Authors concede “theories about conspiracy” are purposely avoided. This is very frustrating, given the media’s large role in fueling conspiracy rumors; this book should have held them to account. As the book re-creates the weekend, you know reporters are again missing or glossing over conspiracy indicators and rumors that should have been investigated the first time around, while the book makes it seem as if there was little reason to be more inquiring.

Some mention is made of indirect role journalists made to the events: SS agents with reporters at the Cellar in Fort Worth; Bob Jackson and other reporters see rifle in Oswald window; rumor of LBJ being shot; Zapruder film purchase; Oswald transfer arranged for networks. Kilduff’s announcement of JFK’s death is presented but absent are the Parkland doctors’ misimpressions of frontal shots which were widely reported.

There are no frames from the Malcolm Couch film, shown repeatedly on NBC that weekend, nor is the important Altgens photo (carried on hundreds of front pages) printed. At least the book mentions the legendary scuffle between Smith and Bell for the pool car’s radio-phone, and details the frantic coverage of the swearing-in (the myth of a “Bible” being used is alive and well).

It seems later recollections are mired in heroics (Wicker’s leaping) and sentimentality (Cronkite tearing up); to this day, these journalists have zero interest in the assassination controversy. One wonders at their ethics in some instances, as when Schieffer played on the assumption he was a plainclothes detective. Rich hearing Ben Bradlee term Kennedy staffers “apparatchiks.”

The Single-Bullet Theory is described without acknowledgement of the then-prevailing view among the media of separate shots to the two men. The authors state that Oswald “continues to deny that he shot the president, even though tests confirm that his fingerprints are on the rifle”—seems to imply the case was clinched, but the confirming test wasn’t made until 1993.

In particular, the mysterious actions of Dan Rather in Dealey Plaza are not explored. At 12:45, he’s already (or so he claims) at KRLD-TV getting confirmation from the hospital of JFK’s death (while the President is still in emerg); local CBS newsman Eddie Barker goes on air first with death report, but Old Dan insists he conferred with Barker just prior. I somewhat suspect Rather is overstating his involvement and contribution to the Kennedy story (perhaps that’s why he was later exiled to Vietnam).

No matter how unlikely, Rather finds a means to place himself at the center of events; though not present at the Oswald transfer, Rather purports he’s begging CBS to go live. Rather even claims to have some involvement with the Zapruder film prior to its being processed (Trask disputes this). The authors must really like Danny Boy; at the point when Rather’s controversial on-air description of the Zapruder film is about to unfold, the subject is changed. Avoidance of controversy and deference to Rather reek of “cover-up” for cronies.

Still, the book has a few minor revelations (be cautious, these are from the lips of reporters): JFK asked Dallas Times Herald president to get him six Macanudo cigars; Jackie’s suit was “raspberry”; Pierce Allman (WFAA-TV) notes “Kennedy’s foot was dangling over the side”; Newsweek’s Charles Roberts says “physical therapist” with Burkley; Darwin Payne (Dallas Times Herald) first to talk to Zapruder, saw banana peel in Oswald’s wastebasket and noted landlady called Os a “butt-twister.” And it’s possible that Allman and NBC’s Robert MacNeil may have separately spoke to Oswald as he left the Depository.

After forking over the astounding sum of $50,000 for just print rights to opportunist Zapruder, Life declined a mere $10,000 for Oswald’s trunk, an amount that would have helped his destitute family. Willing to pay for the Z-film but not the family’s story, the magazine brazenly ran it all anyway. The rich made money and the corrupt got glory (perhaps Marguerite was on to something afterall).

The authors didn’t set out to do so, but this self-congratulatory book trivializes the assassination, glorifies dubious journalism and condones the media’s lack of responsibility.