Four Days in November: The Original Coverage of the John F. Kennedy Assassination

by The New York Times, Robert B. Semple (Editor), Tom Wicker (Introduction)

The assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas forty years ago remains, and will always remain, indelible in the minds of those old enough to recall it. The youngest elected leader in American history, a charming man leading what seemed a charmed life, by general consensus a president whose administration, having survived its early crises, was now at last hitting its stride, was shot and killed by a sniper firing a mail-order rifle from the southeast corner of the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository. So great was the shock that time seemed to freeze in the squinting glare of late-November sun. For four days in November 1963, the business of the nation ground to a halt.

The coverage provided by The New York Times is still generally considered the most complete of its day. Almost miraculously, Times reporters, writers, and editors produced 250 columns, or about 200,000 words, on and about the very first day. The other three days were no less exhaustive. Through the combined efforts of, among many others, Tom Wicker, James Reston, Max Frankel, Anthony Lewis, Harrison Salisbury, A. M. Rosenthal, and Arthur Gelb, The Times covered history as it was happening, from the assassination to the funeral. Here were the first portraits of Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby, the earliest speculation regarding the prospects of Lyndon Johnson's administration, the immediate reaction from world leaders, and, perhaps most of all, the pulse of a populace reeling from an event that surpassed both understanding and belief.

This commemorative volume provides a haunting, firsthand, and detailed chronology of the events that took place in Dallas and Washington from November 22 to November 25, 1963. Here is history being recorded in the moment---a recitation not just of facts but of emotions and reactions as they were being experienced. The clarity of the writing is matched only by the almost desperate intensity of its occasion. Getting all the news that's fit to print seemed the only way of keeping the world from spinning further into chaos; The Times 's coverage provided not just information but a sense of balance. Though no one would ultimately explain to everyone's satisfaction the why, the who, what, and how were brought with amazing speed and accuracy within our grasp.

f0With an introduction by Tom Wicker and edited by Robert B. Semple Jr., Four Days in November is an extraordinary book. It will serve as an invaluable resource for anyone wanting to remember, to understand, and most of all to feel what it was like, minute by minute, detail by detail, while one of the most traumatic events in recent American history unfolded.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, American History

628 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2003

About the author

The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed internationally. Founded in 1851, the newspaper has won 112 Pulitzer Prizes, more than any other news organization. Its website receives 30 million unique visitors per month.

Reviews

[Donna Erlandson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is priceless too me. I remember where I was when this happened, in High School and the announcement came over the speaker system that our President was dead. Great piece of history

[Lkp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. No way am I reading the 1600 page edition of this, but I am very glad I am wading through this well crafted nonfiction book. The voice of reason sounds throughout. Why doesn't Mr. B run for something, he would get my vote. Or better yet, have him nominated for the Supreme Court. Many details give this whole picture that it took him 20 years to write. Well done, well done. lkp

[Danni · Rating 3 out of 5]

The topic of JFK's assassination is fascinating, and this book left no detail unexplored in the history of the event. Of course, that's great if you're a real student of the assassination, but for a casual reader like me, the details got a bit tedious. However, it wasn't a difficult read, and it kept my interest enough to get through it all. One comment ... many reviewers have said it offers irrefutable proof that there was no conspiracy. I totally don't agree. There's little evidence that there *was* a conspiracy, but there's also no proof that there *wasn't.*

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a through examination of the Kennedy assassination and its aftermath. Author Bugliosi makes the case that Oswald and Oswald alone was JFK's killer. His documentation is painstaking just as you would expect from the Charles Manson prosecutor. That said, his writing style almost makes you think you are reading a novel. Simple to follow. Anyone who has an interest in the JFK assissination must read this book.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four Days in November: The Original Coverage of the John F. Kennedy Assassination was a great choice to read for my book report for history class. I had to read it fast, a 600 page book in two weeks, but I found it very enjoyable. I was never bored while reading it. What really interested me was how the country reacted, and even how it impacted everyone else across the globe. Great, great book.

[Don McDougall]

At times fascinating, at other times; pretty dry, but I guess that's what happens when reading newspaper articles one after another from 1963. Some of the articles are VERY interesting, and others; not so much.

[Robert Ries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent chronicle of the 4 days commencing with the morning of the Kennedy assassination through the burials of JFK and Dallas police officer J D Tippit. Bugliosi breaks down these 4 days with a minute by minute detailing of all the events of those 4 days.

Well worth the time invested!

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Bugliosi and will read anything he writes. This book left me wanting to know more of what he knows and, luckily, there's now a whole other tome (Reclaiming History) waiting for me.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting timeline of assassination following the many players involved

[Carl Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One big conspiracy! Enjoyed the book. Have always been interested in Kennedy assasinations and some of it similarities to Lincoln!

[Patrick Nichol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating slice of American history. It's an incredible example of journalism under intense deadline pressure.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, for those of us who lived through it. Just the actual NY Times coverage of the four days - no comment other than the introduction.