Encouraged to be "winners" from a young age, Rose and Joe Kennedy's children were an ebullient group of overachievers, but the fourth Kennedy child, the irrepressible Kathleen, stood out. Lively, charismatic, extremely clever, and blessed with graceful athleticism and a sunny disposition, the alluring socialite fondly known as Kick was a firecracker who effortlessly made friends and stole hearts. Moving across the Atlantic when her father was appointed as the ambassador to Great Britain in 1938, Kick--the "nicest Kennedy"--Quickly became the family's star. Despite making little effort to fit into British high society, she charmed everyone with her unconventional attitude and easygoing humor. Growing increasingly independent, Kick then shocked and alienated her devout family by marrying the scion of a virulently anti-Catholic British family. But the marriage would last only a few months; Billy was killed in combat in 1944, just four years before Kick's own unexpected death in an airplane crash at 28. Paula Byrne recounts this remarkable young woman's life in detail as never before, from her work at the Washington Times-Herald and volunteerism for the Red Cross in wartime England; to her love of politics and astute, opinionated observations; to her decision to renounce her faith for the man she loved. Kick shines a spotlight on this feisty and unique Kennedy long relegated to the shadows of her legendary family's history.--Adapted from dust jacket.

Prologue : kicking the surf -- Rose and Joe -- A beautiful and enchanting child -- Forbidden fruit -- Hyannis Port -- Bronxville -- Convent girl -- Muckers and trouble --- Mademoiselle Pourquoi -- Gstaad and Italy -- Travels with my mother : Russia and England -- Politics and Europe revisited -- The ambassador -- At the Court of St James's -- 'I Get a Kick Out of You' -- The debutante -- Lords a-leaping -- 'A merry girl' -- Billy -- The Riviera -- Peace for our time -- Chatsworth -- St Moritz and Rome -- The gathering storm -- The last hurrah -- 'This country is at war with Germany' -- The personality kids -- Operation Ariel -- The fourth hostage -- Billy and Sally -- Kick the reporter -- Lobotomy -- Scandal -- 'Did you happen to see...' -- Red Cross worker of World War II -- Coffee and doughnuts -- Sister Kick -- Girl on a bicycle -- Parties and prayers -- Rosemary tonks -- Agnes and Hartie -- Telegrams and anger -- 'I love you more than anything in the world' -- The Marchioness of Hartington -- Operation Aphrodite -- Billy the hero -- 'Life is so cruel" -- The widow Hartington -- Politics or passion? -- Joy she gave joy she has found.