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

Best of the series

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

In the middle. I prefer fiction.

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

Depiction of how Kennedy's body brace affected his assassination. Like a perfect storm

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Bill O'Reilly?

Anybody

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

It did make me sad, and upset in general. The topic itself isn't a feel-good thing, but I adored this President and was only 17 when he died. I cried in a department store bathroom at the time.

Any additional comments?

Read all of O'Reilly's "Killing" series. This is the best of them, in my humble opinion.

Great listen, Informative!

What did you love best about Killing Kennedy?

The inside dope daddy-o! Learned a lot about Kennedy the man.

Any additional comments?

Way to go Bill, who's next?

O'Reilly's Kennedy Story as good as Lincoln

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

If I had no more unread books, I would re-read Kennedy only after re-reading Lincoln.

What did you like best about this story?

The detailed sequence of the mirroring the actual events was extrodinary.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene most memorable was the lead up to the assassination and the actual event itself.

Well researched, balanced, and gripping

He doesn't gloss over JFK's weaknesses, but he portrays a man who grows into the office. I lived through those events as a pre-teen, and I got a real thrill hearing him put them into their context. I happen to like O'Reilly's voice and naarative style, but I guess that's a matter of personal taste.

Excellent!

What did you love best about Killing Kennedy?

Loved the new information, the nonjudgemental presentation of facts, saddened by the mistakes in protection

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

Compares to Killing Lincoln, although I was not as familiar with the details of the Lincoln assassination.

Any additional comments?

Great book! Interesting, informative, thought-provoking!

Rivited to History, LIVE HISTORY

If you could sum up Killing Kennedy in three words, what would they be?

Reliving live History

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

"A Night to Remember"The books give one the feelings involved in and during actual History.

What does Bill O'Reilly bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Mr O'Reilly brings the views of a participant, not just an observer or reporter.

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

This book allowed me to finish grieving the loss of President Kennedy and the illusion of Camelot, it gave me insight, via further Information. A laugh or two as well as a few final tears.

Any additional comments?

Thank you Bill O'Reilly.

great account of this important piece of history.

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

no. i like audio books better but bill o'rielly is boring to listen to. i wish he would have someone else read his books. the content is great, the presentation not so much.

Who was your favorite character and why?

jfk because he is the story, however i learned some very interesting facts about jackie.

Have you listened to any of Bill O'Reilly’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

yes. killing lincoln and again great content but not so great presentation.

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

the secret service agents concern for protecting jackie from harm.

Any additional comments?

please talk bill into having someone else read his books!!!

Bill O'Reilly's report on Nov 22,1963

If you could sum up Killing Kennedy in three words, what would they be?

Detailed, informative & bottom line-few frills ....

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Kennedy's of course...the center point of the book.

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

I like to listen to B O'Reilly when there's is a certain set format that he's reading. It's pleasant to hear and straight & to the point.

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

It always makes me sad, tho the every different has a few more details, points of interest and or opinions. I was drawn in more when it came to fact that Bill had been in Dallas & actually seeing/hearing part of this live instead of just reporting on others reports.

Any additional comments?

The Kennedy's maintain they "American Royality" image so well - but when I hear tidbits "real details" I can not help but wonder what else has happened in their lives to be living the Karma that seems to infect entire family. Bottom line I love the idea of the The Kenndey Family yet am so happy to be living MY LIFE!!

No Spin

Loved the book! It was based on facts rather than theory. Very informative and written well, not your standard history book at all :) I feel so smart after reading it!

Thorough and excellent

What did you love best about Killing Kennedy?

It touched on all of the popular conspiracy theories regarding this incident and presented well researched and thoughtful arguments to dispell each one.

This is a great presentation of this historical event as well as a look at the time period and cultural aspects surrounding it.

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

This is similarly presented as was "Killing Lincoln", also by Bill O'Reilly

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

He presents things in a straight forward, well researched, easily understood and compelling manner. He leaves politics at the door to describe events from many angles. He is truly a brilliant historical scholar.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Dispelling the Conspiracies and Controversies

Any additional comments?

This should make all non-history buffs more interested in past events and how things are inter- related to shape the present and our future.