26 volumes of appendices, con- appendices, of volumes 26

Kennedy, Hearings Hearings Kennedy,

the Assassination of President President of Assassination the taining selected hearings and ex- and hearings selected taining

hibits before the Commission, Commission, the before hibits

which the case for one gunman gunman one for case the which dict the Report's conclusions. conclusions. Report's the dict

Study the Assassination of Presi- Presi- of Assassination the Study have a strange tendency to contra- to tendency strange a have evaporates. evaporates.

the single-bullet theory, without without theory, single-bullet the

members Richard Russell and and Russell Richard members

Hale Boggs privately disavowed disavowed privately Boggs Hale

fective junk rifle. Commission Commission rifle. junk fective

The world-famous lone assassin assassin lone world-famous The

marksmanship history with a de- a with history marksmanship

ployee with a shady past makes makes past shady a with ployee

of the Warren Commission Commission Warren the of

theory, in which a warehouse em- warehouse a which in theory,

commonly available duds. duds. available commonly

and useful texts, plus a number of of number a plus texts, useful and

Kennedy, Report, a.k.a. The Report Report The a.k.a. Report, Kennedy,

the Assassination of President President of Assassination the

since then, making it even more more even it making then, since

the chaff. What follows is a selec- a is follows What chaff. the

difficult to winnow the wheat from from wheat the winnow to difficult

tive listing of the most important important most the of listing tive

The number has probably doubled doubled probably has number The

nation, 34 years ago this Nov. 22. 22. Nov. this ago years 34 nation, ject of John F. Kennedy's assassi- Kennedy's F. John of ject

Watching the Detectives Detectives the Watching

An Armchair Guide to the Crime of the Century Century the of Crime the to Guide Armchair An

I n 1979, there were an estimated estimated an were there 1979, n I

600 books written on the sub- the on written books 600

The President's Commission on on Commission President's The

The House Select Committee to to Committee Select House The

The President's Commission on on Commission President's The

(1964): These These (1964):

(1964): (1964):

supporting supporting

lent analysis of a police audio re- audio police a of analysis lent

cording which allegedly proves at at proves allegedly which cording

cludes — partially due to fraudu- to due partially — cludes

least two gunmen — that Kennedy Kennedy that — gunmen two least

was "probably" the victim of a a of victim the "probably" was

while largely largely while the Warren Warren the

The HSCA HSCA The Report, con- Report,

conspiracy. The The conspiracy.

overwhelming pattern of forged forged of pattern overwhelming

our country country our

Report,... Report,...

occurred at. at. occurred that time." time." that

history of of history

of the big- the of

and that one one that and gest cover- gest

yet known, known, yet

ups in the the in ups

American American

people for for people

sion has collapsed like a house of of house a like collapsed has sion

Commission was set up at the the at up set was Commission

said, "I think the Warren Commis- Warren the think "I said, reasons not not reasons

cards. And I believe the Warren Warren the believe I And cards. time to feed pabulum to the the to pabulum feed to time

into the assassination. Schweiker Schweiker assassination. the into

chard Schweiker and others began began others and Schweiker chard

pushing for a Congressional probe probe Congressional a for pushing

(1979): In the mid-`70s, Sen. Ri- Sen. mid-`70s, the In (1979):

dent Kennedy, Report Report Kennedy, dent

by by

real issue — — issue real

books books

David Reitzes Reitzes David

and and

Hearings Hearings

the the

the assassination based largely largely based assassination the

Billings, Billings,

Chief Counsel to the HSCA, who who HSCA, the to Counsel Chief

dent dent upon the Warren Report. Avoid. Avoid. Report. Warren the upon

helped scuttle any hope for an an for hope any scuttle helped

toriously inaccurate inaccurate toriously

book written on the case since since case the on written book

Was Shot Shot Was 1979. (See Livingstone, Livingstone, (See 1979.

Truth, Truth,

dence" mars practically every every practically mars dence"

pects of the case — was again ig- again was — case the of pects nored, and the "acoustics evi- "acoustics the and nored,

and suppressed evidence in all as- all in evidence suppressed and

Robert Blakey and Richard Richard and Blakey Robert

Jim Bishop, Bishop, Jim

(Times Books, 1981): The The 1981): Books, (Times

for the whole story.) story.) whole the for

The Plot to Kill the Presi- the Kill to Plot The

(Bantam, 1969): A no- A 1969): (Bantam,

The Day Kennedy Kennedy Day The

account account

Killing the the Killing

of of

common mistake of taking the the taking of mistake common

value. Avoid. Avoid. value.

evidence against Oswald at face face at Oswald against evidence

king Press, 1966): A seminal book book seminal A 1966): Press, king

about the inner workings of the the of workings inner the about

Warren Commission and a wake- wake- a and Commission Warren

homework, but he makes the the makes he but homework,

gunman in a relatively small-scale small-scale relatively a in gunman

conspiracy. DeLillo's done his his done DeLillo's conspiracy.

nario postulating Oswald as one one as Oswald postulating nario

is witty and insightful. insightful. and witty is

(Viking, 1988): A A 1988): (Viking,

tively researched, and the writing writing the and researched, tively

Brown's fictional trial is defini- is trial fictional Brown's

convicted convicted

Harvey Oswald Oswald Harvey

1992): Could Oswald have been been have Oswald Could 1992):

Mob killed Kennedy. Kennedy. killed Mob

theory about how yawn — the the — yawn how about theory

honest investigation, voices his his voices investigation, honest

Edward J. Epstein, Epstein, J. Edward

Don DeLillo, DeLillo, Don

Walt Brown, Brown, Walt

of of

the assassination? assassination? the

The People V. Lee Lee V. People The

(Carroll & Graf, Graf, & (Carroll

Libra: A Novel Novel A Libra:

fictional fictional

Inquest Inquest

(vi-

sce-

legion, and Groden's opinions opinions Groden's and legion, said hindsight is 20/20 never read read never 20/20 is hindsight said

tion of assassination-related pho- pho- assassination-related of tion

tos. The flaws and omissions are are omissions and flaws The tos.

tions. Pass. Pass. tions.

this assemblage of warped ratio- warped of assemblage this

should be taken with a grain of salt. salt. of grain a with taken be should President President of Oliver Stone's Stone's Oliver of

the Assassins Assassins the nalizations and unproved allega- unproved and nalizations

A decent refutation of the lone-as- lone-as- the of refutation decent A

Press, 1988): The basis for much much for basis The 1988): Press, Recommended. Recommended. (Holt, Rinehart &Winston, 1985): 1985): &Winston, Rinehart (Holt,

plains why the Committee failed. failed. Committee the why plains

1993): An HSCA investigator ex- investigator HSCA An 1993):

tigation tigation books with new forewords and and forewords new with books

afterwords. afterwords.

sension within the CIA than about about than CIA the within sension

1992) collects the three Epstein Epstein three the collects 1992)

cally myopic fashion. fashion. myopic cally

Oswald, who is depicted in typi- typi- in depicted is who Oswald, nation Chronicles Chronicles nation

sis for Oliver Stone's Stone's Oliver for sis

(Reader's Digest Press, 1978): Ul- Ul- 1978): Press, Digest (Reader's

timately more revealing about dis- about revealing more timately

Secret World of Lee Harvey Oswald Oswald Harvey Lee of World Secret

look at the Jim Garrison investi- Garrison Jim the at look gation which later became the ba- the became later which gation

(Viking Press, 1969): A scathing scathing A 1969): Press, (Viking

Commission conducted a serious serious a conducted Commission

investigation. investigation.

up call to anyone who believes the the believes who anyone to call up

Robert Groden, Groden, Robert

Henry Hurt, Hurt, Henry

Jim Garrison, On On Garrison, Jim

Gaeton Fonzi, Fonzi, Gaeton

Edward J. Epstein, Epstein, J. Edward

Edward J. Epstein, Epstein, J. Edward

(Thunder's Mouth Press, Press, Mouth (Thunder's

(Viking, 1993): A collec- collec- A 1993): (Viking,

(Sheridan Square Square (Sheridan

Reasonable Doubt Doubt Reasonable

(Carroll & Graf, Graf, & (Carroll

The Last Inves- Last The

JFK. JFK.

The Killing of a a of Killing The

JFK. JFK.

The Assassi- The

the Trail Trail the

Legend: The The Legend:

Counterplot Counterplot

Whoever Whoever of of

portant books ever written on the the on written ever books portant

and some real answers). answers). real some and

Hands down, one of of one down, Hands

demolition of Lifton's theory - theory Lifton's of demolition

appeared a decade ago. ago. decade a appeared There are easier ways to explain a a explain to ways easier are There

vatory Press, 1989; Berkley, 1990): 1990): Berkley, 1989; Press, vatory

Treason Treason

fair summary of the evidence as it it as evidence the of summary fair

ert Groden, Groden, ert

botched autopsy (see Livingstone, Livingstone, (see autopsy botched

attempt to implicate Watergate Watergate implicate to attempt

"altered" to fool the coroners. coroners. the fool to "altered"

to Summers' Summers' to

Intended as a follow-up of sorts sorts of follow-up a as Intended

High Treason 2, 2, Treason High

onstration of her credibility). credibility). her of onstration

Investigation, Investigation,

(Thunder's Mouth, 1991): A lame lame A 1991): Mouth, (Thunder's ation theory, the notion that that notion the theory, ation

conspirator E. Howard Hunt in in Hunt Howard E. conspirator

Kennedy's corpse was somehow somehow was corpse Kennedy's

weak in comparison to Weisberg's Weisberg's to comparison in weak

evidence in his "client's" favor. favor. "client's" his in evidence occasionally misrepresents the the misrepresents occasionally

and Meagher's books) and Lane Lane and books) Meagher's and

Marita Lorenz (see Fonzi, Fonzi, (see Lorenz Marita 1988): The dreaded body alter- body dreaded The 1988):

Thunder's Mouth, 1992): A de- A 1992): Mouth, Thunder's

ness is former Castro mistress mistress Castro former is ness

(Macmillan, 1980; Carroll & Graf, Graf, & Carroll 1980; (Macmillan,

fense brief for Oswald (useful, but but (useful, Oswald for brief fense

the assassination. Lane's star wit- star Lane's assassination. the (Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1966; 1966; Winston, & Rinehart (Holt,

sassin theory based primarily on on primarily based theory sassin

the government evidence. evidence. government the

Harrison Livingstone, Livingstone, Harrison

Harrison Livingstone and Rob- and Livingstone Harrison

Mark Lane, Lane, Mark

David Lifton, Lifton, David

Mark Lane, Lane, Mark

2 (Carroll & Graf, 1991): 1991): Graf, & (Carroll 2

High Treason Treason High

Conspiracy, Conspiracy,

for a firsthand dem- firsthand a for

Rush to Judgment Judgment to Rush

Plausible Denial Denial Plausible

for a thorough thorough a for

• •

Best Evidence Evidence Best

the most im- most the

• •

(Conser-

this is a a is this

The Last Last The

High High

account in which, as the old joke joke old the as which, in account

brary, 1968): The semi-authorized semi-authorized The 1968): brary,

goes, Manchester is guilty of com- of guilty is Manchester goes,

mitting mitting

strange considering the glowing glowing the considering strange

endorsements he's given to such such to given he's endorsements

ster the lone assassin theory with with theory assassin lone the ster

Meagher's and Summers'. Summers'. and Meagher's

conspiracy-oriented books as as books conspiracy-oriented Death of a President President a of Death

a flimsily selective and misleading misleading and selective flimsily a

bore. Mailer tries in vain to bol- to vain in tries Mailer bore.

representation of the evidence - evidence the of representation

(Random House, 1993): What a a What 1993): House, (Random

detailed refutation of Posner's Posner's of refutation detailed home movie of the century. century. the of movie home

Case Closed, Closed, Case

pressed evidence (and worse), a a worse), (and evidence pressed

lot more. Highly recommended. recommended. Highly more. lot

tury tury

dence, further important revela- important further dence,

Kennedy, and the Hoax of the Cen- the of Hoax the and Kennedy,

testimony regarding the origins of of origins the regarding testimony

major findings concerning sup- concerning findings major

dence, some provocative - provocative some dence,

The truth about the acoustics evi- acoustics the about truth The though as yet unsubstantiated - unsubstantiated yet as though

the assassination plot, and a whole whole a and plot, assassination the

tions concerning the physical evi- physical the concerning tions

sents dramatic dramatic sents the cover-up. cover-up. the

the Truth Truth the

ing the physical evidence, and pre- and evidence, physical the ing

much of the confusion surround- confusion the of much

case. Drawing upon extensive in- extensive upon Drawing case. nesses, Livingstone clears up up clears Livingstone nesses,

terviews with key medical eyewit- medical key with terviews

William Manchester, Manchester, William

Norman Mailer, Mailer, Norman

Harrison Livingstone, Livingstone, Harrison

Harrison Livingstone, Livingstone, Harrison

(Carroll & Graf, 1995): More More 1995): Graf, & (Carroll

not a single accuracy. accuracy. single a not

(Carroll & Graf, 1993): 1993): Graf, & (Carroll

and a new look at the the at look new a and

new new

Oswald's Tale Tale Oswald's

(Popular Li- (Popular

evidence of of evidence

Killing Killing

Killing Killing

The The

acted alone — but but — alone acted

assassin theory. Manson prosecu- Manson theory. assassin with all of Posner's conclusions— Posner's of all with

tor Vincent Bugliosi said, "I agree agree "I said, Bugliosi Vincent tor

doubt on the Report) omitted or or omitted Report) the on doubt

ful would-be defense of the lone- the of defense would-be ful

that Oswald killed Kennedy and and Kennedy killed Oswald that

evidence (i.e. anything that throws throws that anything (i.e. evidence

censored. A disgrace. disgrace. A censored.

(Random House, 1993): A shame- A 1993): House, (Random

ings ings

ited this testimony from the the from testimony this ited

diers at the the at diers

nesses nesses

ous, but no more or less so than than so less or more no but ous,

the Warren Report. Report. Warren the

The Warren Commission: The Wit- The Commission: Warren The

Vintage, 1976): A landmark — the the — landmark A 1976): Vintage, Martin's Press, 1992): Donahue's Donahue's 1992): Press, Martin's

documented refutation of the War- the of refutation documented

cidentally fired the fatal shot from from shot fatal the fired cidentally

the car behind Kennedy. Preposter- Kennedy. behind car the

theory: A Secret Service agent ac- agent Service Secret A theory: most devastating, meticulously meticulously devastating, most

Donahue, Donahue,

print, but well worth looking for. for. looking worth well but print,

ren Report ever compiled. Out of of Out compiled. ever Report ren

but also an unfortunate amount of of amount unfortunate an also but

on the relevant parties and events, events, and parties relevant the on

ter the Fact Fact the ter

concise background information information background concise

Proceed with caution. caution. with Proceed

lated facts and lore, with useful and and useful with lore, and facts lated

misinformation and speculation. speculation. and misinformation compendium of assassination-re- of compendium

Graf, 1989): A comprehensive comprehensive A 1989): Graf,

Gerald Posner, Posner, Gerald

Editors of of Editors

Sylvia Meagher, Meagher, Sylvia

Bonar Menninger with Howard Howard with Menninger Bonar

Jim Marrs, Marrs, Jim

volumes, with troublesome troublesome with volumes,

(1965): The good little sol- little good The (1965):

(Bobbs-Merrill, 1967; 1967; (Bobbs-Merrill,

Times Times

Mortal Error Error Mortal

The New York Times, Times, York New The

Crossfire Crossfire

I disagree with with disagree I

selectively ed- selectively

Accessories Af- Accessories

Case Closed Closed Case

(Carroll & & (Carroll

Hear-

(St. (St.

story. This is the screenplay, well- screenplay, the is This story.

annotated and supplemented with with supplemented and annotated

While there are major problems problems major are there While

with the film, it succeeds in its pri- its in succeeds it film, the with

dramatically discredit the official official the discredit dramatically

mary objective: to thoroughly and and thoroughly to objective: mary

reviews and miscellaneous miscellaneous and reviews

should the death of a president president a of death the should

who's forgotten — or is too young young too is or — forgotten who's

over three decades ago matter any- matter ago decades three over way? Recommended to anyone anyone to Recommended way?

mattered, and why he still does. does. still he why and mattered,

to know first-hand — why JFK JFK why — first-hand know to

are still afraid to face up to it. it. to up face to afraid still are

notes by Jane Rusconi, Rusconi, Jane by notes

(Harper & Row, 1965): Why Why 1965): Row, & (Harper

Book of the Film Film the of Book

covered up, and why Americans Americans why and up, covered

arly examinations yet of why why of yet examinations arly

of California Press, 1993): An An 1993): Press, California of enormously important work, one one work, important enormously

of the most insightful and schol- and insightful most the of

and the Death of JFK JFK of Death the and

tions, and many of his allegations allegations his of many and tions, deserve serious investigation. investigation. serious deserve

Kennedy was killed, why it was was it why killed, was Kennedy

basis for Donald Sutherland's "X" "X" Sutherland's Donald for basis

character in Oliver Stone's Stone's Oliver in character

knowledge of U.S. covert opera- covert U.S. of knowledge has a great deal of firsthand firsthand of deal great a has

cal to the the to cal tagon liaison to the CIA and the the and CIA the to liaison tagon

Lane, 1993): Prouty, a former Pen- former a Prouty, 1993): Lane,

nores or distorts it." it." distorts or nores

his methodology. There's a cred- a There's methodology. his ibility problem. When he is con- is he When problem. ibility

fronted with a situation antitheti- situation a with fronted

-L. Fletcher Prouty, Prouty, Fletcher -L.

Oliver Stone and Zachary Sklar, Sklar, Zachary and Stone Oliver

Theodore Sorensen, Sorensen, Theodore

books books

Peter Dale Scott, Scott, Dale Peter

view view

he's he's

(Applause, 1992): 1992): (Applause,

taking, he he taking,

Deep Politics Politics Deep

J.F.K. J.F.K.

(University (University

JFK: The The JFK:

Kennedy Kennedy

(Birch (Birch

out- out-

JFK, JFK,

ig-

so: Vincent Bugliosi explains once once explains Bugliosi Vincent so: speculative but disturbing case for for case disturbing but speculative

Oswald alone, did it. it. did alone, Oswald

and for all how Oswald, and and Oswald, how all for and

LBJ's involvement. Worth a look. look. a Worth involvement. LBJ's

Post Mortem Mortem Post

nection nection garding evidence of the cover-up. cover-up. the of evidence garding

sponsible for prying literally literally prying for sponsible

of his more important findings re- findings important more his of

government archives under Free- under archives government

sification in the Warren Report. Report. Warren the in sification Since then, Weisberg has been re- been has Weisberg then, Since

dom of Information Act lawsuits. lawsuits. Act Information of dom the autopsy evidence. evidence. autopsy the

thousands of documents from from documents of thousands

book to expose the pattern of fal- of pattern the expose to book

Whitewash II-IV II-IV Whitewash

speculation about the famous famous the about speculation "three tramps" photographed in in photographed tramps" "three

21701): 21701):

(mostly self-published — for in- for — self-published (mostly

well as Summers' own fieldwork fieldwork own Summers' as well

Receiver Rd., Frederick, MD MD Frederick, Rd., Receiver formation, write to Route 12, Old Old 12, Route to write formation, Canfield, Canfield,

it appeared 20 years ago. The pa- The ago. years 20 appeared it Dealey Plaza. Avoid. Avoid. Plaza. Dealey

based upon the HSCA evidence as as evidence HSCA the upon based

— a solid summary of the case as as case the of summary solid a — perback has some material added. added. material some has perback

(Third Press, 1975, 1992): Endless Endless 1992): 1975, Press, (Third

IV, Post Mortem, Mortem, Post IV,

House, 1989): An excellent book book excellent An 1989): House,

(McGraw Hill, 1980; Paragon Paragon 1980; Hill, (McGraw

raged responses. responses. raged

Coming in the next decade or or decade next the in Coming

Craig Zirbel, Zirbel, Craig

A.J. Weberman and Michael Michael and Weberman A.J.

Harold Weisberg, Weisberg, Harold

Anthony Summers, Summers, Anthony

Whitewash Whitewash

(Scottsdale, 1991): A A 1991): (Scottsdale,

Coup d'Etat in America America in d'Etat Coup

is a microanalysis of of microanalysis a is

• •

The Texas Con- Texas The

report on some some on report

was the first first the was

Whitewash I- Whitewash

and others others and

Conspiracy Conspiracy ■ ■ 21-24 30 Drive, Apt. 5-B Astoria, NY 11102 November 21, 1997

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Weisberg Route 12 Old Receiver Road Frederick, MD 21701

This is a piece that ran in The Resident, a New York City weekly to which I normally contribute music reviews. The paper has four editions in Manhattan; the piece ran on the Upper East Side, while an abbreviated version ran on the Upper West Side, with a combined circulation around 100,000-125,000. Despite my suspicion that no one actually reads this rather innocuous publication, I asked that your address be included on the odd chance it might generate a few inquiries.

I wish to offer my thanks to you both for your tremendous efforts over the years. Though we are likely to disagree on certain points (cf. Harry Livingstone), words cannot adequately express the gratitude you are due.

Best,

David Reitzes .nrmilerr,"narSKIMUNtS3.7

books

honest investigation, voices his up call to anyone who believes the theory about how — yawn — the Commission conducted a serious Watching the Detectives Mob killed Kennedy. investigation. Walt Brown, The People V. Lee Edward J. Epstein, Counterplot An Armchair Guide to the Crime of the Century by David Reltzes Harvey Oswald (Carroll & Graf, (Viking Press, 1969): A scathing 1992): Could Oswald have been look at the Jim Garrison investi- n 1979, there were an estimated dent Kennedy, Report and Hearings and suppressed evidence in all as- convicted of the assassination? gation which later became the ba- 600 books written on the sub- (1979): In the mid-'70s. Sen. Ri- pects of the case — was again ig- Brown's fictional trial is defini- sis for Oliver Stone's JFK. ject of John F. Kennedy's assassi- chard Schweiker and others began nored, and the "acoustics evi- tively researched, and the writing Edward J. Epstein, Legend: The nation, 34 years ago this Nov. 22. pushing for a Congressional probe dence" mars practically every is witty and insightful. Secret World of Lee Harvey Oswald The number has probably doubled into the assassination. Schweiker book written on the case since Don DeLillo, Libra: A Novel (Reader's Digest Press, 1978): Ul- since then, making it even more said,"I thirds the Warren Commis- 1979. (See Livingstone, Kitting the (Viking, 1988): A fictional sce- timately more revealing about dis- difficult to winnow the wheat from sion has collapsed like a house of Truth, for the whole story.) nario postulating Oswald as one sension within the CIA than about the chaff. What follows is a selec- cards. AnG I believe the Warren Jim Bishop, The Day Kennedy gunman in a relatively small-scale Oswald, who is depicted in typi- tive listing of the most important Commission was set up at the Was Shot (Bantam, 1969): A no- conspiracy. DeLillo's done his cally myopic fashion. The Assassi- and useful texts, plus a number of time to feed pabulum to the toriously inaccurate account of homework, but he makes the nation Chronicles (Carroll & Graf, commonly available duds. American 1992) collects the three Epstein The President's Commission on people for books with new forewords and the Assassination of President reasons not afterwords. Kennedy, Report, a.k.a. The Report yet known, Gaeton Fonzi, The Last Inves- of the Warren Commission (1964): and that one tigation (Thunder's Mouth Press, The world-famous Ione assassin of the big- 1993): An HSCA investigator ex- theory, in which a warehouse em- gest cover- plains why the Committee failed. ployee with a shady past makes ups in the Recom mended. marksmanship history with a de- history of Jim Garrison, On the Trail of fective junk rifle. Commission our country the Assassins (Sheridan Square members Richard Russell and occurred at Press, 1988): The basis for much Hale Boggs privately disavowed that time." of Oliver Stone's JFK. Whoever the single-bullet theory, without The HSCA said hindsight is 20/20 never read which the case for one gunman Report, this assemblage of warped ratio- evaporates. while largely nalizations and unproved allega- The President's Commission on supporting tions. Pass. the Assassination of President the Warren Robert Groden, The Killing of a Kennedy, Hearings (1964): These Report, con- President (Viking, 1993): A collec- 26 volumes of appendices, con- cludes — partially due to fraudu- the assassination based largely common mistake of taking the tion of assassination-related pho- taining selected hearings and ex- lent analysis of a police audio re- upon the Warren Report. Avoid. evidence against Oswald at face tos. The flaws and omissions arc hibits before the Commission, cording which allegedly proves at Robert Blakey and Richard value. Avoid. legion, and Groden's opinions have a strange tendency to contra- !east two gunmen — that Kennedy Billings, The Plot to Kill the Presi- Edward J. Epsteininquest (Vi- should be taken with a grain of salt. dict the Report's conclusions. was "probably" the victim of a dent (Times Books, 1981): The king Press, 1966): A seminal book Henry Hurt, Reasonable Doubt The House Select Committee to conspiracy. The real issue — the Chief Counsel to the HSCA, who about the inner workings of the (Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1985): Study the Assassination of Presi- overwhelming pattern of forged helped scuttle any hope for an Warren Commission and a wake- A decent refutation of the lone-as-

Hands down, one of the most im- most the of one down, Hands

portant books books portant appeared a decade ago. ago. decade a appeared

"altered" to fool the coroners. coroners. the fool to "altered"

and some real answers). answers). real some and

Treason 2 2 Treason

demolition of Lifton's theory - theory Lifton's of demolition

fair summary of the evidence as it it as evidence the of summary fair

ert Groden, Groden, ert

There arc easier ways to explain a a explain to ways easier arc There

to Summers' Summers' to

ation theory, the notion that that notion the theory, ation Intended as a follow-up of sorts sorts of follow-up a as Intended

botched autopsy (see Livingstone, Livingstone, (see autopsy botched

vatory Press, 1989; Berkley, 1990): 1990): Berkley, 1989; Press, vatory

Kennedy's corpse was somehow somehow was corpse Kennedy's

High Treason 2, 2, Treason High

(Macmillan, 1980; Carroll Carroll 1980; (Macmillan,

onstration of her credibility). credibility). her of onstration

1988): The dreaded body alter- body dreaded The 1988):

attempt to implicate Watergate Watergate implicate to attempt

evidence in his "client's" favor. favor. "client's" his in evidence

occasionally misrepresents the the misrepresents occasionally and Meagher's books) and Lane Lane and books) Meagher's and

Thunder's Mouth, 1992): A de- A 1992): Mouth, Thunder's Marita Lorenz (see Fonzi, Fonzi, (see Lorenz Marita

sassin theory based primarily on on primarily based theory sassin

,he assassination. Lane's star wit- star Lane's assassination. ,he Investigation, Investigation,

(Thunder's Mouth, 1991): A lame lame A 1991): Mouth, (Thunder's

conspirator E. Howard Hunt in in Hunt Howard E. conspirator

(Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1966; 1966; Winston, & Rinehart (Holt, weak in comparison to Weisberg's Weisberg's to comparison in weak

fense brief for Oswald (useful, but but (useful, Oswald for brief fense ness is former Castro mistress mistress Castro former is ness

the government evidence. evidence. government the

Harrison Livingstone, Livingstone, Harrison

Harrison Livingstone and Rob- and Livingstone Harrison

David Lifton, Lifton, David

Mark Lane, Lane, Mark

Mark Lane, Lane, Mark

(Carroll & Graf, 1991): 1991): Graf, & (Carroll

High Treason Treason High

Conspiracy, Conspiracy,

for a firsthand dem- firsthand a for

ever ever

Rush to Judgment Judgment to Rush

Plausible Denial Denial Plausible

for a thorough thorough a for

written on the the on written

Best Evidence Evidence Best

(Conser-

this is a a is this

The Last Last The

& &

High High

Graf, Graf,

account in which, as the old joke joke old the as which, in account goes, Manchester is guilty of com- of guilty is Manchester goes,

mitting not a single accuracy. accuracy. single a not mitting

strange considering the glowing glowing the considering strange

ster the Ione assassin theory with with theory assassin Ione the ster Meagher's and Summers'. Summers'. and Meagher's

conspiracy-oriented books as as books conspiracy-oriented

brary, 1968): The semi-authorized semi-authorized The 1968): brary,

endorsements he's given to such such to given he's endorsements

bore. Mailer tries in in tries Mailer bore.

a flimsily selective and misleading misleading and selective flimsily a

Death of a President President a of Death

Case Closed, Closed, Case

(Random House, 1993): What a a What 1993): House, (Random

home movie of the century. century. the of movie home detailed refutation of Posner's Posner's of refutation detailed

representation of the evidence - evidence the of representation

tury tury

Kennedy, and the Hoax of the Cen- the of Hoax the and Kennedy,

pressed evidence (and worse), a a worse), (and evidence pressed

major findings concerning sup- concerning findings major lot more. Highly recommended. recommended. Highly more. lot

dence, some provocative - provocative some dence,

The truth about the acoustics evi- acoustics the about truth The

the assassination plot, and a whole whole a and plot, assassination the sents dramatic nes, evidence of of evidence nes, dramatic sents

dence, further important revela- important further dence,

tions concerning the physical evi- physical the concerning tions the Truth Truth the

the cover-up. cover-up. the

testimony regarding the origins of of origins the regarding testimony

though as yet unsubstantiated - unsubstantiated yet as though

ing the physical evidence, and pre- and evidence, physical the ing

case. Drawing upon extensive in- extensive upon Drawing case.

much of the confusion surround- confusion the of much

nesses, Livingstone clears up up clears Livingstone nesses,

terviews with key medical eyewit- medical key with terviews

William Manchester, Manchester, William

Norman Mailer, Mailer, Norman

Harrison Livingstone, Livingstone, Harrison

Harrison Livingstone, Livingstone, Harrison

(Carroll &Graf, 1995): More More 1995): &Graf, (Carroll

(Carroll & Graf, 1993): 1993): Graf, & (Carroll

and a new look at the the at look new a and

Oswald's Tale Tale Oswald's

(Popular Li- (Popular

vain vain

to bol- to

Killing Killing

Killing Killing

The The

acted alone — but I disagree with with disagree I but — alone acted

assassin theory. Manson prosecu- Manson theory. assassin

that Oswald killed Kennedy and and Kennedy killed Oswald that with all of Posner's conclusions— Posner's of all with

doubt on the Report) omitted or or omitted Report) the on doubt

diers at at diers

(Random House, 1993): A shame- A 1993): House, (Random

evidence (i.e. anything that throws throws that anything (i.e. evidence

tor Vincent Bugliosi said,"I agree agree said,"I Bugliosi Vincent tor

censored. A disgrace. disgrace. A censored.

ful would-be defense of the lone- the of defense would-be ful ings ings

nesses (1965): (1965): nesses ous, but no more or less so than than so less or more no but ous,

the Warren Report. Report. Warren the

ited this testimony from from testimony this ited

The Warren Commission: The Wit- The Commission: Warren The

theory: A Secret Service agent ac- agent Service Secret A theory:

Martin's Press, 1992): Donahue's Donahue's 1992): Press, Martin's

cidentally fired the fatal shot from from shot fatal the fired cidentally

the car behind Kennedy. Preposter- Kennedy. behind car the

print, but well worth looking for. for. looking worth well but print,

Donahue, Donahue, documented refutation of the War- the of refutation documented

lated facts and lore, with useful and and useful with lore, and facts lated ter the Fact Fact the ter on the relevant parties and events, events, and parties relevant the on

compendium of assassination-re- of compendium

most devastating, meticulously meticulously devastating, most

Vintage, 1976): A landmark— the the landmark— A 1976): Vintage,

Graf, 1989): A comprehensive comprehensive A 1989): Graf,

but also an unfortunate amount of of amount unfortunate an also but

concise background information information background concise Proceed with caution. caution. with Proceed

misinformation and speculation. speculation. and misinformation

ren Report ever compiled. Out of of Out compiled. ever Report ren

Gerald Posner, Posner, Gerald

Editors of of Editors

Sylvia Meagher, Meagher, Sylvia

Bonar Menninger with Howard Howard with Menninger Bonar

Jim Marrs, Marrs, Jim

volumes, with troublesome troublesome with volumes,

the Times Times the

(Bobbs-Merrill, 1967; 1967; (Bobbs-Merrill,

Mortal Mortal

The New New The

The good little sol- little good The

Crossfire Crossfire

selectively ed- selectively

Accessories Af- Accessories

Case Closed Closed Case

Error (St. (St. Error

York York

(Carroll & & (Carroll

the Hear- the

Times, Times,

story. This is the screenplay, well- screenplay, the is This story.

annotated and supplemented with with supplemented and annotated

dramatically discredit the official official the discredit dramatically

reviews and miscellaneous out- out- miscellaneous and reviews should the death of a president president a of death the should

(Harper & Row, 1965): Why Why 1965): Row, & (Harper way? Recommended to anyone anyone to Recommended way? over three decades ago matter any- matter ago decades three over are still afraid to face up to it. it. to up face to afraid still are

While there are major problems problems major are there While

mary objective: to thoroughly and and thoroughly to objective: mary with the film, it succeeds in its pri- its in succeeds it film, the with

to know first-hand — why JFK JFK why — first-hand know to

who's forgotten — or is too young young too is or — forgotten who's covered up, and wily Americans Americans wily and up, covered

notes by Jane Rusconi, Rusconi, Jane by notes

mattered, and why he still does. does. still he why and mattered,

Book of the the of Book

arly examinations yet of why why of yet examinations arly

of California Press, 1993): An An 1993): Press, California of

of the most insightful and schol- and insightful most the of

and the Death of JFK JFK of Death the and

enormously important work, one one work, important enormously

Kennedy was killed, why it was was it why killed, was Kennedy

deserve serious investigation. investigation. serious deserve

character in Oliver Stone's Stone's Oliver in character

tagon liaison to the CIA and the the and CIA the to liaison tagon

knowledge of U.S. covert opera- covert U.S. of knowledge has a great deal of firsthand firsthand of deal great a has

tions, and many of his allegations allegations his of many and tions,

basis for Donald Sutherland's"X" Sutherland's"X" Donald for basis cal to the view he's taking, he ig- he taking, he's view the to cal

his methodology. There's a cred- a There's methodology. his Lane, 1993): Prouty, a former Pen- former a Prouty, 1993): Lane,

ibility problem. When he is con- is he When problem. ibility

nores or distorts it." it." distorts or nores

fronted with a situation antitheti- situation a with fronted

Oliver Stone and Zachary Sklar, Sklar, Zachary and Stone Oliver

Theodore Sorensen, Sorensen, Theodore

books books

Peter Dale Scott, Scott, Dale Peter

L. Fletcher Prodty,J.F.K. (Birch (Birch Prodty,J.F.K. Fletcher L.

Film (Applause, 1992): 1992): (Applause, Film

Deep Politics Politics Deep

(University (University

JFK: The The JFK:

Kennedy Kennedy

JFK, JFK,

Oswald alone, did it. it. did alone, Oswald so: Vincent Bugliosi explains once once explains Bugliosi Vincent so:

and for all how Oswald, and and Oswald, how all for and

speculative but disturbing case for for case disturbing but speculative

sification in the Warren Report. Report. Warren the in sification

garding evidence of the cover-up. cover-up. the of evidence garding

dom of Information Act lawsuits. lawsuits. Act Information of dom of his more important findings re- findings important more his of sponsible for prying literally literally prying for sponsible

government archives under Free- under archives government

LBJ's involvement. Worth a look. look. a Worth involvement. LBJ's

the autopsy evidence. evidence. autopsy the Since then, Weisberg has been re- been has Weisberg then, Since nection nection

thousands of documents from from documents of thousands

Post Mortem Mortem Post

speculation about the famous famous the about speculation 21701): 21701):

formation, write to Route 12, Old Old 12, Route to write formation,

(mostly self-published — for in- for — self-published (mostly

Whitewash II-IV II-IV Whitewash book to expose the pattern of fal- of pattern the expose to book

"three tramps" photographed in in photographed tramps" "three

Receiver Rd., Frederick, MD MD Frederick, Rd., Receiver

IV, Post Mortem, Mortem, Post IV,

(Third Press, 1975, 1992): Endless Endless 1992): 1975, Press, (Third Dealey Plaza. Avoid. Avoid. Plaza. Dealey Canfield, Coup Coup Canfield,

based upon the HSCA evidence as as evidence HSCA the upon based

well as Summers' own fieldwork fieldwork own Summers' as well

it appeared 20 years ago. The pa- The ago. years 20 appeared it

House, 1989): An excellent book book excellent An 1989): House, — a solid summary of the case as as case the of summary solid a — perback has some material added. added. material some has perback

(McGraw Hill, 1980; Paragon Paragon 1980; Hill, (McGraw

raged responses. responses. raged

Coming in the next decade or or decade next the in Coming

Craig Zirbel, Zirbel, Craig

Harold Weisberg, Weisberg, Harold A.J. Weberman and Michael Michael and Weberman A.J.

Anthony Summers, Summers, Anthony

Whitewash Whitewash

(Scottsdale, 1991): A A 1991): (Scottsdale,

is is

a a

d'Etat in America America in d'Etat

microanalysis of of microanalysis

The Texas Con- Texas The

report on some some on report

was the first first the was

Whitewash !- !- Whitewash

and others others and

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