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JFK’s War with the National Security Establishment: Why Kennedy Was Assassinated

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Ever since researchers and commentators began questioning the conclusions of the Warren Report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the response has Why would the U.S. national-security establishment — that is, the military and the CIA — kill Kennedy? As Douglas P. Horne details in this ebook, JFK’s War with the National Security Why Kennedy Was Assassinated, the answer is because Kennedy’s ideas about foreign-policy collided with those of the U.S. national-security establishment during the height of the Cold War. In the eyes of the military and the CIA, Kennedy’s policies posed a grave threat to national security.Horne served as Chief Analyst for Military Records for the Assassination Records Review Board (ARRB). This was the federal agency that Congress established to secure the disclosure and release of JFK-related records and documents after the public outcry generated by Oliver Stone’s movie JFK. Horne is the author of Inside the Assassination Records Review The U.S. Government’s Final Attempt to Reconcile the Conflicting Medical Evidence in the Assassination of JFK, a five-volume work that focuses primarily on the autopsy of Kennedy’s body that was conducted by the U.S. military.

234 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2014

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Douglas Horne

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5 stars
171 (57%)
4 stars
88 (29%)
3 stars
26 (8%)
2 stars
9 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Pete daPixie.
1,505 reviews3 followers
July 24, 2016
Just after he had finished writing this set of essays in 2013, I had the pleasure of not only meeting Doug Horne, but he was kind enough to sit with me and engage in a long conversation, which focussed on various points contained in his 'Inside the A.R.R.B.' opus. He also signed my copy. I have long considered this five volume set to be the grail for truth seekers of the JFK assassination.
'JFK's War with the National Security Establishment', is for the small sum of £1.99 on Kindle, perhaps the most inexpensive and crystal clear explanation of the forces behind the coup of November 1963, and as this book subtitle states, the reasons why Kennedy was assassinated.
Although a short read, which is the only reason that restricts me from a five star rating, I find myself in complete agreement with the authors conclusions, from first page to last.
I hold a short attention span to those who parrot the lone gun shots from the rear government mantra, the mafia contract, the Dallas oilmen, Intell renegades or Cuban exile involvement. It was certainly a compartmentalised black op, but to follow the chronological events from Dallas to Bethesda and the subsequent cover-up, tells anyone with a modicum of sense just where the truth lies.
Having read hundreds of books on this subject, I admit to being still baffled as to how JFK's body was on his autopsy slab when the hearse containing his empty coffin arrived from Andrews. Yet, I have met and spoken with three members of the Naval staff who were on duty at Bethesda that night who witnessed the cheap metal coffin/body bag magic trick prior to RFK and Jackie K's arrival in the grey naval ambulance.
I consider myself very lucky. I'm an old man now and I remember Jack as the great leader and saviour of the free world that he was, and that's why I can identify all those that have followed, as the shallow vacuous shadows that they are.
Profile Image for Cyrus Alderwood.
Author 17 books13 followers
February 6, 2015
This book did a great job taking you into the day to day stresses and combative nature that Kennedy faced among his military advisers, especially LeMay who was not shy about his disrespect and contempt for Kennedy. This book is a must read for anyone who even slightly has an interest in U.S. history and politics.
2 reviews1 follower
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March 23, 2024
lays out clear history of our military industrial dystopia

I keep being amazed of how a few people can steer the course of history. The cover-up of President Kennedy's assination was so sloppy yet so enduring.
46 reviews
November 16, 2024
The Truth was there all the time.

In this excellent account of President Kennedy’s time in office the author demonstrates how a cabal of military and intelligence personnel worked to thwart him at every step and ended up by shooting him before he could be elected again in 1964 as was widely believed.
The line up of serious figures who were convinced that a First Strike using nuclear weapons on the Soviet Union was desirable and would inevitably succeed is shocking. The Joint Chiefs of Staff repeatedly called on Kennedy to approve such a plan on several occasions; in Laos, Berlin, and (especially) Cuba and then at almost every opportunity they then had. They were deeply alarmed by Kennedy wanting to end the Cold War rather than win it. They regarded him as a coward who they rightly suspected was never going to take their advice. By 1963 Kennedy was openly speaking about a new relationship with Russia that would see the two countries not just at peace but cooperating win ventures such as the manned flight to the moon but fundamental issues, in particular, a Treaty to limit and reduce the number of nuclear weapons. It was a policy that raised fury within the powerful elites in the Military as well as the Intelligence Agencies, the FBI and CIA, run by men, J Edgar Hoover and Alan Dulles, who hated the ‘liberal’ President in much the same way they hated Malcolm X, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King all of whom were assassinated in this period. Killing a President gave them no special compunctions because they believed they were ‘saving America’ by doing it. The book doesn’t look into who actually did killed him; there is a wealth of evidence that points to the Intelligence Agencies themselves in collusion with gangsters (such as Lansky), Cuban exiles based in Florida, Right Wing newspapers and oil tycoons and Mossad who were aware Kennedy had plans to try and stop Israel obtaining nuclear weapons. The author details how Kennedy’s policies were dumped by his successor immediately after his killing and especially his intention to withdraw US combat troops from Vietnam and plans for nuclear disarmament. Kennedy was the Peace President who was shot because of it.
43 reviews
December 30, 2017
Excellent Book

This is an excellent account of the Kennedy Presidency and what was really going on, politically, militarily, and, personally, with the key players, during JFK's time in office. Whether you believe in the single gunman story, or the conspiracy theories, this book provides an excellent foundation, for the latter. It spells out, with documented proof, how hawkish, the military and, most of JFK's Cabinet and Advisors, were. It also documents how JFK was a Dove and was trying to provide peaceful, non military solutions to the world's problems, which was in direct conflict with the CIA, JFK's Cabinet, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Through proof positive documentation, one can see that JFK was at odds with practically everyone in the hierarchical structure of the government ; how he was opposing the "status quo", every step of the way; and how much he was pissing off those, who had been in power much longer and wanted the hawk mentally to remain the status quo. It appears that many hated him and would do anything to get him out of office. Great read! 👍👍
Profile Image for RdeLT.
58 reviews
February 13, 2025
Biased History is bad History

While the book seems to be well-researched, the author's point of view is definitely favorable to JFK and his presidency. Unfortunately, biased History is bad History as it leads to misinforming readers. President Kennedy's record (the good, the bad, and the ugly) speaks for itself, and reading skewed history doesn't allow the reader to make up his/her own mind.
I have not SEEN enough evidence, for example, to think LBJ was in on the plot to kill JFK. I know JFK lovers are LBJ haters. Again, President Johnson's record speaks for itself.
Finally, the author left a crucial variable out of his account (because it would definitely tarnish the pristine image of JFK he cherishes): the relationship of the Kennedys with the Mob. There is enough evidence to include the Mafia in the assassintation plot.
So, if we are going to write History, let's leave our biases out (or, let others write).
4 reviews
September 5, 2021
Finally! Who killed JFK and why.

This is the definative account ofJFK's murder and why.
Not only was JFK robbed of his life but the world was robbed of a genuine peacemaker. His due recognition as a humankind benefactor was also stolen in the process. He could talk amicably about peace with the world's unfriendly leaders, but sadly not with his own government's warmongers, almighty dollar collectors, and power mad maniacs.
It is all captured here, including his striking speeches which deserve to be documented for history.


Profile Image for Bob Hathway.
140 reviews
December 30, 2024
A brilliantly written explanation of how JFK instigated a revolt by the military and hardline rightwingers both in and out of his government. The author implies that Lee Harvey Oswald may only be considered a "patsy" as Oswald stated quite openly.

The reader can easily infer the people and organizations that could have responsible for the planning and execution of the assassinations of both Kennedy and Oswald. Using both unclassified and declassified documents to support his conclusions, the author has made a good case of how he arrived at his opinion.

Profile Image for steven Stoddard.
7 reviews
February 6, 2022
Tragic and true

I loved the chronological, year-by-year happenings which that supported the conspiracy facts. The analysis posited by DH puts the reader in the moment of history. Nothing is better reading than a first hand account from a reliable source. Its amazing how the cabal still uses the mainstream media today in fhd.same manner as 1963. Great read.
25 reviews
October 17, 2020
This is important material and should not be hidden

I remember this tragic incident. I felt that we were being lied to and how we were treated when we questioned what we were told. I have grown ashamed of our government for the way it is dealing with this.
2 reviews1 follower
July 22, 2023
Very positive book on JFK and negative on establishment military and CIA. By not invading Cuba Kennedy may have angered enough foks to lead to his assination and subsequent coverup. Well researched but footnores would have been nice.
1 review
February 16, 2025
Outstanding assessment of JFK's antagonists and the reason he was murdered

A comprehensive, reasoned look at the Cold War environment that Jack Kennedy inherited and his efforts to change it... why he could not do so... and the disturbing implications for us even today.
44 reviews
March 10, 2021
Occasionally repetitive, constantly incisive and overwhelmingly well researched. Read in conjunction with Oliver Stone's JFK and Donaldson's Thirterm Days.
Profile Image for David.
211 reviews
October 25, 2022
A very solid case proving motive, that also articulates how exhausting it must have been to be a dove at that time. But still demands a leap of faith to reach the conclusion of the book's sub-title.
Profile Image for Craig.
49 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2023
Good read made me think

I always try to read both sides to any issues. I am sure we will never know the truth of what really happened to JFK.
24 reviews
September 11, 2024
Interesting book. If youwant to know more about the Kennedy assassination, highly recommended.
197 reviews3 followers
September 22, 2020
I have read many book about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. There is always more to learn. This book was HIGHLY believable after reading other books which coordinated with what was said in this book. Yet, there were 2 more facts I did not know.
1 review
March 19, 2021
Well Researched. Informative. Provocative. Must Read.

Reads like a novel. Well worth time spent reading. Answers more than few troublesome holes in the official records. Intend to read the remaining parts of Mr. Horne's work.
Profile Image for Shawn Kane.
5 reviews
May 11, 2015
Interesting

Good book, easy read with interesting facts. The actions of JFK probably cost him his life but saved the world
Profile Image for Lynn gephart.
1 review
January 20, 2016
Good read

Very good book and very detailed I love reading books about president Kennedy. I do believe that the government is hiding information.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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