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The Day Kennedy Was Shot: An Hour-by-Hour Account of What Really Happened on November 22, 1963
A minute-by-minute narrative account of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, The Day Kennedy Was Shot captures the action, mystery, and drama that unfolded on November 22, 1963.
Author Jim Bishop’s trademark hour-by-hour suspenseful storytelling drives this account of an unforgettable day in American history. His retelling tracks all of the major and minor characters—JFK, Lee Harvey Oswald, Jack Ruby, Jackie, and more—illuminating a human drama that many readers believe they know we
Author Jim Bishop’s trademark hour-by-hour suspenseful storytelling drives this account of an unforgettable day in American history. His retelling tracks all of the major and minor characters—JFK, Lee Harvey Oswald, Jack Ruby, Jackie, and more—illuminating a human drama that many readers believe they know we
736 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1968
171 people are currently reading
607 people want to read
About the author
Jim Bishop
59 books38 followersJames Alonzo "Jim" Bishop (November 21, 1907 – July 26, 1987) was an American journalist and author.
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, he dropped out of school after eighth grade. In 1923, he studied typing, shorthand and bookkeeping, and in 1929 began work as a copy boy at the New York Daily News. In 1930, he got a job as a cub reporter at New York Daily Mirror, where he worked until 1943, when he joined Collier's Magazine. He remained until 1945.
His plans to write for his friend and mentor, Hollywood producer Mark Hellinger, ended with Hellinger's death in 1947. Bishop wrote a biography of Hellinger in 1952. From 1946 to 1948, he was executive editor of Liberty magazine, then became director of the literary department at the Music Corporation of America until 1951. He was then founding editor of Gold Medal Books (the juvenile division of Fawcett Publications) until 1953. In the 1950s, Bishop would do his writing at the Jersey Shore in Sea Bright, New Jersey, going back to his home in Teaneck, New Jersey on weekends to see his wife and children.[1] In 1957, he started his column, "Jim Bishop: Reporter" with King Features Syndicate, which continued until 1983. It also landed him on the master list of Nixon political opponents.
The remainder of his career was spent writing biographical books about notable figures, and Christian-themed books. His book The Day Lincoln Was Shot was published in 1955, and became an instant best-seller. Bishop also wrote The Day Christ Died, The Day Christ Was Born, and The Day Kennedy Was Shot. Perhaps his most critically acclaimed book was FDR's Last Year: April 1944-April 1945, which brought to public awareness the secrecy that surrounded President Franklin D. Roosevelt's declining health during World War II.
The Day Lincoln Was Shot was dramatized on TV twice, first as a 1956 live special starring Raymond Massey as Abraham Lincoln and shown on the Ford Star Jubilee anthology series, and again as a 1998 made-for-television film starring Lance Henriksen as Lincoln. The Day Christ Died was made into a television film in 1980, starring Chris Sarandon as Jesus Christ, and Keith Michell as Pontius Pilate.
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, he dropped out of school after eighth grade. In 1923, he studied typing, shorthand and bookkeeping, and in 1929 began work as a copy boy at the New York Daily News. In 1930, he got a job as a cub reporter at New York Daily Mirror, where he worked until 1943, when he joined Collier's Magazine. He remained until 1945.
His plans to write for his friend and mentor, Hollywood producer Mark Hellinger, ended with Hellinger's death in 1947. Bishop wrote a biography of Hellinger in 1952. From 1946 to 1948, he was executive editor of Liberty magazine, then became director of the literary department at the Music Corporation of America until 1951. He was then founding editor of Gold Medal Books (the juvenile division of Fawcett Publications) until 1953. In the 1950s, Bishop would do his writing at the Jersey Shore in Sea Bright, New Jersey, going back to his home in Teaneck, New Jersey on weekends to see his wife and children.[1] In 1957, he started his column, "Jim Bishop: Reporter" with King Features Syndicate, which continued until 1983. It also landed him on the master list of Nixon political opponents.
The remainder of his career was spent writing biographical books about notable figures, and Christian-themed books. His book The Day Lincoln Was Shot was published in 1955, and became an instant best-seller. Bishop also wrote The Day Christ Died, The Day Christ Was Born, and The Day Kennedy Was Shot. Perhaps his most critically acclaimed book was FDR's Last Year: April 1944-April 1945, which brought to public awareness the secrecy that surrounded President Franklin D. Roosevelt's declining health during World War II.
The Day Lincoln Was Shot was dramatized on TV twice, first as a 1956 live special starring Raymond Massey as Abraham Lincoln and shown on the Ford Star Jubilee anthology series, and again as a 1998 made-for-television film starring Lance Henriksen as Lincoln. The Day Christ Died was made into a television film in 1980, starring Chris Sarandon as Jesus Christ, and Keith Michell as Pontius Pilate.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
February 23, 2025
Don’t expect any conspiracy theories here.
This is simply a great page-turner of a book that takes us moment by moment through the unfolding events of November 22nd, 1963. The day Kennedy was killed....
Reality can really bite a kid hard.
That particular sunny November day in Ontario was in other ways typical:
Band practice at 8. First bell for classes at 9.
For a rosy-cheeked and fresh-faced high school Freshman such as numbskull me, the moments I managed to poke my head out from the day-glow web of my teen dreams were few and far between.
All I knew was: the bells woke me up and it was time for the next loud-voiced teacher in line. My sleepwalk to next class was mere rote.
Until Geography Class that day with Mr. Bennett started, I was always a kid who usually didn’t have much of a schmuck about life.
Or death.
That day, though, Mr. Bennett woke us ALL up.
For keeps.
As the class started to settle down and open their books, Mr Bennett was strangely called to the door. I believe it was another Geography teacher, Mr. Rollo.
They talked for a while in a low whisper. Then Mr. Bennett returned to the room.
Mr. Bennett was a gentle man who had known stark personal tragedy in his own life. His disability, displayed by his left sleeve - tucked in under what would have been his arm - had made him soft-spoken, kindly and respected by all.
“There’s been a shooting in Dallas. President Kennedy was hit. School’s cancelled for today, and you may go home now...”
We kids were all numb with shock. For me, it was like a chasm opening between my feet.
It was my first real glimpse of daytime horror.
We kids were all silent as we filed out into the bright fall sunshine. It was Friday afternoon, and the walls of reality had folded in on top of us.
I had Scouts that night. I was a patrol leader and HAD to be there. But all I could do when I got home was drop a Beethoven symphony on the hi-fi.
I think I was playing and replaying Beethoven’s Fifth - the tragic middle movement that ends triumphantly - when Mom came home early from the library, ashen-faced.
We didn’t talk. My Mom was American. But later we went upstairs to watch the funereal news coverage.
And that night I quit Scouts...
Cause, you know, in just one afternoon -
I had very suddenly started to grow up:
Fast.
This is simply a great page-turner of a book that takes us moment by moment through the unfolding events of November 22nd, 1963. The day Kennedy was killed....
Reality can really bite a kid hard.
That particular sunny November day in Ontario was in other ways typical:
Band practice at 8. First bell for classes at 9.
For a rosy-cheeked and fresh-faced high school Freshman such as numbskull me, the moments I managed to poke my head out from the day-glow web of my teen dreams were few and far between.
All I knew was: the bells woke me up and it was time for the next loud-voiced teacher in line. My sleepwalk to next class was mere rote.
Until Geography Class that day with Mr. Bennett started, I was always a kid who usually didn’t have much of a schmuck about life.
Or death.
That day, though, Mr. Bennett woke us ALL up.
For keeps.
As the class started to settle down and open their books, Mr Bennett was strangely called to the door. I believe it was another Geography teacher, Mr. Rollo.
They talked for a while in a low whisper. Then Mr. Bennett returned to the room.
Mr. Bennett was a gentle man who had known stark personal tragedy in his own life. His disability, displayed by his left sleeve - tucked in under what would have been his arm - had made him soft-spoken, kindly and respected by all.
“There’s been a shooting in Dallas. President Kennedy was hit. School’s cancelled for today, and you may go home now...”
We kids were all numb with shock. For me, it was like a chasm opening between my feet.
It was my first real glimpse of daytime horror.
We kids were all silent as we filed out into the bright fall sunshine. It was Friday afternoon, and the walls of reality had folded in on top of us.
I had Scouts that night. I was a patrol leader and HAD to be there. But all I could do when I got home was drop a Beethoven symphony on the hi-fi.
I think I was playing and replaying Beethoven’s Fifth - the tragic middle movement that ends triumphantly - when Mom came home early from the library, ashen-faced.
We didn’t talk. My Mom was American. But later we went upstairs to watch the funereal news coverage.
And that night I quit Scouts...
Cause, you know, in just one afternoon -
I had very suddenly started to grow up:
Fast.
July 22, 2007
If I didn't disagree with the blanket assertion this book makes that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone -- or, for that matter, even ACTED -- on that day, I would have given this book a higher rating. It's a great hour-by-hour account, even though I don't believe that much of it is true.
March 11, 2015
I purchased this book to add to my 'JFK Assassination' library shelf. The publication date, in 1968, places Jim Bishop's 'The Day Kennedy Was Shot' in the first dozen books in this genre, after the Warren Report. It's closest relative must be the historically flawed 'The Death of a President' from William Manchester. Although Bishop, like Manchester, follows the absurdities of Arlen Specter and the conclusions of the 'President's Commission, that Oswald acted alone etc., I found this book, with it's hour by hour format, to be more factually accurate than Manchester's work. I have even found new pieces of information in this book that I have not come across before.
However, the factual flaws are many, and proves that like everyone, this author did not fully study the twenty six volumes of depositions, testimonies and reports etc., from Earl Warren's Commission.
The Dallas Police had cancelled all leaves for the motorcade through Dallas. Not true.
Roy Kellerman was head of the Dallas Secret Service Office. Not true, Forrest Sorrels.
When Bishop lists the occupants of the motorcade's 'pilot' car he fails to include George Whitmeyer, commander of Dallas' Army Intell unit.
"The President of the U.S.,feeling the tiny grains hit his face, began to lift both hands upward in fright." How could Bishop write this? Did he have access to the Zapruder film?
"The bullet went through the clothing between the bottom of the neck and the right shoulder." The only president that had the neck of a giraffe was Gerald Ford. (5 inches below the top of shirt collar & 1 inch to the right of spine) Try it yourself, if you find your neck, see your doctor!
"With the hole in his throat breathing as he breathed, it is doubtful that he could have uttered an articulate sound." I couldn't agree more. So why does Bishop ignore Roy Kellerman's statements to Sibert/O'Neil and his W.C. testimony that JFK said "I've been hit...get me to a hospital." Something that no other limo occupant heard, and the president could not have uttered with a bullet through his larynx!
"Officer B.J. Martin was sickened. He had been riding left front of the limo." No DPD cycle escort was at the front of JFK's limo.
Officer J.D. Tippit was not named John. Nor Jefferson Davis or any other combination. He was simply J.D.
"Most doctors who saw Kennedy's head wound thought that it came from the rear." As far as doctors at Parkland were concerned, the 5mm throat wound was one of entry, and the head wound at back right of JFK's skull was never described as at autopsy, nor did autopsy photographs show what was witnessed at Parkland.
"It was standing upright between two triple rows of cartons, squeezed tight." Referring to the rifle discovered Mauser/Mannlicher Carcano, photographs show it laying horizontally, part underneath boxes, between rows. Not easy to stash and run down four flights of stairs, unseen, to meet Officer Baker in first floor lunch room.
Bishop's list of Bethesda autopsy personnel is incorrect and incomplete.
"There was a ragged wound in the neck, obviously a tracheostomy." Not obvious to the untrained monkeys at Bethesda in charge of the autopsy. (I have never understood why this was not clarified by Admiral George Burkley, who was in attendance at Parkland and Bethesda. There is evidence that a bullet was removed from JFK's body at autopsy, that Burkley turned it over to the FBI and that Burkley received a receipt for it. The Treasury Dept still has the receipt but the bullet hasn't been seen since.)
"What had appeared to be a surgical incision was proved to be an exit wound." When JFK's autopsy was finished Humes learned the throat wound, that he surmised had been caused by a piece of skull bone, was in fact a tracheostomy, cut through a bullet wound that Dr.Perry in Dallas described as a wound of entry.
So, apart from the bending over backwards to accommodate the official government fictions, this book has a historical place, is well written and for it's day holds an interesting list of source material. The author was a journalist/columnist who had already published 'The Day Lincoln Was Shot' as well as 'The Day Christ Died', which I find rather disturbing.
However, the factual flaws are many, and proves that like everyone, this author did not fully study the twenty six volumes of depositions, testimonies and reports etc., from Earl Warren's Commission.
The Dallas Police had cancelled all leaves for the motorcade through Dallas. Not true.
Roy Kellerman was head of the Dallas Secret Service Office. Not true, Forrest Sorrels.
When Bishop lists the occupants of the motorcade's 'pilot' car he fails to include George Whitmeyer, commander of Dallas' Army Intell unit.
"The President of the U.S.,feeling the tiny grains hit his face, began to lift both hands upward in fright." How could Bishop write this? Did he have access to the Zapruder film?
"The bullet went through the clothing between the bottom of the neck and the right shoulder." The only president that had the neck of a giraffe was Gerald Ford. (5 inches below the top of shirt collar & 1 inch to the right of spine) Try it yourself, if you find your neck, see your doctor!
"With the hole in his throat breathing as he breathed, it is doubtful that he could have uttered an articulate sound." I couldn't agree more. So why does Bishop ignore Roy Kellerman's statements to Sibert/O'Neil and his W.C. testimony that JFK said "I've been hit...get me to a hospital." Something that no other limo occupant heard, and the president could not have uttered with a bullet through his larynx!
"Officer B.J. Martin was sickened. He had been riding left front of the limo." No DPD cycle escort was at the front of JFK's limo.
Officer J.D. Tippit was not named John. Nor Jefferson Davis or any other combination. He was simply J.D.
"Most doctors who saw Kennedy's head wound thought that it came from the rear." As far as doctors at Parkland were concerned, the 5mm throat wound was one of entry, and the head wound at back right of JFK's skull was never described as at autopsy, nor did autopsy photographs show what was witnessed at Parkland.
"It was standing upright between two triple rows of cartons, squeezed tight." Referring to the rifle discovered Mauser/Mannlicher Carcano, photographs show it laying horizontally, part underneath boxes, between rows. Not easy to stash and run down four flights of stairs, unseen, to meet Officer Baker in first floor lunch room.
Bishop's list of Bethesda autopsy personnel is incorrect and incomplete.
"There was a ragged wound in the neck, obviously a tracheostomy." Not obvious to the untrained monkeys at Bethesda in charge of the autopsy. (I have never understood why this was not clarified by Admiral George Burkley, who was in attendance at Parkland and Bethesda. There is evidence that a bullet was removed from JFK's body at autopsy, that Burkley turned it over to the FBI and that Burkley received a receipt for it. The Treasury Dept still has the receipt but the bullet hasn't been seen since.)
"What had appeared to be a surgical incision was proved to be an exit wound." When JFK's autopsy was finished Humes learned the throat wound, that he surmised had been caused by a piece of skull bone, was in fact a tracheostomy, cut through a bullet wound that Dr.Perry in Dallas described as a wound of entry.
So, apart from the bending over backwards to accommodate the official government fictions, this book has a historical place, is well written and for it's day holds an interesting list of source material. The author was a journalist/columnist who had already published 'The Day Lincoln Was Shot' as well as 'The Day Christ Died', which I find rather disturbing.
May 30, 2012
The first i've ever read of the 'minute-by-minute' account of that day. Purely fascinating reading couldn't put it down even as long as it is. Came upon it in the public library which is the greatest bookstore imo.
February 18, 2021
I read this book again after not reading it for about 40 years or more. I am relatively young still, yet I read it when I was about 13 in 1978. It is much different reading something at 55/56 years of age compared to 13. Your whole life experience affects what you are reading and your perspective is so different especially in regards to death and mortality, which is what this book is obviously about-the death and mortality issues in regards to a young President who had many years ahead of him.
I read this book so much in the late 1970's that I just avoided it for years and read other things. The book reminded me of Junior High School since that is when I read it. Well, I found it very good today, and yet the word on the book was always that it had a reputation for inaccuracies. Generally I knew when the inaccuracies were, but they were not too numbered and it does not make the book informationally impotent. If you look at most books you will find similar problems. The inaccuracies are probably noticed more because of comparisons to the more acclaimed and reputed book Death of a President by William Manchester, which encompassed the same time span and events, yet was not as indepth as the Day Kennedy was shot about Friday November 22, 1963.
Obviously the story starts in Fort Worth and then goes to Dallas, but talks of Lee Oswald in Irving that morning, which is near Dallas where Oswald slept the the night before the shooting. When the President dies the story stays in Dallas for what is happening there with the Oswald arrest and proceeding, yet the other story goes east to Maryland and Washington with Air Force One and the President's body to follow the Kennedy autopsy and preparation at Bethesda- also in regards to events surrounding Gawlers Funeral Home, Lastly the President's body goes back to the White House early November 23, 1963 near 4 AM EST. to lying in repose in the East Room of the White House.
I thought this minute by minute account was done well and this is something Mr. Bishop is known for. Mr. Bishop used much of the Warren Report volumes to get his information and interviews with many, but he did not have the extensive interview list William Manchester had with Death of a President. Some of the Autopsy explanations looked like Mr. Bishop used general autopsy routine as his guide, and not specifically the Kennedy autopsy details. He talks about formaline injection under the arms and makeup, which is general postmortem activity.
The information in regards to the Dallas Police Station and the Oswald angle which explains Marquerite Oswald and Marina Oswald and Ruth Paine was something you do not find much in Death of a President. I don't even recall much about Robert Oswald in Death of a President, but to be fair that book was about President Kennedy more and his trip and the affects of that, rather than Lee, who was the side story. This book was more about the day, which would involve Lee and his activities moreso.
So my point is I enjoyedt he book. It is a little short of 700 pages, and I read it in exactly 2 weeks to the day. I underlined all the names and wrote important facts around the pages, so I am a deep reader. I like to absorb what I read to form date history on things, which is something I do. Most people think it is a talent I have, but I put time and effort into it. Datings things puts order in my brain since I am very neurotic person, so I rely on this way of thinking for many things.
Going to Fort Worth and Dallas and other areas mentioned in the book like Washington D.C. and Bethesda, Maryland were a must for the Author to get good background and detail perspective on the subject. One thing Mr. Bishop mentions is the Press clogging the third floor of Police Headquarters in Dallas at Harwood and Main in Downtown Dallas. I do not understand why the press were not kicked out of the 3rd floor of Headquarters to let the Detectives do their proper work. That was really sloppy of Jesse Curry (The Chief of Police in Dallas), yet in spite of this they did decent investigative work, or rather Will Fritz did good work.
Another thing, it is clear that Lee Oswald and Jack Ruby had rather similar personalities. Neither man was too secure in who they were so they wanted to be involved in something big which gave them some importance, and this book explains their personalities very well and makes assumptions on it. These assumption were to me were right on. He talks of Jack Ruby going all over the city Friday and Saturday morning trying to buy people sandwiches for access to important events and being connected to important people like at Dallas Police Headquarters and at the KLIF radio station. The books explains Lee Oswald being almost more at peace with himself after he was in the Dallas Police headquarters than before the shooting. Sleeping soundly and being proud of his interaction with authorities questions. This insecurity of the two mean is what the book seems to insinuate which is backed up with good facts.
The book almost makes it seem that Lee Oswald wanted to be caught so that he can feel important. That being caught gave him the importance that being on the run would not have given him. I think this could be true. Yet as far as Jack Ruby goes, his motives were more to look like a hero. I don't think he thought about incarceration as much, and that is something he probably dreaded since he was more of a social person than Lee Oswald, so being locked up must have been more of a trauma to him. Jack Ruby thought more about the bigger picture than Lee Oswald yet the motives were still about his insecurities.
I recommend the book. I hope someday someone goes through this book and notes the various errors and specifies how deep they are since to me the book is done well. Mentioning a statue as being named for Joe Dealey instead of his father George Bannerman Dealey is insignificant. M.A. Giolli
I read this book so much in the late 1970's that I just avoided it for years and read other things. The book reminded me of Junior High School since that is when I read it. Well, I found it very good today, and yet the word on the book was always that it had a reputation for inaccuracies. Generally I knew when the inaccuracies were, but they were not too numbered and it does not make the book informationally impotent. If you look at most books you will find similar problems. The inaccuracies are probably noticed more because of comparisons to the more acclaimed and reputed book Death of a President by William Manchester, which encompassed the same time span and events, yet was not as indepth as the Day Kennedy was shot about Friday November 22, 1963.
Obviously the story starts in Fort Worth and then goes to Dallas, but talks of Lee Oswald in Irving that morning, which is near Dallas where Oswald slept the the night before the shooting. When the President dies the story stays in Dallas for what is happening there with the Oswald arrest and proceeding, yet the other story goes east to Maryland and Washington with Air Force One and the President's body to follow the Kennedy autopsy and preparation at Bethesda- also in regards to events surrounding Gawlers Funeral Home, Lastly the President's body goes back to the White House early November 23, 1963 near 4 AM EST. to lying in repose in the East Room of the White House.
I thought this minute by minute account was done well and this is something Mr. Bishop is known for. Mr. Bishop used much of the Warren Report volumes to get his information and interviews with many, but he did not have the extensive interview list William Manchester had with Death of a President. Some of the Autopsy explanations looked like Mr. Bishop used general autopsy routine as his guide, and not specifically the Kennedy autopsy details. He talks about formaline injection under the arms and makeup, which is general postmortem activity.
The information in regards to the Dallas Police Station and the Oswald angle which explains Marquerite Oswald and Marina Oswald and Ruth Paine was something you do not find much in Death of a President. I don't even recall much about Robert Oswald in Death of a President, but to be fair that book was about President Kennedy more and his trip and the affects of that, rather than Lee, who was the side story. This book was more about the day, which would involve Lee and his activities moreso.
So my point is I enjoyedt he book. It is a little short of 700 pages, and I read it in exactly 2 weeks to the day. I underlined all the names and wrote important facts around the pages, so I am a deep reader. I like to absorb what I read to form date history on things, which is something I do. Most people think it is a talent I have, but I put time and effort into it. Datings things puts order in my brain since I am very neurotic person, so I rely on this way of thinking for many things.
Going to Fort Worth and Dallas and other areas mentioned in the book like Washington D.C. and Bethesda, Maryland were a must for the Author to get good background and detail perspective on the subject. One thing Mr. Bishop mentions is the Press clogging the third floor of Police Headquarters in Dallas at Harwood and Main in Downtown Dallas. I do not understand why the press were not kicked out of the 3rd floor of Headquarters to let the Detectives do their proper work. That was really sloppy of Jesse Curry (The Chief of Police in Dallas), yet in spite of this they did decent investigative work, or rather Will Fritz did good work.
Another thing, it is clear that Lee Oswald and Jack Ruby had rather similar personalities. Neither man was too secure in who they were so they wanted to be involved in something big which gave them some importance, and this book explains their personalities very well and makes assumptions on it. These assumption were to me were right on. He talks of Jack Ruby going all over the city Friday and Saturday morning trying to buy people sandwiches for access to important events and being connected to important people like at Dallas Police Headquarters and at the KLIF radio station. The books explains Lee Oswald being almost more at peace with himself after he was in the Dallas Police headquarters than before the shooting. Sleeping soundly and being proud of his interaction with authorities questions. This insecurity of the two mean is what the book seems to insinuate which is backed up with good facts.
The book almost makes it seem that Lee Oswald wanted to be caught so that he can feel important. That being caught gave him the importance that being on the run would not have given him. I think this could be true. Yet as far as Jack Ruby goes, his motives were more to look like a hero. I don't think he thought about incarceration as much, and that is something he probably dreaded since he was more of a social person than Lee Oswald, so being locked up must have been more of a trauma to him. Jack Ruby thought more about the bigger picture than Lee Oswald yet the motives were still about his insecurities.
I recommend the book. I hope someday someone goes through this book and notes the various errors and specifies how deep they are since to me the book is done well. Mentioning a statue as being named for Joe Dealey instead of his father George Bannerman Dealey is insignificant. M.A. Giolli
January 5, 2025
Page-Turner
The Day Kennedy Was Shot: An Hour-by-Hour Account of What Really Happened on November 22, 1963 by Jim Bishop is a minute-by-minute narrative account of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. This page-turner captures the action, mystery, and drama that unfolded on November 22, 1963. Author Jim Bishop’s trademark hour-by-hour suspenseful storytelling drives this account of an unforgettable day in American history. His retelling tracks all of the major and minor characters—JFK, Lee Harvey Oswald, Jack Ruby, Jackie, and more—illuminating a human drama that many readers believe they know well. The details are fascinating. I highly recommend.
The Day Kennedy Was Shot: An Hour-by-Hour Account of What Really Happened on November 22, 1963 by Jim Bishop is a minute-by-minute narrative account of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. This page-turner captures the action, mystery, and drama that unfolded on November 22, 1963. Author Jim Bishop’s trademark hour-by-hour suspenseful storytelling drives this account of an unforgettable day in American history. His retelling tracks all of the major and minor characters—JFK, Lee Harvey Oswald, Jack Ruby, Jackie, and more—illuminating a human drama that many readers believe they know well. The details are fascinating. I highly recommend.
August 9, 2025
A spell-binding account of what happened to JFK. Certainly sad in so many ways.
November 8, 2025
The book itself clocks in at 691 pages, the rest being sources and credits. While the page count may be higher, its not a hard read, it's really pretty simple and outside a few parts it never feels like a chore. The publication date of 1968 puts it as one of the first accounts of the day, and for sure one of the first minute by minute accounts. Also being so close to the actual Assassination (1963), do not expect conspiracy theories or theories of Oswald having help as it follows the Warren Commissions timeline of events. It does seem to be a good source to find at least the outline of events that day, its something we used to help set up our JFK: Nightmare on Elm Street video, and it really shows how much happened in that single day. It's amazing reading it the assasination begins to feel like it happened days ago, while in reality only a few hours have passed. It also shows how quickly Oswald would have had to shoot the president, escape the Texas School Book Depository building, walk up elm, find a bus, get on and off, get a cab, go home, shoot tippet, walk to the theater and get caught. Right off the bat the author makes a note of trying to be fair to everyone including Oswald, not sure if this wish carried out through the story or to every person. Ruby, Oswald, Jackie, and LBJ all have points where he seems to nitpick things. For not being a conspiratorial book it does paint LBJ in a strange picture of rushing for power. Another strange thing it paints is how it felt like nearly everyone saw Oswald in the window waiting with a gun but did nothing, not sure how we can swallow that pill other than it made the citizens in Dealey Plaza look bad for seeing Oswald well before the Kennedy motorcade turned on Houston and simply being like well thats odd but its normal. Speaking of the motorcade itself, the feeling of dread and wanting the clock to stop was amazing. This is definitely the best portion of the book, as the events are so clear in our heads that it makes you feel that dread, really hope it changes, but ultimately it happens against all hope, all want, time marches on. Overall I would say I enjoyed this and it makes me wanna read his Lincoln book as well, if your looking at least to dip your toes in the water that is the Kennedy Assasination this isn't the worse place to start.
overall - 7.9/10.0
overall - 7.9/10.0
May 20, 2017
Review title: Paper time travel
Jim Bishop was a popular non-fiction writer in the 1960s whose metier was hour-by-hour "A Day in the life of" accounts of politicians and public figures. Here, he applied the technique to the death of President Kennedy, whose stunning assassination November 22, 1963 was a generation-defining event not equalled until September 11, 2001. It was an early and popular entry (I bought a 1968 Funk & Wagnalls book club edition at a library book sale) on the Kennedy assassination analysis bookshelf which has become very crowded indeed.
While the basic outline of events is common knowledge, I must confess that I was surprised by the number of odd elements about that day that I didn't know (if you don't count Steven King's time-travel novel which is centered on that day, this is the first book I have read on the event), and the realities of responding to the sudden devastation that I had never considered. For a couple of examples:
Bishop switches between Dallas and Washington, and between key players--Dallas police, Jacqueline Kennedy and the dead President's team, Oswald and his wife and mother, and the FBI, CIA, and the Secret Service which spanned both cities--all while staying to the hour by hour format. This makes for a lot of quick cuts, but the narrative thread stays coherent, even though it might have helped to have a list of key characters by their role and location as an appendix. And while Bishop lists his sources in the back, he doesn't footnote his material so it isn't possible to follow up in his sources, the most important of which he says is the Warren Commission report which is the always referenced but often criticized main source for all Kennedy assassination books.
Most of all, it is still possible to read Bishop's history as both history of the event and as itself a part of the history of America's response to the event of its generation. His writing style reflects the writing of his time but 50 years later still speaks to the generation defined by September 11. Even though there are newer editions, try to find an original 1968 hardback, paperback, or book club edition; you will be holding a piece of history in your hands as you time travel to November 22,1963.
Jim Bishop was a popular non-fiction writer in the 1960s whose metier was hour-by-hour "A Day in the life of" accounts of politicians and public figures. Here, he applied the technique to the death of President Kennedy, whose stunning assassination November 22, 1963 was a generation-defining event not equalled until September 11, 2001. It was an early and popular entry (I bought a 1968 Funk & Wagnalls book club edition at a library book sale) on the Kennedy assassination analysis bookshelf which has become very crowded indeed.
While the basic outline of events is common knowledge, I must confess that I was surprised by the number of odd elements about that day that I didn't know (if you don't count Steven King's time-travel novel which is centered on that day, this is the first book I have read on the event), and the realities of responding to the sudden devastation that I had never considered. For a couple of examples:
When Lee Harvey Oswald's mother (who was estranged from her sons and hadn't seen Lee for over a year) came to the police station after seeing the news coverage, the first thing she did was request a private interview with one of the detectives working on the case and proceed to claim that her son had been under orders to kill Kennedy by the CIA!
After killing the President and walking calmly out of the book depository building, he went back to his rented room and put on a jacket and grabbed his revolver, which he used to kill a police officer who had pulled over because Oswald fit the description of the President's killer. It was actually this killing for which Oswald was arrested and initially officially charged.
After the parade, Kennedy and his entourage were headed for a luncheon speech at a convention center where 2500 were waiting--and confused by the Presidential party speeding by to the hospital with sirens blazing.
Most of the Cabinet were in the air after leaving Honolulu heading to Japan for a diplomatic conference when they got the word and did an immediate U-turn to head to Washington.
Bishop switches between Dallas and Washington, and between key players--Dallas police, Jacqueline Kennedy and the dead President's team, Oswald and his wife and mother, and the FBI, CIA, and the Secret Service which spanned both cities--all while staying to the hour by hour format. This makes for a lot of quick cuts, but the narrative thread stays coherent, even though it might have helped to have a list of key characters by their role and location as an appendix. And while Bishop lists his sources in the back, he doesn't footnote his material so it isn't possible to follow up in his sources, the most important of which he says is the Warren Commission report which is the always referenced but often criticized main source for all Kennedy assassination books.
Most of all, it is still possible to read Bishop's history as both history of the event and as itself a part of the history of America's response to the event of its generation. His writing style reflects the writing of his time but 50 years later still speaks to the generation defined by September 11. Even though there are newer editions, try to find an original 1968 hardback, paperback, or book club edition; you will be holding a piece of history in your hands as you time travel to November 22,1963.
April 11, 2022
This book was powerful and wonderful! It transports you back in time and you relive what it was like on the day of the Kennedy assassination from the point of view of each on-site, insider perspective. Jim Bishop did a tremendous amount of research and interviewing and was indeed a contemporary of Kennedy and the press involved in recording this terrible event. I felt like I was there from the minute to minute coverage he gave to the details and I cried reliving this tragedy that my parents witnessed on television in 1963. I cried for Jackie and her bloody dress and her insistence on keeping the dress on all day “to show the world what they’ve done to him.” I cried for the children who lost a father, his mother who lost her son, and his brother Robert who so idolized him, but most of all tears for every Americans in history who loves their country. What a world we might live in if John Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln had both survived and lived a full life!
Everyone alive at that time remembers where they were and what they were doing when they got “the news.” I felt like If I had a time machine I’d go back in time so I could punch Oswald or shoot him before Ruby did. The police certainly made mistakes in their handling of the arrest and arraignment of this monster/assassin. Almost makes me wonder if he’d have gotten off in this day and age where criminal rights exceed those of the victims! It took me a long time to finish this book (seven months or more) but I did savor it and am sad it has come to an end. Well done, Mr. Bishop!
Everyone alive at that time remembers where they were and what they were doing when they got “the news.” I felt like If I had a time machine I’d go back in time so I could punch Oswald or shoot him before Ruby did. The police certainly made mistakes in their handling of the arrest and arraignment of this monster/assassin. Almost makes me wonder if he’d have gotten off in this day and age where criminal rights exceed those of the victims! It took me a long time to finish this book (seven months or more) but I did savor it and am sad it has come to an end. Well done, Mr. Bishop!
November 14, 2023
A 1968 Christmas gift, I believe from my father, this was one of my first grown up books. I have returned to it in this 60th. anniversary month. It is not the masterpiece which Jacqueline Kennedy called her commissioned Death of a President, a book which she and Bobby famously tried to stop from publication. Jim Bishop had followed the Kennedy's in the White House weeks before Dallas and at the President's request, first for a magazine article and then for a book prior to the 1964 election. Jackie was resentful of Bishop's intrusion into her life and his questions. Her attitude followed the writing of this book. Bishop had written The Day Christ Died and the same for Abe Lincoln. His writing in this book can be tedious. There is an overreliance on "repose" in describing the Kennedy's Fort Worth hotel suite or the deli meats and salads in a Dallas eatery (!). His writing style in the opening pages may grate one's nerves, on the opening page (...Time...) or JFK shaving mounds of shave cream. He may shift events around for dramatic effect, such as Jackie's viewing her husband's remains in the East Room. Still, a good read, and a document of its time when JFK was deceased a mere five years in that long ago, pivotal electoral autumn of 1968.
December 19, 2018
Book of the Year (2018) Since my teens, I have read more books than I can count on the Kennedy assassination. I knew a lot. This is the first book I read where I finally *understood* it. (Spoiler alert: Oswald did it) The book is a comprehensive biography of the date November 22, 1963: as a political rally, a murder, a media event, a transfer of power, a criminal investigation, and a funeral. How it started and ended. How people's feelings and emotions change throughout the day. It's an hour-by-hour chronology, starting at 7am at Fort Worth and ending at 4am when Kennedy's body was returned to the White House. It was written in 1968 -- and by the style of the prose, people were still obviously on edge. The flowery words, raw emotions and obvious anger helped me put those events and feelings in context. I heavily recommend it to anyone looking for a good introduction to the subject, along with PBS Frontline's 1993 documentary 'Who Was Lee Harvey Oswald?"
October 23, 2023
I’ve read a number of books discussing the assassination of John F. Kennedy over the years and this book has been mentioned in a number of them. I was eager to begin given the date of publication. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long to realize it was going to be a long 700+ pages.
The Day Kennedy Was Shot is one of (if not the first) books to discuss the assassination at length. It looks much different than modern books on the topic though it follows the familiar step-by-step timelines.
From page one I struggled with the writing style. The author spent too much time on frivolous details and people in the background making the entire book feel embellished and fictional. Stripped down, this could have easily been 300-400 pages and still be a full book. The facts get lost. There were a few things I retained but my brain felt like mush by the end. With the amount of conspiracy theories surrounding this moment in history, the fictionalized feel doesn’t do it any favors.
The Day Kennedy Was Shot is one of (if not the first) books to discuss the assassination at length. It looks much different than modern books on the topic though it follows the familiar step-by-step timelines.
From page one I struggled with the writing style. The author spent too much time on frivolous details and people in the background making the entire book feel embellished and fictional. Stripped down, this could have easily been 300-400 pages and still be a full book. The facts get lost. There were a few things I retained but my brain felt like mush by the end. With the amount of conspiracy theories surrounding this moment in history, the fictionalized feel doesn’t do it any favors.
May 30, 2018
Kennedy history
I was 11 years old when the president was shot and on the playground, so world politics didn't mean much to me at that time. I only learned what I knew from history books. This book opened my eyes to the events that day; it was totally enlightening from start to finish. A must read for history buffs.
I was 11 years old when the president was shot and on the playground, so world politics didn't mean much to me at that time. I only learned what I knew from history books. This book opened my eyes to the events that day; it was totally enlightening from start to finish. A must read for history buffs.
November 17, 2021
I can't comment on how this book has held up over time, but it was a great introduction to the assassination. It answered several questions I had that have been glossed over in edutainment coverage. I might weed it though if I need space. (It's inherited, but there's only a return address label on the inside front cover. No inscriptions or annotations, alas.)
January 6, 2019
#1 of 120 books pledged to read during 2019
October 18, 2021
very enjoyable
February 27, 2025
Any Kennedy buff, this is a great read!
November 6, 2020
The Best Book on the Kennedy Assassination
This book does not attempt to explain who killed President Kennedy. It assumes that Oswald killed the President. He did. It does however paint one of the most vivid pictures of any moment in history. The detail in this account is incredible. The story is brought fully into life as you read. To me it is the best book about the moment in history that intrigues me most. An awesome retelling of one of our nations saddest moments.
This book does not attempt to explain who killed President Kennedy. It assumes that Oswald killed the President. He did. It does however paint one of the most vivid pictures of any moment in history. The detail in this account is incredible. The story is brought fully into life as you read. To me it is the best book about the moment in history that intrigues me most. An awesome retelling of one of our nations saddest moments.
June 13, 2013
Since it was written in 1967, the author assumes a single person was involved in the assassination. He is more concerned with what happened that day rather than who the perpetrator is.
I found at least one quaint reference, both in this book and the one by William Manchester, the reference to "Negro" when talking about an African-American.
The book is, also like Manchester's, filled with fascinating detail about all the people involved in that day. Particularly helpful is the last chapter where Bishop gives his opinion about some of the people closely related to the killing and investigation.
I may add more to this review as I think of things.
I found at least one quaint reference, both in this book and the one by William Manchester, the reference to "Negro" when talking about an African-American.
The book is, also like Manchester's, filled with fascinating detail about all the people involved in that day. Particularly helpful is the last chapter where Bishop gives his opinion about some of the people closely related to the killing and investigation.
I may add more to this review as I think of things.
April 28, 2013
A blow by blow account of President Kennedys last day on earth,written at a time when the event was still in recent memory.Jim Bishop had written a glowing account of the Kennedy White House in A Day in the Life of President Kennedy,published shortly before the events in Dallas,and this book is written in the same frame of mind.Still it is a well written account of November 22,1963 and captures the morning in Fort Worth,the arrival at Love Field and the fateful trip into downtown Dallas,and the chaos at Parkland Hospital.It is required reading for anyone interested in the Kennedy Assassination
July 17, 2013
An excellent, detailed, account of the assassination of President Kennedy. What the book is not, however, is a scholarly or persuasive argument or attempt to make a case. For anyone interested in that sort of book, Vincent Bugliosi's book RECLAIMING HISTORY is the gold standard, which analyzes every aspect of the assassination in very great detail and explains exactly how Lee Harvey Oswald carried out the assassination alone, and how the conspiracy theorists have managed to create such a destructive industry around the events of the day.
What Bishop's book does, rather, is reconstruct the events of the day in a no-nonsense, easy to read style, going hour-by-hour.
What Bishop's book does, rather, is reconstruct the events of the day in a no-nonsense, easy to read style, going hour-by-hour.
December 21, 2014
Interesting book. He obviously thought that Oswald did it, but he pulls no punches at the end explaining how the Dallas police stretched the truth, and broke laws, in order to make sure that Oswald was found guilty.
Edwin Newman speaking in 1963: "The unpleasant truth about America is that it is a country of violence. Violence plays a part in our very lives - yet what we worry about is our image abroad. Today, America does not appear to be an adult country. Emotions run high - regional, religious, and economic. We must begin at the top, for the political climate is set by the President."
As 51 years ago, so the same today.
Edwin Newman speaking in 1963: "The unpleasant truth about America is that it is a country of violence. Violence plays a part in our very lives - yet what we worry about is our image abroad. Today, America does not appear to be an adult country. Emotions run high - regional, religious, and economic. We must begin at the top, for the political climate is set by the President."
As 51 years ago, so the same today.
December 8, 2013
Highly detailed; yet, laboriously written account of the minute by minute account of JFK's last 5 hours alive and the aftermath of the assassination.
Starting with waking up at the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth, TX and tragically ending with the President "coming home" to the East Room of the White House, the prose is often somewhat difficult to sift through simply because there is SO much information to digest.
A fine book that relies heavily on the "Warren Report" for its timing and accuracy.
Starting with waking up at the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth, TX and tragically ending with the President "coming home" to the East Room of the White House, the prose is often somewhat difficult to sift through simply because there is SO much information to digest.
A fine book that relies heavily on the "Warren Report" for its timing and accuracy.
December 12, 2013
I gave it worth reading which isn't fair. It was exhaustively thorough. So the worth reading is a cautionary notice. Well written. Minute by minute exhaustive tragic diary of the assassination; from every view! Every view. Over 700 pages so I can assure you not much was left out. Gruesome. Historic. A study of significant people, manipulative people, inept people, successful and failures, losers and pawns if you want to know what happened, and the when, why, who, etc. then the book is extraordinary!! Thanks go to Mr Bishop and staff for the dedication to the facts.
August 2, 2016
Really intense minute by minute detail of the day President Kennedy was shot and all the behind the scenes events that occurred afterwards. I would say that this seems to be the most truthful and accurate account of the event.
The only thing that it didn't mention and I wondered about was why did Mrs Kennedy try to climb out of the limo after her husband was shot? I guess we'll never know that answer.
The only thing that it didn't mention and I wondered about was why did Mrs Kennedy try to climb out of the limo after her husband was shot? I guess we'll never know that answer.
October 31, 2016
I read this book many years ago and was drawn back to read it again. He wrote this only a few
years after our president was assassinated in Dallas. He also wrote The Day Lincoln Was Shot
which I plan to re-read. These books are very detailed.
Bill O'Reilly has written similar books with fewer pages and details and a modern slant. These books are worth
reading also but it you are interested in beautiful writing of an older style Jim Bishop's books
are worth a second (or first) reading.
years after our president was assassinated in Dallas. He also wrote The Day Lincoln Was Shot
which I plan to re-read. These books are very detailed.
Bill O'Reilly has written similar books with fewer pages and details and a modern slant. These books are worth
reading also but it you are interested in beautiful writing of an older style Jim Bishop's books
are worth a second (or first) reading.
January 7, 2012
I try to read anything Kennedy since I've always been fascinated by this family. It was amazing to read a minute by minute account of the assasination day. My impressions of Jackie were changed by rfeading this book.
July 13, 2012
The Unauthorized biography of JFK's death. Even though ther family interferred it has a little more grit and less wishfulness then Wm. Manchesters similar book, which though approved by the family, disappointed them.
December 18, 2012
Having been a teenager living in Africa when Kennedy was assassinated I recall when it happened but knew little of the details. With the 50th anniversary approaching I wanted to know more. This is an excellent account in Jim Bishop's style.
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