Customer Reviews

Oswald and the CIA

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a intern for Dr. Newman on this particular book, I spent countless hours searching for documents in the National Archives - I know first hand the length he went to provide accurate details. Dr. Newman recounts the interesting story of a dark point in our nation's history. He is very careful not to speculate on the assassination of Kennedy - he deals only with the facts before him - CIA and FBI documents that display what they knew about Oswald. He leaves the rest to the 'assassination buffs'

This is an important book in the Kennedy assassination genre. It contains the text of CIA documents not previouslypublished, attempting to establish a CIA connection withLee Harvey Oswald and subsequent efforts on the part of the CIA to conceal this connection through tampering with itsOswald files. The book is flawed by poor editing, andfrom time to time the author makes great leaps in his logic,but for all that, it is well worth the time spent reading.The book breaks off after Oswald's death. One can onlyhope that Mr. Newman writes another volume addressing post-assassination events, including the controversy surroundingthe bona fides of KGB defector Yuriy Nosenko and his claimto have been the KGB officer supervising the Oswald file inRussia

This is one of the most exhaustive collections of information and data regarding the JFK assassination and Lee Harvey. I do agree with one of the other reviewers - this is not light reading. It's pretty dry - just the facts, no "window dressing".

We always hear about the conspiracy theories, and speculation that the CIA played a role in the JFK assassination - this book sets out to provide convincing data. So if you're looking for an adventure novel or light reading, look elsewhere. But, if you're looking for an almost encylopedic source to quote when discussing such things, this is definitely the book.

I purchased Newman's book upon its publication in 1995 and over the years have re-read it at least 5 times and re-read passages even more often. Newman makes it very clear that his research wasn't aimed at the Kennedy assassination per se, but to reveal from the released archives of some of our clandistine agencies, that Lee Harvey or men named Lee Harvey Oswald were of great interest to the CIA, et al, long before our President was murdered. His research lets the reader draw conclusions, albeit very obvious conclusions. A hard read....but a great read.

While Dr. John Newman is to be commended for the SUBSTANCE of this book, he is no writer---this is a real challenging book to get through, rivaling some of Harold Weisberg's books. For the RESEARCHER out there, highly recommended, so much so that anything less than 5 stars is heresy. For those who want a good "read", avoid like the plague! I know this seems like a contradiction, but it isn't (!)
vince Palamara

I won't go into the details of the book, other reviewers have already done that.

This book does not delve into who pulled the trigger, but there was a major attempt by the CIA to ensure that there was a history of pro-communist leanings by Oswald to create his backstory. He was handled for about 4 years and was placed at the scene of the crime in Dallas.

In conjunction with other information in the myriad of other books on the subject, I am more convinced that LHO was most definitely set up as the patsy. I don't base that opinion solely on this book, but with the pre-assassination scenarios created around Dallas in the few weeks and days before November 22, 1963 involving a fake Oswald and the CIA's manipulation of him leads me that way.

Most assuredly, this book is a VERY dry read, but for people looking for the true facts, this is a must read. I also strongly urge everyone to read "JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters" by James Douglass.

Point by point, file by file, Newman builds an irrefutable case that the CIA and FBI were extensively aware of LH Oswald long before the assassination - and lied about it afterwards. Newman demonstrates that J Edgar Hoover referred to Oswald by name in 1960, for example.

Oswald was a radar operator who knew secret information about the critical U2 program. He openly threatened to tell the soviets all he knew when he defected to the USSR in 1959. Newman demonstrates the level of official concern, and tracks leading to the secret investigations of paranoid CIA superspook James Angleton.

Newman doesn't say what it all means. He stays with the facts. Some of the lies and stonewalling may have taken place to protect secret spy operations - but Newman demonstrates how this explanation is insufficient.

Oswald may have been a "dangle" to the soviets to test their hunger for info about the U2 (i.e. if the soviets didn't jump on Oswalds info - and they don't seem to have - that would mean they already had other spy sources)

The background to Newman's investigation is all about Cuba, and the intersecting interest of Howard Hunt, Richard Nixon, and others - along with Oswald. All of this is carefully documented. Newman doesn't tell you about the climate of violence, paranoia and deception - he cites memo after memo.

I've read many silly books on the JFK Assassination - this isn't one of them. Newman offers facts, sources, footnotes. When he's bringing other people's ideas, he gives the reference. When he speculates, he lets you know.

This book isn't for JFK beginners. But if you're tired of BS about exit wounds and enhanced photos of the grassy knoll - this is the place to start.

A difficult book to keep track of as the story twists and turns,who is part of the C.I.A. and who is part of the Mafia.What was Oswalds part in all the goings on and did he take part in the assassination of J.F.K.We will probably never know unless somebody has the clout to force open all the files on this never ending story.A.T.Kiln.