James L. Swanson

{My thoughts} – I have always enjoyed reading non-fiction books based on past events that have helped to shape the history of the United States of America. This book helps to show what it was like for those individuals that were trying to make a difference in a world so different from the one that we are living in today.

Martian Luther King JR. was a phenomenal individual that had a dream. He wanted all races to be able to coexist in the same places. He wanted all races to have the same rights. He wanted a better world for us all to live in. Although his dream helped to shape the world we now live in, it is true that there is still a ton of racism. We may be able to coexist by eating in the same places, working the same jobs, riding the same types of transportation in the same ways, but that doesn’t change how many individuals still treat those that are different differently. There are so many forms of racism out there, for so many different reasons, and despite his best efforts, Martian Luther King JR wasn’t able to make it all go away, but he was able to assist in I suppose helping to make it more tolerable. Although, I don’t think racism is something that should ever be tolerated, I’m not really sure of how else I Can word this.

James Earl Raye, he was an individual that was brought up in a family that prospered from crime. It was no surprise that he’d ended up in prison. It was however, surprising he’d escaped. I still can’t understand why people do the things that people do. Why people hurt others, kill others, treat others like they don’t matter. James Earl Raye had no logical reason for wanting King dead other then he’d decided he was going to kill him and that was that. He killed him, then he went on the run. I am shocked as to how long he’d avoided capture and I am surprised as to how well forensics worked back when this murder had taken place.

There are some things in this book I could have gone a lifetime without reading. The main thing is the description in how the author explains how King had died. When I imagine that taking place in my mind it makes me want to scream out. I can only imagine how horrifying it was for those that were present to have witnessed King’s final moments.

I highly recommend this book for anyone that enjoys reading about history. I think that anyone that is more interested in learning about King’s story will also enjoy reading this book. I think it could make a great addition to any school or child’s library.… (more)

I read this in one sitting (on an airplane) and cried at the end (flying makes me emotional). Oh, Jackie! I cried for her. I was so moved to learn that she wouldn't change clothes or leave the president's body until they were home and secure. Before reading this book I often thought of Jackie as a woman betrayed by a philandering husband, but this makes me think that her marriage was loving and JFK deserved her devotion.

I also liked that this book had zero conspiracy theories, but addressed them in the epilogue.

My only real criticism of this book is how harshly Lee Harvey Oswald is treated in the text. Obviously, he was not a good person, but the author calls him a loser and points out how terrible he was as a husband, father, marine, and just generally as a person. I wonder if he could've taken a less hostile approach and done some research into whether he was mentally ill and needed help rather than pile scorn on top of scorn. I'm not saying that LHO doesn't deserve some scorn. He was a murderer. I'm just saying that parts of the book read like a screed against LHO, and I don't think that's a useful tone to take.

One more thing: Is this adapted from [b:End of Days The Assassination of John F. Kennedy|18269355|End of Days The Assassination of John F. Kennedy|James L. Swanson|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1377278264s/18269355.jpg|24034708] for a younger audience? I'm not sure.… (more)