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Mona Lisa in Camelot: How Jacqueline Kennedy and Da Vinci's Masterpiece Charmed and Captivated a Nation | 
 enlarge | Author: Margaret Leslie Davis
Publisher: Da Capo Press
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $16.47
You Save: $8.48 (34%)
New (55) Used (12) from $9.00
Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 96820
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 272
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.1
ISBN: 0738211036
Dewey Decimal Number: 759.5
EAN: 9780738211039
ASIN: 0738211036
Publication Date: November 3, 2008
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Product Description
In December 1962, Da Vincis Mona Lisa set sail from Paris to New York for what was arguably the riskiest art exhibition ever mounted. The fragile icon traveled like a head of state, with armed guards and military surveillance, in a temperature-controlled vault. Masterminding the entire show was First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, who tirelessly campaigned to persuade National Gallery Director John Walker, French President Charles de Gaulle, and her own husband to debut the legendary smile here. For 88 charmed days, Lisa Fever swept the nation as nearly two million Americans attended exhibits in Washington, D. C. and New York. It was the greatest outpouring of appreciation for a single work of art in American history. And as only Jacqueline Kennedy could do, she infused Americas first museum blockbuster show with a unique sense of pageantry, igniting a national love affair with the arts. Gathering rare archival documents and interviews, acclaimed biographer Margaret Leslie Davis has woven a tantalizing saga, filled with international intrigue and the irresistible charm of Camelot and its queen.
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| Customer Reviews:
Engrossing and charming November 9, 2008
D. Besse (North Kingstown, RI United States)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
This was a very engrossing account of how the Mona Lisa made it to the United States for public viewing during Camelot. The details of Jacqueline Kennedy's plan and the implementation of that plan were extremely interesting as I was a child of the sixties (but sadly did not live near D.C. to view the Mona Lisa). I was also fascinated with the First Lady's mutually adoring relationship with the French cultural minister, Andre Malraux, and her relationship with the National Gallery of Art Director, John Walker. The personality elements of these two men were almost as much fun as reading about how the First Lady managed to produce a marvelous tour guide/booklet for the public visitors to the White House. The idea of which, was hatched in 1941 when she visited the White House as a citizen and took that standard tour with her mother and sister. The real heroine of the book, however, was Mona Lisa, who even today, remains a mysterious enchantress.
My New Book Club Favorite October 24, 2008
Gina DeRoma
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
What an enchanting and thoroughly fascinating book! Ms. Davis' richly evocative, cinematic detail transports the reader, as if by time machine, to a moment in America's history when grace and diplomacy were valued above ignorance and bravado. As President Kennedy observed, "The United States will be judged - and its place in history ultimately assessed - not alone by its military or economic power, but by the quality of its civilization." This shimmering little jewel of a book is an inspiring reminder of the best in ours. It will go out to everyone on my holiday gift list!
Terrific! November 14, 2008
S. Dees (GA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
What a terrific book about an incident that most people might not remember happening. I sped through the book in 2 sittings - utterly fascinating and a page-turner.
Kudos to the author for bringing this part of "Camelot" to its historical importance.
 JACKIE KENNEDY: THE WOMAN COULD GIVE A MASTER CLASS IN CHARM January 3, 2009
Shannon Deason (Houston)
I read an excert of this book in Vanity Fair and was totally captivated. I was shocked that I had never heard this story, I mean i was not born when this all took place, but still I was shocked I had not ever known that the Mona Lisa came to America. This book is fascinating, I knew that Jackie was charming, but to get De Gaulle to allow this French treasure to leave the Louve is stunning. The background on how it was transported over is simply amazing. If I had not seen the pictures in this book, I honestly would not have believed that the Mona Lisa was exhibited in the National Gallery. Jackie's singular effort to get the epitome of French national pride to leave her shores is a master class in charm. This is a great read, I recommend it to anyone with any interest in the Kennedy years or just appreciates a great read. I tell you one thing, Caroline obviously didnt get her Mothers inate charm..it all went to John John.
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