“Probable conspiracy” finding based on Chief Counsel Robert G. Blakey’s mob obsession and the ill-fated acoustical analysis. Not all Committee members endorsed the full report. HSCA did conclude the medical and ballistic evidence upheld Oswald as the assassin who inflicted the wounds. Some criticism of the Warren Commission, Secret Service and other federal agencies. Softcover, 686 pages. Bantam paperback The Final Assassinations Report 1979.

The HSCA Report was accompanied by 12 softcover volumes of JFK Hearings and Appendices. Volume I contains the testimony of the Connallys, Drs. Humes, Baden and Wecht—and consultant reports on the autopsy X-rays and photographs, NAA and ballistics. Groden presents a packaged synopsis of the critical claims concerning the photographic evidence that’s politely received by the Committee. Softcover, 567 pages, B/W photos & illus.

his is the report of the HSCA Photographic Evidence Panel, examining the Backyard Photos, among other issues. Included is the first scientific trajectory analysis, based on the precise wounding sites from the HSCA Medical Evidence Panel and photos of the assassination, including the newly-discovered Robert Croft photo. The analysis, conforming to a responsible margin-of-error, proved highly-likely the Single-Bullet Theory and that all wounding shots came from the vicinity of the Oswald window. Outside “photo-consultant” Robert Groden’s dissenting remarks are in the back, taking issue with every Panel finding except the “Man in the Doorway” debunking and Dillard/Powell box-shifting. Trajectory findings reprinted in 1992 Mortal Error. Softcover, 318 pages, B/W photos & illus.

British author Summers wrote the first critical analysis of the HSCA findings.Willing to view Oswald as participant, with conspiracy involving CIA renegades and mobsters. Several original interviews with witnesses, including some suspect tales from those connected to Banister (see Posner). As with his other writings, Summers places sensationalism over fact. In a 1994 Vanity Fair article, Summers relented on some issues. Hardcover, 657 pages, photos & illus. Paragon softcover reissue 1989. Reissued as Not In Your Lifetime Sept. 1998.

ew York surgeon, who served in WWII, has probed both of these famous assassinations for decades using hands-on firing re-creations and medical analysis. Results appeared in peer-reviewed medical journals since the mid-60s. This book brought together most of Lattimer’s article research, along with insights on the slayings of Booth and Oswald. Lattimer compares JFK’s spasmodic arm elevations in the Zapruder film with a spinal condition known as Thorburn’s Position. Ballistic tests are published that duplicate the flattening of the so-called “pristine” bullet and “retro-recoil” of JFK’s head. Detailed diagrams of the head and neck wounds show progressive path of missile. Citing JFK’s longterm cortisone treatment for Addison’s Disease, Lattimer believes Kennedy’s neck injuries alone would have been fatal. Medical treatment afforded JFK, Connally and Oswald is presented in detail, with firsthand comments from Parkland doctors. Autopsy reports of Kennedy, Oswald, Tippit and Ruby published in full. Concluding chapter points out peculiar similarities between Kennedy and Lincoln, their assassinations and their assassins; some parallels stretch to breaking. Lattimer tends to overstate things (“entire right side of his brain exploded out through the wound of exit;” Oswald shot JFK “on behalf of the Russian Communists”). Seems in error on Oswald jamming elevator on sixth floor (both were on the fifth floor, WR 153). A very handsome and well-designed book, with many photos presented large-scale; first book to clearly show a picture of Kennedy’s jacket “humped up” (Thompson and Groden couldn’t find any). Two large excerpts from “Three Patients at Parkland” (Texas State Journal of Medicine, Jan. 1964). Lattimer draws on his experiences as an Allied physician at the Nuremberg Trials for the 1999 book Hitler’s Fatal Sickness and the 2001 book Hitler and the Nazi Leaders. Large-format hardcover, 378 pages, 150-plus B/W photos & illus.

citing some vague recollections from the support staff at the Bethesda Naval Hospital, where the autopsy was performed on JFK, Lifton attempts to undermine the autopsy report and the work of several review panels of forensic pathologists. Lifton’s heavily-padded best-seller demonstrates the folly of building a theory on the “worst” evidence—anecdotal memory-merges that lack corroboration. “Not trusting” the HSCA, Lifton withheld from their investigators most of his suspicions (perhaps so as not to spoil a book deal). Without naming names, Lifton mentions his visit to Robert Groden in 1979 to view a set of autopsy photos surreptitiously taken from the HSCA; a deal was not made. A few years later, Lifton acquired his own set of photos, but sat on them until his 1988 book reissue afforded an opportunity to exploit them. Lifton tenders highly-speculative stuff, such as the CIA altering the Zapruder film before it was published in Life. The book spirals into the Frankensteinian nightmare of the President’s body being spirited away from Air Force One when it landed so wounds could be surgically-altered to represent shots from the back. Worst yet, researchers propping up this ridiculous theory wasted a decade of effort that could have been better applied to areas of more substance. If there was a conspiracy, Lifton served it well as a diversion. Lifton’s first major article appeared in the January 1967 issue of Ramparts. He recently contributed to the 2003 anthology Great Zapruder Hoax. Hardcover, 747 pages, 55 B/W photos, 28 illus. Carroll & Graf softcover reissue 1988 (marking first publication of JFK autopsy photos). Carroll & Graf paperback Nov. 1988. Signet paperback Nov. 1992.

ormer HSCA Chief Counsel Blakey documents his notion of a mafia plot, a view which undermined the neutrality of the Committee. Blakey still sees conspiracy, especially in Ruby’s “stalking” and “mob-hit” slaying of Oswald, and defends the dubious science of the acoustics evidence that placed a gunman behind the fence. Billings investigated the assassination controversy for Life, producing its “Reasonable Doubt” issue, and was Editorial Director for the HSCA. Hardcover, 428 pages, 47 B/W photos. Berkley paperback reprint titled Fatal Hour in Nov. 1992.

Scholarly approach, similar to that used by Sylvia Meagher, seeks to undermine the official inquiries through scrutiny of their own published reports and field notes. Kurtz claims to have personally seen Oswald and Banister together. Acknowledges conspiracy, but evidence is still lacking. Hardcover, 291 pages. Univ. of Tenn. softcover reprint Nov. 1993.

ermont writer/researcher probes Oswald’s early obsession with Marxism, and deems his defection and later political actions as a protest against American imperialism. Oswald’s contacts with Cuban exiles Bringuier and Sylvia Odio were infiltration attempts, likely motivated by Castro’s complaints about US-sponsored assassination attempts that Lee read in The Militant newspaper. Far from being a “failure,” Oswald saw himself as a dedicated activist with an astute geopolitical world view. FBI Agent Hosty’s visits to wife Marina were perceived as prosecution by Lee, who delivered a threatening note to Hosty’s office. Oswald was clever enough not to sign the note and thus implicate himself directly; when arrested after the assassination, he would play a similar “game” with officials, denying certain facts that might assist the case against him. Chapter “Reactions” on Lee’s motivation (compelled by revolutionary politics and lack of apathy; violent acts and denial to police granted him control and affirmed his self-aggrandizement), and why people take comfort in fictionalized image of Oswald the “patsy” or “nut.” Chapter “Conspiracy Thinking” identifies critics’ misguided approach and over-reliance on witnesses prone to misinterpretation; corrects wild charges from Lifton, Eddowes, Summers and Morrow, and offers explanations for “544 Camp Street” stamp and Clinton sighting. Foreword by Norman Mailer, former member of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee and author of the 1995 book Oswald’s Tale. Hardcover, 343 pages, 22 B/W photos. Norton softcover Jan. 1986.

Oswald portrayed as US agent sent to Soviet Union as part of a false-defector program. Ordered to pose as pro-Castro sympathizer on return. Speculates Oswald involved in LSD experiments conducted by the CIA. Much based on interview with Robert Easterling, a mental patient. Hardcover, 555 pages.

rganized crime retaliates for Kennedy brothers’ double cross. The mob wanted back into Cuba in exchange for 1960 election help. Particular attention paid to Jack Ruby, “a buddy of mafioso.” Ruby’s trips and phone calls prior to assassination suggest conspiracy. Extensive history of mob influence and the decline in interest by Justice Department after Dallas. Follows the theory developed by the HSCA and Blakey’s 1980 The Plot to Kill the President. Introduction by John H. Davis. Hardcover, 480 pages, 16 pages of photos. Zebra paperback 1988. SPI hardcover reissue April 1992.

Warren Commission attorney from Iowa charged with identifying the assassin (namely Lee Harvey Oswald) comes to grips with impact on his Commission work from the “full truth” of the CIA assassination plots revealed by Belin’s latter work on the Rockefeller Commission. Tippit murder still Belin’s “Rosetta Stone” of the assassination. Paints himself as “independent” counsel devoted to truth, placing public service over political pressure. Sure, and his bow tie doesn’t squirt! Hardcover, 249 pages, 10 B/W photos, 5 illus.

he flamboyant New Orleans DA shows little remorse for destroying the life of Clay Shaw, bringing shame to his office and marring the reputation of Kennedy conspiracy researchers. Assigns unwarranted credibility to dubious witnesses like Richard Case Nagell and Jules Ricco Kimble. Paints Oswald as FBI informant cut loose when he discovers signs of a right-wing plot (see evaluation at McAdams’ site). This was the book handed to Oliver Stone that inspired him to embark on his JFK movie project. Afterword by Carl Oglesby. Hardcover, 345 pages. Warner paperback (shown) 1991.

ew York trial lawyer leaves question open-ended. Detailed look at Oswald’s activities begins in the New Orleans of 1955, where mother Marguerite is friendly to mob-connected lawyers, and is sister-in-law to Charles “Dutz” Murret, a bookmaker in the Marcello gambling organization. Oswald joins the Civil Air Patrol under the wing (ahem) of David Ferrie. From that point to military enlistment in late 1956, inconsistencies emerge marked by concurrent study of both the Marine Corps manual and Communism. Duffy argues Oswald is dallying in counter-intelligence—why else would the Marines tolerate such behavior? Oswald’s “defection,” disillusionment and return to US presented, with doubt cast on the validity of the “historic diary.” Problems with Yuri Nosenko include failed polygraphs and Helms’ dismissal of his claim that the KGB never had contact with Oswald. Chapter on CIA-Mafia assassination plots, followed by chapter debating whether Castro retaliated. Finds anti-Castro exiles and CIA operatives held animosity towards JFK. Though Cuba at the “very center of the web,” Duffy decides the mob was even more motivated to remove Kennedy. Ferrie and Banister linked to Oswald; Odio story and Marcello/Trafficante threats accepted; and HSCA view of Ruby presented. Doesn’t argue Oswald was triggerman—but suspects he was detailed to do so. Foreword by Senator Alfonse D’Amato. Title page reads “The Web: The Kennedy Assassination Cover-Up.” Hardcover, 244 pages, 6 B/W photos.

Probably the worst-written bestseller on the assassination. Little original analysis. Groden expands notion of “soft edge matte insertion forgery” seen in autopsy photos. To think, Livingstone spent a decade shaping it up. Hardcover, 469 pages, B/W photos & illus. Conservatory softcover, Oct. 1989. Berkley paperback (with new afterword) Nov. 1990. Softcover reissue (with new preface and addendum) Nov. 1998.

ell-written synopsis of the major conspiracy issues and theories, finding something worthy in nearly all. Dallas journalist Marrs concludes “three volleys of shots were fired—at least six and perhaps as many as nine” shots. Unfortunately, Marrs does little to challenge the tales of characters like Gordon Arnold, Ed Hoffman and Charles Harrelson, and the Best Evidence theory. The tale of auto salesman Jack Lawrence is included, although other research has convincingly cleared him. Rights purchased by Oliver Stone for his movie JFK, which included Marrs’ claim that LBJ was suspect. The book’s “Convenient Deaths” list would later be gutted in Case Closed. Marrs later wrote Alien Agenda, which again elevates anecdotal evidence to charge the US government with cover-up—this time: alien visitors. Hardcover, 595 pages, 17 B/W photos, 2 illus. Carroll & Graf softcover Nov. 1990 added 30 pages of notes and index.

ormer conspiracy buff realizes betrayal from the “experts” he once placed trust in. Good critique of acoustics evidence and first to challenge Best Evidence theory and “missing” frontal bone. Moore’s “Final Solution” flawed by belief that JFK’s jacket wasn’t bunched enough until Z-235. Moore meticulously reconstructed the Sniper’s Nest for the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas. Introduction by Carl A. Henry. Hardcover, 237 pages, 37 B/W photos & illus. Summit Group softcover Nov. 1992 (added six-page postscript).

ustin lawyer/historian spent five years researching the FBI role in the Kennedy assassination and investigation. Accuses FBI Director Hoover of discovering a Marcello mob contract on the President, then—in an “act of treason”—allowing it to progress. Succession of friend and neighbor Lyndon Johnson consolidated the power of Hoover, who had compromised the Texan by suppressing scandals involving Billie Sol Estes and Bobby Baker. On May 8, 1964, LBJ issued an Executive Order waiving Hoover’s compulsory retirement. Warren Commission “handpicked” by Johnson and made to fully rely on FBI for investigative effort and raw data. Current indifference by the US Justice Department to act on HSCA “probable conspiracy” finding demonstrate reluctance to implicate Hoover and acknowledge FBI misdeeds. Extensive analysis and background minutia covering the Bureau’s clashes with the Kennedys, its indifference to organized crime and its accumulation of data on LBJ that left him vulnerable. Main section “Chronicle” divided into five chronological eras between Kennedy election and Hoover’s May 1964 salvation, each with an overview and co-related data from Bureau and media reports, and conspiracy research. Has Oswald in lunchroom during assassination; cites timing and mechanics of the shooting as concluded in Six Seconds in Dallas. Appendixes for LBJ/Hoover correspondence and analysis of Oswald’s 1962 income. Lengthy bibliography. Hardcover, 671 pages, 22 B/W photos, 27 docs. Carroll & Graf softcover Nov. 1992.

nce the most visible of conspiracy authors, Lane recounts his successful appeal of a libel suit lost by Spotlight, the newspaper of the conservative Liberty Lobby. Lane’s unlikely client had published an article by ex-CIA Victor Marchetti asserting CIA operative E. Howard Hunt had ties to Dallas, who in turn sued for defamation. Lane won Spotlight’s appeal by convincing a jury the CIA murdered JFK in retaliation for the Bay of Pigs fiasco. No acknowledgement given to Florida jurors being susceptible to the conspiratorial suspicions of the Cuban exile community. Appendix includes Lane’s “Defense Brief” from the December 19, 1963 National Guardian, Norman Mailer’s review of Rush to Judgment and articles linking then-President George Bush to CIA plans for Bay of Pigs. Introduction by L. Fletcher Prouty. Hardcover, 393 pages, 15 B/W photos. Thunder’s Mouth softcover Nov. 1992.

Texas lawyer recycles old innuendo he heard growing up, adding in vivid speculation by critics of Lyndon Johnson. Charges LBJ had the most to gain in terms of motive and could best effect the necessary means. Pray you’re never on Death Row in the Lone Star state. Texas Connection hardcover. Warner Books paperback Nov. 1992.