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

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 !

A Perfect Read

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

Bill O'Reilly's voice and detail made it so easy to visualize the events as being read

What did you like best about this story?

The realization of the events

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

The emotion

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

Camelot

Any additional comments?

Not being alive when Kennedy was in office, and loving history, this is the first thing I've read/listen to that actual helped put a timeline to the historical events of the Kennedy's assassination!

Another great installment in the series.

I've listened to this one 3 times, and each time I pick up something that I haven't before . Great way to learn some US history.

Good Recount of Events

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

Among the non-fiction books that I have read, this serves as an excellent and clear overview of a tragic even in our history.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't think that this book lends itself to necessarily revealing a "favorite" character.

Which scene was your favorite?

There wasn't one in my opinion.

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

I found that although I believed to be thoroughly familiar with the assassination of President Kennedy, within the pages of this book, I discovered some new facts - both which could be regarded as trivia as well as significant information. That is why I think it was very easy to continue listening to this narrative once it began.

Any additional comments?

I had read Killing Lincoln and was anxious to read/listen to Killing Kennedy and I was not disappointed with either work by this author.

Authors Shouldn't Narrate

I enjoyed this book except for the narration. Bill O'Reilly read this book like he was in a hurry to get through it........totally distracting!!

A better listen than I expected

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

Not all that high but O'reilly and Dugard do bring to light the full magnitude of Kennedy's flaws as well as his unquestioned brilliancy.

Any additional comments?

People have a vision of O'reilly based on his television show and here that does not serve them well whether they agree with his political views or not. He writes as an author with something to say and I lingered with the listen for that reason. The writing is not fascinating and his narration is okay, but with that said this book is worthwhile and I would urge those in whatever part of the political spectrum to approach it as a meaningful learning opportunity.

Eye opening

What did you love best about Killing Kennedy?

A very well-written fact-based book on Pres. Kennedy death. Bill O'Reilly narration was the cherry on top of this sundae. Well worth a listen.

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

Bill O'Reilly's performance was clear and easily followed and understood. The flow in his voice kept you attentive and engaged with the book.

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

When the book got to Jacqueline Kennedy's response to her husband being shot, murdered in front of her you felt like you were there with her and wanted to comfort her.

A Must for Any Student of History (especially JFK)

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

I very much like Bill O'Reilly's style of narration. It is easy to "see" what he describes.

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

Killing Lincoln, of course, because of the similarity in the historical significance.

Which scene was your favorite?

The description of the assassination in a minute-by-minute fashion. It was fascinating.

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

Not really, I enjoyed taking it in "bite-size" chunks which lenghtened my enjoyment.

A very pleasant surprise

I was hesitant in purchasing Killing Kennedy, only because of the narrator’s style on television. I knew I could not tolerate eight hours of someone yelling at me. But the book came recommended by a colleague whom I trust; and I hit the ‘purchase’ button.

I was most pleasantly surprised.

The book begins with the inauguration of JFK and then follows his life and the life of Lee Harvey Oswald over the next three years. It is a steady, and non-judgemental narrative of a truly remarkable story. Bill O’Reilly’s performance was controlled and yet expressive. I was never tempted to stop listening, in fact I had difficulty hitting the pause button, even when I was called to other tasks.