Is This Book Necessary?
So Vincent Bugliosi has a new 1632 (!) page book on the JFK assassination, Reclaiming History. He concludes Oswald did it. By himself.
Doesn't everyone know this already?
According to polls, no. In fact, it's pretty clear that this generation is lost--most Americans, not well-informed or perhaps misinformed, will continue to think something fishy happened that day. But once the murder is outside human memory, and the dust can settle, it'll be good to have some books out there that can set the record straight for anyone who wants to check out the evidence.
posted by LAGuy @ 1:42 AM
5 Comments:
I agree that it will be good for later generations to have a book that examines the evidence exhaustively -- as this book purports to do. Bugliosi seems well-qualified to take on the task. But I thought Gerald Posner's "Case Closed" had already done this. I read that book a decade ago, and thought it very convincing. But apparently some people feel he glossed over some evidence (even people who believe in a single shooter).
I did read the Posner book, and thought it was well done. But I guess no book can be long enough to deal with absolutely every question everyone has (though Bugliosi seems to be trying).
At the time, the biggest question I had was the quality of the bullet that did so much damage. Posner did a decent job showing the bullet (which went through Kennedy and didn't fly point-first all the rest of the way) actually was deformed, and not pristine.
Apparently, Bugliosi engages in name-calling, which may be fun to read, but isn't the best was to make a serious argument. Nevertheless, if his argument is good (once you take away the names), that's what counts.
his is New England Guy and I can't sign in (funny how whenever you discuss the Kennedy assassination, this sort of thing happens hmm.....)
Anyway- There will never be a definitive answer on this, because this was a case of real life having too many narrative arcs that look like a movie. I have no reason to doubt either Mr. Posner's and Bugliosi's evidence or conclusions, but privately-written books are easy things to take potshots at. (especially when they support vilified official public reports)- How many people have definitively proven the identity of Jack The Ripper?
The Kennedy conspiracy will continue to exist because it is strongly believed in.(one could say the same thing about UFOs and God (s) but thats another post) The "truth" will be determined by future generations who do not have an immediate connection with events - i.e. when the politics and scandals surrounding the JFK era seem as quaint and removed as the matters surrounding Abraham Lincoln's death in 1865.
I don't know about Jack The Ripper, but people saw Oswald shoot Kennedy. Also, the bullets came from his gun. That's good enough for me.
And try to sign in again, NEGuy, you should be able to make it. Perhaps you'd even like to post something.
You can catch video of Vincent Bugliosi discussing "Reclaiming History" here: www.fora.tv/reclaiminghistory
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