Critical study of Kennedy’s election campaign abuses and administration misdeeds from a Republican perspective. Shows what some thought of JFK prior to his canonization. Was No. 1 on the US bestseller list the week Kennedy was assassinated. Hardcover, 652 pages.

Ad-free commemorative magazine published immediately after the assassination. Illustrated with familiar newswire images. Altgens photos and Moorman Polaroid displayed nearly full-page. Oswald’s 1961 letter to Connally may have left him the “true target.” Includes Congressional Record of Nov. 25th. Contents (along with Highlights of the Warren Report) reprinted in 1967(?) Three Great Men. Large-format softcover, 64 pages, 69 B/W photos, 2 maps, 4 docs.

ROM THE AUTHOR of the popular book PT 109: John F. Kennedy in World War II, which became a motion picture in 1963. The Assassins reconstructs the life history and motivation of assassins drawn to the Presidency. Five of the chapters were originally written as a series published in the early 1950s in the New Yorker, forming the basis for the book’s first publication in 1955. Paperback version first appeared in January 1964, with a new chapter on the Kennedy assassination. A newspaper reporter based in Washington, DC, Donovan was on the scene shortly after the attempt on Truman’s life in 1950 and with the press in the Dallas motorcade. Suggests assassins influenced by inflammatory criticism aimed at the office, and paints Dallas as a “hot-bed of right-wing extremism.” Gives some attention to Hartogs’ psychiatric assessment of Oswald as a troubled youth (“schizoid child” whose loss of father led to bitter resentment of authority figures). Donovan describes the first bullet entering “five to seven inches below his shirt collar line” and becoming lodged a few inches “into the shoulder muscle” (Donovan believes this bullet was recovered intact from the President’s body, apparently confusing it with the so-called “magic bullet” recovered from Connally’s stretcher). Reflecting the convention wisdom of the time, Donovan claims Governor Connally alone was struck by the second shot. The third shot struck the President’s head; all fired within 6.8 seconds (a figure cited in Life Dec. 6, 1963). Suggests limo “brought practically to a halt” so Jackie could “haul” aboard Secret Serviceman Clint Hill. With evidence “circumstantial but so convincing as to leave no reasonable doubt,” Oswald, Donovan writes, “took his place in the company of some of the strangest men, surely, that this land has seen.” Donovan died in 2003 at 90. Previously published in hardcover by Harper & Brothers, 1955. Paperback, 254 pages.

RINTED in January of 1964, this was one of the first books to describe the assassination. Accounts of 15 famous assassinations and attempts since Julius Caesar. Includes all four Presidential murders plus the attempts on Jackson, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR and Truman. The Secret Service, Huey P. Long and “The Assassin’s Assassin” (a combined biography of Oswald and Ruby) each rate a chapter. Ten-page opening chapter on Dallas devotes some attention to aborted 1960 Palm Beach incident. Kennedy’s close brushes with death and youthful vitality gave him a false sense of immortality. Recounts then-common perception that Connally was struck by second shot that missed JFK. Has unique view that Mrs. Kennedy “reached out and helped Hill aboard.” The Oswald/Ruby chapter embellishes the “curtain rod” story with the tale of a “uniformed patrolman” stationed at the Depository’s entrance challenging Oswald’s package. Yet another of Pearl’s “gems” is that “Oswald suddenly came into possession of a car and drove from New Orleans to Mexico City.” Pearl even has Oswald munching chicken, then wiping his “greasy hands on his trouser” prior to firing the rifle, which Pearl says was then hidden on the fifth(?) floor. Mistakenly has Oswald buying a ticket at the Texas Theatre and, during arrest, pulling revolver trigger that “clicked on a dud shell.” Does not rule out plot, finding difficulty in “technical aspect” of three “bull’s-eyes” in five seconds at a moving target (note: only Oswald’s final shot scored a “bull’s-eye” and recent analysis suggests he had eight seconds). Pearl asks “Why did Oswald lose his grip after the worst of it was over?” Paperback, 157 pages, 8 B/W photos.

As if lost at sea, this children’s quickie doesn’t mention Vietnam, Cuba or the Missile Crisis. Just three pages touch on assassination. Only Dallas photo is by student David Miller of the limo on Stemmons; caption purports foot on car rail was JFK’s (it was SS agent Clint Hill’s) and that Mrs. Connally is “ducking bullets.” Webb claims John John salutes casket as it was “carried down the church steps” and “the President’s mother asked for the flame.” One-paragraph tribute by LBJ opens book. Among the best JFK covers. Hardcover, 93 pages, 27 B/W photos, 3 illus. (full dust jacket shown)

Blames corporate greed for JFK assassination. Its media pawns caused Oswald’s death and guaranteed the widespread acceptance of his guilt. Interesting perspective. Paperback, 256 pages.

ice package by private investigator hired by Jack Ruby family captures the Dragnet-like atmosphere of the trial and near-celebrity-status afforded Ruby by some. Recaps assassination, Oswald’s flight and capture, Ruby’s actions that weekend and his slaying of Oswald, and funerals of Tippit and Oswald. Bulk of book concerned with Ruby’s trial, the people involved on both sides, Belli’s posturing, the sanity defense and the verdict. There are photos of characters, locations and evidence not likely to be seen elsewhere. Softcover, 65 pages, 99 B/W photos, 22 illus.

Jack Ruby’s lead lawyer reflects on his controversial defense strategy of Ruby being gripped by incontrollable violent lapses. Speculates on reasons for resistance from the Dallas jury and public. Hardcover, 298 pages, 17 docs.

From the publishers of Four Dark Days in History, ad-free magazine reprints verbatim large excerpts from all eight chapters of the Warren Report, plus three appendixes (IV, VII and XII). Illustrated with Commission exhibits and news wire photos. Contents (along with Four Dark Days in History) reprinted in 1967(?) Three Great Men. Large-format softcover, 97 pages, 61 B/W photos, 42 docs.

A detailed look at the legal scuffles of the Ruby trial, and the thunderous clash of driven personalities, powerful egos, and regional differences. Hardcover, 392 pages, 9 B/W photos.

Vocal and colorful—and at the time familiar to TV audiences—Marguerite tells her story to receptive writer. On orders from CIA, Lee shot JFK, a “mercy killing” for the President was dying of Addison’s. Perhaps the theory should be euthanized. Expanded from interview in Oct. 1965 McCall’s. Hardcover, 120 pages. Bantam paperback Feb. 1966. Pharos softcover May 1992.

Four Dark Days in History and Highlights of the Warren Report repackaged with similar commemorative publications on Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Winston Churchill. Since film and plates already existed, greatest expense went for paper. Large-format softcover, 300-plus pages, numerous B/W photos, illus and docs.

Early multi-media kit for budding assassination researchers. Punch-out color sections allowed reader to construct basic model of Dealey Plaza. Eighteen pieces included copies of key Commission exhibits, “full sized reproduction of the alleged assassination weapon,” “Unanswered Questions” and five “broadsheets.” “Jackdaw Special” compiled and designed by Michael Rand, Howard Loxton, and Len Deighton. All that’s missing are tiny curtain rods and a mini-pouch of the “long and bulky package.”

Older brother writes of Lee’s upbringing. Myrick Land was book editor at Look magazine during Manchester serialization. An excerpt from Lee appeared as “He Was My Brother” in an October issue of Look. Hardcover, 246 pages, 11 photos.

he story of Dr. Milton H. Helpern, Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York, has an opening chapter on the JFK autopsy, which received very selective citation in Thompson’s Six Seconds in Dallas, released later the same year. Helpern dismisses the FBI Sibert-O’Neill Report as “trivia and underbrush” and deems Oswald capable of all shots by virtue of JFK and Connally being wounded separately. Basis for TV show Quincy, ME. Hardcover, 317 pages, 14 B/W photos & illus. Dell paperback 1968.

ETAILED PROFILE of much-maligned Earl Warren, from crusading DA in San Francisco to controversial Chief Justice. Traces road to California Governorship, suggesting higher political ambition doomed by reluctance for partisanship, as in refusal to endorse greenhorn Nixon in ‘46 and ‘50. Includes 35-page chapter on Warren’s “moonlighting role” as head of what he called the “Kennedy Commission.” Describes LBJ’s “drafting” of reluctance Warren who, upon assuming authority, threw himself into the task with early-rise sessions and late-nights. Argues criticism of Warren Report not based on facts having changed but instead the “emotional climate.” Upsets familiar conspiracy claims, including Ruby’s exchange with Warren the product of Ruby’s irrationality. Several court and legal professors offer negative opinions towards Lane’s Rush to Judgment, adding Liebeler’s finding that “90 percent of Lane’s notes don’t check out.” Epstein’s barrages against Warren and Commission staff are rebuked by quoting Fletcher Knebel in Look and Arlen Spector in US News. Compares Commission’s trust in Marina’s belief in husband’s guilt to critics’ reliance on Marguerite’s speculation. Faults WR for using “shaky witnesses” and being “too tactful” with the Dallas PD. Warren’s “courtesy and thoughtfulness” contributed to sense of cover-up, as in deleting Mrs. Kennedy’s reference to wounds and decision to not publish autopsy photos. Although Warren had always drawn fire, the attacks over his Report were broad and populist, aimed at “a target too tall to miss and too proud to duck.” Hardcover, 406 pages.

Insightful highly-readable biography of the man who stole Oswald’s thunder. Sees no conspiracy surrounding Ruby’s fateful action. Hardcover, 266 pages. New American Library paperback 1968. Da Capo Press softcover reissue April 1994.

At the request of Hyman Ruby, Jack’s brother who lived in Chicago, attorney Gertz worked on Ruby’s appeal to set aside the death sentence. Reviews his argument against pre-meditation. Gertz reviewed some of the JFK literature in a 1993 issue of Real Crime Book Digest. Nine-page preface by Jon R. Waltz, co-author of 1965 Trial of Jack Ruby. Hardcover, 564 pages.

Forty-nine page article—its title drawn from a phrase in the Gettysburg Address—concerning grief felt by the nation and the world. 38 color photos depict the casket at the White House and Capitol, and the Monday funeral. Large photo of funeral procession is keyed with diagram identifying notables. January 1964 issue managed to include a two-page tribute with a photo chosen by Jackie of the President at his desk.

PECIAL ad-free newsstand-only memento by editors of Look magazine, expanded from regular issue of November 17. Exclusive insider glimpse of Kennedy family coping with loss. Includes one-page note from Jackie (“now he is a legend when he would have preferred to be a man”). “Hyannis Port Revisited” features 17 color photos of Kennedys on or near the beach followed by article “A Lonely Summer for Jacqueline.” Photo essays look at “Pages from a Family Album,” (all by Cecil Stoughton) “Ireland: The Kennedy Cult” (places and people JFK touched in 1963 visit), “Arlington” and “The Words JFK Loved Best” (moody photos illustrate quoted works). Articles on “What Happened to the Kennedy Program” (would have all passed regardless), “They Cried the Rain Down That Night,” (Ireland’s grief) “Eight Views of JFK: The Competent American” (McNamara: conventional military build-up to lessen nuclear exchange; RFK: no mistakes made) and Cardinal Cushing. Exceptional design, appropriate color, intimate access and thoughtful subjects make this one of the more practical keepsakes. No mention of assassination controversy.

EN-PAGE article chronicles battle between Kennedy clan and Manchester over the “most controversial book of the twentieth century.” And so it seemed for awhile, with the reputation of the active President at stake and the public all too willing to take Mrs. Kennedy’s side (she would lose much of that unqualified support when she remarried the following year). The family had authorized Manchester to write the history of the assassination, impressed by his 1962 portrayal of JFK called Portrait of a President. The author then spent 26 months researching, under less than ideal conditions and on unpaid leave, every aspect of the assassination and its immediate aftermath. Manchester defends his decision not to abide some of the Kennedys’ editorial changes to The Death of a President that would have eased the harshness of the book’s depiction of Lyndon Johnson’s seemingly abrupt shift into office aboard Air Force One, an account disputed by journalist Charles Roberts. In retrospect, Manchester, a New England liberal who revered JFK to a fault, was too accepting of negatives about Johnson, Dallas and Texas. Published on heels of Look’s publication of four large excerpts from Manchester’s book, and same month as book’s release. Article later opened a collection of Manchester essays called Controversy. Also in this issue of Look was the article “The Tragedy of Bertrand Russell” about his manipulation by American “Communist-line propagandist” Ralph Schoenman which peaked that year with calls for LBJ to be tried for Vietnam war crimes; also included was Lord Russell’s view on Oswald: “An innocent man was framed and gunned down.” Russell and Schoenman had earlier initiated an informal British “Who Killed Kennedy?” committee, which proved a sham when it was revealed Schoenman was issuing erratic statements that members had not agreed to. Schoenman was with Groden when the Zapruder film they screened allegedly unnerved David Belin, an incident described in 1976 JFK: The Case for Conspiracy. Cover picture from Look’s Hyannis Port photo shoot for 1964 JFK Memorial Book.