Killing Kennedy

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

Nothing of Substance New

Having been around the block a few times, I have been exposed to much that has been published both about Kennedy's life as well as his death. This book did not deliver much of anything different. That being said, O'Reilly does a great job narrating and it is a good story bringing a number of points together. So if you haven't read or heard a lot about this time of life, this is a good place to start.

14 of 15 people found this review helpful

Fantabulous!

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

Way up there with the best. Loved it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

President Kennedy was, of course, the main interest and the best character. He and Jackie were colorful people.

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

Love Bill. Great Performance

Any additional comments?

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.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Very interesting history lesson.

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

Good history lesson. I learned a lot about the issues of the times and things going on in the Kennedy White House.

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

Killing Lincoln for obvious reasons.

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

He was OK though it sound like he is droning on at times.

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

You definitely want to keep listening.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Best history book I've ever read

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

Top 20%. Would be higher but I've listened to truly great ones and this was that.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Um...

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

He's a professional news anchor, so he's obviously pretty good at narration. His tone added to the book's enjoyment.

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

When I learned that Kennedy was actually Oswald's second assassination attempt!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A Great History Lesson

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

Whatever you may feel about Bill Reilly and his politics this, as well as "Killing Lincoln" is a wonderful reflection during a most turbulent time. He adds historic detail as to what what going on in the world at the particular time. His narrations are great and I hope he writes more.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

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.

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

before I got it I knew it would be great and it is

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

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

Who was your favorite character and why?

Overall educational value

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

Always in print until now

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

No.

Any additional comments?

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.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

MUST READ/LISTEN

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

At the top

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

I listen to my books driving long distances and exercising. If a book is boring or the narrator is bad, I cannot listen to it. I have to have something keep me from falling asleep as motion makes me drowsy. This book kept me wide awake and very interested for 4 1/2 hours straight, until I reached my destination! This isn't a politically slanted book. Many people do not know that Bill O'Reilly is in the Kennedy family. As he says in the introduction (and he does great narrating the book), he has a unique view of the events and years leading up to JFK's demise. He does not prop conspiracy theories at all. It is a very factual book with loads of information that are true and merely history lessons, as well as new information that he says has never been made public. He had discovered new information in his research for the book with someone else. It was easy to picture in my mind, the events that Bill writes about. I felt like I was right there watching JFK and his family go through each milestone.

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

Excellent book.

Would you listen to Killing Kennedy again? Why?

Yes. If I didn't have a lot of other books that I want to listen to.

What did you like best about this story?

The objective nature of the story was refreshing. There are a lot of conspiracy theories and I felt he just told the facts.

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

I enjoy his narration style. I have listen to his other books and he just makes you want to continue to listen.

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

No.

Any additional comments?

Keep them coming Bill. I enjoy listening to your books.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

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.

19 of 25 people found this review helpful

If you're interested in JFK you'll like this

I thought this to be well written, well narrated and very interesting. Definitely would recommend to JFK fans

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent insight into the circumstances surrounding JFK's death

I enjoyed this audiobook having been too young to remember the era and having listened to little but the conspiracy theories in later years. Such a sad story especially when you hear of the rest of the family towards the end of the book.
If you want to hear a balanced account of the events leading up to and immediately following the assassination told on an interesting way but without the hype - this is your book!