Three Shots Rang Out: The JFK Assassination 50 Years Later

By: Darren Reynolds

Narrated by: Diane Sawyer

Length: 2 hrs

Publisher's summary

This edition of Three Shots Rang Out: The JFK Assassination 50 Years Later is an audio-only ABC News special created exclusively for Audible and hosted by ABC World News Anchor Diane Sawyer. Sawyer takes listeners back to Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963, for a “you are there” exploration of the day of U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Key moments include:

• The very first reports of the assassination of President Kennedy.
• Eyewitness accounts from that day in history and their reflections 50 years later.
• Highlights from key newsmakers of the day.
• Go inside the ABC News Radio newsroom as anchors sift through incoming bulletins on the shooting of President Kennedy.
• Hear from Gayle Newman, the woman who was nearest to the president’s limousine when he was shot; Aubrey Reich and Dennis McGuire, two young paramedics who found themselves in the middle of history; and Gladys Johnson who rented the room where Lee Harvey Oswald was staying that day he when he left for work at the Texas School Book Depository.
• Hear expanded interviews with Dr. Ronald Jones, who was bedside for both President Kennedy and Lee Harvey Oswald; and Pierce Allman, a reporter who happened to run into Oswald as he was asking for instructions to the nearest phone.
• Plus, expanded coverage of President Kennedy’s funeral, and a look at the controversies surrounding the Kennedy assassination with political historian Larry Sabato.

These real time audio reports, eyewitness recollections from 1963, and new analysis make for a powerful experience of this fateful day in recent history.

©2013 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc (P)2013 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc

Great history

This piece provides an insight and detail never heard before. Some original recordings from ABC and unique interviews never heard before. It doesn't focus on conspiracy theories, but the facts as they happened that day.

amazing history

so amazing. felt like was happening now. it was so well down. it was like listening to live news. hearing the memories of those who were there was so touching.

Where were you when Kennedy was shot?

About ten years ago, I was shocked when my now-teenager asked me, "Where we you when President Kennedy was killed?" I told him I was born after that, but I was sure his grandparents would remember. They do, of course - but even 50 years later, it's hard for them to talk about that day. My mother's eyes become unfocused, and she talks about the apartment she and my Dad lived in, and going to watch the news on the neighbors' black and white television. My Dad mumbles, talks about hearing the news at his first job after college, and looks at the floor.

"Three Shots Rang Out: The JFK Assassination 50 Years Later" (2013) is an ABC News Special by Diane Sawyer. Sawyer narrates a collection of radio stories and interviews, along with audio clips from television broadcasts made immediately after John F. Kennedy was shot on November 22, 1963. "Three Shots" follows the story as reporters did, from Dealey Plaza to Kennedy's burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

The Audible version includes reporter interviews of witnesses made right after the assassination that have never been rebroadcast, which are fascinating today. The interviewees are calm, sound and relate what they saw, without speculation. That's a real contrast to today's requisite "How did it make you feel?" end-of-interview question. I do remember 9-11 quite vividly of course, and the news, and I always felt like saying "Why are you asking that question? How does it help the story? Do you think you'll get an answer other than an eloquent version of scared and devastated, followed by tears?"

Sawyer's piece also has interviews with the reporters, describing in more detail the various locations where the events happened. I was pretty startled to hear a thorough description of the Dallas Police Office basement, followed by audio of Jack Ruby shooting Lee Harvey Oswald. I realized that the screams I heard were Oswald's. Millions of radio listeners must have heard the same thing 50 years ago.

It's a very good listen. If my future grandchildren ask me the same JFK question, I'll tell them to listen to this story.

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You Are There!

Excellent review of the Kennedy assassination with the actual ABC radio broadcasts of the time. Narrated professionally by Diane Sawyer. You really get the feeling of "being there". I especially liked the comments of Ike Pappas during the shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald by "an elderly man" (Ruby). He exclaims: "Holy Mackerel!" Other highlights are the interview with the surgeon in charge of trying to save JFK, the interview with Officer Tippet's wife, and the closing interview with Larry Sabato, author of the recent "The Kennedy Half Century". Thank you Audible and ABC for this free program! It brought back all the memories of that awful time.

Return to the deed!

A pleasant recall of the day in infamy for that generation. The facts diminish over time but this synopsis refreshes those terrible days and opens up the actual happenings of the day. The world was deceived of the reality of a tragedy.

A Must Listen

Loved It! interesting details revealed that I hadn't heard before. A must listen for anyone interested in all things JFK.

I still remember

I was in fifth grade and remember watching the TV all weekend. And I can remember it like it was yesterday that weekend of November 22, 1963 does live on in infamy.

Completely moved by the narration

If you could sum up Free: Three Shots Rang Out - The JFK Assassination 50 Years Later in three words, what would they be?

Completely moved by the narration of this great American loss. This narration moved me so much. Wish this could be undone. Losing great leaders is such a blow for country, people who love and specially for family. This goes as dark part in the history. No one want to remember.

Peace is what we all needed and we need to make better future and world.

What does Diane Sawyer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The way narration was so good that it included the emotion. Reading will not add so much on emotion

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Conclusion was good as it was a part of view given

Great overview of the events

This was an excellent overview of the events leading up to and surrounding the assasination. It felt like I was transported to the time and could sense the depth of the tragedy.

ABC advert

while I, like most, have been intrigued by the assassination of JFK, I found this to be more about ABC's coverage rather than the event itself.