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The Last Days Series #2
Kennedy's Last Days: The Assassination That Defined a Generation
On a sunny day in Dallas, Texas, at the end of a campaign trip, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy is assassinated by an angry, lonely drifter named Lee Harvey Oswald. The former Marine Corps sharpshooter escapes briefly, but is hunted down, captured, and then shot dead while in police custody.
Kennedy's Last Days is a gripping account of the events leading up to the most notorious crime of the twentieth century. Author Bill O'Reilly vividly describes the Kennedy family's life in the public eye, the crises facing the president around the world and at home, the nation's growing fascination with their vigorous, youthful president, and finally, the shocking events leading up to his demise.
Adapted from Bill O'Reilly's best-selling historical thriller Killing Kennedy, with an unforgettable cast of characters, page-turning action, and art on every spread, Kennedy's Last Days is history that reads like a thriller. This exciting book will captivate adults and young readers alike.
Kennedy's Last Days is a gripping account of the events leading up to the most notorious crime of the twentieth century. Author Bill O'Reilly vividly describes the Kennedy family's life in the public eye, the crises facing the president around the world and at home, the nation's growing fascination with their vigorous, youthful president, and finally, the shocking events leading up to his demise.
Adapted from Bill O'Reilly's best-selling historical thriller Killing Kennedy, with an unforgettable cast of characters, page-turning action, and art on every spread, Kennedy's Last Days is history that reads like a thriller. This exciting book will captivate adults and young readers alike.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published June 11, 2013
About the author
Bill O'Reilly
67 books3,076 followersBill O'Reilly's success in broadcasting and publishing is unmatched. The iconic anchor of The O'Reilly Factor led the program to the status of the highest rated cable news broadcast in the nation for sixteen consecutive years. His website BillOReilly.com is followed by millions all over the world.
In addition, he has authored an astonishing 12 number one ranked non-fiction books including the historical "Killing" series. Mr. O'Reilly currently has 17 million books in print.
Bill O'Reilly has been a broadcaster for 42 years. He has been awarded three Emmys and a number of other journalism accolades. He was a national correspondent for CBS News and ABC News as well as a reporter-anchor for WCBS-TV in New York City, among other high-profile jobs.
Mr. O'Reilly received two other Emmy nominations for the movies "Killing Kennedy" and "Killing Jesus."
He holds a history degree from Marist College, a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University, and another master’s degree from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Bill O'Reilly lives on Long Island where he was raised. His philanthropic enterprises have raised tens of millions for people in need and wounded American veterans.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/billor...
In addition, he has authored an astonishing 12 number one ranked non-fiction books including the historical "Killing" series. Mr. O'Reilly currently has 17 million books in print.
Bill O'Reilly has been a broadcaster for 42 years. He has been awarded three Emmys and a number of other journalism accolades. He was a national correspondent for CBS News and ABC News as well as a reporter-anchor for WCBS-TV in New York City, among other high-profile jobs.
Mr. O'Reilly received two other Emmy nominations for the movies "Killing Kennedy" and "Killing Jesus."
He holds a history degree from Marist College, a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University, and another master’s degree from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Bill O'Reilly lives on Long Island where he was raised. His philanthropic enterprises have raised tens of millions for people in need and wounded American veterans.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/billor...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
August 4, 2020
This was a perfect introduction into understanding the situation surrounding Kennedy’s assassination and the backstory to Oswald and his reasoning behind his killing. The layout of the book was ideal for this kind of story.
Proper review to come.
Proper review to come.
July 18, 2024
”Don’t let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment, that was known as Camelot.”
― Bill O'Reilly, Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot
Spot on retelling of those last fateful days of JFK’s life.
Having already read the longer version of these events in this authors Killing series, giving it all the stars, I was fairly certain on how this would go. In my humble opinion, no one does this sort of breaking down of significant historical events, and people, better than Bill O'Reilly.
A good, short and concise telling of one of the most significant events in most of our lifetimes.
Highly recommend the audio version ✔️
― Bill O'Reilly, Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot
Spot on retelling of those last fateful days of JFK’s life.
Having already read the longer version of these events in this authors Killing series, giving it all the stars, I was fairly certain on how this would go. In my humble opinion, no one does this sort of breaking down of significant historical events, and people, better than Bill O'Reilly.
A good, short and concise telling of one of the most significant events in most of our lifetimes.
Highly recommend the audio version ✔️
January 22, 2018
This book really showed me a lot of inside information on John F. Kennedy’s life and how hard it really was, not only as an adult but as a child. I never knew much on John F. Kennedy’s life my whole life but, after I read this book I knew lots of details on him. The book described his successes and his failures as the president, it also gave lots of information of the assassin that shot and killed President Kennedy, Lee Harvey Oswald. It reminded of another biography of a world war ll veteran Unbroken. In Unbroken the soldier is imprisoned by Japanese soldiers and nearly tortured to death, but near the end of the war he is rescued by American soldiers. I would recommend this book to people looking for background information on John F. Kennedy.
June 20, 2013
I don't agree with much of what O'Reilly has to say, but I have to admit that he writes a thorough, engaging book. This is a younger readers' companion to his adult bestseller, and a title that should be in every school library. Very comprehensive and straight-forward, with excellent research and resources.
April 10, 2017
A good summary of "Killing Kennedy". Adapted for young adults, or adults like me that want to read the book but are short on time!
April 19, 2023
A day I will never forget.... I was ten. Good factual book.
March 8, 2018
Good book about the presidency and assassination of John F Kennedy. It has pictures of the white house and pictures with Jackie and John Kennedy. It also has information and pictures of Lee Harvey Oswald, the person who killed a JFK.
June 11, 2024
Very good overview of JFK and the assassination. Includes photos, documents, and some Kennedy family history. I read this heading into a tour of Dealey Plaza and a visit to LBJ’s presidential library in Waco. Very informative summary.
April 4, 2018
3.5 stars. I hate abridged books!! But this one was good. I'm loving these historical books by Mr O'Reilly. I wonder if he's related to Oh, oh, oh, O'Reilly Autoparts.. However, I don't know how much to believe in this book because of all the conspiracies that are out there. People keeping secrets from each other. I hate secrets. Call me Finnick Odair (click on the link to watch him say his favorite word). You can't ever know the know the truth in life. What I need is a list of all the facts-one paragraph each. And then a list of all the conspiracies-no more than half a page each. Simple, not complex. Unlike our tax codes and laws. Even Wikipedia has too much information there that gets you overwhelmed.
But I think it would have been neat to have lived as a young adult during these times. Better yet, it'd be neat to be one of the three Nephites so I could experience all of life since 34 AD and onward.
Stuff I didn't know:
-Lee Harvey Oswald was such a staunch Soviet and communist.
-He had an IQ of 118. But who doesn't have one that high these days?
-People were in favor of the Vietnam war back in the early days.
-Lee Harvey Oswald wanted to be a great man that is known throughout the world.
-The weather was rainy that morning. Had it not cleared up, their car would have had the roof on and he wouldn't have gotten shot. But he might have lost Texas' vote, though.
-Oswald died from one ney-ney gut shot wound. What a wimp. All the people he killed took multiple bullets for them to be stopped.
Things I learned about Kennedy:
-He had chronic back pain and wore a back brace all the time and often used a cane or crutches. However he hid that from the public. And had he not been wearing the brace while driving through Dallas he would have leaned farther forward after the first shot he received and Oswald would have missed that second fatal shot.
-He was a war hero in WWII.
-He established the Navy Seals.
I wonder if Kennedy didn't make the goal of putting a man on the moon by the end of the century if it would have actually happened. Like the self imposed limit of the 4 minute mile.
Was there an uproar of gun control after this event? Baby Boomers, help me out on this one.
But I think it would have been neat to have lived as a young adult during these times. Better yet, it'd be neat to be one of the three Nephites so I could experience all of life since 34 AD and onward.
Stuff I didn't know:
-Lee Harvey Oswald was such a staunch Soviet and communist.
-He had an IQ of 118. But who doesn't have one that high these days?
-People were in favor of the Vietnam war back in the early days.
-Lee Harvey Oswald wanted to be a great man that is known throughout the world.
-The weather was rainy that morning. Had it not cleared up, their car would have had the roof on and he wouldn't have gotten shot. But he might have lost Texas' vote, though.
-Oswald died from one ney-ney gut shot wound. What a wimp. All the people he killed took multiple bullets for them to be stopped.
Things I learned about Kennedy:
-He had chronic back pain and wore a back brace all the time and often used a cane or crutches. However he hid that from the public. And had he not been wearing the brace while driving through Dallas he would have leaned farther forward after the first shot he received and Oswald would have missed that second fatal shot.
-He was a war hero in WWII.
-He established the Navy Seals.
I wonder if Kennedy didn't make the goal of putting a man on the moon by the end of the century if it would have actually happened. Like the self imposed limit of the 4 minute mile.
Was there an uproar of gun control after this event? Baby Boomers, help me out on this one.
April 21, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed the last Bill O'Reilly history book that I read. With my fascination with JFK, this seemed like it would be another great read. I loved the intricate details about JFK and LHO as the stage was set for 11/22/63. The photographs included in this book were perfect and enhanced the already well-written history.
One detail that I feel should have been included was the part about Jackie climbing onto the back of the limosine after the fatal shot came. There was a picture, but for as second-by-second as this section was written, no mention was made about that detail, which I think speaks to the proposed direction of that shot. There was also not much mention of the various theories and conspiracies that grew out of this event.
I did, however, appreciate the additional information at the end of the book. This was a terrific read, and I'm already looking forward to picking up another of O'Reilly's history books.
One detail that I feel should have been included was the part about Jackie climbing onto the back of the limosine after the fatal shot came. There was a picture, but for as second-by-second as this section was written, no mention was made about that detail, which I think speaks to the proposed direction of that shot. There was also not much mention of the various theories and conspiracies that grew out of this event.
I did, however, appreciate the additional information at the end of the book. This was a terrific read, and I'm already looking forward to picking up another of O'Reilly's history books.
April 26, 2018
“Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us”
“Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce”.
Bill O’Reilly has horrible accusations towards him and for me it can be difficult to put those accusations aside and focus on his craftsmanship of writing. I’ll be the first to admit that my knowledge in the history category is weak and this book helped fill the gaps and refresh what I did know. Well written book.
“Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce”.
Bill O’Reilly has horrible accusations towards him and for me it can be difficult to put those accusations aside and focus on his craftsmanship of writing. I’ll be the first to admit that my knowledge in the history category is weak and this book helped fill the gaps and refresh what I did know. Well written book.
August 31, 2021
I don’t agree with much of anything Bill O’Reilley says but he seems to stick to the facts in this book. A quick read, I can’t say I learned anything new about Kennedy or his assassination but the images and shortness of the retelling kept me interested.
July 21, 2020
Very informative. While I’m sure there is still so very much more to learn, this provided a very interesting way to learn about this devastating event in American history.
July 9, 2022
Short, full of information about the time period and events leading up to the assassination. I just visited Dallas and saw the spot on the road where JFK was killed, so it was extra interesting to me.
January 21, 2015
Nicely done! A quick read and very informative. I didn't know it was Juvenile literature when I acquired it, but it was still a good read. I've asked a lot of people who were alive back then, and they all remember the details as well as I remember 9/11...and where I was, and what I was doing at the time. I'm going to preview "Lincoln's Last Days" and hope to use it in my classes when we get to that era.
September 23, 2014
This book was a very good book. In the beginning of the book he introduces explains what happened when he was in the marines. Towards the middle of the book it explains the way that Lee Harvey Oswald got to the place where he shot Kennedy. Closer to the end it gets into some detail on how and what happened when he is shot. Over all, I thought that this was a good book.
Read
December 31, 2015Very factual, gut wrenching reenactment of the most horrific assassination of the 20th century. Best part of the book is that it clearly establishes that Oswald did murder our most beloved president JFK! Would have liked more follow up on post assassination Kennedy trials and tribulations
May 17, 2016
I don't agree with a lot of what the author says, but overall it was a very engaging book.
December 6, 2016
So interesting.....and put so much history together. Sad story.
January 9, 2019
I read Bill O' Reilly's Killing Kennedy but decided there was too much sexual content in it for some of the young teens that would be using my history curriculum (that I am creating for homeschoolers). Kennedy's Last Days is adapted from Killing Kennedy and is much more appropriate for less mature teens (and even an appropriate and easy read for adults). The sexual content was taken completely out (and things like the fact that Kennedy used to swim naked, Martin Luther King was unfaithful to his wife, the graphic murder of Emmett Till, etc), and the text was abridged with kid-friendly details added in (like info about inventions, foods, fashions, music, and more). It is also stuffed full of photos and some terrific maps that help break up the text and add context. It's a MUCH easier and faster read (with all of the important information left in). Kennedy's assassination does have some gory detail, but it's toned way down from the original book.
The cons - it lacks all of the "juicy details" of the other book and is lacking in the detail of events. Since it was adapted for younger readers, though, this is entirely appropriate.
Highly recommended for students wanting to learn about Kennedy or for adults who want a quick, illustrated read when brushing up on some basic history. I would even recommend it to an adult who has read or wants to read Killing Kennedy - for the photographs and maps alone. :-)
The cons - it lacks all of the "juicy details" of the other book and is lacking in the detail of events. Since it was adapted for younger readers, though, this is entirely appropriate.
Highly recommended for students wanting to learn about Kennedy or for adults who want a quick, illustrated read when brushing up on some basic history. I would even recommend it to an adult who has read or wants to read Killing Kennedy - for the photographs and maps alone. :-)
October 30, 2018
John F. Kennedy, one of America’s greatest presidents, was brutally gunned down in Dallas on November 22, 1963. In Kennedy’s Last Days by Bill O’Riley, the life of Kennedy is spread over 300 pages of pride, love, hate, and betrayal. Lee Harvey Oswald, Kennedy’s killer, is a communist sympathizer in Dallas. We all know what happens next from history class, a recipe for disaster.
This book is liked by many people, and I’m one. It’s a very well written, factual book that presents many more parts to the story and the events leading up to the murder of the president. It starts back far enough so that the reader learns something about Kennedy and is in such detail that even on my second readthrough, I still picked up new things. John F. Kennedy is a very likeable man as presented in this book, with his opposition very clearly against him. I would without a doubt recommend this book to anyone that enjoys history. It’s pretty similar to the book Killing Kennedy, but is different enough to be its own book, even though its by the same author. To conclude, I enjoyed reading this book very much, and would give it a 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history.
This book is liked by many people, and I’m one. It’s a very well written, factual book that presents many more parts to the story and the events leading up to the murder of the president. It starts back far enough so that the reader learns something about Kennedy and is in such detail that even on my second readthrough, I still picked up new things. John F. Kennedy is a very likeable man as presented in this book, with his opposition very clearly against him. I would without a doubt recommend this book to anyone that enjoys history. It’s pretty similar to the book Killing Kennedy, but is different enough to be its own book, even though its by the same author. To conclude, I enjoyed reading this book very much, and would give it a 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history.
December 25, 2021
Very enjoyable easy read. Plenty of pictures. It takes a good though not in depth view of the life of JFK. A life cut way too short by a wannbe Communist who despite living through the squalor of socialism, seemed dedicated to his foolish beliefs.
Enjoy most of O'Reilly books, everyone I have read has offered new insights and made me more aware of the era and individual the book was focused upon.
But there was one glaring mistake, at least for a military guy. Perhaps I should get past what was really a minor mistake. Somehow JFK was referred to as a 2nd Lt commanding PT 109. He was a Navy officer not Marine or Army, the Navy grade of O-1 is called an Ensign. JFK was a Lt Junior Grade, an O-2 (thus 2 mistakes), when he commanded PT 109. Oddly, at the end of the book is pictures of the PT 109 crew and JFK's rank is correct there. I know, I know, I'm nit picking
So ignore that flub, it's a good read.
Enjoy most of O'Reilly books, everyone I have read has offered new insights and made me more aware of the era and individual the book was focused upon.
But there was one glaring mistake, at least for a military guy. Perhaps I should get past what was really a minor mistake. Somehow JFK was referred to as a 2nd Lt commanding PT 109. He was a Navy officer not Marine or Army, the Navy grade of O-1 is called an Ensign. JFK was a Lt Junior Grade, an O-2 (thus 2 mistakes), when he commanded PT 109. Oddly, at the end of the book is pictures of the PT 109 crew and JFK's rank is correct there. I know, I know, I'm nit picking
So ignore that flub, it's a good read.
October 27, 2020
Kennedy's Last Days: the Assassination That Defined a Generation (The Last Days Series) by Bill O'Reilly (Henry Holt and Company 2013) (973.922092) (3474).
This is an expanded companion volume to the title Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot (Bill O'Reilly's Killing Series) by Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard (Henry Holt and Co. LLC 2012) (973.922092). The instant volume adds documentary evidence to the relatively spare text of Killing Kennedy by including hundreds of supporting photographs. In this case, the photos truly add spice to the stew. Some additional text has been added as well which mostly offers a glimpse of popular culture during the Camelot years.
I read Killing Kennedy first. I suggest reading Kennedy's Last Days instead.
My rating: 7/10, finished 10/26/20 (3474).
December 4, 2017
I gave Kennedy's Last Day's a 4 star for the main reason that it has something that doesn't openly show but has an intensity to it.The book gives details that show what happened will he was President,and what were the extreme moments that had happend after his assassination.I didn't give it its 5 star because I feel that it was moving a bit to fast and that it didn't give the reader time to process all the information that was given.Somethings that was good was how if the author gave a fact that we didn't know if it had background origin,Bill would tell us what impact it has.It would also give posters that gave more background information.
December 4, 2017
Although I only got 3/4 of the way through the book I didn't really like it .I didn't like it because sometimes it gave information that wasn't really needed or that the reader like myself didn't really care to much about it . Like for example it told me that J.F.K was the youngest President to ever serve as President . I am not really gonna need to know that to move on in life .In life you wont really need to know who was the oldest or youngest President . This author would also end chapters in cliffhangers at times I wanted to know what would happen next. I honestly think the author could have done a better job with this book.
June 24, 2021
Bill O’Reilly does a fantastic job of portraying the events in the life of President John F. Kennedy leading up to his assignation. This abridged version of his book, “Killing Kennedy,” is a perfect way for younger audiences to learn of the accomplishments and failures faced by JFK in the years leading up to, and surrounding, his assassination. “Kennedy’s Last Days” is a brilliant glimpse into the life of the President, his family, and the man accused of killing him, Lee Harvey Oswald. It is an easy-to-read, historically accurate, thorough portrayal of this devastating event that touched the hearts of all Americans in 1963.
November 12, 2020
Although this book seems to have been written for middle school aged young adults I still found it very insightful, even learning a few things about the Kennedy era and possibly re-learning a few facts about him and the circumstances surrounding his assassination that I’ve forgotten.
Great pictures, interesting asides about the 60’s, the Kennedy family and key historical figures of the day offer a lot of fodder to inspire readers to dig deeper. Kennedy’s inaugural address is included in it’s entirety and, perhaps, will inspire those who are unfamiliar with it.
Great pictures, interesting asides about the 60’s, the Kennedy family and key historical figures of the day offer a lot of fodder to inspire readers to dig deeper. Kennedy’s inaugural address is included in it’s entirety and, perhaps, will inspire those who are unfamiliar with it.
February 23, 2022
I’m not going to lie, I was a little hesitant about reading a Bill O’Reilly book because I knew nothing about his writing style and was curious if his writing would be overly biased when it comes to political matters/undertones. I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed this book. It was short, concise, and I learned a lot about the Kennedy family as well as Lee Harvey Oswald’s background which I knew little about. I enjoyed the writing and I felt O’Reilly did a great job telling the story. This makes me want to read “Killing Kennedy” next to see if it is just as enjoyable.
March 8, 2024
Bill O’Reilly’s Kennedy’s Last Days: The Assassination that Defined a Generation reads like a condensed version of his Killing Kennedy book as just highlights from this have been edited to reduce the amount of text into a much smaller body of work. There is little evidence that any new information has been added to this effort; it has only been repackaged. This version may be for people who want to just focus on the assassination as opposed to Kennedy’s achievements while in office as well. Regardless, it is a quick read, or listen as I did, and quite informative.
January 9, 2021
Fascinating and sad walk-through of President Kennedy's life with a focus on the weeks leading up to his assassination. I didn't realize that Jackie was only 34 years old when her husband was killed, or that they'd buried their baby son just 3 months earlier. It makes her quiet dignity in the aftermath so much more impressive. The light at the end is that, though his life was cut short, he left an incredible legacy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews