Kenneth O’Donnell’s relationship with the Kennedy family began at Harvard where he was Robert F. Kennedy's roommate. In 1946, RFK enlisted him to work for John F. Kennedy’s first congressional campaign. By 1958, Mr. O’Donnell had become a member of Senator Kennedy’s staff and in 1960, he was a key organizer of Kennedy’s presidential campaign. By virtue of his longtime association with the Kennedy family, Mr. O’Donnell was named White House Appointments Secretary, serving as President Kennedy’s political troubleshooter. Mr. O’Donnell also unofficially advised the President during the planning for the Bay of Pigs invasion as well as during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

Books by Kenneth P. O'Donnell

Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye: Memories of John Fitzgerald Kennedy

by Kenneth P. O'Donnell and David F. Powers, with Joe McCarthy - History, Nonfiction, Politics