JFK Jr., George, & Me - by Matt Berman (Paperback)

About the Book

"As John Kennedy Jr.'s creative director for George magazine, Matt Berman had a wonderfully collaborative and fun-loving relationship with America's favorite son--his story is told here with unprecedented candor and wit. The Kennedys--their poise, the family secrets, and their grace in the face of unimaginable tragedies--have captured the imagination and interest of the public for more than fifty years. Now, colleague and friend of JFK Jr., Matt Berman, offers us a unique look at John's life as both a professional and "regular guy." When talented creative executive Matt Berman took a meeting with John Kennedy, Jr., in 1995, he was immediately hired to serve as George's creative director, thus beginning an unforgettable journey, both personal and professional. We follow Matt through his first days at the magazine as he navigated the choppy waters of what would be the most-talked-about magazine launch in history, helmed by a supremely confident and charming John. Wry and instantly likeable, Matt shares not only his own personal story of his relationship with John, but also valuable life and work lessons that he learned while working alongside him behind the scenes at George. But most importantly, through Matt's recollections, we see a John Kennedy that the public never got to know. Matt paints a vivid portrait of JFK Jr., that only a select few have ever seen, offering a touching and honest tribute to John's legacy"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

John Kennedy Jr.'s creative director for George magazine presents "a vivid portrait of JFK Jr. that only a select few have ever seen, offering a touching and honest tribute to John's legacy" (BookReporter.com).

If George magazine was about "not just politics as usual," a day at the office with John F. Kennedy Jr. was not just business as usual. John handpicked Creative Director Matt Berman to bring his vision for a new political magazine to life. Through marathon nights leading up to George's launch; extraordinary meetings with celebrities including Barbra Streisand, Robert De Niro, and Demi Moore; and jokes at each other's expense, Matt developed a wonderfully collaborative and fun-loving relationship with America's favorite son.

They were an unlikely team: the poised, charismatic scion of a beloved political family and the shy, self-deprecating, artistic kid. Yet they became close friends and confidants. In this warm, funny, and intimate book, Matt remembers his brilliant friend and colleague--John's approach to work, life, and fame, and most of all, his ease and grace, which charmed those around him.

More than any book before it, JFK Jr., George, & Me reveals the friendly, witty, down-to-earth guy the paparazzi could never capture. Matt opens the doors of John's messy office to share previously untold stories, personal notes, and never-before-seen photos from the trenches of a startup magazine that was the brainchild of a superstar. John helped Matt navigate a world filled with celebrities, artists, beauty, style, competition, and stunningly tender egos. In turn, Matt shares the invaluable lessons about business and life that he learned from John. What emerges is a portrait of JFK Jr. as a true friend and mentor.

Review Quotes

"Nearly 15 years after Kennedy died in a plane crash at age 38, Berman is looking back at those heady days and recalling his friend in a new memoir."-- "USA Today"

A perfectly-timed, personal, funny and fascinating look back on the mid-90's publishing world. I read it in one sitting.--Julie Klausner, Comedian

"Berman recounts his relationship with JFK Jr., both personal and professional."-- "Library Journal"

"Berman seems to have saved every photo and scrap of paper from those days."-- "New York Post"

"For a shy young art director, being hired to design John F. Kennedy Jr.'s new magazine was both daunting and exhilarating."-- "Vanity Fair"

"The author's humor and self-deprecation make for a lot of fun moments as he takes readers behind the scenes of many photo shoots, dishing on celebrity behavior such as Barbara Walters's playful flirtation with a notoriously disagreeable photographer. In addition, Berman details the creative process leading up to the launch of George.. . . Most noteworthy though is Berman's insight into the character and work ethic of his late boss. . . . It is Berman's palpable grief and musings on wasted potential at the loss of his friend that make this more than a celebrity-tell all."-- "Publishers Weekly"

"Told with unprecedented candor and wit. . . . Matt paints a vivid portrait of JFK Jr., that only a select few have ever seen, offering a touching and honest tribute to John's legacy."-- "Bookreporter"