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kwray1972's review against another edition
5.0
Although we all know the ending, what we can learn from this book is the first hand account of what happened in the days surrounding the death of President Kennedy. I found myself fully engaged and turning the pages quickly absorbing the information.
tjolson07's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't really know much about the Kennedy assassination prior to reading this book, so the details and pictures of the time leading up to it and following it were very interesting, if a bit repetitive. I also felt a bit like I was intruding into the details of the grieving Mrs. Kennedy, which was a bit sad. Overall, really interesting.
jmarryott23's review against another edition
4.0
Did I just read a picture book? Yes, yes I did. I knew the basics of the JFK assassination, but I didn’t know as much as I should, and I really learned a lot here. I also learned a bit about the Secret Service along the way. But I’ve mostly been ignorant of the happenings of the assassination. It wasn’t taught to me in school and I feel like it’s just not discussed much at all today. A long passage of time plays a big part in that. Also, the pictures add so much to this book and the details that Clint provides.
Honestly though, this has to be one of the most shocking political stories in history. Then you have the feeling that so much was unresolved after Oswald was murdered by a career criminal. There are questions that will never be answered. But what I appreciated most was the little moments that Clint Hill shared. He really puts you in his shoes that day and it’s the small emotional moments that elevate this above a simple play-by-play of events.
Honestly though, this has to be one of the most shocking political stories in history. Then you have the feeling that so much was unresolved after Oswald was murdered by a career criminal. There are questions that will never be answered. But what I appreciated most was the little moments that Clint Hill shared. He really puts you in his shoes that day and it’s the small emotional moments that elevate this above a simple play-by-play of events.
keclark's review against another edition
5.0
So interesting to hear about the assassination from the perspective of Mrs. Kennedy's Secret Service agent. Very feelings and emotions. It is so clear that Clint Hill and the other agents cared deeply for the Kennedy family.
cmasson17's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so well-written that it managed to capture the mood of America during a 30 year old period of time. The photographs were tasteful, revealing and free from the usual captioning which detracts from the flow of the story.
dlew's review against another edition
4.0
It was like my grandfather was sitting there telling me the story of what happened.
theme - read before I started reading themes
theme - read before I started reading themes
oceanwriter's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
I've read a lot of books about JFK and his assassination but none have made me cry as much as this one. Clint Hill (a former secret service agent who is perhaps best known as the agent seen jumping on the back of the car after President Kennedy was shot) shares his memories step by step from the moment the Kennedy's left the White House for Texas up to Kennedy's burial. Though not a long-winded account, it's very emotional to hear from someone who was so close to these people, never mind the fact he put his life on the line every day in service to them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, and Medical content
megreads31's review against another edition
5.0
This book gave a remarkably personal and in-depth look at the five days in November that changed America. What an amazing read
kerryann's review against another edition
5.0
I heard Clint Hill speak at Changing Hands bookstore in Phoenix AZ while on a book tour promoting this book. I bought and read this book as well as his memoir of time on JBK security detail.
The athleticism and dedication to duty in a split-second, the test of a man's character is immortalized by Zapruder. Clint Hill was able to get a foothold on the bumper of the presidential limo even as Mugsy O'Leary floored it to Parkland.
To hear the account from the Clint Hill is unforgettable to me. I think what saved him from being run over in that moment was the surge of the mammoth limo forward, when O'Leary mashed the accelerator of the tanklike limo, the rear would have descended, just as Mr. Hill was surging forward, physics, one descending heavily, one leaping powerfully, adrenalin soaked.
Incredible. So yeah. I can take in that moment from any angle and any account.
And yes, JFK rode in a de-facto tank, but he wanted those Texas votes, so the tank did not do him any good with the bubble top off. It was never going to be any other way, he would only have had the top down and he was led into a canyon, and he was snuffed out. And Clint Hill was there for all of it. Great book.
The athleticism and dedication to duty in a split-second, the test of a man's character is immortalized by Zapruder. Clint Hill was able to get a foothold on the bumper of the presidential limo even as Mugsy O'Leary floored it to Parkland.
To hear the account from the Clint Hill is unforgettable to me. I think what saved him from being run over in that moment was the surge of the mammoth limo forward, when O'Leary mashed the accelerator of the tanklike limo, the rear would have descended, just as Mr. Hill was surging forward, physics, one descending heavily, one leaping powerfully, adrenalin soaked.
Incredible. So yeah. I can take in that moment from any angle and any account.
And yes, JFK rode in a de-facto tank, but he wanted those Texas votes, so the tank did not do him any good with the bubble top off. It was never going to be any other way, he would only have had the top down and he was led into a canyon, and he was snuffed out. And Clint Hill was there for all of it. Great book.
ullrichm's review against another edition
5.0
This is an amazing book! Clint Hill's vivid details describing every moment of the events are incredible. Despite the many articles, books, and films I have read and watched depicting these five days, I still learned new details about the events I never knew. I would highly recommend this book!!