What do you think?
Rate this book
Assignment: Oswald
Straight from the FBI counter-intelligence agent assigned to Lee Harvey Oswald prior to the assassination of President Kennedy - and the lead investigator in the FBI's post-assassination investigation of Oswald - Oswald is the first authoritative insider's account of our century's most traumatic event. Combining his own unique, intimate knowledge of the case with previously unavailable government documents, including top secret CIA files just released from the National Archives, James Hosty tells the true story behind the assassination and the government's response to it, including the suppression of a documented Oswald-Soviet-Castro connection. Special Agent Hosty began to investigate Lee Harvey Oswald in October 1963, a full month before the JFK assassination. From November 22 on, Hosty watched as everyone from the Dallas police, the FBI, the CIA, Naval Intelligence, and the State Department up through the Warren Commission to J. Edgar Hoover, Robert Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson reacted to and manipulated the facts of the president's assassination - until Hosty himself became their scapegoat. Now, after seeing his name appear in three inconclusive federal investigations and countless fact-twisting conspiracy theories (including Oliver Stone's motion picture), Hosty has decided to tell his own story. Hosty's testimony has been universally acknowledged as vital to any complete understanding of the Kennedy assassination. As a witness to and a participant in every stage of the assassination investigation, Hosty brings to this story an exclusive insider's knowledge of the mechanisms, the power structures, and the rivalries in and among the various intelligence and lawenforcement agencies and why they have determined who knows what about the assassination. Here, at last, is an unmistakably expert and responsible account of the murder of President Kennedy.
336 pages, Paperback
First published November 22, 1995
22 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 7, 2013
It was interesting - and in some ways revealing - to read Hosty's description of the events leading up to and immediately following the JFK assassination, as well as his opinions as to everything that came after. His name will always be intimately associated with the assassination - and not merely because he was the FBI agent assigned to monitor Lee Harvey Oswald in the fall of 1963. I do believe he has been, to some degree, unfairly denigrated over the years by everyone from the Warren Commission and factions within the FBI to the press and conspiracy theorists. My own view is that he was really just a bit player in this whole sordid story - largely because I believe Oswald was framed; even if I'm wrong about that, though, I do not believe Hosty had any compelling reason to suspect Oswald posed any danger to JFK on his fateful Dallas trip. Certainly, I disagree with anyone who blames Hosty for JFK's assassination.
All of that being said, however, I am no fan of James Hosty. It is an incontrovertible fact that he destroyed evidence pertinent to the investigation - whether he was ordered to do it or not, he acknowledges having destroyed a note that Oswald left for him in the FBI office shortly before the assassination. No matter how much he regrets having done it, that action prevents me from placing 100% confidence in anything he says. That is my bias - but Hosty has his own biases, as well. For one thing, he is a firm believer in the lone nut theory put forth by the Warren Commission; concomitant with that is his own belief that the Warren Commission and the federal government covered up various ties that Oswald had with the Soviets and Cubans. I think he is sincere I these beliefs, but I have to note that these beliefs also prove quite convenient for his position. It all centers on Oswald's supposed visits to the Soviet and Cuban embassies in Mexico City several weeks before the assassination. As the story goes, Oswald made contact with V.V. Kostikov and communicated his intent to kill JFK. Hosty knew about the trip, but he says he did not know that Kostikov was anything more than a vice consul at the Soviet Embassy - that, in fact, FBI officials never told him that Kostikov was in fact a KGB agent who oversaw assassinations across the Western hemisphere. According to Hosty, much of the criticism he took from the Warren Commission and government investigators was based on their assumption that he did know who Kostikov was and what Oswald supposedly told him - in which case he should have considered Oswald a threat to the President.
Hosty's career and reputation did suffer over the years - he was censured twice by J. Edgar Hoover, transferred out of Dallas to Kansas City, denied commendations and promotions, and excoriated by the press - particularly when word leaked out in 1975 about his destruction of a note from Oswald. Hosty spends most of the book defending himself against all of these attacks - and his growing sense of frustration and anger at having basically been denied access to information about Oswald's Mexico City trip, betrayed by some of his Dallas superiors, and ultimately hung out to dry by FBI officials. As a reader, I got the sense that the man doth protest too much, however. Any man who destroys evidence and illegally accesses his own personnel file is no model FBI agent.
I don't necessarily have any greater respect for Hosty after reading this book, but I did find myself sympathizing with him to some degree at times. Whether or not Oswald was the assassin, I do not think Hosty was to blame in any way. This is particularly true if the Mexico City Oswald was actually an impostor - which is what I believe. Finally, I should mention that the book does prove interesting in terms of its insights into how the FBI operated, particularly under Hoover.
All of that being said, however, I am no fan of James Hosty. It is an incontrovertible fact that he destroyed evidence pertinent to the investigation - whether he was ordered to do it or not, he acknowledges having destroyed a note that Oswald left for him in the FBI office shortly before the assassination. No matter how much he regrets having done it, that action prevents me from placing 100% confidence in anything he says. That is my bias - but Hosty has his own biases, as well. For one thing, he is a firm believer in the lone nut theory put forth by the Warren Commission; concomitant with that is his own belief that the Warren Commission and the federal government covered up various ties that Oswald had with the Soviets and Cubans. I think he is sincere I these beliefs, but I have to note that these beliefs also prove quite convenient for his position. It all centers on Oswald's supposed visits to the Soviet and Cuban embassies in Mexico City several weeks before the assassination. As the story goes, Oswald made contact with V.V. Kostikov and communicated his intent to kill JFK. Hosty knew about the trip, but he says he did not know that Kostikov was anything more than a vice consul at the Soviet Embassy - that, in fact, FBI officials never told him that Kostikov was in fact a KGB agent who oversaw assassinations across the Western hemisphere. According to Hosty, much of the criticism he took from the Warren Commission and government investigators was based on their assumption that he did know who Kostikov was and what Oswald supposedly told him - in which case he should have considered Oswald a threat to the President.
Hosty's career and reputation did suffer over the years - he was censured twice by J. Edgar Hoover, transferred out of Dallas to Kansas City, denied commendations and promotions, and excoriated by the press - particularly when word leaked out in 1975 about his destruction of a note from Oswald. Hosty spends most of the book defending himself against all of these attacks - and his growing sense of frustration and anger at having basically been denied access to information about Oswald's Mexico City trip, betrayed by some of his Dallas superiors, and ultimately hung out to dry by FBI officials. As a reader, I got the sense that the man doth protest too much, however. Any man who destroys evidence and illegally accesses his own personnel file is no model FBI agent.
I don't necessarily have any greater respect for Hosty after reading this book, but I did find myself sympathizing with him to some degree at times. Whether or not Oswald was the assassin, I do not think Hosty was to blame in any way. This is particularly true if the Mexico City Oswald was actually an impostor - which is what I believe. Finally, I should mention that the book does prove interesting in terms of its insights into how the FBI operated, particularly under Hoover.
April 10, 2018
Good book
Being one of those "conspiracy theorists," I have been deeply impressed with Jim Hosty's explanation of the events surrounding President Kennedy's assassination. I have been convinced for years that Oswald did not kill the president. History's information and beliefs have me reconsidering all that.
Also, I am very sorry for Hosty's sufferings at the hands of Hoover and others. I think he is a good man and was caught between wicked people, as good people often are. He is courageous. Thanks for your book.
Being one of those "conspiracy theorists," I have been deeply impressed with Jim Hosty's explanation of the events surrounding President Kennedy's assassination. I have been convinced for years that Oswald did not kill the president. History's information and beliefs have me reconsidering all that.
Also, I am very sorry for Hosty's sufferings at the hands of Hoover and others. I think he is a good man and was caught between wicked people, as good people often are. He is courageous. Thanks for your book.
November 25, 2017
A very interesting book by a FBI agent who checked on LEE HARVEY OSWALD before and after the J.F.K. assassination. Reading this book will convince you that a number of agencies covered up much of the evidence of the killing.
November 29, 2018
Kennedy Story
This is an interesting book. The author tells me many things about Kennedy's death that I didn't know before and comes to conclusions that I had already decided we're the correct ones. I found it believable.
This is an interesting book. The author tells me many things about Kennedy's death that I didn't know before and comes to conclusions that I had already decided we're the correct ones. I found it believable.
June 7, 2016
Excellent read!!!
The best book on the Kennedy assassination I've read. Couldn't put it down. Hosty's testimony is overwhelming. A must read.
The best book on the Kennedy assassination I've read. Couldn't put it down. Hosty's testimony is overwhelming. A must read.
September 5, 2023
The book is mostly a first-hand telling of the events surrounding the assassination as Hosty experienced them. It is written in an almost journal-like tone with him referencing time and dates for everything. The major points/themes in the book are:
1. The note that so many have made so much of (especially Oliver Stone in JFK) amounted to Oswald being mad that Hosty had interviewed Marina when they ended up in Dallas. Oswald basically told Hosty to leave them alone and if he did not Oswald would take action against the FBI. After Kennedy was killed and Oswald was arrested Hosty's boss told him to get rid of the note (for fear of incurring Hoover's wrath) and Hosty stupidly (which he admits) destroyed it. Of course, it eventually was uncovered, Hoover did find out about it, and Hosty was pretty much hung out to dry by the FBI.
2. Hosty was very critical of Hoover, the FBI in general, the Secret Service, Dallas Police, the Warren Commission, and the House Committee on Assassinations (who he felt were wasting their time trying to find a mob connection to the Assassination) and the CIA. At various points in the book, he skewers every one of them.
3. Hosty believed that Oswald acted alone in the assassination but believes that the Cubans and/or Russians either knew and possibly tacitly approved of Oswald's intention to kill Kennedy. This is mainly centered around the fact that when Oswald, after being given the run around in Mexico City while trying to get a travel visa to Cuba to get back into Russia, yelled that he was going to kill Kennedy, and only then got to meet with a KGB agent who was a part of the KGB group that took part in assassinations. Hosty then speculates based on circumstantial evidence that there may have been an agreement along the lines of an "if you can kill Kennedy and get back to Mexico City we will let you back into Russia" between the Soviets and Oswald. He further claims that the CIA knew this, never informed the FBI (claiming he did not know when he was investigating the Oswalds before the Assassination and never learned of it until the late 60s or early 70s), and that the Warren Commission knew of the evidence but did not pursue it and/or whitewashed (on the Orders of the White House) it in order to avoid a war that could have ended up in nuclear Armageddon.
The book is definitely an interesting read, although somewhat dry in parts and it is not likely to change anyone's mind about what happened and whether Oswald acted alone. For his part, Hosty lays out the evidence for why he believed Oswald was the lone assassin and provides some evidence for the Cuba/Russia link. Given that it is almost impossible to follow up on that thread after all these years, they will likely remain forever unverifiable unless Castro decides to fess up or there is something in the records that have yet to be unsealed which admits that connection was covered up. He staunchly defends himself against any accusation that he knew of Oswald's plan, assisted him in any way, or had any prior information that Oswald was capable of carrying out the assassination. No matter what side of the conspiracy fence you sit on, I think the book is worth reading.
1. The note that so many have made so much of (especially Oliver Stone in JFK) amounted to Oswald being mad that Hosty had interviewed Marina when they ended up in Dallas. Oswald basically told Hosty to leave them alone and if he did not Oswald would take action against the FBI. After Kennedy was killed and Oswald was arrested Hosty's boss told him to get rid of the note (for fear of incurring Hoover's wrath) and Hosty stupidly (which he admits) destroyed it. Of course, it eventually was uncovered, Hoover did find out about it, and Hosty was pretty much hung out to dry by the FBI.
2. Hosty was very critical of Hoover, the FBI in general, the Secret Service, Dallas Police, the Warren Commission, and the House Committee on Assassinations (who he felt were wasting their time trying to find a mob connection to the Assassination) and the CIA. At various points in the book, he skewers every one of them.
3. Hosty believed that Oswald acted alone in the assassination but believes that the Cubans and/or Russians either knew and possibly tacitly approved of Oswald's intention to kill Kennedy. This is mainly centered around the fact that when Oswald, after being given the run around in Mexico City while trying to get a travel visa to Cuba to get back into Russia, yelled that he was going to kill Kennedy, and only then got to meet with a KGB agent who was a part of the KGB group that took part in assassinations. Hosty then speculates based on circumstantial evidence that there may have been an agreement along the lines of an "if you can kill Kennedy and get back to Mexico City we will let you back into Russia" between the Soviets and Oswald. He further claims that the CIA knew this, never informed the FBI (claiming he did not know when he was investigating the Oswalds before the Assassination and never learned of it until the late 60s or early 70s), and that the Warren Commission knew of the evidence but did not pursue it and/or whitewashed (on the Orders of the White House) it in order to avoid a war that could have ended up in nuclear Armageddon.
The book is definitely an interesting read, although somewhat dry in parts and it is not likely to change anyone's mind about what happened and whether Oswald acted alone. For his part, Hosty lays out the evidence for why he believed Oswald was the lone assassin and provides some evidence for the Cuba/Russia link. Given that it is almost impossible to follow up on that thread after all these years, they will likely remain forever unverifiable unless Castro decides to fess up or there is something in the records that have yet to be unsealed which admits that connection was covered up. He staunchly defends himself against any accusation that he knew of Oswald's plan, assisted him in any way, or had any prior information that Oswald was capable of carrying out the assassination. No matter what side of the conspiracy fence you sit on, I think the book is worth reading.
May 21, 2020
Oswald was the lone gunman
Interesting behind the scenes actions of the FBI and Dallas police. Worth reading if you like reading about our government lying to us.
Interesting behind the scenes actions of the FBI and Dallas police. Worth reading if you like reading about our government lying to us.
July 10, 2023
This is the JFK book you wrote when your head is a perfect cube.
January 9, 2013
In the fall of 1963, Hosty, a Dallas-based FBI agent, had responsibility for several hundred case files, including one Lee Harvey Oswald, a known Communist sympathizer. There was additional information in CIA files about Oswald, but unfortunately the FBI didn't have that. Still, Hosty knew more about Oswald than most, and in the aftermath of Kennedy's assassination, learned even more. Hosty received a great deal of criticism for not recognizing that Oswald was a threat, and this book is his effort to exonerate himself. I think he is successful; he kept careful contemporaneous notes and there is a wealth of official data as well, the weight of which is in his favor.
The more interesting part of the book is the discussion of Oswald's September, 1963, trip to Mexico City and his visits there to the Cuban and Soviet embassies in an attempt to get passage to Cuba. The CIA knew he was there, and more, but that information was not publicly released in the aftermath of the assassination. Hosty speculates the information was covered up to prevent a military initiative against both Russia and Cuba, with its likely nuclear risks. His analysis is persuasive.
Oh, and by the way, based on his extensive knowledge, Hosty believes that Oswald definitely was the assassin, and acted alone.
The more interesting part of the book is the discussion of Oswald's September, 1963, trip to Mexico City and his visits there to the Cuban and Soviet embassies in an attempt to get passage to Cuba. The CIA knew he was there, and more, but that information was not publicly released in the aftermath of the assassination. Hosty speculates the information was covered up to prevent a military initiative against both Russia and Cuba, with its likely nuclear risks. His analysis is persuasive.
Oh, and by the way, based on his extensive knowledge, Hosty believes that Oswald definitely was the assassin, and acted alone.
October 5, 2015
Not too far off four stars, maybe seven out of ten for 'Assignment Oswald'. I met Jim Hosty in 2003 when he sat in a question and answer forum. I admired his direct and forthright answers. Although his book maligns the government probes into the Kennedy assassination, and his involvement in these investigations, he has always stood by his views on the lone nut Oswald guilt.
It is interesting to read his suspicions of the communist left pointing their finger at the American right for involvement in a conspiracy, which run counter to my own suspicions of the American right blaming the communist left.
Where I divert strongly from 'big Jim' is in his Postscript. There are simply far too many points that I find inaccurate, or simply wrong, in his summing-up of the case, particularly in the areas of ballistic, medical and witness evidence. If I listed all these discrepancies this would turn into an overly long review. I would only repeat Hosty's final sentence, 'the evidence is there for anyone to examine.'
Whatever the reader's opinion, this book has it's value. The Appendix of some sixty pages contains released documents from the JFK Records Act.
It is interesting to read his suspicions of the communist left pointing their finger at the American right for involvement in a conspiracy, which run counter to my own suspicions of the American right blaming the communist left.
Where I divert strongly from 'big Jim' is in his Postscript. There are simply far too many points that I find inaccurate, or simply wrong, in his summing-up of the case, particularly in the areas of ballistic, medical and witness evidence. If I listed all these discrepancies this would turn into an overly long review. I would only repeat Hosty's final sentence, 'the evidence is there for anyone to examine.'
Whatever the reader's opinion, this book has it's value. The Appendix of some sixty pages contains released documents from the JFK Records Act.
September 11, 2014
Hosty relates the story in an honest and earnest way, not sparing criticism of FBI colleagues.
June 11, 2016
Kind of a poor me pitty party.
Over all seemed to contain a good set of facts and schedule of events that occurred during the historical occurance.
Over all seemed to contain a good set of facts and schedule of events that occurred during the historical occurance.
December 27, 2019
Not typically a fan of nonfiction, but the story was incredibly compelling and is a worthwhile read. Definitely check it out!
Read
November 1, 2018Background story from POV of the FBI agent assigned to Oswald before President Kennedy was shot.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews