have been following along on Ask Not and now this book which I read many years ago. Greatly enjoy your take on them. Two points, though. Joe was more of an appeaser. Like Chamberlain. He liked some of Hitlers ideas. As did Lindbergh who was arguably a true fan of Htler. And RFK didn't win the party's nomination. He had won the California primary when he was shot.

[@Jess_Connell]

Thanks for the input! Yes, to his ideas about appeasement! As for RFK- my understanding is that winning California had tipped him over to be the leading Dem candidate, which would’ve made him the winner of the nomination, which he would’ve accepted in a matter of weeks. Is that inaccurate?

[@cheribee968]

I still think of the horror she must have felt and probably thought help was on the way She was found in the car in an area where there had been a small air pocket Ted must be in hell for this🔥👹

[@Jess_Connell]

Terrifying! Truly it would’ve been a soul-shaking moment (and potentially next hour or more) for her.

[@juliek2196]

Thank you for your review of this book! It is unavailable for me to borrow from my library.

[@mitziwhite878]

Got my book and am reading it. Can't put it down. Looking forward to joining you soon.

[@Jess_Connell]

It’s so good! So full of great research!

[@psmith2714]

I read a story years ago about Ted getting drunk and pulling his pants down in the bar and mooning others.

[@Jess_Connell]

oh goodness. Sounds entirely possible. Every story I read about him indicates he was a disgusting, entitled baby-man.

[@wendiwonderly1419]

I don’t know if the book is still available but Ted Kennedys former chair of staff wrote a very unflattering book about him called the senator. A good read

[@Jess_Connell]

Very interesting! I’ll look; thanks!

[@wendiwonderly1419]

@@Jess_Connell it’s by Richard Burke

[@Jess_Connell]

@@wendiwonderly1419 I found it and added it to my “recommended reads ” book list. Thank you!!

[@moviestarmemories630]

i BOUGHT THE MOVIE HERE ON yt

[@robyn874]

Coming from another country this story was very negative about this, the cover up & all his dirty laundry along with the family was hung out to dry. I look forward to the story & will try to retain an open mind 🤔😳

[@Jess_Connell]

I hope you'll enjoy it. It's not an "enjoyable" tale, but he does a great job giving specific details from on-the-scene witnesses so we can judge the situation for ourselves.

[@ShannonRobinson-z2x]

I bought the movie at the thrift store a couple of weeks ago. Pretty good movie.

[@Jess_Connell]

I agree. It was wild to see two comedians- Gaffigan and Helms- in such dark, significant roles.

[@ShannonRobinson-z2x]

@@Jess_Connell I like Kate Mara. Everything I've ever seen her in was good. Especially House of Cards!

[@Jess_Connell]

@@ShannonRobinson-z2x I had never seen her in anything else. Y’all got me focused on it again- and I just watched the movie tonight while folding laundry. It’s so well made. Even taking us back into the time period. It has a great period feel to it. Impressive!!

[@phemery1182]

❤👏👏👏💯♥️🙏

[@bluerose_11]

Are we all finished with the Kennedy Women book? Does it end with Rosemary?

[@Jess_Connell]

No, not finished! There are 5 more episodes to go (20 total). I’m planning to release one Chappaquiddick a week and two Ask Not episodes until we finish Ask Not. 👍🏻

[@bluerose_11]

@@Jess_Connell thanks 💕

[@williammoersen]

Why not George Bush and the Iraq War? Let's hear about the Bush family. The auto accident.

[@Jess_Connell]

There’s so much there. Poppy bush was head of the CIA before he was president; he even called in information as an informant on the day of JFK’s death. It would be amazing if someone would write a well-researched tell-all about that dynasty.

[@dianemcgill9965]

Oh what a teaser this was Jess. Count me in. I got in from audible and can't wait. Thank you for taking on another book. This is going to be so much fun!!! ☺☺☺☺☺

[@williammoersen]

Why not pick the other party?

[@Jess_Connell]

There’s not a sinister answer here if that’s what you’re implying. The book I started with was a Kennedy book, because it fascinated me. As we went through the story and viewers began sharing their input, it made sense to choose a related book. Many people have asked about the Clintons. I’d be willing to do a book on them but I think it’s unlikely that anyone has compiled enough thorough info to do a book like this about them yet. Bushes…. I’d be absolutely delighted to do a similar book for their family lore if there was one. Do you know of one? I’d also be interested to understand more about Nixon. But right now I’m keeping the viewers’ input in mind, and following my own fascination - the Kennedys are fascinating and so much changed after 11/22/1953. I’m interested in those things and viewers are too and so here we are. One other thought- today’s parties are not delineated according to the same concerns or philosophies that existed in 1963 anyway - we are nearly as disconnected from them as we are the Whigs or Bull-Moose party. So I don’t view this as a party-line discussion.

[@leemarie7724]

Scraping the bottom for the lowest of the low....making money off scurrilous gossip.

[@Jess_Connell]

Hmmm, not at all true. This book is meticulously researched, and has primary sourcing from folks who were a part of the investigation & a part of the event.

[@leemarie7724]

@@Jess_Connell Not so says the Washington Post that called it a hack job

[@leemarie7724]

@@Jess_Connell face it, you are a bottom dweller who is making money gossiping about others misfortune.

[@lorrainebettencourt8009]

@@Jess_Connell why does this person keep coming and leaving such negative comments...like keep it moving....God forbid a drama free site on utube..