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From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy
"I awakened early on Friday morning, November 22, 1963. The day was gray and somber. Rain was falling...I asked John if I could ride with him to Dallas, and his reply was 'certainly.' We got in the jump seats right behind the driver and secret service man in the front. I was on the driver's side. Mrs. Kennedy was behind me. The President sat directly behind John. We were a happy foursome. I had my yellow roses; Jackie had red ones. I turned to the President as the formation of cars turned onto Elm Street and said, ' Mr. President, you certainly cannot say that Dallas does not love you.'"
Nellie Connally, wife of the late governor of Texas John Connally, shares her personal diary of the JFK assassination. While a seminal document in our nation's history-the original document is to be archived at the University of Texas-From Love Field is, at heart, one woman's account of a personal tragedy. Written for her children and grandchildren forty years ago in November 1963, the diary details what it took as a wife, mother, and friend to cope with an unimaginable personal and public ordeal.
With the twenty-six-page original document expertly reproduced in its entirely and an additional narrative detailing the days before and after the fatal shots, From Love Field also includes many major newsbreaking revelations that further delineate Mrs. Connally's longstanding dispute of the Warren Commission's findings.
Along with Mickey Herskowitz, a longtime family friend and coauthor of John Connally's autobiography In History's Shadow, Nellie Connally has, at last, broken her silence and given the country a personal point of view of the most controversial and disturbing chapter in its history.
Nellie Connally, wife of the late governor of Texas John Connally, shares her personal diary of the JFK assassination. While a seminal document in our nation's history-the original document is to be archived at the University of Texas-From Love Field is, at heart, one woman's account of a personal tragedy. Written for her children and grandchildren forty years ago in November 1963, the diary details what it took as a wife, mother, and friend to cope with an unimaginable personal and public ordeal.
With the twenty-six-page original document expertly reproduced in its entirely and an additional narrative detailing the days before and after the fatal shots, From Love Field also includes many major newsbreaking revelations that further delineate Mrs. Connally's longstanding dispute of the Warren Commission's findings.
Along with Mickey Herskowitz, a longtime family friend and coauthor of John Connally's autobiography In History's Shadow, Nellie Connally has, at last, broken her silence and given the country a personal point of view of the most controversial and disturbing chapter in its history.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 28, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 16, 2023
"When Air Force One arrived from Fort Worth, soggy clouds still enveloped the Dallas airport [.] called Love Field. That day - November 22, 1963 - the autumn air was filled with anticipation." -- page 2
Idanell 'Nellie' Connally (1919-2006) literally had a front seat to history on November 22, 1963 . . . not that she got to enjoy her experience that afternoon. As first lady of Texas from 1963 to 1969, she was accompanying governor / husband John alongside V.I.P.s President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline in the rear seating compartment of a convertible limousine. We all know what then transpired as it slowly wound through the streets of Dealey Plaza in Dallas. Shots rang out which resulted in Kennedy's ultimately fatal wounds, but a zig-zagging round also tore through Governor Connally's upper torso although he fortunately survived his serious injuries. Ms. Connally recounts the horror of that afternoon and the despondent days that followed as the nation mourned the loss of their 'New Frontier' leader in From Love Field. It was a straightforward and lean yet also often affecting memoir - the misery and confusion at Parkland Hospital afterwards as the President and governor were rushed into surgery were some particularly effective segments - and it concludes with reproductions of the speeches President Kennedy was supposed to have delivered that day.
Idanell 'Nellie' Connally (1919-2006) literally had a front seat to history on November 22, 1963 . . . not that she got to enjoy her experience that afternoon. As first lady of Texas from 1963 to 1969, she was accompanying governor / husband John alongside V.I.P.s President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline in the rear seating compartment of a convertible limousine. We all know what then transpired as it slowly wound through the streets of Dealey Plaza in Dallas. Shots rang out which resulted in Kennedy's ultimately fatal wounds, but a zig-zagging round also tore through Governor Connally's upper torso although he fortunately survived his serious injuries. Ms. Connally recounts the horror of that afternoon and the despondent days that followed as the nation mourned the loss of their 'New Frontier' leader in From Love Field. It was a straightforward and lean yet also often affecting memoir - the misery and confusion at Parkland Hospital afterwards as the President and governor were rushed into surgery were some particularly effective segments - and it concludes with reproductions of the speeches President Kennedy was supposed to have delivered that day.
July 9, 2022
Opening Sentence: “We were two couples in the prime of our lives.”
Nellie Connally, First Lady of Texas in 1963, was referring to herself, her husband Gov. John Connally, and the young couple they were in Dallas to support, President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy. Before a sniper’s bullets changed everything on 11/22/63…
At Parkland hospital in the days after the assassination, watching over her husband struggling to survive his wounds, Mrs. Connally wrote down her thoughts and feelings about that horrible November day, and the days following, on a tablet. As she states, “I didn’t record them for history or publication. I knew only that someday my children and grandchildren would want an honest account of what really happened. I wanted them to understand that the Kennedy trip to Texas had been something more than a nightmare.”
As the years passed, these notes, placed in storage, remained forgotten. Nellie unearthed them from a battered filing cabinet thirty-three years later, and read them at a luncheon of the Texas State Official Ladies’ Club. In 2003, she decided to publish her recollections in book form, before passing away in 2006.
This was a fascinating book, written by the last survivor of the group of four riding in the Presidential car on 11/22/63. Having grown up in Texas, I learned about the Kennedy assassination at a young age. However, this book provided facts I had not known before. For example:
-The Secretary of the Navy, John Connally, was the one who signed the document of dishonorable discharge from the military for a Lee H. Oswald.
-John Connally, Jr., 17 in 1963, stood in for his family at President Kennedy’s funeral, because his mother was still at his father’s bedside.
And many other details, given by a person actually riding in that car in November 1963.
Nellie Connally, First Lady of Texas in 1963, was referring to herself, her husband Gov. John Connally, and the young couple they were in Dallas to support, President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy. Before a sniper’s bullets changed everything on 11/22/63…
At Parkland hospital in the days after the assassination, watching over her husband struggling to survive his wounds, Mrs. Connally wrote down her thoughts and feelings about that horrible November day, and the days following, on a tablet. As she states, “I didn’t record them for history or publication. I knew only that someday my children and grandchildren would want an honest account of what really happened. I wanted them to understand that the Kennedy trip to Texas had been something more than a nightmare.”
As the years passed, these notes, placed in storage, remained forgotten. Nellie unearthed them from a battered filing cabinet thirty-three years later, and read them at a luncheon of the Texas State Official Ladies’ Club. In 2003, she decided to publish her recollections in book form, before passing away in 2006.
This was a fascinating book, written by the last survivor of the group of four riding in the Presidential car on 11/22/63. Having grown up in Texas, I learned about the Kennedy assassination at a young age. However, this book provided facts I had not known before. For example:
-The Secretary of the Navy, John Connally, was the one who signed the document of dishonorable discharge from the military for a Lee H. Oswald.
-John Connally, Jr., 17 in 1963, stood in for his family at President Kennedy’s funeral, because his mother was still at his father’s bedside.
And many other details, given by a person actually riding in that car in November 1963.
May 27, 2009
I am not exaggerating when I say I came home and read the book cover to cover. Getting a first hand account of that day, it's so different than what you have ever heard about before. Plus, they also include accounts from all three Connally children, who believed, for a time during that day, that their father had also been killed due to inaccurate media coverage. The most interesting was the Connally's eldest son, Johnny, who was 17 years old at the time. He was sent to represent the family at John F. Kennedy's funeral, and his account of expressing his sorrow, not only from his family, but also from the state of Texas to Mrs. Kennedy, it's amazing.
March 17, 2015
A fairly concise overview of the days leading up to John F. Kennedy's assassination, as told by one of the occupants of the car he was riding in, the wife of Texas Governor John Connally.
Nellie Connally's memoirs (ghost-written by Mickey Herskowitz) are an interesting perspective on Kennedy's death, as well as a good primer for the thoughts and feelings of the state in the weeks leading up to that fateful day in November. We get a good understanding of the Connally's and Kennedy's political motivations, how they kept in touch over the last 50's and early 60's, and a blow-by-blow account of the day in question, as seen through Nellie's eyes. You understand her and Jackie's fear, the absolute pandemonium, and her thoughts on the events that happened in the weeks afterwards, including her reluctance to go to JFK's funeral (as she was still tending to her husband at the time) and observations on the unseen individuals who protected the country during and after the assassination.
It's also a very breezy read, clocking in at under 200 pages and interspersed with lots of photographs.
The reason it doesn't get 5 stars is because it's a bit too "on the nose" at points. There are a handful of instances where Nellie brings up and chastises conspiracy theories, as well as a handful of maudlin quips like "America's innocence died with President Kennedy".
Other than that, it's a very solid read and an interesting perspective from an innocent observer. I'd also suggest reading the story "The Flight From Dallas" from the October 2013 issue of Esquire Magazine, as it is a companion piece to this (and covers the events aboard Air Force in the hours after Kennedy's death and Lyndon Johnson's thoughts and actions as he was sworn in as President).
Nellie Connally's memoirs (ghost-written by Mickey Herskowitz) are an interesting perspective on Kennedy's death, as well as a good primer for the thoughts and feelings of the state in the weeks leading up to that fateful day in November. We get a good understanding of the Connally's and Kennedy's political motivations, how they kept in touch over the last 50's and early 60's, and a blow-by-blow account of the day in question, as seen through Nellie's eyes. You understand her and Jackie's fear, the absolute pandemonium, and her thoughts on the events that happened in the weeks afterwards, including her reluctance to go to JFK's funeral (as she was still tending to her husband at the time) and observations on the unseen individuals who protected the country during and after the assassination.
It's also a very breezy read, clocking in at under 200 pages and interspersed with lots of photographs.
The reason it doesn't get 5 stars is because it's a bit too "on the nose" at points. There are a handful of instances where Nellie brings up and chastises conspiracy theories, as well as a handful of maudlin quips like "America's innocence died with President Kennedy".
Other than that, it's a very solid read and an interesting perspective from an innocent observer. I'd also suggest reading the story "The Flight From Dallas" from the October 2013 issue of Esquire Magazine, as it is a companion piece to this (and covers the events aboard Air Force in the hours after Kennedy's death and Lyndon Johnson's thoughts and actions as he was sworn in as President).
November 4, 2017
I’d give this more like 3.5, so I rounded up to 4. It’s historically significant for those who have interest in the events of 11/22/63 and the following days, particularly from a first-hand account standpoint, but doesn’t include a lot of new information vs other, more detailed work. My most significant takeaways:
1 Mrs Connally doesn’t subscribe at all to the Magic Bullet theory
2 Her description of the fairly deep relationship between her husband and LBJ is something that I’d not read much about before
3 There is some useful insight into the political dynamics of the Texas democrats
A quick read that I’d recommend to those looking for all perspectives on the JFK assassination.
1 Mrs Connally doesn’t subscribe at all to the Magic Bullet theory
2 Her description of the fairly deep relationship between her husband and LBJ is something that I’d not read much about before
3 There is some useful insight into the political dynamics of the Texas democrats
A quick read that I’d recommend to those looking for all perspectives on the JFK assassination.
July 28, 2008
Mrs. Connally took the time to write her memories of the events in Texas during President Kennedy's campaign visit. After my recent visit to The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, I have a new appreciation for those times. Through her own words, I was able to see her evolving and growing as she dealt with her husband's injuries, her family's needs, and the duties as the First Lady of Texas. Powerful stuff!!
September 23, 2020
Very interesting first hand account of the assassination of JFK attempted assassination of Governor John Connally. I especially enjoyed reading the texts of JFK’s speeches he was to deliver later that day. His words to be spoken at a luncheon at The Trade Mart are so very poignant in light of current events.
August 8, 2022
This was a nice recollection of the events by the wife of the governor of Texas Nelly Connally that occurred on November 22, 1963. Nellie and her husband John were in the car with President Kennedy & his wife Jackie when JFK was assassinated in Dallas TX. Such a difficult time for the country, the Kennedy’s, the Johnson’s and the Connally’s.
February 2, 2025
In interesting personal account of JFK's assassination.
March 21, 2025
True story very interesting and shocking information the day Kennedy was killed
March 29, 2020
I thought this book was pretty good, it had me in tears at a few parts. I understand her need to write more about what happened to her husband, but therefore I found the book lacking discussion on JFK which in turn made me feeling the book title was a tad misleading about what the heart of the story was really about. Unhauled.
June 25, 2021
The JFK assassination is fascinating, I admit. And even more so since I vacationed in Texas and saw Dealey Plaza, the school book depository museum, and the X that marks the fatal spot. When I rounded the corner and saw the Plaza, it took my breath away. It was just like Zapruder's film. And of course I absolutely had to step out into the street and stand on it.
Anyway, this book gave a warm and simple play-by-play of that unfortunate moment in history, from someone who was IN the car when it happened. Yikes! An easy book to read, kindly written, and full of photos. A new perspective on 11/22/63.
Anyway, this book gave a warm and simple play-by-play of that unfortunate moment in history, from someone who was IN the car when it happened. Yikes! An easy book to read, kindly written, and full of photos. A new perspective on 11/22/63.
July 28, 2014
Nellie Connally, wife of the then-governor of Texas, was in the car with JFK when he was assassinated. Connally has an amazing perspective of the event (as well as her kids' which she publishes too), and there are many interesting photographs. All in all though, I felt that her account was pretty surface-level. I understand that the book is only supposed to cover her story, but nevertheless I feel like there was a lot more to the event I'd like to read about. Also it comes off as a bit superficial; I agree with a previous reviewer on this one.
August 13, 2008
I like history, royalty, the Kennedy's, and have visited the 6th Floor Museum in Dallas. First hand account from the First Lady of Texas who was riding in the car with the Kennedys, along with her husband, when JFK was shot. Very compelling, fast and easy read. I'll read again in a few years!
July 31, 2013
A well-organized book, complete with Nellie Connally's actual hand-written notes from the days immediately after the assassination. Im glad Mrs. Connally decided to publish her private moments and memories. I do recommend.
June 25, 2008
I love that this book came from a speech she gave. It's so simple and makes you feel lucky to have come across it. Interesting companion to "Four Days""
July 12, 2008
Written by the former Gov. of Texas' wife. The book details her first hand experience during the Kennedy assassination. She and her husband were in the car.
August 27, 2010
This book is an easy read. Evan though the assassination of JFK has been covered many many times, the book had some surprising facts that I had never heard.
April 29, 2011
I read the book cover to cover too! It was a horrible day for all those there...especially Jackie...no more sadness for her now though.
July 13, 2011
Gripping first-hand account of the tragic events of November 22, 1963 and of the days that followed.
March 21, 2013
In her own words, Nellie Connally, wife of Texas governor John Connally, recounts what it was like to be in the car with the president and first lady on that fateful day: November 22, 1963.
December 30, 2024
A quick read. I enjoyed reading the text of the two speeches Kennedy was to deliver on the night of his assassination, which was included at the end.
Want to read
June 23, 2016Found within the pictures of Frank Ghery's Architecture page for NYC
May 3, 2017
Oodles of books are written about the Kennedy's that's why this is such an interesting prospective. I would have never of thought of searching for Nellie's story. I just happened across this book by chance. Two things I found fascinating. At the time of print she was the sole remaining survivor of that foursome. And I learned that her husband John Connolly signed & authorized Lee Harvey Oswald's dishonourable discharge papers. Coincidence or was he Oswald's target too? We'll never know...
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews