What do you think?
Rate this book
Kill Zone: A Sniper Looks at Dealey Plaza
In 1987, former U.S. Marine Corps sniper Craig Roberts, a seasoned veteran of the Vietnam war, stood for the first time at the 6th floor of the Texas School Book Depository. As he looked down into that the U.S. Government maintains was the kill zone used by Lee Harvey Oswald, he knew immediately the the Warren Commission's verdict that Oswald, acting alone from that position, fired three shots is 5.6 seconds with an ancient bolt-action rifle was a lie.
If Oswald, by himself, could not have done it, then who could? And why?
Follow Roberts's investigation of six years into a shadow world of black operations into a level above the CIA, the KGB, the Mafia, Texas oil and others into a powerful organization that to them, to murder a head of a country anywhere is "business as usual."
If Oswald, by himself, could not have done it, then who could? And why?
Follow Roberts's investigation of six years into a shadow world of black operations into a level above the CIA, the KGB, the Mafia, Texas oil and others into a powerful organization that to them, to murder a head of a country anywhere is "business as usual."
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
81 people are currently reading
131 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 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 15, 2015
Just about the best I've read on the subject. Read other books on the same subject but none went into such detail that ties it together in such a good manner.
I recommend this book to those who go along with the same belief that Oswald was the killer of Kennedy, which I never did believe because I saw the original film's. It was all so phony what the Warren commission put out if you saw the whole thing from the get go
I recommend this book to those who go along with the same belief that Oswald was the killer of Kennedy, which I never did believe because I saw the original film's. It was all so phony what the Warren commission put out if you saw the whole thing from the get go
May 1, 2012
I highly highly recommend this book. Not only is it well written, but it's eye-opening, descriptive, and thought provoking. Although you will definitely feel paranoid after reading, just like watching fight club, I still think it's a must read. Especially if you enjoy conspiracies.
5/5
5/5
May 28, 2015
Roberts describes the scene from the TSBD; making many errors. He describes Houston street as perpendicular to the wall (east wall?) of the TSBD and claims it runs directly to the window just to the right of the one LHO allegedly used to shoot from. Actually Houston street does run perpendicular to the south side wall of the TSBD but does not point directly towards the building at all, it passes the building to the east. He also calls Houston street his second choice as a zone of engagement.
He calls the engagement zone on Elm street his third choice as he claims it moves at a drastic angle to the right from the window. If a person simply takes a look at a map of Dealey Plaza they can see that the small angle of Elm street from the sixth floor corner window is less than that of Houston street.
Roberts says his first choice of an engagement zone would have been directly below the sniper's nest window as the target would be moving at its slowest pace. While a limo may be moving slow, it would also be moving directly across the shooter's field of view, not at the slight angles it was on Houston and Elm streets. Roberts first choice would be my last partly because the shooter would have to lean farther out the window and expose them self. I'm ex-Navy, not a trained sniper, but I know how to shoot a rifle.
He claims Houston Street was perfectly aligned with the sniper's nest; not true.
He describes Elm street as "winding" and obscured by trees when in fact trees block only part of the view and is fairly straight where JFK was shot.
He describes the 6.5mm cartridge as unpredictable when in fact it was and still is an effective and reliable cartridge used by shooters since it was adopted by the Italian military in 1891.
He describes the scope as misaligned (probably true), non bore sighted (no evidence that it wasn't), with defective optics (no evidence this is true) with a loose mount (also no evidence). The field of view through the scope is described as almost non-existent; a very poor choice of words. Why can't he at least tell us what the field of view actually is?
Roberts makes a big deal about a high-low formula and a minute of angle rule and suggests that the shooter would miss by up to a foot. Actually the range was about 265 feet (88 yards) with the sniper's nest about 60 above the ground. With a BC of .275 and a muzzle velocity of 2100 fps, the bullet would take about .133 seconds to move 265 feet if fired flat. If the target was moving 10 mph at 10 degrees across the field of view, the shooter would have to lead 4.1 inches to hit the center. Check out any online ballistics calculator for these figures. Based on my reading the effect of height on the trajectory would be less than an inch at the very short range between the limo and the TSBD sixth floor.
Roberts claims it takes a minimum of 3.3 seconds to fire, work the bolt then fire again. No evidence to support this claim. The typical Carcano is rather slick as long as single drop of oil is rubbed on the bolt after cleaning. My 6.5mm Carcano is a piece of crap and operates just fine. A sticky bolt just requires more force to open/close. A shooter still needs to re-acquire the target even after closing a smooth center-fire bolt.
Roberts claims that the stripper clip should have fallen to the floor, but sometimes they stick; my Carcano clips do. He also claims that the Carcano can't function without the clip, a very stupid claim to make as all it takes is loading the cartridge into the chamber by hand.
This book is shoddy. I'm certain that people who perform the slightest bit of research on their own will come to the conclusion that it is too sloppy to be of any use at all.
Randy Bragge
ranb40@yahoo.com
He calls the engagement zone on Elm street his third choice as he claims it moves at a drastic angle to the right from the window. If a person simply takes a look at a map of Dealey Plaza they can see that the small angle of Elm street from the sixth floor corner window is less than that of Houston street.
Roberts says his first choice of an engagement zone would have been directly below the sniper's nest window as the target would be moving at its slowest pace. While a limo may be moving slow, it would also be moving directly across the shooter's field of view, not at the slight angles it was on Houston and Elm streets. Roberts first choice would be my last partly because the shooter would have to lean farther out the window and expose them self. I'm ex-Navy, not a trained sniper, but I know how to shoot a rifle.
He claims Houston Street was perfectly aligned with the sniper's nest; not true.
He describes Elm street as "winding" and obscured by trees when in fact trees block only part of the view and is fairly straight where JFK was shot.
He describes the 6.5mm cartridge as unpredictable when in fact it was and still is an effective and reliable cartridge used by shooters since it was adopted by the Italian military in 1891.
He describes the scope as misaligned (probably true), non bore sighted (no evidence that it wasn't), with defective optics (no evidence this is true) with a loose mount (also no evidence). The field of view through the scope is described as almost non-existent; a very poor choice of words. Why can't he at least tell us what the field of view actually is?
Roberts makes a big deal about a high-low formula and a minute of angle rule and suggests that the shooter would miss by up to a foot. Actually the range was about 265 feet (88 yards) with the sniper's nest about 60 above the ground. With a BC of .275 and a muzzle velocity of 2100 fps, the bullet would take about .133 seconds to move 265 feet if fired flat. If the target was moving 10 mph at 10 degrees across the field of view, the shooter would have to lead 4.1 inches to hit the center. Check out any online ballistics calculator for these figures. Based on my reading the effect of height on the trajectory would be less than an inch at the very short range between the limo and the TSBD sixth floor.
Roberts claims it takes a minimum of 3.3 seconds to fire, work the bolt then fire again. No evidence to support this claim. The typical Carcano is rather slick as long as single drop of oil is rubbed on the bolt after cleaning. My 6.5mm Carcano is a piece of crap and operates just fine. A sticky bolt just requires more force to open/close. A shooter still needs to re-acquire the target even after closing a smooth center-fire bolt.
Roberts claims that the stripper clip should have fallen to the floor, but sometimes they stick; my Carcano clips do. He also claims that the Carcano can't function without the clip, a very stupid claim to make as all it takes is loading the cartridge into the chamber by hand.
This book is shoddy. I'm certain that people who perform the slightest bit of research on their own will come to the conclusion that it is too sloppy to be of any use at all.
Randy Bragge
ranb40@yahoo.com
August 17, 2015
Another conspiracy book. Yes, but very well written, and logically presented about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The data and evidence suggest that the assassination was not done by the lone gunman Lee Harvey Oswald. It appears to have been organized and executed by the same team that was originally organized to assassinate Fidel Castro (which failed). It's well thought out, and logical that it was a coordinated effort, organized in such a way that there would be no talking about it, and no communications or knowledge of the whole operation by any one level of the operatives.
But, why?. The starting of the war with Viet Nam by the United States was a fabricated reason to start a war. What really happened to force the passage of the "Tonkin Gulf Resolution" apprears to be quite a lot different than the official version. "The Tonkin Gulf Incident, by all evidence that has surfaced since the dates in question, appears to have been orchestrated not from Hanoi, but from the White House." But, why go to the trouble to start a war? It appears to be so that a lot of people and corporations in the U.S. could make a lot of money.
How could this happen? Another sinister group is introduced, the Committee on Foreign Relations, aka the shadow group who really runs things in our country. A real entity, with many, many, many members what we would all recognize in politics, business, the military, and the intelligence community. The organization was started by, and is still heavily controlled by the Rothschild International banking cartel. It's simply stated.........make money, lots of it, and make sure it happenes.
John F. Kennedy has issued a directive to stop the Viet Nam War. Very shortly thereafter, he was assassinated. Then, Lyndon B. Johnson was ushered in as President. Johnson, has a proclamation drafted two days before the assassination of Kennedy issuing a proclamation to extend the Viet Nam War.
The plot thickens, in that the assignation of President Abraham Lincoln appears to possibly be a put up job controlled that the "The High Cabal" (also know variously as: The Power Elite, The Enterprise, The Council, and The committee). And then of course, World War I, and World War II sere also deemed a go by this group.
The plot goes on, with the establishment of the U.S. Federal Reserve system as being an entity created by this group. Apparently Kennedy also planted to exterminate the Federal Reserve System, and put the country back on the Gold Standard.
"Then, on February 23, 1954, Senator William Jenner warned that "Outwardly we have a constitutional government. We have operating within our government and political system, another body representing another form of government, a bureaucratic elite which believes our Constitution is outmoded and is sure it is on the winning side...All the strange developments in foreign policy agreements may be traced to this group who are going to make us over to suit their pleasure."
The CFR appears to have a master plan, and makes moves to make sure the plan is implemented. They do not care who is elected, or who is in power. They are.
Interesting stuff.
The data and evidence suggest that the assassination was not done by the lone gunman Lee Harvey Oswald. It appears to have been organized and executed by the same team that was originally organized to assassinate Fidel Castro (which failed). It's well thought out, and logical that it was a coordinated effort, organized in such a way that there would be no talking about it, and no communications or knowledge of the whole operation by any one level of the operatives.
But, why?. The starting of the war with Viet Nam by the United States was a fabricated reason to start a war. What really happened to force the passage of the "Tonkin Gulf Resolution" apprears to be quite a lot different than the official version. "The Tonkin Gulf Incident, by all evidence that has surfaced since the dates in question, appears to have been orchestrated not from Hanoi, but from the White House." But, why go to the trouble to start a war? It appears to be so that a lot of people and corporations in the U.S. could make a lot of money.
How could this happen? Another sinister group is introduced, the Committee on Foreign Relations, aka the shadow group who really runs things in our country. A real entity, with many, many, many members what we would all recognize in politics, business, the military, and the intelligence community. The organization was started by, and is still heavily controlled by the Rothschild International banking cartel. It's simply stated.........make money, lots of it, and make sure it happenes.
John F. Kennedy has issued a directive to stop the Viet Nam War. Very shortly thereafter, he was assassinated. Then, Lyndon B. Johnson was ushered in as President. Johnson, has a proclamation drafted two days before the assassination of Kennedy issuing a proclamation to extend the Viet Nam War.
The plot thickens, in that the assignation of President Abraham Lincoln appears to possibly be a put up job controlled that the "The High Cabal" (also know variously as: The Power Elite, The Enterprise, The Council, and The committee). And then of course, World War I, and World War II sere also deemed a go by this group.
The plot goes on, with the establishment of the U.S. Federal Reserve system as being an entity created by this group. Apparently Kennedy also planted to exterminate the Federal Reserve System, and put the country back on the Gold Standard.
"Then, on February 23, 1954, Senator William Jenner warned that "Outwardly we have a constitutional government. We have operating within our government and political system, another body representing another form of government, a bureaucratic elite which believes our Constitution is outmoded and is sure it is on the winning side...All the strange developments in foreign policy agreements may be traced to this group who are going to make us over to suit their pleasure."
The CFR appears to have a master plan, and makes moves to make sure the plan is implemented. They do not care who is elected, or who is in power. They are.
Interesting stuff.
May 6, 2018
Full of information
The author starts with Dealy Plaza, then delves into the development of the Power Elite and the financial entities that have affected world events since 1773 . He explains who they are , bankers, Foreign Relations Committee and other entities that developed over time and were so easily able to remove our elected leader. Great research, great information for anyone who feels things are amiss in our country and the world in general as the powers that are working behind the scenes are trying to establish The New World Order in the form of a one world government. Great book that reads easily and quickly.
The author starts with Dealy Plaza, then delves into the development of the Power Elite and the financial entities that have affected world events since 1773 . He explains who they are , bankers, Foreign Relations Committee and other entities that developed over time and were so easily able to remove our elected leader. Great research, great information for anyone who feels things are amiss in our country and the world in general as the powers that are working behind the scenes are trying to establish The New World Order in the form of a one world government. Great book that reads easily and quickly.
March 7, 2009
This is really an interesting book. The author has a number of wild theories about J.F.K....but does a pretty good job of showing inconsistencies in the 'official' story and raising doubts about all of the events surrounding the assassination (even back before the Bay of Pigs).
I don't necessarily believe all of his theories, but I came away with a far greater understanding of the facts of the situation. Something that the gov't and others have tried to blur and hide.
Well worth reading.
I don't necessarily believe all of his theories, but I came away with a far greater understanding of the facts of the situation. Something that the gov't and others have tried to blur and hide.
Well worth reading.
July 24, 2018
Very good book. It's interesting to hear something from an expert on snipers, guns, angles, etc. Everything he says makes more sense than the single bullet theory. His background in other areas bring out other interesting information such as the planes have a fin or not, trap doors to cargo hold, tail numbers being different for the different types of planes, helicopter beside plane which is not allowed, etc. Read it to get some different insights on why it would require more than one person to pull off the assassination.
October 23, 2016
Eye Opener
I was in the 5th grade when Kennedy was murdered. At that age I didn't really understand what was going on. But the reactions of my parents stayed with me.
After a lot of reading on the assassination, I came to disbelieve the single shooter story more and more.
This book opened my eyes to the fact that there was no way one person did this. Also I have been somewhat untrusting of the government and after this book even more so.
I highly recommend this work.
I was in the 5th grade when Kennedy was murdered. At that age I didn't really understand what was going on. But the reactions of my parents stayed with me.
After a lot of reading on the assassination, I came to disbelieve the single shooter story more and more.
This book opened my eyes to the fact that there was no way one person did this. Also I have been somewhat untrusting of the government and after this book even more so.
I highly recommend this work.
October 22, 2020
There is SO much wrong with official explanations and investigations into the assassination of JFK that it's hard to know where to begin. This guy started at the very beginning, by looking out of the window of the book warehouse from where Lee Harvey Oswald (or someone) fired at JFK. As an army sniper he knew NO professional would ever choose that location for a single-shot kill, and therefore everything else that followed must have been a cover-up.
September 17, 2015
Well Researched
I have realized for some time there is a powerful few who manipulate our governments. It disturbs me to know
my vote and voice mean nothing. I don't rate books normally,but think everyone should be aware of this situation. We need to take the power back and to return it to the people. I think every American should read this book.
I have realized for some time there is a powerful few who manipulate our governments. It disturbs me to know
my vote and voice mean nothing. I don't rate books normally,but think everyone should be aware of this situation. We need to take the power back and to return it to the people. I think every American should read this book.
May 23, 2018
Excellent narrative of a very convincing theory
According to what the author tells us, the comparison to the Lincoln assassination is anything but a coincidence. Basically the author tells us the explanation by the Warren Commission is not just wrong but impossible. The explanation of the monetary cabal also unfortunately seems to me be absolutely correct.
According to what the author tells us, the comparison to the Lincoln assassination is anything but a coincidence. Basically the author tells us the explanation by the Warren Commission is not just wrong but impossible. The explanation of the monetary cabal also unfortunately seems to me be absolutely correct.
August 1, 2019
I thought it was good. The premise seemed decently investigated, although there were times when the author glossed over exactly what sources were used for various hypothesis, and I appreciate the military approach to this particular subject matter. All in all, solid read and I plan to check out Roberts' other books.
November 22, 2021
This book gives the best detail I've seen about who the shooters were (if correct) and the number of shooter and where they were positioned. Then it goes into depth on another area to show who the author things was ultimately behind the call to have JFK eliminated and most of the book concentrates on this.
October 23, 2017
Good way to remember Kennedy's assassination
The Kennedy assassination story just doesn't seem to hang together and this book explores the loose threads. If Roberts' theory is correct then this was the most pivotal event in US history.
The Kennedy assassination story just doesn't seem to hang together and this book explores the loose threads. If Roberts' theory is correct then this was the most pivotal event in US history.
Read
April 18, 2014Kennedy conspiracy theory. Well written by former army sniper. Starts off book by showing that Oswald could not have done it alone, if at all.
November 24, 2015
Spot on
This book gets a top notch rating. It's spot on on the one thing bigger than any one conspirator. The complex.
This book gets a top notch rating. It's spot on on the one thing bigger than any one conspirator. The complex.
June 11, 2016
Well, I've been introduced to a whole new batch of possible theories behind an event I thought I understood and knew to be true.
I guess its all about who you choose to believe?!
Yowza!
I guess its all about who you choose to believe?!
Yowza!
March 3, 2021
Oswald? Impossible!
Oswald could not have done it. Lots of theories. Really makes you think & remember the times. It all makes sense especially with the cover up.
Oswald could not have done it. Lots of theories. Really makes you think & remember the times. It all makes sense especially with the cover up.
July 29, 2021
Excellent
I’ve read many books on the JFK murder and this one is by far the best. Research and reference material covers every aspect of this stain on American history.
I’ve read many books on the JFK murder and this one is by far the best. Research and reference material covers every aspect of this stain on American history.
November 7, 2018
I purchased this book hoping it would do as author Craig Roberts promised: he would look at the JFK assassination site with a trained military sniper’s eye and give us a more nuanced and critical assessment that would help us understand how Oswald could not have done what he’s accused of doing.
Good premise, poor execution.
Roberts gave Dealey Plaza no more than a cursory glance, made a few comments on where the execution teams might have been located, thereby at least proving Oswald was innocent and exactly what he said he was, a patsy; and then took the book in a completely different direction which was largely based on conjecture and speculation about secret societies and merciless billionaires.
After all the speculation that led to the Warren Commission Report and its whitewash of Kennedy’s execution, I was annoyed that Roberts fell back on the same approach. When you have no evidence, speculate, and pass that off as the truth.
If his speculation and theories are correct - and the threads tying them together are tenuous at best - the people behind JFK’s murder are some of the most incompetent and inept conspirators in the world. But, they must consider their positions as so unassailable that they don’t care if people consider them a bunch of bungling boobs. They got away with it…so there!
I found a lot of his quoting from the bible very off-putting. One would think someone who seems grounded to the realities of this world wouldn’t resort to quoting from a book of myths, fairy tales and campfire stories to make his point. I almost thought he might say “it was God’s will” at times.
Save your money on this and buy any of the books by Harold Weisberg for a thorough investigation into how the JFK assassination investigation was botched. Weisberg never has to resort to speculation and conjecture to make his point.
Good premise, poor execution.
Roberts gave Dealey Plaza no more than a cursory glance, made a few comments on where the execution teams might have been located, thereby at least proving Oswald was innocent and exactly what he said he was, a patsy; and then took the book in a completely different direction which was largely based on conjecture and speculation about secret societies and merciless billionaires.
After all the speculation that led to the Warren Commission Report and its whitewash of Kennedy’s execution, I was annoyed that Roberts fell back on the same approach. When you have no evidence, speculate, and pass that off as the truth.
If his speculation and theories are correct - and the threads tying them together are tenuous at best - the people behind JFK’s murder are some of the most incompetent and inept conspirators in the world. But, they must consider their positions as so unassailable that they don’t care if people consider them a bunch of bungling boobs. They got away with it…so there!
I found a lot of his quoting from the bible very off-putting. One would think someone who seems grounded to the realities of this world wouldn’t resort to quoting from a book of myths, fairy tales and campfire stories to make his point. I almost thought he might say “it was God’s will” at times.
Save your money on this and buy any of the books by Harold Weisberg for a thorough investigation into how the JFK assassination investigation was botched. Weisberg never has to resort to speculation and conjecture to make his point.
November 22, 2018
I don’t believe Oswald acted alone in the assassination of President Kennedy but there are good books and there are bad books on the Assassination and Craig Roberts has written a bad book. I’d say that this is a bad book in part because very little is his own work. He relies pretty heavily on Jim Marrs’ big government paranoia and interviews (although Jim Marrs did conduct a lot of very excellent interviews with witnesses his conclusions or suppositions are often embarrassing to read), Mark Lane’s interviews, David Lifton’s scrounging and the like. Roberts’ only contribution was personal knowledge of firearms, and some basic observations on the schematics of Air Force One.
Otherwise the self righteous “the government lied to me!” didn’t exactly make the pages fly by- I did get a few chuckles though over it. He wouldn’t be so shocked about all the governments lies if he’d listened to a socialist, a Native American, trade unionist, African-American, Cuban, Guatemalan, Mexican, Iranian, Iraqi, poor person...
Otherwise the self righteous “the government lied to me!” didn’t exactly make the pages fly by- I did get a few chuckles though over it. He wouldn’t be so shocked about all the governments lies if he’d listened to a socialist, a Native American, trade unionist, African-American, Cuban, Guatemalan, Mexican, Iranian, Iraqi, poor person...
November 13, 2019
The premise of the title of this book only covers a small part of the content of the book. While I don't dispute the contents of the book, I feel I was sold a bait and switch book. I was only interested in his analysis as a sniper of the ability of LHO to take and make the shots he is supposed to have taken to kill JFK.
The balance of the book is a great history lesson, but that is not what I was intending to purchase.
The balance of the book is a great history lesson, but that is not what I was intending to purchase.
February 21, 2018
Very Believable
This book and the subjects it covers is very interesting and both objectively and subjectively rings true..Recommended reading undoubtedly. The truth will out.
This book and the subjects it covers is very interesting and both objectively and subjectively rings true..Recommended reading undoubtedly. The truth will out.
April 2, 2019
the hard veer into right-wing rothschild/NWO bullshit at the end really ruins it.
May 10, 2018
History lesson
The beginning of the book was as advertised, about Kennedy assassination. .
But he went on to give you a history lesson dating back as far as 1700. Informative but not to the point of Kill Zone.
The beginning of the book was as advertised, about Kennedy assassination. .
But he went on to give you a history lesson dating back as far as 1700. Informative but not to the point of Kill Zone.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews