There's No Accounting For Human Behavior, February 11, 1999

Yet, had Ray lived into his 90's, there's no certainty that he would ever have changed his pattern of piling lie upon embelishment upon fantasy. That he was a liar, a thief, and a racist seems beyond doubt, as does the general opinion that he pulled the trigger and killed perhaps the greatest figure of the 20th Century.

However, it can't be denied that questions linger. Sure, Ray did the shooting....but did he act alone?

Gerald Posner tackles this controversy in KILLING THE DREAM. Like his other works, CASE CLOSED (examining the JFK assassination) and MENGELE (where he exposed what really happened to Nazi doctor Josef Mengele), DREAM is thoroughly researched and compellingly told. In fact, where it's most effective is as a biography of James Ray, an antisocial petty thief and would-be pornographer preying on the fringes of society before firing the shot that ensured his desired recognition and everlasting infamy.

The narrative documents Ray's troubled childhood, his almost sociopathic difficulties in relating to others (particularly women), and his life-long clash with societal norms. It also documents effectively the most well-known conspiracy theories....among which are constructs that even King's own family supports.

And this is where KILLING THE DREAM enters the realm of controversy. One by one, Posner examines and debunks each of these theories--unfairly, according to his critics (particularly angry are those who support the speculations of Ray's lawyer William Pepper). In the end, Posner concludes that Ray most likely acted alone--something nobody who suspects a conspiracy wants to hear. In spite of this, his conclusions seem carefully weighed and in no way "unfair."

There are a few snags in the book. Dr. King himself is merely sketched--I would have liked to have seen a more full-blooded portrait of this honorable man (though I guess I could turn to Taylor Branch for that); too, I would liked to have seen a more thorough discussion as to why King's family is so supportive of Pepper--and the ramifications OF that support.

But I am very pleased that Posner admits his difficulty in articulating an ultimate motivation for Ray's horrific action; this just goes to show that, in spite of our desires for definitive understanding, there's no accounting for human behavior.

Permalink | Was this review helpful to you?   (Report this)

Where's My Stuff?

• Track your recent orders.
• View or change your orders in Your Account.

Shipping & Returns

• See our shipping rates & policies.
• See FREE shipping information.
• Return an item (here's our Returns Policy).

Need Help?

• Forgot your password?
• Buy gift cards.
• Visit our Help department.