An enjoyable read of a little known attempt to assassinate President Kennedy shortly after his election. The book follows Kennedy during his days in WW II, his run for President and the fact that he was Catholic, and the attempted assassination while he was in Palm Beach. I thought the description of Mamie Eisenhower was fascinating especially since I knew nothing about her. The book does not delve into Kennedy's time as President but is focused on his life up to being sworn in as President.

This books discusses the possibility of JFK's assassination in 1960 by a mad man with a car bomb. It was interesting to read but didn't really give me any aha moments. The story was a bit slow for my taste but I know it will be perfect for a history buff.

Before Dallas, November 22 1963, even before JFK's inauguration, January 20 1960, the controversial President-elect came within moments of being blown up by a dynamite laden Buick driven by an anti-Catholic fanatic ex-postal worker (possibly the first case of someone "going postal").

In The JFK Conspiracy, Josh Mensch and Brad Meltzer tell the story of this plot to kill Kennedy and why it failed. You can look it up on Wikipedia, so I'm not spoiling anything by telling you that just as he was ready to floor it and drive his car into Kennedy's, Jackie unknowingly put herself in the crossfire. The would-be assassin aborted because he did not want her to be collateral damage. In fact, you could just get the whole story on Wikipedia if you wanted to.

But to properly tell the story of this moment that has been relegated to something even less than a historical footnote, despite its gravity, the authors have to provide a lot of background on how JFK came to be a presidential candidate, how he had to overcome anti-Catholic sentiment, and how Jackie Bouvier Kennedy became his future first lady. They do a wonderful job of weaving that tale.

But -- in thanking Net Galley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review, I have to provide a review that is honest. I have to warn readers to read the title carefully and check the summary, because if you're looking for a history of JFK's actual assassination, this is not it.

That shouldn't be an issue, this is still an interesting read, except for the appearance of the word conspiracy in the title. Correct me if I'm wrong, but can you have a conspiracy that involves only one person? And is it a secret plot if the lone wolf plotter tells a fellow postal worker about it, which is how law enforcement learns about the plot? And is it an actual plot when the plotter just kind of wanders around with a car full of dynamite waiting for a chance to blow it up?

So if you're looking for a secret conspiracy like the ones people have speculated endlessly about JFK's actual assassination, you're not going to find it here. Or more simply, if you think this will be about his actual assassination and you're hoping from the title to learn that it actually failed, you're not going to find it here.

(BTW, it is not with flippancy that I write that his actual assassination plot may have failed. I read a book recently that speculates that it did fail, at least insofar as Oswald's shots may not have been fatal, the kill shot possibly discharged accidentally by a hung over Secret Service agent in the trailing vehicle. Yet another JFK conspiracy theory.)

Another problem I have with this book is the use of present tense to tell the story. This is not a novel, although the intent is clearly to make it read like one. But it is history, and parts of the story are quotes from sources that post-date the events and are therefore in the past tense. To mix them in with the present tense narrative was (at least for me) a constant distraction.

These events happened 64 years ago and are so far in the past that literally no one other than historians like Mensch knew it ever happened, overshadowed as it was by a serious air crash that happened on the same day. It would have read better than way, as something that happened well into the past.

I was fortunate enough to read The Nazi Conspiracy by these two authors, which was an excellent account of a failed plot to kill FDR, Churchill, and Stalin, a plot that has also become a mere footnote in history despite its gravity. That was an actual conspiracy, with an incredible back story that needed to be told, including a broad analysis of WWII as a whole.

This story is really just a footnote. It's perfect material for JFK conspiracy completists, but I feel there are better books about the most important parts of this story -- the 1960 election and Jackie Kennedy.

I have in the past few months read four different books that include a lot of JFK in them -- just by happenstance of availability on Net Galley, not because I'm particularly obsessed with him (not that you could tell from this review). Though the others are about the well known aspects of his presidency and assassination, the novelty of this story does not elevate it past the others.

Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch do it again! This is their fourth book together and they just keep getting better. I love how they take a story from history that most people have never heard of and put it to page in a way that reads more like a story compared to most history books. They've done it with Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill, and now they've done it with JFK. Everyone knows JFK was assassinated, but how many knew there was another attempt on his life after being elected and prior to taking office. I had heard how he was the first Catholic President but I never understood why that was such a big deal, but it became much clearer after reading this book. Also, I learned so much about the relationship between him and Jackie that I never realized before. Their relationship was much different than most typical marriages for the time. I was drawn into this novel and had a hard time putting it down. Definitely made me want to learn more about both JFK and Jackie as well. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves history and looking for a good read.

Thank you NetGalley and Flatiron Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review of this book.

#NetGalley #FlatironBooks #BradMeltzer #JoshMensch #JFKConspiracy

The JFK Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch
History is not my usual reading matter, but THIS transcends. I wish my history classes had been even half this interesting. The prose and storytelling are stellar, and the lessons are real. The look behind the scenes added so much context to what I already knew. The cost to family for dedication to public service seems overwhelming, even without the ultimate price, and the courage to keep going is awe-inspiring.
This book took me back to 9th grade, reading HUCK FINN, hearing the shattering announcement of events in Dallas, and thinking that Civil Rights efforts played a part in the assassin’s hatred (still valid IMHO). JFK’s campaign was the first I really paid attention to, and like so many, I was inspired, and then crushed by the loss. I was aware of the “control from Rome” objections, but having been Baptist until age 10 and then Catholic and knowing how little control we ever felt, I dismissed that worry. Hate, though, is an ongoing and even more terrible concern. We need the lessons this book provides.

I recently read The JFK Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch. This nonfiction book is about a plot to kill John F. Kennedy after he was elected but before the inauguration. It was a planned assassination that most people don't know about. Brad Meltzer has a way with history. Even in his fiction books, he has a certain way of relating the importance of a place, time or event. While I favor thrillers I was completely entertained. This well researched story is told in human terms, making me wish all textbooks could be written in this manner. I found myself flipping pages faster and faster, and in tears by the end. We all know what happens to JFK but reading the specifics of a nation's future wasted and a family crushed, seemed so personal.

If you lived through the Kennedy era you should read this, I bet there is lots you don't know. If you weren't around in the early 60's, you should read The JFK Conspiracy to learn more about what we almost had. It will make you wonder if it is still possible and hope for the future.

Despite my loving all Meltzer's books, I think this one will stick with me for a very long time.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch. Your time machine was amazing.

Historians bring us the past so we can learn not to make the same mistakes.

This book was absolutely absorbing with a profound sense of the beauty and darkness detailing the lives of Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy. Two people wanted to bring Americans together for the love of our country.

We know what happened. The question for years was: “Where were you when you heard that President Kennedy was shot?” I was in third grade watching my teacher cry; she was heartbroken in front of the class. For a week, we watched on our black and white TV --the tears, the darkness, the funeral with Jackie covering her face with the black veil with her two children next to her. There were only three channels all showing the same footage. Everyone was in shock.

Jacqueline Kennedy wanted us to remember her life with John F. Kennedy as if they were playing the leading parts of the popular movie, Camelot, where there was great love and tragedy. We know about the Dallas incident that is replayed over and over again. But there was another assassination attempt and this book told the story that was buried in the news.

The writing helps you to understand the key points that happened during this time that are rarely told. It makes the reader remember this period when President Kennedy was hoping to get support for the Civil Rights Movement. He was leading the way for the younger generation to get involved with the Peace Corps.

It’s very well written and one that stays with you. You’d think with all the books over the years that every piece of the Kennedy story has been told. Yet, this provided readers with a renewed sense of what lead up to the day the President was shot

Why now? Why are we reading the JFK story again? Are people paying attention? This is the first book that I’ve read by Brad Meltzer and won’t be the last. I’m now listening to “The Nazi Conspiracy” which is also excellent.

My thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of January 14, 2025.

This was such a interesting nonfiction book about the JFK assassination, it was well written and was invested in learning the information. Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch was able to create a unique take on the JFK assassination and thought the research was well done.

I was so excited when I received an ARC of this book. I admit I have always been fascinated by the JFK conspiracy. I couldn't wait to download this one. I have read books by Meltzer before, and I was not disappointed. This was an excellent deep dive into the whole of the JFK story. I thought it was well researched, and it was written so well. I couldn't put it down. I will be recommending it to other readers. Thank you Net Galley ARC!

JFK is one of those topics that most people think they know a lot about. I was one of those people. The whole JFK era and the Camelot presidency are topics I find very interesting. What can these authors write about that hasn't already been covered in countless other books? Richard Pavlick. I had never heard about this assassination plot before this book. How could this not be common knowledge?

This well written and thoroughly researched book will keep you engaged until the very last page. The material is well organized and presented in an easy to follow manner. As the assassination plot is revealed, you get a first hand look into the lives of the Jack and Jackie in the days leading up to the inauguration. It was very interesting to compare that time period with today's politics.

I have read The Lincoln Conspiracy and was hoping this one would measure up. It definitely does! The Nazi Conspiracy has been on my TBR for a while and just got moved to the top of the list. If you like non fiction and history but feel this topic has been overdone over the decades, don’t be deterred. My suggestion is to give this one a read. You will not be disappointed.