The Kennedy Detail

JFK's Secret Service Agents Break Their Silence

By: Gerald Blaine, Lisa McCubbin

Narrated by: Alan Sklar

Length: 17 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Even today, almost five decades after John F. Kennedy was slain, the public continues to be captivated by the "Kennedy Curse" and new theories about what really happened on that fateful day in 1963. For nearly 50 years, former Secret Service agent Clint Hill has lived with the unimaginable guilt of losing a president on his watch and has obeyed an honor code of silence, refusing to contribute to any books about the assassination. Until now.

Hill was just eight feet from President Kennedy when bullets pierced the president's head right before his eyes. Covered with blood, Agent Hill pushed Jackie Kennedy into the back seat. Clinging to the trunk of the open-top limousine as it sped away from Dealey Plaza to Parkland Hospital, he slammed his fist in anger, as he looked back to the agents in the follow-up car. His eyes, filled with despair, told them what they already knew.

Including contributions from over 40 agents who were on the Kennedy detail from November 1960 to November 1963 and those who knew them, never-before-published letters written by Jackie Kennedy in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the bizarre unpublished story about a film Jackie made in September 1963 with the on-duty Secret Service agents about an assassination of the president, and the original November 18, 1963, Tampa security report from the author's personal files, which conspiracy theorists have long claimed was destroyed by the Secret Service, The Kennedy Detail provides an unfiltered look at the events surrounding this pivotal moment in American history.

©2010 Gerald Blaine with Lisa McCubbin (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

"An important contribution to Kennedy assassination literature because it presents in riveting detail the assassination from the agents' perspective and describes the lifelong emotional burden the agents endured when their best efforts were not enough." ( Library Journal)

Recommend - Not crazy about the narration

The details in the book were great. I recommend it for its historical value. The narration was not my favorite. :-( It just didn't work for me. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't my style. I would recommend the book overall :-) I recently read "11-22-63" by Stephen King and this was a welcome companion to it. The details in King's book were very accurate. I feel for these secret service men and their families.

Excellent and believable from those on the inside

The POV of those nearest to President Kennedys tragic end. With a deep intimate sense failure of those who's entire purpose was to protect the President. The skillful voice of Mr Sklar's performance brought it all together as he always does. I selected this read on all these points plus one. I was there a 6 years old,my memory of Kennedys assignation was told they way I remember it happening. Transfixed to the TV for days. This authors skill at telling this story priceless forgiving and surely perhaps some closure for his detail. They were clearly amazing at being willing to allow the truth be told. This book I highly recommend for all who seek knowledge and understanding of that horrible day in Dallas when Camelot
Blinked into and out of existence.

Transformative Account

Would you listen to The Kennedy Detail again? Why?

The quality of the writing is direct and vivid, and it springs to life in the superb narration. Truly outstanding!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Kennedy Detail?

The author's analysis of the various theories of the Kennedy assassination.

Have you listened to any of Alan Sklar’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not that I know.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It had to be the account of Jackie Kennedy sitting on a metal folding chair in the hallway of Parkland Hospital while she was covered with her husband's blood and brain tissue.

Any additional comments?

In some ways, the book is designed to gain sympathy not only for President Kennedy but also for his political views. In that way, it is somewhat of a puff piece. The comparison at the end between Kennedy and Obama seemed to be over the top because their fiscal ideas are so radically different. However, those issues tend to fade into the background in contrast with the gripping account of how the Secret Service did its work and the last two weeks of Kennedy's life. There is an eerie quality to the book because the listener knows what is coming while the people in the story do not. There can be no doubt that the former agent who wrote the book achieved his objective in destroying the basis for so many conspiracy theories of the assassination. There is clear evidence of the integrity of the Secret Service agents and that the Warren Commission did its work carefully and thoroughly with the information it had. This book demonstrates the old proverb that, in the vast majority of circumstances, events did unfold as they are perceived to have happened. Seldom have I read or heard an account that has caused me to alter long entertained suspicions as this one has. The author and co-writer have put to rest much of the mystery that has always shrouded that day, a day that has always been a major reference point in my life. Kudos to the narrator! He makes the story live, and the characters are very vivid. It is well worth the time to listen, and that is true, regardless of your political views.

Probably the best audible selection I have read so far

It was well organized, not repetitive, very succinct and to the point, and I finished the whole 17 hour book in 2 days! Very compelling. Blaine’s daughter was an acquaintance of mine so I was very interested in what he had to say. Just wish the narrator would have pronounced Caroline’s name correctly.

One of the Best!

This is by far one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to! I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish! Highly recommended.

Interesting until the last 25%, then boring.

Interesting if a somewhat repetitive telling of the Kennedy secret service detail. Where it goes off the rails is the last portions of the book, starting with the debunking of conspiracy theories concerning the assignation, of which the book dismisses everything not in the Warren Commission report. It also turns Mr. Hill into a saint of some kind. The most interesting part is the effect that the assassination had on the individual agents closest to President Kennedy. Overall, an interesting story but the cheerleading in the final portions of the book was unnecessary.

More Detail about the Assasination

Very detailed and personal view of the horrible day in Dallas. Interesting but not much new information for those who have closely followed the news and reports. Can't help but feel renewed pain for all those involved - even the traumatized members of the Secret Service.

Wonderfully written. Needs a different narrator.

If you were alive and aware when President Kennedy was assassinated, you remember what you were doing, where you were, how you felt. I was not caught up in the Kennedy mystique but the assassination of our President was shattering. This is a fine, well-written presentation of the impact on the Secret Service Detail charged with protecting President Kennedy. The anguish is palpable. Thank you for sharing a most difficult time in your lives.

Wrong time JFK died

At the end of Chapter 3 he stated Walter Cronkite said President Kennedy died at 1 AM Central time. He died at 1 PM Central time.

Fascinating

I admire and respect all the men who were part of the Kennedy detail. Clint Hill will always be a hero of mine. The author disparages those who believe and profit from touting false information. My quarrel with him is JFK’s son’s name was JOHN. No family member ever called him John John. In later years, John Jr himself hated that silly nickname. Shame on you, Mr. Blaine, for perpetuating that myth. In an otherwise totally fascinating and riveting book, this was a distraction.