History Will Prove Us Right: Inside the Warren Commission Report on the Assassination of John F. Kennedy

by Howard P. Willens

Everything was over in mere seconds, but the events of that day have been the subject of heated debate for five decades. The presidential commission tasked with finding the truth, headed by then-Chief Justice Earl Warren, published its findings the following year--Oswald had acted alone--but the report did little to quell conspiracy theorists. Many seized on what they saw as inconsistencies in the report and branded the whole investigation an elaborate cover-up. Warren himself calmly dismissed the criticism, assuring his fellow commission members that "history will prove that we are right." Now, in this eye-opening new account of the Commission and its findings, Howard P. Willens sets out to prove that Warren's advice was prescient. Willens, one of the few living staff members of the Warren Commission, supervised the investigation from the very beginning and has waited until now to silence the critics and well-intentioned armchair detectives.  Drawn from Willens' own journals and extensive notes on the investigation--which have never before been published--History Will Prove Us Right tells the true and complete story, perhaps for the first time, of every aspect of the investigation into one of the century's most harrowing events from a uniquely first-person perspective.

Genres: History, Politics

416 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2013

Reviews

[False · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was interested in reading this book, as it was written by someone who had actually participated with The Warren Commission. In the end, you are left wondering how so many things were allowed to slide in the name of politics or deference to the widow and the Kennedy family. So much more is also known now about Oswald and his life history. The Commission was eager to slam down rumors from fact, and in my opinion, they rushed to judgment. I do understand there was a lot of pressure being put upon them to do just that--rush. The people who follow this period of America's history will read this book. So many have been issued during this 50th anniversary of the assassination.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

While one section of the History Will Prove Us Right is a cursory examination of the Warren Commission Report, the majority of the work is devoted to the lawyers involved as well as the political and legal wrangling of the investigations. It does provide a behind the scenes look at the commission and attempts to provide justifications for actions taken by the Commission. As a historian, I would liked to have seen more evaluation of testimony of and evidence and less about the legal proceedings.

[Socraticgadfly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good look inside the operations and research of the Warren Commission by one of its senior staffers. The title is exactly right, and this is another brick in the wall for refuting conspiracy theorists.

[Mary Aubuchon · Rating 1 out of 5]

OK, I read the first 100 of 400 pages. I skimmed through the rest. As the song says "you're far too keen on where and how and not so hot on why." It only explained what the Commission did and not why we should believe them.

[Jeffrey Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up on sale as I am a big admirer of President Kennedy and a follower of his assassination. While I used to be a conspiracy theorist, I've changed thoughts over the year and this book helped further that the Warren Commission was better than the theories put down.  In the end, while tough to believe, they were right.  And while they may not have had the exact details, they knew the conclusion was correct and valid. I highly recommend this to any Kennedy assassination buff with an open mind. 

[Kyle Federo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book written by someone who was there. Considering all the nutty stuff that gets written about the assassination, it was refreshing to read something that uses facts and logic to address the issue. It is about time that the adults get back into the presentation of our nation's historical events.

[Jim Blessing · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read on the making of the Warren Commission Report. I have always been of the mind that thinks that Oswald acted alone. So many people get all excited about conspiracy tales, but except for Lincoln, all other presidential assassinations and attempts have been done by one person acting alone.

[Marlena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to Willens speak of his experience on the commission. And having read so many Kennedy books I am glad I read this one. It was an interesting insider prospective even if it was difficult to keep all the lawyers and staff straight.