🎧The JFK Conspiracy🎧
By: Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch
Narrated By: Scott Brick
Review Score: 4 Stars

Boogie’s Bulletpoints
•Nonfiction
•Fast paced and engaging
•Follows an attempted attempt on JFK’s life
•Also covers the shooting in Dallas

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The JFK Conspiracy was kindly provided as an ALC by NetGalley and MacMillan Audio. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy this wonderful book!

Y’all, this was such an interesting book. Before JFK was inaugurated, he was already being targeted for his religion, his politics, and his youth. This book tells the story of how Kennedy was the target of an assassination attempt even before he was Inaugurated.

The book goes through Kennedy’s rise to presidency, all while Richard Pavlick goes through his own plan to kill Kennedy, and why it doesn’t happen.

The story is nonfiction, but it’s so interesting that it reads like fiction (I feel like Meltzer’s books are often this way, which is awesome).

I highly recommend you check this book out. It is so incredibly interesting.

Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch’s 'The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy—and Why It Failed' unearths a lesser-known chapter in American history—the 1960 assassination attempt on President-elect John F. Kennedy by Richard Pavlick. This meticulously researched narrative not only delves into the intricacies of the foiled plot but also offers a vivid portrayal of the political climate of the era. The authors’ engaging storytelling transforms historical events into a compelling thriller, shedding light on a moment that could have dramatically altered the course of history.

The audiobook, narrated by Scott Brick, enhances the experience with his dynamic delivery, capturing the tension and urgency of the narrative. Whether you’re a JFK history enthusiast like I am, or new to this facet of JFK’s story, this audiobook offers an interesting and gripping exploration of a nearly forgotten conspiracy.

Fascinating book! Lots of interesting information that I didn’t know told in a very palatable way. I was captivated from the beginning and it held my attention throughout. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was amazing! Highly recommend this one, especially in audiobook.

This was definitely something that I did not know about before reading this book so that was interesting to learn. I don’t always go for the history books, but I was pleasantly surprised by this book and the authors. I recommend this book if you like history or little-known events.

"The JFK Conspiracy" details a pre-inauguration assassination attempt on John F. Kennedy by Richard Pavlick. Meltzer and Mensch present a well-researched account of Pavlick's plot and the circumstances surrounding it. Pavlick, a disgruntled former postal worker, was driven by a deep-seated resentment of Kennedy and his family. He viewed Kennedy as a threat to traditional American values and blamed him for his own personal failures. This resentment festered into a plan to detonate explosives near Kennedy, effectively a suicide mission. The book effectively highlights this lesser-known chapter in Kennedy's history, offering a compelling narrative that maintains a steady pace. The authors provide sufficient historical context, allowing readers to understand the political climate of the time. While not a deep dive into conspiracy theories, the book offers a clear and concise exploration of a significant near-miss. Recommended for those interested in American history and the Kennedy presidency.

There is so much of JFK's life that, even growing up several decades after his death, I feel are well known and frequently discussed. The background of the other attempts on Kennedy's life, the perfect storm of other chaos going on between the election and inauguration, some of the other precautions that became necessary and also, simply how much that the recent technology boom effected the election and the media storm afterward as well. The absolute scrutiny was unreal, even by today standards. I love the background and the detail but also the putting all of the information in context as much as possible helped for someone who is only able to witness this history in retrospect. Loved it.

#arc
#netgalley
#thejfkconspiracy

Call it 3.5 stars.
This latest Conspiracy by Meltzer, like the previous entries in this "series," describes a previously little-known attempt on the life of an American president. Similar to the events in Meltzer's book about Abraham Lincoln, this attempt came before JFK assumed the presidency, while he was still President-elect in late 1960. While the perpetrator was arrested and news about the near-miss was published at the time, an airport disaster dominated the headlines, obscuring the news stories about what nearly happened.
I felt this was a weaker entry to the series, partly due to its shorter length, but primarily because the conspiracy was limited to one man's machinations, not a group of conspirators. Furthermore, the final chapters of the book focus on JFK's actual assassination, which still fascinates us but has almost no bearing on the events in 1960.
Meltzer and Mensch truly make history read like thrillers. Brick's narration is stellar and adds much to the experience. Recommended

The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy--and Why It Failed regales the little-known attempt to assassinate the 35th President of the United States a month before he was sworn into office by an anti-Catholic zealot. Like its 2023 predecessor, The Nazi Conspiracy, this is a story without much meat on the bone. The would-be assassin acted alone and was thwarted easily, without ever getting the chance to draw out his weapon. Because of this, The JFK Conspiracy primarily reverts to being another fawning biography of the doomed Kennedy clan. History is complicated because people are complicated, but in the year 2025, this primarily uncritical analysis of a man who would today be considered a predator and whose family acted like a mob (both of which are merely alluded to in this book) feels both tired and disappointing. Meltzer is unquestionably a talented writer and storyteller, but its past time for something new.

Before JFK became the 35th president, there was an assassination attempt.

This was a snapshot of back in time. Between the words written and the narrator, I could see different events play out. I felt as if I was there, in real time walking through the different situations. I understand more of Jackie and the stress she was under at that time.

The narrator gave us a good balance of interest and factual tone. He was not boring but intriguing.

I highly recommend reading or listening to the audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book.

I'm a huge fan of Brad Meltzer! I was very excited to receive an advance audiobook copy of The JFK Conspiracy.

As with his other Conspiracy books, this one has so much new (to me) information. It's a must read (or listen) for anyone interested in history, or just the facts around JFK.

The narration is very well done. And as always, perfect pairing with Josh Mensch.

Loved it. This read almost like a thriller and I couldn’t put it down! I honestly wasn’t aware of this (earlier and unsuccessful) assassination attempt on President Kennedy that happened after he was elected but before he was inaugurated. The audiobook narrator was great. I’ve read previous books by Brad Metzler and enjoyed them as well. I will definitely read anything he writes in the future!

On December 11, 1960, president-elect John F. Kennedy was at his home in Palm Beach, Florida. As he exited his home, Richard Pavlick pulled up in his Buick with 7 sticks of dynamite, intent on killing the president. What events led up to Pavlick and Kennedy crossing paths? In this book, Meltzer covers Kennedy’s rise to fame, his philandering ways, the attempts from other religious parties to undermine Kennedy on the campaign trail, and factors that contributed to the attempt. Told in alternating point of view, readers also get a glimpse into Pavlick, his anti-Catholic view, and what led him to be in the Buick with dynamite.

Narrator, Scott Brick is an engaging narrator who brings to life the world of the 1960s. His intonations an narrative pace are lively and draw the listener in. The book is well-researched, well-written, and shed light on parts of history that aren’t well-known. Listeners who like Brad Meltzer’s other books, JFK era books, and non-fiction will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.

(ALC provided by NetGalley) This book was so well done! The writing was concise and focused throughout. The parallels to our currently political climate outlined in this book are startling, making it clear how important it is for us to continue reading and writing about history. I was pleasantly surprised by the positive way in which Jackie is described. Women in history are generally not acknowledged for their sacrifices and contributions.

Excellent read, highly suggest. The audio was really great, too.

This book was an absorbing and profound story of the darkness of John and Jacqueline Kennedy. It’s amazing how a good writer can bring history to life. This book helps you understand key points of history that is not well known. I wish my history classes through school were half as interesting and informative as this book was. It had me flipping pages and rushing home from work to read more.

I was born well after the time of JFK but the history of his assassination has always interested me due to the conspiracy theories that abound from it. It gives you behind the scenes look of not only the election but also into his family life. I feel like we get a personal look into their lives and how the assassination changed the family forever.

I feel like in this day and age we need the lessons this book provides us so that history does not repeat itself. Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the authors for this audiobook!

Wow! I absolutely loved this book! This is the story of Richard Pavlick, a disgruntled postal worker who stalks and attempts to kill Kennedy before his inauguration. This little known slice of history is rich in detail and reads like a suspense book rather than typical historical fiction. It was truly a page turner from beginning to end. I can’t wait to recommend this book!

There is nothing better for a history enthusiast than a nonfiction book a subject that remains highly mysterious to day.

I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to enjoy this book. Reading anything JFK can often feel repetitive and, as it seems everything already been said. However, this book provided a fresh perspective with different researchers involved. It covers a little-known event surrounding JFK and the failed assassination attempt on his life. The strikes a good balance between presenting facts about man before and during his presidency, without becoming overwhelming or making the reader regret it. This story keeps reader engaged and encourages further reading and learning.

This is a very well written book. I love this author and he gives an accurate account of historical events. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of documentaries or historical non-fiction.

Great book that reads like fiction.

This is my second audiobook by these two authors and they really do write great history. I listened to the audiobook and Scott Brick did a great job with the narration.

The JFK Conspiracy is about a plan to assassinate JFK after he was elected president and before he was inaugurated. There is much more history in this book than just this one event. There is information about what the US was like around 1960, how we felt and accepted citizens with different religions. There was an interesting section on JFK during WWII, he really was a hero. I have even seen the movie but this book really made me think about what JFK did for his men.

No book on JFK would be complete without information on Jackie and the kids. This is a book that shares all aspects of JFK. There is also detailed information about the man that decided it was worth losing his life to keep JFK from being president of the US. I am so thankful that this plot to kill Kennedy was not successful.

This book was everything I expected it to be. This particular subject has always been of great interest to me. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
Of course narration was excellent!

A great telling of a little-known account in our nation's history. I enjoyed hearing of the special relationship between Jacqueline Kennedy and her Secret Service agent, Clint. The story was told without sugar coating any flaws or inflating any narratives.

I wasn't a fan of the narrator but I got used to him as the audiobook went on.