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

Good book...

O'Reilly and Dugard do a good job on this book. I truly appreciate the historical insight the authors bring to events leading up to and immediately following President Kennedy's assassination.

I was a fourth grader when it happened; our class was on the playground for recess when we heard the news. All of us were scared to death to hear about our President’s death. Several of our teachers were crying and hugging one another. I truly hope our children and grandchildren will never see history repeat itself.

The book is well written and the history is meticulously researched…just wish O'Reilly would have had someone else do the reading...listening to the book was like watching The Factor for seven hours straight.

A Very Good Account of Kennedy's Final Months

Much like Killing Lincoln, I found about half of Killing Kennedy to be a story that has been told and retold over the years. That's not bad, meaning roughly half of the book was new and fresh to me.

The research and story behind the personal lives of Jackie and Kennedy was the real Home Run for this book. While I have read or listened to many accounts of the affairs and how it impacted the couple's relationship, this book goes into fascinating detail as to the frequency and scope of Kennedy's infidelity and how it impacted EVERYONE, from the couple themselves to Bobby, to Hoover, to the Secret Service and so on.

The only disappointment for me was the lack of conspiracy examination. I realize that Lincoln's assassination was a clear conspiracy and Kennedy's assassination was and always will be an unknown; however, conspiracy is hardly addressed in this book. My only guess is that the authors simply didn't discover anything new and/or didn't really have a new or interesting opinion on the conspiracy angle so they simply didn't go into it. I would have preferred; however, that they at least address the different theories and acknowledged there is nothing more to say on the matter/s. It's not that O'Reilly doesn't believe in conspiracy, as I have heard him acknowledge that he is simply not convinced of either the lone gunman or the conspiracy theories.

O'Reilly does a very good job as narrator, as he did in Killing Lincoln - quite a rare achievement for an author to also be a good narrator. His years in show business as a newsman clearly benefiting us all in that area.

Overall I still HIGHLY recommend this book, I just didn't like it quite as much as I did Killing Lincoln.

Nothing new.

Would you listen to Killing Kennedy again? Why?

No, I graduated from high school in 1962 so I remember the Kennedy event first hand. There have been so many accounts of conspiracy that I was ready to hear something new; however, that was not the case. It was the same version that I had read in the newspapers.

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

n/a

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

Yes. Killing Lincoln was great and would listen to it again.

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

The whole book was great.

Great

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

The voices and descriptions clearly bring the characters to life

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack Kennedy

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

Nope

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

Just entranced with the story

Another great read by Bill & Martin

Would you listen to Killing Kennedy again? Why?

I have already listened to it twice to ensure I didn't miss anything and loved it more the second time around.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I learned a lot about President Kennedy and First Lady Jackie. very well put together

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

Bill is one of the best orators of the times, i really enjoy listing to him tell a story

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

the entire book was riveting!

Any additional comments?

it was the best book i have listened to since Killing Lincoln. Bills other great book

American tragedy

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

The book is good but it is not a story for fun. For those of you who did not live those times it gives you good information about what took place and who was involved. The book is good but it is not a story for fun. Those of us that lived through that time will like the information that is provided in the telling of the story in historical perspective. To rank this book it can only be compared to Killing Lincoln which which was an excellent book. Mr. O'Reilly tells the story as only a teacher can.

What did you like best about this story?

All the historical information provided as well as Mr. O'Reilly's interpretation of the events.

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

As the narrator Mr. O’Reilly was great

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

The Mystery solved.

Any additional comments?

For those of you who don't know or did not live those events this book is a must read or listen

amazing

Would you listen to Killing Kennedy again? Why?

The detail in facts and the way the story is presented it is like a really good fiction novel but its 100% true. It's very very well done. I highly recommend it.

What did you like best about this story?

Its captivating. It pulls you in from the beginning and you keep wanting more.

Good on Story...Long on Speculation!

Not being a Fox News watcher, I thought I would give Mr. O'Reilly a shot since I am a JFK assassination buff. Many times Mr. O'Reilly would immerse himself into personal speculation and then continue on as if he had just told us the truth of what happened. How does he know what Oswald was thinking the morning of the murder when he left Marina?

incredible story

Would you listen to Killing Kennedy again? Why?

Yes, I think everybody should listen to this it is so informative

Who was your favorite character and why?

Um....Kennedy

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

Just as good as Killing Lincoln. If you don't have that one in your library you will need to own it!

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

Tears. At the end of his life.

Any additional comments?

You won't want to stop listening to this. However, I don't think you will want to get to the end.

Great Book if a little incomplete

Learned a lot about Kennedy and about that time in history, BUT if I had one complaint it'd be that Bill didn't go into the conspiracy theories. Who really believes that Lee Harvey acted alone? Very few I'm sure. Bill said that talking about them takes away from the event but I'd say that not talking about them lowers Bill's "fair, balanced, no spin" score. Come on Bill finish the story.