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 Martin Dugard and Bill O'Reilly (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.
"Riveting! Fast Moving! Incisive!"
Superbly written composition of the facts. FINALLY, a book to give some finality to this horrible national tragedy. Read it. Learn from it. Move on.
Nick Danger
"before I got it I knew it would be great and it is"
I've read previous O'reilly books so I felt confident this would be worth the time. Bill nariated and did an excellent job.
This is my first audio book
Overall educational value
Always in print until now
No.
Much detail about events of the time was discussed a lot of which was new to me.
I expected to learn something about the actual assassination but didn't.
If you hope t I learn a new theory on the killing you will be disappointed.
I also purchased Killing Lincoln in hardback form but have yet to read even the back cover. I enjoyed th audii format and anticipate the rest of the books I get to be so.
Bottom line: Most people are going to love the book.
"History at its best"
This was a well-written, enlightning view into the events of 1963. O'Reilly does a good job of balancing the different strands of Kennedy's life, Oswald's life, and the events of the time period. I'd highly recommend to anyone interested in historical narratives.
Yes. Killing Lincoln, which was also quite good.
"Good as usual"
Captivating, educational, informative
Having not been alive at the time of the Kennedy assassination, O'Reilly did a wonderful job of capturing the emotion, particularly of the First Lady, at the time of her husband's death. I found myself having to fight back tears. It was obviously a tragic time not only for our nation, but also for the woman who loved the man. Very well written from a historical perspective, but also from a personal perspective.
YES!
"Fantabulous!"
Way up there with the best. Loved it.
President Kennedy was, of course, the main interest and the best character. He and Jackie were colorful people.
Love Bill. Great Performance
Not a history buff but this kept my interest and also answered some questions I had. I lived through this segment of history and O'Reilly put answers to some of my questions.
"Excellent book."
Yes. If I didn't have a lot of other books that I want to listen to.
The objective nature of the story was refreshing. There are a lot of conspiracy theories and I felt he just told the facts.
I enjoy his narration style. I have listen to his other books and he just makes you want to continue to listen.
No.
Keep them coming Bill. I enjoy listening to your books.
"Excellent Bill. An Adventure in History"
Adventure in History. The book is written more like an adventure story.
The book was not really character driven
Yes. This book is right on par with Killing Lincoln.
Yes. I had to force myself to put it down.
If you are into history, you will really enjoy this and Killing Lincoln as well. I really enjoyed Bill's narration as well.
"A book without a purpose"
Bill O'Reilly fails to deliver in his recent book Killing Kennedy. This new book is nothing more then a compilation of already known facts concerning the Kennedy presidency.. The title of this book is extremely misleading as this book deals with Kennedy's adult life starting with his WWII career. The book is eight hours long and yet seven of those hours have nothing to do with November 22nd, 1963.
Killing Lincoln, O'Reilly's previous book was a #1 hit. But this book is sloppy and in numerous places historically incorrect. One prime example is O'Reilly stating that the "Wanted For Treason" posters
was a prime reason why in Sept '63 the upcoming November trip to Dallas should be cancelled. The problem is that the said posters were only published and distributed on Nov 21, 1963, two months later and only 1 day before the assassination
After to listening to this book, Ive come away with absolutely no new information about the assassination. I have however learned a little more about the President's personal life and his battles with Addisons Disease. You actually feel for him and what he must have suffered through.
I give this book 3 stars not because its a great literary piece of work but because it is easy to listen to and is informative.
If you love O;Reilly, buy this book
If you hate O'Reilly buy this book.
If you are looking for a serious work about the Kennedy assassination, then buy Vincent Bugliosi's book Reclaiming History
Writer, economist, stand-up comic
"Obsessed With Sex"
O'Reilly never seemed to tie together the hints he dropped through the book of various conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of John Kennedy. He hints at why Fidel Castor, the CIA, the Mafia and even Lyndon Johnson might have wanted JFK dead but merely assumes the reader already knows all were suspected (to varying degrees).
The only thread he picks up consistently is JFK's active sex life and he seems obsessed with it. It felt as if he couldn't go three minutes (of listening time) without referencing Kennedy's libido. He left me with the impression he was envious.
O'Reilly broke no new ground in telling this story -- except to insert himself into it claiming that he was the "young reporter" who showed up at the door of one of Lee Harvey Oswald's patrons just as the patron shot himself.
O'Reilly is an accomplished TV host with a news-like, staccato delivery, reminiscent of Walter Winchell's radio. He didn't use those talents or any talents he has/had as a reporter.
No spoiler: Kennedy was killed in Dallas. The question of whether Oswald acted alone or who might have been behind him is never addressed.
Anyone
Bill O'Reilly
I had hoped this book would be either a detailed examination of the assassination or a journalistic investigation. Instead it was what reporters describe as a "clip job," a story put together by reading newspaper clippings.