Killing Kennedy

The End of Camelot

By: Bill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard

Narrated by: Bill O'Reilly

Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

A riveting historical narrative of the shocking events surrounding the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and the follow-up to mega-bestselling author Bill O'Reilly's Killing Lincoln More than a million listeners have thrilled to Bill O'Reilly's Killing Lincoln, the can't-stop-listening work of nonfiction about the shocking assassination that changed the course of American history. Now the anchor of The O'Reilly Factor recounts in gripping detail the brutal murder of John Fitzgerald Kennedy—and how a sequence of gunshots on a Dallas afternoon not only killed a beloved president but also sent the nation into the cataclysmic division of the Vietnam War and its culture-changing aftermath.

In January 1961, as the Cold War escalates, John F. Kennedy struggles to contain the growth of Communism while he learns the hardships, solitude, and temptations of what it means to be president of the United States. Along the way he acquires a number of formidable enemies, among them Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, and Alan Dulles, director of the Central Intelligence Agency. In addition, powerful elements of organized crime have begun to talk about targeting the president and his brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy. In the midst of a 1963 campaign trip to Texas, Kennedy is gunned down by an erratic young drifter named Lee Harvey Oswald. The former Marine Corps sharpshooter escapes the scene, only to be caught and shot dead while in police custody. The events leading up to the most notorious crime of the 20th century are almost as shocking as the assassination itself. Killing Kennedy chronicles both the heroism and deceit of Camelot, bringing history to life in ways that will profoundly move the listener. This may well be the most talked about book of the year.

©2012 Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Fascinating!

What did you love best about Killing Kennedy?

Whatever you may feel about Bill O'Reilly, put aside your politics and read this book. It is a factual reading of what happens with an extensive background of the Kennedy Presidency and the events leading up to the assassination. Mr. O'Reilly avoids all the conspiracy theories and does give the whacky ones any thought whatsoever. He mentions all of them in passing and sticks to only verifiable facts. It feels like a news report but done the way it used to be: factual, unbiased, and straightforward. All of this serves to bring home the tragedy even more, I almost cried as he described, step by step, the actual assassination itself.

What other book might you compare Killing Kennedy to and why?

Killing Lincoln by the same authors

This is how learning history should be

After "Killing Lincoln" the followup of "Killing Kennedy" (the end of Camelot) was just as engrossing. Even people who did not live through this time in American history (I did) will find this book not only complete but festinating and addictive.

Great Listen

Excellent book. Educational & Entertaining

What made the experience of listening to Killing Kennedy the most enjoyable?

The book moved fast yet it explained the characters well. It was interesting to go beyond the legends and learn the human side of the characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Surprisingly it was Jackie. I found her fascinating. Never heard these details of her personality before.

What about Bill O'Reilly’s performance did you like?

I thought his "matter of fact" tone of voice added to the historical story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Could never listen to a book in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

Would recommend this book to anyone, but especially to the "Baby Boomers" who were too young to remember the details of the 60's or who need reminded.

EXCELLENT BOOK - DEFINITELY WORTH THE LISTEN

The content and format and presentation of this book is excellent.
It was very easy to listen too
It had lots of usefull bits of highly interesting information about Kenedy etc.

The ONLY signficant shortcoming is that he tows the official line of having Lee Harvey Oswald as the lone gunman. He does not explain any of the contradicting evidence such as Kenedies head lunging backwards when the bullet was meant to have come from there or other anomalies. Apart from this weakness I thoroughly enjoyed and learnt much by listening to it.

Truth is (not necessarily) stranger than fiction

I have read many biographies and stories about American presidents as well as those of leaders of other countries. Each author brings a different story to the table and this one is no different. Yes, he was President Kennedy; he was part of the legacy, he had affairs that included Marilyn Monroe. Many of the facts I already knew but O'Reilly brought out Kennedy's presidential side, including his ability to assess a situation and how he evolved into a decision maker to be respected. Jackie was a fabulous First Lady whose video tour of the White House I would love to find. Today, we are a cup-half-empty society that needs someone to blame, but we still love Camelot, with all its warts, because the Kennedy family dignity and charm overcame their shortcomings. It's worth the read.

Loved this book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was great to get so much detail around the Kennedy Presidency and all the events leading up to the assassination. If you are even slightly interested in the history of this sad day in American history I recommend listening to Killing Kennedy!

CAMELOT EXPOSED

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I was in grade school when Kennedy died and through the years we have heard all kinds of stories. This is so informative and I am a Bill O'Reilly fan anyway. It has me spellbound with the story.

What did you like best about this story?

I'm still listening but I like the facts I never heard. Lee Harvey Oswald's journal...Jackie a chain smoker...

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Nothing New, but Great Overall Book on Subject

Any additional comments?

If you read only one book on JFK, this should be the one. It presented history through engaging prose and covered the subject well. There were no "revelations," just the true story with all its facts, both heroic and despicable.

VERY GOOD!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Killing Kennedy to be better than the print version?

I like audio better.

What other book might you compare Killing Kennedy to and why?

Killing Lincoln - I liked Lincoln better. I think it is because I lived through Kennedy and knew the story more personally. I really felt the Lincoln book. I learned a lot.

Which character – as performed by Bill O'Reilly – was your favorite?

Lincoln

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes I listened to Kennedy and Lincoln right through.

Any additional comments?

I liked Kennedy and anyone reading the facts for the first time will be fascinated. The characters came alive and were very real.

Great Listen

I was very young when all this happened and only remember bits and pieces. This book gave me so much more background information than I'd ever heard or read about in other books.