Before Chappaquiddick: The Untold Story of Mary Jo Kopechne and the Kennedy Brothers

245 Pages·2020·12.219 MB·English

by  William C. Kashatus

BEFORE CHAPPAQUIDDICK
B E F O R E
C H A P P A Q U I D D I C K
The Untold Story of
Mary Jo Kopechne and
the Kennedy Brothers
William C. Kashatus
Potomac Books
An imprint of the University
of Nebraska Press
© 2020 by William C. Kashatus. All rights reserved.
Potomac Books is an imprint of the University of
Nebraska Press. Manufactured in the United States
of America.
Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data
Names: Kashatus, William C., 1959– author.
Title: Before Chappaquiddick: the untold story of
Mary Jo Kopechne and the Kennedy brothers /
William C. Kashatus.
Other titles: Untold story of Mary Jo Kopechne
Description: Lincoln, ne: Potomac Books, an
imprint of the University of Nebraska Press, [2020] |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: lccn 2019036771
isbn 9781640122697 (hardback)
isbn 9781640123465 (epub)
isbn 9781640123472 (mobi)
isbn 9781640123489 (pdf)
Subjects: lcsh: Kopechne, Mary Jo, 1941– 1969.
| Kennedy, Edward M. (Edward Moore), 1932–
2009. | Congressional secretaries— United States—
Biography. | Kennedy, Robert F., 1925– 1968— Friends
and associates. | Single women— Washington
(D.C.)— Biography. | United States— Politics and
government— 1961– 1963. | United States— Politics
and government— 1963– 1969.
Classification: lcc e840.8.k35 k38 2020 |
ddc 973.92092 [B]— dc23
lc record available at
https:// lccn .loc .gov /2019036771
Set in Minion Pro by Mikala R. Kolander.
A portion of the proceeds from this book will be
contributed to the Mary Jo Kopechne Scholarship in
political science at Misericordia University, Dallas,
Pennsylvania. Contributions can be made through
the university’s Office of Institutional Advancement
at 866- 262- 6363.
To the memories of
Mary Jo Kopechne
and her parents,
Gwen and Joseph

The truth will set you free.
—J ohn 8:32

Contents
List of Illustrations xi
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction xv
1. Humble Origins 1
2. The Call to Serve 15
3. True Believer 33
4. Boiler Room Girl 53
5. Chappaquiddick 73
6. Unanswered Questions 101
7. Broken Hearts 123
8. Mary Jo’s Legacy 145
Notes 151
Bibliography 189
Index 201