The best audiobooks about JFK and the assassination that rocked the world

The best audiobooks about JFK and the assassination that rocked the world | Audible.com

On November 22, 1963, the world was shaken by the horrifying news of President John F. Kennedy's assassination. At about 12:30 PM, CST, the 35th President of the United States was riding in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, when he was fatally shot. Alongside him in the vehicle were his wife, Jackie Kennedy; Texas Governor John Connally; and the governor's wife, Nellie Connally. The gunshot came from the nearby Texas School Book Depository, and the gunman was former US Marine Lee Harvey Oswald. Governor Connally was injured in the attack. JFK was pronounced dead a half hour after the shooting.

Now, 60 years later, the assassination of John F. Kennedy remains one of the most significant moments of US history. The nation was shocked to see the murder of a respected and loved president broadcast live on television. The aftermath was also highly televised. In the decades since, the unthinkable act has been analyzed and dissected from every angle in both nonfiction and fiction, films, television series, news specials, and more. As we reflect on the 60th anniversary of JFK's assassination, here are 10 podcasts and audiobooks that provide insight into this tragic historical event and its lingering impact.

JFK

Fredrik Logevall

The story of John F. Kennedy and his journey to the presidency is more than just the story of one man. It's the story of a nation on the rise in the aftermath of two World Wars. In JFK, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Fredrik Logevall wades through the rumors and conspiracy theories to unpack the story of the "real" JFK, from birth through his decision to run for president, revealing his early relationships, formative experiences during World War II, political aspirations, ideals, and vision for the future of democracy. And while exploring the life of the man who would become one of our country's most beloved and enigmatic leaders, Logevall tells the story of America coming of age right alongside him.

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The Warren Commission Report

The Warren Commission, Michael Beschloss - introduction

On November 29, 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson's created a Commission to investigate the assassination of his predecessor one week before. This audiobook presents the Warren Commission's findings in full, including its conclusion that the assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, acted alone, and that Jack Ruby, who killed Oswald a mere two days later, also acted alone. While there have been numerous theories and additional evidence that both support and refute its claims, this controversial report remains an important piece of history that provides thought-provoking details about the murder of John F. Kennedy. Narrated by Peter Ganim and James Lurie, The Warren Commission Report includes a new introduction written and narrated by American historian Michael Beschloss.

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Five Days in November

Clint Hill, Lisa McCubbin Hill

Clint Hill will always be remembered as the lone secret service agent who jumped onto the car after President Kennedy was shot, clinging to the vehicle's sides as it sped toward the hospital. First published to mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination, Hill's now-classic memoir recounts his indelible memories of the days leading up to, and directly after, November 22, 1963. As the guard assigned to the first lady, Hill experienced the tragedy firsthand, and his Five Days in November provides a moment-to-moment account of the feelings and emotions behind the images, read captivatingly in audio by actor and prolific narrator Jeremy Bobb.

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24 Hours After: The JFK Assassination

The HISTORY® Channel

From The History Channel comes the podcast 24 Hours After. This podcast focuses on the aftermath of JFK's assassination. Featuring immersive sound design, each season of this informative podcast explores a different key event that followed the events of November 22, 1963. Your guide is host and historian Steve Gillon, who chats with experts, authors, and eyewitnesses to give listeners a full picture of JFK's assassination and its aftermath.

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The Final Witness

Paul Landis

On November 22, 1963, Special Agent Paul Landis was in the follow-up car directly behind JFK's vehicle. He saw it all—from the impact of the bullet that struck the president in the head to the desperate ride to Parkland Memorial Hospital, from the efforts of doctors and nurses inside Trauma Room #1 to the flight back to Washington, DC, with the president's casket. Agent Landis witnessed every moment, and yet he was never called to testify to the Warren Commission. This audiobook reveals everything Landis saw working as a Secret Service agent in the Kennedy detail.

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An Unfinished Life

Robert Dallek

At the time of his death, President John F. Kennedy was a hero to many. After his death, JFK was a legend. But long before his presidency, he was Jack, awkward and desperately trying to find his way out of the shadow of his older brother Joe. With political historian Robert Dallek's An Unfinished Life, listeners get a look into John F. Kennedy's transformation into the iconic political leader he is remembered as today. Covering Kennedy's tenure as a senator, his 1960 campaign against Nixon, and his time in the White House, this audiobook explores Kennedy's strengths and weaknesses throughout his political career.

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JFK and the Unspeakable

James W. Douglass

Although the JFK assassination happened 60 years ago, people are still trying to understand how it happened and, more importantly, why it happened. American author, activist, and Christian theologian James W. Douglass offers a thought-provoking theory in JFK and the Unspeakable. In this audiobook, Douglass argues that the president's search for peace during the Cold War, in the face of US military and intelligence agencies who were committed to winning at all costs, is what ultimately got him murdered. Douglass provides convincing evidence to support the notion that dark "unspeakable" forces conspired to murder JFK, let Lee Harvey Oswald take the fall, and then covered up the conspiracy.

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The Hidden History of the JFK Assassination

Lamar Waldron

Half a century after the tragedy of November 22, 1963, American writer, historian, and conspiracy theorist Lamar Waldron wrote The Hidden History of the JFK Assassination. This book gives listeners fresh insight into the crime that changed America. With exclusive interviews and never-before-published details about the assassination, Waldron digs deep into the secret Mafia ties and concludes that John F. Kennedy was likely assassinated as part of a larger conspiracy.

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Reclaiming History

Vincent Bugliosi

Did Lee Harvey Oswald act alone, or was John F. Kennedy's death a part of a bigger plot? Studies show that a majority of Americans believe that the Kennedy assassination involved a conspiracy; many believe Oswald is innocent entirely. But why? American prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi spent 20 years gathering research in an effort to prove once and for all that, despite public opinion, Oswald was the one who killed Kennedy, and he acted alone. Bugliosi confronts each and every last conspiracy theory and provides detailed evidence to refute it all. Will you be convinced by the end of this audiobook? Listen to find out. Award-winning actor Edward Herrmann, who—fun fact—once played President Franklin D. Roosevelt on TV, narrates.

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JFK The Enduring Secret

Jeff Crudele

Hosted by Jeff Crudele, JFK: The Enduring Secret breaks down all of the major events leading up to John F. Kennedy's assassination, the fascinating details of the investigations that followed, and the ins and out of every conspiracy theory surrounding the crime. This podcast includes hundreds of episodes that go in-depth into every aspect of this case, often welcoming researchers to share their insights. Whether you're a diehard historian or a casual listener, this series will offer little known facts and thought-provoking revelations into one of the most important moments in American history.

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