Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin reflects on the emotional process of leaving her beloved farmhouse in Concord, Mass., following the death of her husband, Richard Goodwin. In an interview with The New York Times, Goodwin discusses her new book, 'An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s,' which she wrote in her three-bedroom apartment in Boston.
Goodwin's book is based on the letters, diaries, and other materials collected by her late husband, who served as a special assistant to President John F. Kennedy and a speechwriter and adviser for President Lyndon B. Johnson and Robert F. Kennedy. The book offers a deeply personal account of the 1960s, drawing on Goodwin's own experiences and the historical context of the era.
The farmhouse in Concord held a special place in Goodwin's heart, as she and her husband had lovingly built it together. The house featured a library, a tower, a fountain, a bench, and a pond. However, after her husband's death, the house became a painful reminder of his absence, and Goodwin decided to move to a smaller space in Boston.
Despite the emotional challenges of leaving her farmhouse, Goodwin found solace and inspiration in her new apartment, where she completed her latest book. The change of scenery allowed her to focus on her writing and delve into the intimate stories and historical events that shaped the 1960s.
Doris Kearns Goodwin's 'An Unfinished Love Story' offers readers a unique perspective on the 1960s, blending personal anecdotes with historical analysis. The book serves as a tribute to her late husband and their shared love for history and storytelling.
Griffin Dunne, an actor, producer, director, and documentary filmmaker, has written a family memoir titled 'The Friday Afternoon Club' about his well-known literary family, including his father Dominick Dunne, his uncle John Gregory Dunne, and his aunt Joan Didion. The book chronicles the good, the bad, and the excessive aspects of his family's life. Dunne talks about coping with fame, tragedy, famous relatives, and the pull of a good story. He grew up in California surrounded by the stories of his family and the family fortune came from his mother's side, as her great-great-great-grandfather founded the Griffin Wheel Company. Dunne's sister, Dominique Dunne, was also an actor and was tragically murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 1982. Dunne reflects on his own career in show business and his appreciation for a good story.