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

Wow!! A nonfiction book that reads like a novel.

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

My husband and I listened to this book together during our vacation. I much prefer the audio as we had an opportunity to share memories and thoughts. A much more enriching experience than if we had read the book independently. We had some great conversations during our trip about those times.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Killing Kennedy?

I was 14 when the President was elected and 16 when he was killed. At the time I believe I was fairly well informed about current events. This book provided me with additional insight that I have found fascinating.

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

There was no easy place to take a break. The book flows so well that the end of each chapter left me anxious to continue. This is an experience that normally comes with a thriller novel -- not nonfiction.

Any additional comments?

I wish my grandchildren were a little older. 6 is a little young. I would love to have had the opportunity to share this history lesson with them as well as my memories about that time in my life.

Excellent work

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

Cannot say but the audio was excellent

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

Killing Lincoln, both were very good at the surrounding envirnoment and the interacton of the characters in the environment until the climax of the story

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

Enjoyed is presentation

Excellent story telling!

Where does Killing Kennedy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is tied with "Unbroken" as my favorite audio book of all time. I thoroughly enjoy books based on fact and great research. O'Reilly does a great job of telling this story while filling in many gaps I had in my knowledge of that horrible day in November 1963. I was in 5th grade when the announcement came over the school's intercom that "President Kennedy has died at 1 PM Central Standard Time".O'Reilly also goes into great detail with explaining what happened during the "Bay of Pigs" invasion as well as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Also, I never knew exactly what Oswald did to escape from that book depository. He almost got away.

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

I would compare this book to another O'Reilly great called "Killing Lincoln".

Which scene was your favorite?

The minutes preceding the point where Oswald actually pulls the trigger is the best. Although we all know what happens (that Kennedy is assassinated), the way O'Reilly leads up to that moment is filled with anxiety. I found myself hoping that Oswald missed his mark.

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

The part where Mrs. Kennedy is holding her dead husband's head in her lap and she would not let go even after they arrived at the hospital. The doctor's were pleading with her to let them start trying to save his life.

I love it!

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

I enjoyed the direction; it didn't sound like the hundred of documentaries I have seen before on this subject taking the conspiracy route.

Excellent read

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

Bill O'Reilly has done an excellent job on this book and does a very good job with the narration.

Very educational and entertaining

Would you listen to Killing Kennedy again? Why?

Yes I would to pick up on more details that I never learned in a history class.

Any additional comments?

Having lived through the Kennedy years and assassination there was so much information that did not register with with a 10 year old at the time. I learned so much about the principal characters that I never knew. This is a important part of our history that changed the course of the nation.

I never knew that….

Great book. So much of what happened during this time was never shared with me. I did not grow up during this time frame but I had a pedestal view of JFK and MLK. I was amazed with the behind the scenes of the President and his successes and failures. This was a great read. Bill O'Reilly is such a great narrator! I also listened to Killing Lincoln, however, Killing Kennedy was closer to my generation. I can wait for the next book that comes out.

Long live the king

What did you love best about Killing Kennedy?

I enjoyed how this book put together the Official account of what happened together with the personal account of life in Camelot. The personal life tales mixed in with the Preidents daily agenda made the whole tragedy more real.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the way that Bill ORielly's recount of the story clearly demonstrated his love and admiration for the President.

Which scene was your favorite?

The recounts of Jack Jr in the Oval Office. I remember hearing an audio recording of the president attempting to conduct business as Jack Jr. was hear in the background of the recording and the real life response from the President, being a "dad".

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book was full of ups and downs as is the entire life of the Kennedys. You smiled as you recall the vast acconts of the hightly documented lives here. It's like seeing an old friend after a long absence.

Great historical account; maintained my interest

Presented information about Lee Oswald that I did not know before. Developed the characters without excessive bias.

Very Good

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

I've been obsessed with the murder of JFK, for most of my life,
my parents were very big Kennedy supporters and lived in Washington DC at the time of the assassination, they have some very great pictures of JFK during his inauguration, his speeches around Washington, the speech he gave days before he was murdered, as well as the funeral and the original grave site .. (It was moved in 1967 a few feet away )
Having basically grown up hearing about all of this, I've read MANY books on his presidency, as well as the assassination, this was to me one of the best, and I'm not a fan of Bill O' Reily, he did a great job on this book as well as the one on the Killing of Abraham Lincoln..

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not really a character book

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

His voice is actually easy to listen to

Any additional comments?

Very good book for anyone who would like to learn of what really happened in Dallas that November day !