Customer Reviews

Rearview Mirror: Looking Back at the FBI, the CIA and Other Tails

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

 

 

I have no idea of William Turner's age, but would guess it to be at least 75. His new memoir, REARVIEW MIRROR, is a fascinating read on a life which spans his early years as an FBI wiretapper and black bagman (he makes clear the activities were illegal), his coverage of the JFK and RFK assassinations, the Garrison investigation and Shaw trial, his Ramparts investigations and his ultimate tour de force (with Hinckle) on the CIA and the Cubans, DEADLY SECRETS.

Had Turner completed his clear-eyed analysis of only one of these historical headliners he would have a secure place in contemporary history. That he was around for all of them (even providing, as a bonus, an excellent snapshot of contemporary Miami madness in his coverage of the Elian Gonzalez insanity) and renders them with reason AND that rarest of all sensibilities, a sense of humor, establishes him as one of our most colorful and intelligent observors of contemporary American clandestine culture.

Does Turner ALWAYS get it right? No. But he observes and writes with eyes wide open (he gives Garrison his due, and at the same time notes his many shortcomings). I wish his volume were footnoted, and a bibliography would be nice. But this is a memoir, seemingly precipitated and structured at least in part by Turner's own staggering FBI file, recently acquired. Proof once again that a good first person narrative (with supporting role by the FBI) is sometimes more startling and provocative than any novel or Hollywood Opus. When such a narrative also enlightens us on our own long-lost history, it is priceless.

Turner wears it well.

---"We won't object/ If he calls collect..."

I woke up to-day with the clock radio - telling me that William Turner had the exclusive proof, that John Kennedy was killed by the CIA, because he might stop the war in Vietnam. As well as; the fact that, Bobby was killed because, if elected he would investigate the killing of his brother John.

For years I tried to work out why I was so deeply affected by John Kennedy's assasination. Was it really as superficial as, the fact that he was a young and good looking man and that he had a beautiful wife? But now, I know. He was a good person, who was going to do a 'good thing' and stop an escalation of stupidity, that for all 'intents and purposes' culminated in the present President - dumbed down and introspective.

So it's nearly official. Thanks William Turner - for the closure on a subject, that could not be convincing via an Oliver Stone film (i.e. You cannot cite a Hollywood movie as proof in a post-graduate thesis). Good work and at low price; a bargain basement read for an important subject.