JFK Jr., George  Me, Matt Berman
JFK Jr., George  Me, Matt Berman
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JFK Jr., George & Me
A Memoir

Author: Matt Berman

Narrator: George Newbern

Unabridged: 4 hr 37 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/20/2014


Synopsis

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 such celebrities as 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 start-up 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.

About Matt Berman

Since the 1990s, creative director Matt Berman has been collaborating with some of the most influential photographers in fashion and art to create some of the industry’s most enduring imagery in print. In 1995 Matt was hired by JFK Jr. to serve as the creative director of George magazine. He wor­ked side by side with John until his death in 1999 to craft his boss’ unique vision for a new kind of magazine. Matt then moved to Paris and continued to serve as creative director on several French magazine titles and advertising campaigns. Matt is now at the helm of his own image-driven advertising agency, Picture Book, in New York City and Los Angeles.

About George Newbern

George Newbern is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and a television and film actor best known for his roles as Brian MacKenzie in Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride Part II, as well as Danny in Friends. As a voice actor, he is notable for his role as Superman on the Cartoon Newtork series Static Shock, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited. He has guest starred on many television series, including Scandal, The Mentalist, Private Practice, CSI: Miami, and Numb3rs. He holds a BA in theater arts from Northwestern University.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Susan

First off, in case anyone is confused, this book is by MATT Berman, George Magazine's art director -- not by MICHAEL Berman, who was JFK Jr's business partner at the magazine. I plowed through nearly a quarter of the book before I realized which Berman had written it. That said, it's an affectionate......more

Goodreads review by Melissa

So far I find this book incredibly interesting and don't understand some of the harsh reviews. It is not intended to be a comprehensive bio of JFK Jr. It is simply a very small window into one aspect of his life - his venture with George magazine. The author got to know him through their work on Geo......more

Goodreads review by Nicole

Quick, easy read. Everything Ive read about JFK Jr says what a nice guy he was...this book basically reaffirms this fact. A great guy taken too soon, the story told by someone who really liked & respected him. It was interesting to read about the cover shoots & some of the history of the magazine to......more


Quotes

“The author’s humor and self-deprecation make for a lot of fun moments…Berman’s admiration for his friend and coworker is evident throughout the book. He is portrayed as a talented, sincere, and charismatic guy who was known to poke fun at those he loved and could win over a room with his impromptu Fonzie impression. 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

“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…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.” Bookreporter