November 22, 1963: Reflections on the Life, Assassination, and Legacy of John F. Kennedy

by Dean R. Owen, Helen Thomas (Foreword)

As the fiftieth anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination draws near, the events of that fateful day will undoubtedly be on the minds of many throughout the world. Here Dean Owen curates a fascinating collection of interviews and thought-provoking commentaries from notable men and women connected to that notorious Friday afternoon. Those who worked closely with the president, civil rights leaders, celebrities, prominent journalists, and political allies are among the nearly one hundred voices asked to share their reflections on the significance of that day and the legacy left behind by John F. Kennedy. A few of the names include: Tom Brokaw, a young reporter in Omaha in 1963Letitia Baldrige, former Chief of Staff to First Lady Jacqueline KennedyCongressman John Lewis, sole survivor of the "Big Six" black leaders who met the president after the March on Washington in August of 1963Cliff Robertson, Academy Award-winning actor who portrayed JFK in PT 109Rev. Billy Graham, evangelistRobert F. Kennedy, Jr.Walter Mondale, U.S Sentaor in 1984 Bob Schieffer, CBS News reporter

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics

384 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Dean R. Owen is an award-winning journalist and with more than thirty years of experience, including working as a reporter and editor in Washington covering Congress, the Supreme Court, and the White House. He was seven years old on Friday, November 22, 1963 and cites the events of that day and their aftermath as the catalyst for his professional career in journalism, public policy and corporate communications. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and International Herald Tribune, as well as on CNN.com and the Huffington Post.

Reviews

[Khairul Hezry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe because I'm not an American, it didn't have a great impact on me. More like an interesting collection of vignettes from people who had dealings with him directly or people who were connected to him in a "six degrees of separation" kinda thing.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been reading books on John F. Kennedy and his assassination for most of my life. One of the first "real" books I read as a young boy was a biography of John F. Kennedy. In the seventh grade, I began reading books about his assassination. There is one whole shelf on my bookshelf at home filled with books about JFK and 11/22/63. This book takes a different perspective. It's not a biography about JFK and it's not about what happened (or may have happened on 11/22/63). Rather it is recollections of people from various walks of life of their memory of John F. Kennedy and of November 22, 1963. Some have personal connections to John F. Kennedy. Some are (or were) leaders of government or the civil rights movement. And some even have personal connections to Lee Harvey Oswald. It was very interesting to read all of the different perspectives regarding how John F. Kennedy and his presidency affected their lives, and more specifically how they felt on November 22, 1963 when he was tragically killed. One which stood out was the White House usher, whose job it was after he learned of John Kennedy's death to order all US flags lowered to half staff. He relayed he happened to be staring out a White House window after he had given the order and saw the flag at the White House being lowered and thought to himself of the magnitude of the order he had given. I would highly recommend this book to those who love to read about John F. Kennedy and his assassination, but if you're looking for a book about the assassination and what happened and why, this isn't the book for you.

[Benjamin Schauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The selected reflections in this book did a wonderful job outlining the character of JFK. It painted him positively and sympathetically, but many of them did not shy away from his inexperience, womanizing, or health concerns. It was quite chilling to hear each one recount the moment they heard he had been shot. Much like 9/11 for my generation, this is one moment that has been forever etched into the memories of Americans alive on that fateful day.

[Charlene McGrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

This was an interesting book on different peoples recollection of JFK and the assassination. I thought it was well organized and well written.

[Patti Gunkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fascinating book to read.

[Edward Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief quick vignette read of an awful day,
A capsulized thought of America as it was 1963.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dean R. Owen gives you more than 300 pages of reflections on JFK; November 22, 1963; Kennedy's life and his legacy. The essays run the gamut from politicians past and present, family members, cabinet members, media members, those who were part of the events of November 22nd and others who were on the fringe of all that.

No offense to the author, it's a great bathroom book where you can read a few excerpts at a time. To read it all in one long sitting would have been too emotional and I think it would have lost some of its impact.

It's fascinating and interesting to read the words of those who admired and those who derided Kennedy. Many mention the failings in his personal life while others choose to ignore them. Most are struck by the unfinished legacy of JFK and wonder how the country would be different especially when it comes to Vietnam and Civil Rights.

Almost all of them cite his inaugural address and the words, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country..." being most quoted. They are stirring words that ring even more eloquently 50 years later.

[Larry Berthold · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 star review is no doubt somewhat reflective of time fame...but, this book was a great way to find myself back to the root of my childhood culture...a great way to put the last 50 years into a framework via anecdotal reflection from some pretty cool folks on the events of Nov 22nd, 1963...and, more vividly, perhaps...the temperature of the country at the time and henceforth. Loved it.

[Debra M Leighty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enlightening read!

Having read several of the biographies on JFK I enjoyed this book so much more than any of the others. It was nice getting the impressions of others who had the chance to meet or work with him. It made him more personable to we who only knew of him.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting collection of memories/reflections on JFK from a wide variety of people who worked with him or knew him in some way.

[Jordan Salinas · Rating 3 out of 5]

7.6/10