Steve Gillon
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You could fill a large library with books about JFK’s assassination. We’ve even touched on the subject here. The topic of the transfer of power from JFK to LBJ, however, has been neglected. I was under the impression that after JFK was pronounced dead, LBJ took an oath and that was that. As Steve Gillon points out in his terrific new The Kennedy Assassination–24 Hours After. Lyndon B. Johnson’s Pivotal First Day as President (Basic, 2009), that was not that. Rather, the transition was marked by confusion, doubt, anger, mistrust, jealousy, intrigue, and drama of every sort. At the center of it all were two parties–the out-sized president-presumptive, LBJ, and the Kennedy Clan, led by RFK. They were not on good terms. LBJ liked and admired JFK, but he resented the pretense and privilege of the Kennedy Clan. He hated RFK. JFK liked and admired LBJ, but his “people” thought Johnson was a buffoon, and they could not imagine him as president. RFK hated LBJ. JFK managed to kept LBJ and the Clan separated. But he was now dead and the battle was therefore joined. Read all about it in this page-turner of a book.
By the way, the History Channel has made a documentary based on Steve’s book. You can read about it here.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Watched Kennedy Assassination:24 Hours After. Now I am very confused. I read David Lifton’s book Best Evidence quite a few years ago. It was stated in the book that there was an autopsy on JFK’s body in Dallas but in 24 Hours After, it says JFK’s body was taken before autopsy was performed. True or false?
Not being given to conspiracy theories, I’d not expected much of this interview. But it was quite interesting. The limbo in which the Kennedy Clan left LBJ during much of the first day was inexcusable, and given the tensions of the Cold War, could have been deadly.
Mr. Gillon: Saw you on the America series. Excellent!
Before my father passed away in 2003, following his 40 year quest to prepare what one Hearst family member said was the most accurate and detailed accounting of the Hearst family, he wrote a manuscript that included detailed research on the life of George Hearst, the man who created the man (WRH). This mining genius, plainsman, millionaire, senator, etc., is a giant in history whose story has not been told. He is “George…..The Forgotten Hearst. The research has been done, the manuscript has been written. It now needs to be taken to the finish line, e.g., re-write, Book Proposal, Screen Play, et al. Have any suggestions?
John Dunlap
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