Customer Reviews

JFK and Sam: The Connection Between the Giancana and Kennedy Assassinations

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is an outstanding book. It reads nicely and easily and gives a good overview of the case, also for beginners. This should not come as a surprise from me as I conversed a lot with author John Hughes and shared some of my research and materials for this book. Nevertheless a few tiny errors slipped into the last two chapters that deal with confessed grassy knoll shooter James E. Files. Such as that he used a .221 bullet, while in fact it was a .222 bullet. But these small errors are forgivable since they don't take away from the big picture, although the involvement of the CIA and the highest elements of US government could have been emphasized more. But then again, any child can grasp that Organized Crime alone could not have executed this coup d' état, not to mention its cover-up.

Five stars.

Wim Dankbaar

- author "Files on JFK"

Absolutely astonishing. Being new to the whole Kennedy assignation field of study this book was my first introduction to this intriguing subject. I was so fascinated by the information presented by the book I was even inspired to purchase the DVD of the taped interview with "Deadeye". I would highly recommend this book largely due to the fact it has kindled an interest in me I never thought I would have. I am still amazed at the idea that the man responsible for the shooting of JFK is alive and well in a prison in Joliet, IL. Even more remarkable is the thought that the world doesn't know

The most important fact discussed in this book is JFK's violent lurch to his left after being struck in the right temple by a bullet fired from the area of the grassy knoll (or the picket fence behind it).
It was at least 12 years before the public was permitted to see the complete sequence of the Zapruder film including this reaction to the impact. If this complete version of the film had been available at the time of the assassination, people would simply not have bought the official conclusion that Kennedy's wounds resulted from a shot from behind because it is obvious that the shot had to come from in front.
Apologists for the single-bullet theory have tried to explain-away this movement claiming it was due to some kind of neurological reflex but the author - a professor of neurology who is director of clinical neurophysiology at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago and who has authored seven books and more than 500 scientific articles about the brain and its functions - says this kind of reflex simply does not exist. He cites in addition two other experts in the field (page 193)supporting this claim.

There is much detail revealed on the motives of the mob figures involved, as well as apparent involvement of J. Edgar Hoover and at least some members of the CIA. The participation of Sam Giancanna's daughter, Antoinette in the authorship of the book adds considerable interest and altho there could be a better editing job (some un-necessary repitition is noted), the book makes sense throughout and even reveals the author's opinion that a confessed felon currently in an Illinois penitentiary is the real assassin.
This book is important.

The who-killed-JFK story seemingly continues to unfold, no matter how many times various authors try to lay it to rest. I enjoyed reading Chuck and Sam Giancana's "Double Cross: The Explosive, Inside Story of the Mobster Who Controlled America," and felt that was a more visceral discussion of events leading up to the JFK murder; however, the two earlier Giancanas finger mobster Johnny Roselli as JFK's assassin. Antoinette Giancana, on the other hand, insists the trigger man was James Files, who fired a shot from a Remington Fireball XP-100 from the grassy knoll. Files was set to be interviewed on an NBC documentary, but when they asked a professional to vet File's story, the investigator reported: "In brief, NBC retained me as a consultant for their planned story on Files. I hired the detective firm of Jules Kroll. JK established from telephone records Files was in Chicago, not Dallas, on November 22, 1963. We then placed a call to Files from Dick Clark's office (DC was producer), and I interviewed Files about Kroll findings. He said he had a twin brother, who no one knew about, and whom he met shortly before November 22, and who he murdered after November 22. He said it was his twin brother in hospital with his wife, not him. His wife, however, said there was no twin, and Kroll confirmed there was no twin. My view then and now is that Files invented the story for the money it would earn him."

A twin brother? Pleeeeeeeassse!

So we have three Giancanas, two stories. Which to believe?

I still lean towards Johnny Roselli. Rosselli began to brag that he was the trigger man some years later and ended up dismembered in an oil drum in the Atlantic. Files, at least at the time of the printing of "JFK and Sam," is still alive and is serving time in an Illinois prison. That he's still alive belies the notion that he's the killer.

The lack of details in this book is the weak link. It's boring and bland and not particularly well written, and it also has holes that an aircraft carrier could sail through. She claims that in 1987, a fellow by the name of John C. Rademacher found the shell casing used by Files in some dirt along a fenceline in Dealey Plaza. Files said he bit the shell casing and, lo, this casing had a bite mark in it!

This is too much.

Antoinette is loyal to her father -- perhaps too loyal. She talks about the CIA murdering her father as if he was the head of some Fortune 500 corporation, instead of a crime syndicate, and lamenting it. I strongly believe the bullet that took JFK's life came from the front, not the back. Other than that, one needs to pick and choose who to believe. So far, I'm more inclined towards Sam and Chuck's book, which is exceptionally well written, loaded with details and juicy tidbits. Any information regarding Rosselli v. Files can probably be found on the Internet; I'd still go with Sam and Chuck's book because it's a far better book. Regardless of who shot Kennedy, we now know at least who killed him.

We've heard all the stories, read all the theories. These guys got the confession! The shooter from the grassy knoll. I simply can't believe it. The daughter of maybe the most influential mobster in history teams up with two intellects and they find the shooter. They also supply the evidence to back up his story. Its truly amazing how real people can get to the truth with down to earth hard work. This book definitely shows grit, determination and stregnth. The reaction will be big. Only in Chicago.

Great book, very technical which aids to the validity of points made; yet easy to understand. This book is very important and very credible in two areas: Giancana family involvement and the neurological background and expertise of John Hughes, MD!! A must read for all Americans!!

Although I think that there was a conspiracy in the JFK case, and that some of those mentioned in this book might have had some involvement, the reader isn't likely to learn anything new here. There are two types of information provided in this book: information that is probably true (such as multiple gunmen involved), but information of that sort has been available from many sources for many years--just look at the Zapruder film, and if you have time read Wrone's recent book on the Zapruder film. The second type of information in the book is that which is relatively new, but absurd. The book argues that evidence that James Files' account of his involvement in the JFK murder is credible, because, the authors say, Files answered a letter sent to him by Antoinette Giancana, and her letter "obviously" would have gone unanswered if he were fabricating his story. Did it occur to the authors that perhaps he answered because he was bored sitting in prison all day? Sadly, this is the best evidence (but no evidence at all) offered to substantiate Files' claims. Skip this book and read Gaeton Fonzi's The Last Investigation. It deals with some of the same key players and issues but Fonzi's book is written several intellectual levels above this book.

This book is essential reading for those interested in the virtual explosion of new information released by the Assassination Records Review Board (ARRB). And there are millions more documents not scheduled for release until 2017. It is no longer a question of whether there was a conspiracy, now the question is how far does the conspiracy reach. JFK and Sam introduces the public to the confessed shooter from the grassy knol, James E. Files, and provides the essential background for why he was there on Nov. 22, 1963. For more on Files consult Wim Dankbaar's web site and book: Files on JFK. For why the covber-up was so complete consult Lamar Waldron and Thom Hartmann. And for the gory details of the killing consult James H. Fetzer. JFK and Sam also provides the "insider" perspective of Antoinette Giancana, the daughter of Sam Giancana, who for the first time shares with the public what her father and other mafiosi did to carry out the killing. She is convinced that the CIA murdered her father the day before he was scheduled to testify before the Church committee. She also helps validate the authenticity of James Files' story. But judge that for yourself by viewing the DVD of Files' confession. America's democracy was hyjacted on that day in November, let's see if we can get it back!

I THOUGHT THIS BOOK BY SAMS DAUGHTER WOULD HAVE SOME NEW THINGS ON JFK'S DEATH .IT IS THE SAME INFO THAT IHAS BENN OUT THERE FOR YEARS . I GUESS THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW THINGS THAT MOST OF US HAVEN'T HERD YET . ARE KEEPING QUIET OR HAVE DIED YERAS AGO.IT'S JUST THE SAME STUFF THAT WE HAVE READ FOR YEARS .NOTHING NEW HERE.

If you remember the gloom & pain of those November days in '63, this book is for you. First off, Ms. Giancana didn't author this fairly recent book it seems, but just gave input.
This is a page turner & the author keeps you in his grasp throughout. There's so much here, I'm on my 2nd read of it just to get the basics.
As you read this book, with all its reported corruption, you invision smokey back- room deals where powerful good & bad men talked bad stuff. The book is full of information, but you are never overwhelmed. One reviewer below mentioned repetition, but that's ok where I come from, because you need to be reminded of motives, plans, who hurt who & who's gettin' even.
The Kennedys road into town on their Daddy's power & were as confident as they could be: the big boys didn't like it. The CIA, Mob, & Hoover, with all his recorded information & pictures were not gonna put up with it. And they all danced together, it appears.
It seems everyone knew about what was going to happen that fateful day & why not: they had motive, power & no one wanted them around. Bobby would have never made it there alive & it's a darn good thing Teddy never ran.
Give the book a read: the authors recommend several good books, but in checking those out, some are overkill & truly overwhelming with information. This is a good, general overview that is just right, not too hot or cold.
After seeing the Kennedys on Reelz, this was a great follow up to a National tragedy where powerful men got even, got rid.
Sadly though, 1 comes to realize that the Kennedy's halos were perfect either.
Sad, but true? It appears so.