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The Oswalds: An Untold Account of Marina and Lee
The closest friend of Lee Harvey Oswald and his Soviet wife Marina upon the couple’s arrival in Texas breaks a sixty-year silence with a riveting story of his time with JFK’s assassin and his candid assessment of the murder that marked a turning point in our country’s history.
Merely two hours after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, television cameras captured police escorting a suspect into Dallas police headquarters. Meanwhile at the University of Oklahoma, watching the coverage in the student center, Paul Gregory scanned the figure in dark trousers and a white, V-neck tee shirt and saw the bruised and battered face of Lee Harvey Oswald. Shocked, Gregory said, “I know that man.” In fact, he knew Oswald and his wife Marina better than almost anyone in America.
After sixty years, Paul Gregory finally tells everything he knows about the Oswalds and how he watched the soul of a killer take shape.
Identified by the FBI as a “known associate of LHO,” Gregory soon faced interrogations by the Secret Service. Later he would testify before the Warren Commission. Here, in The Oswalds, he offers the intimate details of his time spent with Lee and wife Marina in their run-down duplex on Mercedes Street in Fort Worth, Texas, and his admission into the inner world of a young marriage before candidly assessing the murder that marked a turning point in our country’s history. His riveting recollection includes memories both casual and deadly serious, such as the dinner at his parents’ house introducing Marina to the “Dallas Russians,” a front-yard incident of spousal abuse, and a further rift in the marriage when he exposed to Marina that Oswald was not the dashing, radical intellectual whose Historic Diary would be a publishing sensation. And Gregory also gives a fascinating account of his father’s role as an eyewitness to history, serving as Marina’s translator and confidante in the first four days after the assassination.
As a scholar and skilled researcher, Gregory debunks the vast array of assassination conspiracy theories by demonstrating that Lee Harvey Oswald did it and did it alone—that the Oswald he once called a friend had the motive, the intelligence, and the means to commit one of the most shocking crimes in American history.
Merely two hours after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, television cameras captured police escorting a suspect into Dallas police headquarters. Meanwhile at the University of Oklahoma, watching the coverage in the student center, Paul Gregory scanned the figure in dark trousers and a white, V-neck tee shirt and saw the bruised and battered face of Lee Harvey Oswald. Shocked, Gregory said, “I know that man.” In fact, he knew Oswald and his wife Marina better than almost anyone in America.
After sixty years, Paul Gregory finally tells everything he knows about the Oswalds and how he watched the soul of a killer take shape.
Identified by the FBI as a “known associate of LHO,” Gregory soon faced interrogations by the Secret Service. Later he would testify before the Warren Commission. Here, in The Oswalds, he offers the intimate details of his time spent with Lee and wife Marina in their run-down duplex on Mercedes Street in Fort Worth, Texas, and his admission into the inner world of a young marriage before candidly assessing the murder that marked a turning point in our country’s history. His riveting recollection includes memories both casual and deadly serious, such as the dinner at his parents’ house introducing Marina to the “Dallas Russians,” a front-yard incident of spousal abuse, and a further rift in the marriage when he exposed to Marina that Oswald was not the dashing, radical intellectual whose Historic Diary would be a publishing sensation. And Gregory also gives a fascinating account of his father’s role as an eyewitness to history, serving as Marina’s translator and confidante in the first four days after the assassination.
As a scholar and skilled researcher, Gregory debunks the vast array of assassination conspiracy theories by demonstrating that Lee Harvey Oswald did it and did it alone—that the Oswald he once called a friend had the motive, the intelligence, and the means to commit one of the most shocking crimes in American history.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published November 15, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 6, 2023
On November 22, 1963 I walked the short block to Most Blessed Sacrament School in Louisville, KY; I was in the third grade. That day also marked my ninth birthday. Little did I know that that Friday would turn out to be my most memorable birthday to date. I still remember the presents I received later that afternoon; I cannot recall subsequent birthdays.
Since that tragic Friday, and to date, I became a student of the Kennedy assassination. I have probably read every book published covering that awful day. The first book that I read about that particular weekend was titled "Four Days." I cannot recall the author. I was in the eight grade, and I wrote a book report on the subject. Sister Olivia, an avid Kennedy admirer, gave me an "A."
"The Oswald's" by Paul R. Gregory, ranks among the best books that I had read on the Kennedy assassination to date.
Mr. Gregory's book, however, does not delve just about the assassination, he mainly tells his account of his relationship with Lee and Marina. So it is told not from a second or third person, but from his first hand account.
It was excellently written supported by others, including the Secret Service Agents who protected the Oswald Family following the Kennedy assassination.
Also of note, and not known to me before, Lee Oswald had a half brother, John Pic. He was the son of one of Marguerite Oswald's four husbands. Mr. Gregory paints Oswald's mother in a severe, negative light. And from what I have previously read about this "bizarre woman," Mr. Gregory was on the mark. Lady Macbeth comes to mind, in my opinion, describing Lee Harvey Oswald's mother. And from Mr. Gregory's account, Lee and his mother were clearly cut from the same cloth.
Since that tragic Friday, and to date, I became a student of the Kennedy assassination. I have probably read every book published covering that awful day. The first book that I read about that particular weekend was titled "Four Days." I cannot recall the author. I was in the eight grade, and I wrote a book report on the subject. Sister Olivia, an avid Kennedy admirer, gave me an "A."
"The Oswald's" by Paul R. Gregory, ranks among the best books that I had read on the Kennedy assassination to date.
Mr. Gregory's book, however, does not delve just about the assassination, he mainly tells his account of his relationship with Lee and Marina. So it is told not from a second or third person, but from his first hand account.
It was excellently written supported by others, including the Secret Service Agents who protected the Oswald Family following the Kennedy assassination.
Also of note, and not known to me before, Lee Oswald had a half brother, John Pic. He was the son of one of Marguerite Oswald's four husbands. Mr. Gregory paints Oswald's mother in a severe, negative light. And from what I have previously read about this "bizarre woman," Mr. Gregory was on the mark. Lady Macbeth comes to mind, in my opinion, describing Lee Harvey Oswald's mother. And from Mr. Gregory's account, Lee and his mother were clearly cut from the same cloth.
December 30, 2022
Interesting book. Not superbly written or structured, but a fascinating perspective into the days leading up to JFK’s assassination. Recommend.
January 25, 2024
Just saw a You Tube by the Hoover Institution with this author about this book. I am waiting for an affordable copy of the book to fall into my hands.
Apologies for not having read it yet.
Interesting stuff, but very twisted interpretations.
LHO was NOT a lone nut.
Look into other members of the Metroplex Russian groups.
Ruth and Michael Paine.
Blue bloods both.
Bell Helicopter made multimillions on Nam. Michaels' stepfather was at the very top of this Fort Worth company.
Ruth's sister and family had heavy CIA involvement. She plays a great middle-class housewife role.
George deMornschieldt. Friends of the Oswalds and George HW Bush. Clearly CIA.
Oswald himself, how do you get in and out of a USSR in lockdown mode?
Did you know Oswalt was a radar operator, while a Marine at an airbase in Japan? That many of our U2 spy plane flights left from there. Thus, Oswald had top secret clearance. Look into Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) and LHO associations with same.
Spooks galore.
You can't trust a spook with heavy vested interests.
Just make a common sense run through on what happened. Does it sound shaky?
Do you trust LBJ and J Edgar Hoover?
Apologies for not having read it yet.
Interesting stuff, but very twisted interpretations.
LHO was NOT a lone nut.
Look into other members of the Metroplex Russian groups.
Ruth and Michael Paine.
Blue bloods both.
Bell Helicopter made multimillions on Nam. Michaels' stepfather was at the very top of this Fort Worth company.
Ruth's sister and family had heavy CIA involvement. She plays a great middle-class housewife role.
George deMornschieldt. Friends of the Oswalds and George HW Bush. Clearly CIA.
Oswald himself, how do you get in and out of a USSR in lockdown mode?
Did you know Oswalt was a radar operator, while a Marine at an airbase in Japan? That many of our U2 spy plane flights left from there. Thus, Oswald had top secret clearance. Look into Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) and LHO associations with same.
Spooks galore.
You can't trust a spook with heavy vested interests.
Just make a common sense run through on what happened. Does it sound shaky?
Do you trust LBJ and J Edgar Hoover?
August 27, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! I was lucky enough to receive this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. I thought that it told history in a unique and exciting way. The facts weren't just listed out for the readers but put into a beautiful story that continuously held my attention. It was interesting to see the Oswalds through an account of someone that was close to them. I can't imagine what it would be like to be a large part of an assassin's life. (spoilers... I guess even though it is history) I liked hearing Paul and Pete's interactions with the couple, how they gave information to the secret service, and how Pete translated for Mariana after the death of her husband Lee. Paul Gregory created a great story that gave both insights into Lee and Marina, as well as Lee's mother that seemed to be absolutely crazy! I loved that she tried to convince the commission that Lee was a spy for the United States.
FAV PART - I loved when they talk about Pete translating for Mariana and how she trusted the Gregory family. I also thought it was beautiful how Mariana was able to buy a house for her and her children from the money that random Americans gave her as a sympathy gift.
At the end of the book, Paul Gregory discussed how he sent a version of this book to Mariana, so she could approve of what he wrote. Her new husband said not to come to visit her, so Gregory just sent her the book and the letter. I wonder if she read it and what she would think of this account (end spoilers). I can tell this was a good historical book because I was constantly interrupting my mom to tell her what I learned for the contents of this book.
FAV PART - I loved when they talk about Pete translating for Mariana and how she trusted the Gregory family. I also thought it was beautiful how Mariana was able to buy a house for her and her children from the money that random Americans gave her as a sympathy gift.
At the end of the book, Paul Gregory discussed how he sent a version of this book to Mariana, so she could approve of what he wrote. Her new husband said not to come to visit her, so Gregory just sent her the book and the letter. I wonder if she read it and what she would think of this account (end spoilers). I can tell this was a good historical book because I was constantly interrupting my mom to tell her what I learned for the contents of this book.
August 16, 2022
Good read, plus photos.
The author, and his family actually knew them, personally. Oswald was a character, delusional about his own importance. His wife, beautiful and timid, was abused by Oswald.
The Russian community, welcomed her and their daughter with open arms. Her husband, not at all.
To become a legend, he killed the President. Oswald thought this was his time to show the World who he was.
Jack Ruby changed that.
A fascinating look into the past.
The author, and his family actually knew them, personally. Oswald was a character, delusional about his own importance. His wife, beautiful and timid, was abused by Oswald.
The Russian community, welcomed her and their daughter with open arms. Her husband, not at all.
To become a legend, he killed the President. Oswald thought this was his time to show the World who he was.
Jack Ruby changed that.
A fascinating look into the past.
January 22, 2023
Deeply important and decisive
This book provides the world insider information regarding unguarded and personal home life behaviors of Lee Oswald and his wife, Marina The first person observations of the author, during a concentrated and critical period before JFK's assassination, have now been carefully interwoven with historical fact. The book decisively shows that Oswald was the assassin, acting alone. It is folly to to spend time going down rabbit holes with the merchants of conspiracy and their theories. Read this book to find out why. It settles the question.
This book provides the world insider information regarding unguarded and personal home life behaviors of Lee Oswald and his wife, Marina The first person observations of the author, during a concentrated and critical period before JFK's assassination, have now been carefully interwoven with historical fact. The book decisively shows that Oswald was the assassin, acting alone. It is folly to to spend time going down rabbit holes with the merchants of conspiracy and their theories. Read this book to find out why. It settles the question.
January 1, 2023
A fascinating first hand account of a personal friendship with the Oswalds not long after Lee’s return to the US from Russia with new wife Marina. College student Paul Gregory forms a relationship with the couple primarily over the need for language lessons in Russian from Marina. His detailed accounts paint a picture of what life was like for the couple, both collectively and individually, in the Dallas/Fort Worth area as an young immigrant with an unaspiring, disillusioned, and deeply troubled husband.
Written much like a novel, Paul introduces you to the small group of “characters” in Lee’s life: his “try to do the right thing” brother, his “unstable and out of touch with reality” mother, the Dallas Russians, and Paul’s father Peter, who innocently introduces his own son and the Dallas Russians to the incredibly odd couple of Lee and Marina Oswald.
Follow the journey of what eventually led up to Lee’s assassination of JFK and the days preceding from someone who finds themselves innocently involved in the aftermath simply from knowing Lee and Marina during their short time together in Dallas. This book is perhaps one of the few written from a personal perspective amongst the countless books about Oswald and JFK.
Written much like a novel, Paul introduces you to the small group of “characters” in Lee’s life: his “try to do the right thing” brother, his “unstable and out of touch with reality” mother, the Dallas Russians, and Paul’s father Peter, who innocently introduces his own son and the Dallas Russians to the incredibly odd couple of Lee and Marina Oswald.
Follow the journey of what eventually led up to Lee’s assassination of JFK and the days preceding from someone who finds themselves innocently involved in the aftermath simply from knowing Lee and Marina during their short time together in Dallas. This book is perhaps one of the few written from a personal perspective amongst the countless books about Oswald and JFK.
December 17, 2022
Disclaimer: I received this book in return for a review.
This book is the story of Lee Harvey Oswald and his Russian wife Marina told by someone who knew them before and up to the assassination of JFK. The author's father was a Russian immigrant who became a successful businessman after migrating to the US. The author took Russian language lessons from Marina Oswald while he was in high school. She didn't speak English at that time, and her husband didn't want her to. The story begins with Oswald's attempt to defect to the USSR in the late 50s. They didn't really want him, but put him in a nice apartment and gave him a relatively high paying, if menial, job tucked away in the city of Minsk. This is where he met Marina, wooed her and married her, filling her with stories of what an important man he was. Becoming disillusioned with the Soviet Union, which turned out not to be the Marxist paradise he had imagined, Oswald manages to regain his US citizenship and comes back to the US with his wife, move to his hometown in Texas. This is where he met the author's family. He attempts to kill a fascist general living nearby, and fails. He shortly afterwards manages to kill the president of the US, thereby achieving his goal of being a "great man". He was no great man, just a jackass. The author debunks the conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination, describing how it was totally an act of opportunity.
Much has been written about Lee Harvey Oswald since the murder of JFK, but this book adds a personal element from someone who actually knew the perpetrator. I found it interesting to read, and would recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.
This book is the story of Lee Harvey Oswald and his Russian wife Marina told by someone who knew them before and up to the assassination of JFK. The author's father was a Russian immigrant who became a successful businessman after migrating to the US. The author took Russian language lessons from Marina Oswald while he was in high school. She didn't speak English at that time, and her husband didn't want her to. The story begins with Oswald's attempt to defect to the USSR in the late 50s. They didn't really want him, but put him in a nice apartment and gave him a relatively high paying, if menial, job tucked away in the city of Minsk. This is where he met Marina, wooed her and married her, filling her with stories of what an important man he was. Becoming disillusioned with the Soviet Union, which turned out not to be the Marxist paradise he had imagined, Oswald manages to regain his US citizenship and comes back to the US with his wife, move to his hometown in Texas. This is where he met the author's family. He attempts to kill a fascist general living nearby, and fails. He shortly afterwards manages to kill the president of the US, thereby achieving his goal of being a "great man". He was no great man, just a jackass. The author debunks the conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination, describing how it was totally an act of opportunity.
Much has been written about Lee Harvey Oswald since the murder of JFK, but this book adds a personal element from someone who actually knew the perpetrator. I found it interesting to read, and would recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.
December 28, 2022
I don’t read a lot of non fiction, but the I didn’t know much about the man that shot JFK, so I figured I would give it a shot.
I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. The author did a good job of letting you get to know the Oswalds and those around them.
The book also shed light on what happened to the family Lee Harvey Oswald left behind. I found that interesting as I had thought about those left behind.
I highly recommend this one.
I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. The author did a good job of letting you get to know the Oswalds and those around them.
The book also shed light on what happened to the family Lee Harvey Oswald left behind. I found that interesting as I had thought about those left behind.
I highly recommend this one.
May 3, 2023
This year will mark the sixtieth anniversary of the JFK assassination so I suspect this will be the last or one of the very last (non-posthumous) first hand accounts about it. It pretty much dovetails with almost all the other personal accounts, namely that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.
I’m not sure the Oswalds arrived back in Dallas on the same day they disembarked from their ship sailing from Rotterdam.
The author refers to himself frequently in the third person and to his father by his first name. If you skimmed over the paragraph where he introduces himself and his father, or don’t keep their names, Peter and Paul, in mind, it may be confusing.
The way the author described his interview by the FBI the day after the assassination you come away with the idea that he was being questioned about his opinion of the previous day’s television coverage. This contributes to a sometimes dashed off tone in the book.
A good deal of the book comes from the author noodling through the Warren Commission Report. Nothing wrong with that. I suspect most of the authors of these type of books do that. This author brings up points that most of the others choose to ignore, such as detailing Oswald’s meetings with FBI agents. That’s usually presented as evidence of conspiracy or collusion. Collusion. Where have we heard that word before, say, starting in 2016?
Ultimately the author’s exposure to the Oswalds was limited to Russian lessons from Marina as Lee sat nearby reading. Marina spoke no English and the author’s Russian was admittedly poor. These lessons were 2 1/2 to 3 hours two or three times a week during much of the summer of 1962. Not an especially auspicious basis for a 257 page book.
Its a book that is cogent and flows well which certainly can’t be said for all the books on this subject.
I’m not sure the Oswalds arrived back in Dallas on the same day they disembarked from their ship sailing from Rotterdam.
The author refers to himself frequently in the third person and to his father by his first name. If you skimmed over the paragraph where he introduces himself and his father, or don’t keep their names, Peter and Paul, in mind, it may be confusing.
The way the author described his interview by the FBI the day after the assassination you come away with the idea that he was being questioned about his opinion of the previous day’s television coverage. This contributes to a sometimes dashed off tone in the book.
A good deal of the book comes from the author noodling through the Warren Commission Report. Nothing wrong with that. I suspect most of the authors of these type of books do that. This author brings up points that most of the others choose to ignore, such as detailing Oswald’s meetings with FBI agents. That’s usually presented as evidence of conspiracy or collusion. Collusion. Where have we heard that word before, say, starting in 2016?
Ultimately the author’s exposure to the Oswalds was limited to Russian lessons from Marina as Lee sat nearby reading. Marina spoke no English and the author’s Russian was admittedly poor. These lessons were 2 1/2 to 3 hours two or three times a week during much of the summer of 1962. Not an especially auspicious basis for a 257 page book.
Its a book that is cogent and flows well which certainly can’t be said for all the books on this subject.
May 11, 2024
This book is equal parts history and memoir, a primary and a secondary source. I know of few books that have tried to be both (perhaps George W. Bush's book "41" comes close). This is the story of Lee and Marina Oswald as narrated by their personal friend Paul Gregory, now a celebrated Hoover Institution economist but then a college kid being tutored in Russian. Gregory integrates his own recollections and anecdotes alongside the stories of Lee and Marina from their childhoods through Lee's sojourn in the USSR, their marriage, and their return to Texas. Along the way we meet the Dallas Russians, a group of White Russian exiles established in Texas, Paul's father Pete, and Marguerite Oswald, Lee's overbearing and narcissistic mother. The narrative shifts in its final phase to an exploration of the conspiracy theories surrounding the Kennedy assassination. From the outset, Gregory makes clear that he is exploring his recollections in his final years to answer the question of if he believes that Lee Harvey Oswald, armchair Marxist wastrel, could have killed the most powerful man in the world all by himself. His answer is yes.
Gregory begins by tracing Oswald's stormy and meandering childhood. His childhood was an abusive place; his mother was the victim of domestic violence and she herself was self-absorbed and vainglorious figure convinced that Lee was an underappreciated genius ill-served by schools and unrecognized among his peers. Oswald internalized these messages about himself, believing he was destined for greatness could he just be recognized. This fueled his hatred of capitalism. In tandem with his unremarkable career as a sharpshooter in the US Marines, Oswald emigrated to the Soviet Union and tried to renounce his US citizenship. The Soviets were unusually generous to Oswald, yet he proved a poor source of intelligence and unimpressive as a propaganda mouthpiece. He was ultimately resettled in Minsk, meeting and marrying Marina Nikolayevna. For her part, Marina had other suitors, but only Oswald had an apartment furnished by the NKVD in addition to his income as a welder. Oswald grew frustrated by his obscurity and the inefficiency of the Soviet bureaucracy. Disillusioned by his Marxist ideals clashing with the communist reality, Oswald halted the renunciation of his citizenship and returned to Texas. After a brief flirtation with Cuban emigration as a Marxist utopia and an assassination attempt on right-wing General Edwin Walker, Oswald turned his attention toward making a name for himself by killing the president of the United States, John F. Kennedy.
As Gregory narrates his interactions with Lee and Marina, he offers his assessment of these semi-legendary figures as people. Gregory hired the largely-unemployable Marina as his Russian tutor; Marina was kept isolated by Oswald so her English never improved. Gregory thinks this was a way for Oswald to keep Marina under his control and deluded into thinking that he was more important and capable than he really was. Gregory found Oswald to be cold, resentful, and self-absorbed, only really opening up when he ranted about Marxist ideals and how the larger world had failed him. Marina grew increasingly resentful of Oswald, beginning to see through his facade and tiring of his physical and emotional abuse. Gregory records a chilling episode in which Marina took a tumble, received a major head wound on the back of her skull while carrying their child, and got only anger and shouting from her cruel husband.
Gregory notes that two questions lay at the crux of the Lone Gunman explanation. 1) Did Oswald do it? 2) Was he alone? To Gregory, Oswald had mode, means, opportunity, and most importantly motive. The Oswald he knew was exactly the sort of embittered loner eager to make a mark--any mark--on history if only to prove he was significant. Even after his death, Marguerite proclaimed the innocence and heroism of her son, demanding he be buried in Arlington National Cemetery for his service despite being an accused presidential assassin! The delusion of Oswald came straight from his equally deluded mother. He killed J.D. Tippit, a fact few dispute. He tried to kill General Walker. He fled the police on both occasions. He was capable. Moreover, Gregory notes that even Soviet and Cuban intelligence were reluctant to have anything to do with Oswald because he wasn't much of a team player. The opening of the Soviet archives proved that the USSR was scrambling to find any of their records on Oswald following the assassination, eager to demonstrate that they had nothing to do with it. In sum, Gregory concludes that yes, the Warren Report was correct.
If you are not persuaded by the Warren Report, you probably won't be persuaded by Gregory's book. The author notes, "[W]e want to believe that things happen for a reason. There must be a hand or hands that guide events." In lieu of a supernatural worldview, many people are drawn to conspiracy theories because they want to believe that things happen for a reason. What used to be explained as God's judgment or will becomes a cabal of powerful men in smoke-filled rooms. The idea that a loser from New Orleans got lucky and killed the most powerful man in the world is implausible, if not impossible. "Think of all the things that just had to go right," they say. And Gregory answers, "Yes. And it really happened that way."
As a Christian, I am content to ascribe the will of God to implausible events. As Benjamin Franklin once noted, "Three men may keep a secret if two of them are dead." Or as some relative of mine said, "You expect me to believe that the same government that can't keep my driver's license paperwork is capable of killing the president AND keeping the secret?!!"
But that's my two cents. And I could be a paid shill of Theirs.
Gregory begins by tracing Oswald's stormy and meandering childhood. His childhood was an abusive place; his mother was the victim of domestic violence and she herself was self-absorbed and vainglorious figure convinced that Lee was an underappreciated genius ill-served by schools and unrecognized among his peers. Oswald internalized these messages about himself, believing he was destined for greatness could he just be recognized. This fueled his hatred of capitalism. In tandem with his unremarkable career as a sharpshooter in the US Marines, Oswald emigrated to the Soviet Union and tried to renounce his US citizenship. The Soviets were unusually generous to Oswald, yet he proved a poor source of intelligence and unimpressive as a propaganda mouthpiece. He was ultimately resettled in Minsk, meeting and marrying Marina Nikolayevna. For her part, Marina had other suitors, but only Oswald had an apartment furnished by the NKVD in addition to his income as a welder. Oswald grew frustrated by his obscurity and the inefficiency of the Soviet bureaucracy. Disillusioned by his Marxist ideals clashing with the communist reality, Oswald halted the renunciation of his citizenship and returned to Texas. After a brief flirtation with Cuban emigration as a Marxist utopia and an assassination attempt on right-wing General Edwin Walker, Oswald turned his attention toward making a name for himself by killing the president of the United States, John F. Kennedy.
As Gregory narrates his interactions with Lee and Marina, he offers his assessment of these semi-legendary figures as people. Gregory hired the largely-unemployable Marina as his Russian tutor; Marina was kept isolated by Oswald so her English never improved. Gregory thinks this was a way for Oswald to keep Marina under his control and deluded into thinking that he was more important and capable than he really was. Gregory found Oswald to be cold, resentful, and self-absorbed, only really opening up when he ranted about Marxist ideals and how the larger world had failed him. Marina grew increasingly resentful of Oswald, beginning to see through his facade and tiring of his physical and emotional abuse. Gregory records a chilling episode in which Marina took a tumble, received a major head wound on the back of her skull while carrying their child, and got only anger and shouting from her cruel husband.
Gregory notes that two questions lay at the crux of the Lone Gunman explanation. 1) Did Oswald do it? 2) Was he alone? To Gregory, Oswald had mode, means, opportunity, and most importantly motive. The Oswald he knew was exactly the sort of embittered loner eager to make a mark--any mark--on history if only to prove he was significant. Even after his death, Marguerite proclaimed the innocence and heroism of her son, demanding he be buried in Arlington National Cemetery for his service despite being an accused presidential assassin! The delusion of Oswald came straight from his equally deluded mother. He killed J.D. Tippit, a fact few dispute. He tried to kill General Walker. He fled the police on both occasions. He was capable. Moreover, Gregory notes that even Soviet and Cuban intelligence were reluctant to have anything to do with Oswald because he wasn't much of a team player. The opening of the Soviet archives proved that the USSR was scrambling to find any of their records on Oswald following the assassination, eager to demonstrate that they had nothing to do with it. In sum, Gregory concludes that yes, the Warren Report was correct.
If you are not persuaded by the Warren Report, you probably won't be persuaded by Gregory's book. The author notes, "[W]e want to believe that things happen for a reason. There must be a hand or hands that guide events." In lieu of a supernatural worldview, many people are drawn to conspiracy theories because they want to believe that things happen for a reason. What used to be explained as God's judgment or will becomes a cabal of powerful men in smoke-filled rooms. The idea that a loser from New Orleans got lucky and killed the most powerful man in the world is implausible, if not impossible. "Think of all the things that just had to go right," they say. And Gregory answers, "Yes. And it really happened that way."
As a Christian, I am content to ascribe the will of God to implausible events. As Benjamin Franklin once noted, "Three men may keep a secret if two of them are dead." Or as some relative of mine said, "You expect me to believe that the same government that can't keep my driver's license paperwork is capable of killing the president AND keeping the secret?!!"
But that's my two cents. And I could be a paid shill of Theirs.
September 7, 2022
A very intense and in-depth look into the lives of Lee Harvey Oswald and his wife Marina by someone who knew them. While the information may not be shocking, it definitely is disturbing. This book could possibly put to bed the conspiracy theories. Perfect for anyone interested in criminal minds and/or American history.
January 31, 2023
A fascinating examination of Oswald and the people around him leading up the the JFK assassination. It definitely explains how and why he would've gotten to the position in his life to carry out the attempt.
November 26, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! It’s interesting and holds your attention! It gets a little repetitive towards the end but awesome to hear the authors story. Also Oswald’s mother was crazy lol
October 22, 2023
Some new information but not particularly well written.
August 12, 2023
This is an account of the relationship between Marina and Lee Harvey Oswald by someone who was there.
Paul Gregory lived in Fort Worth at the time, a Russian-speaking member of the community who became close to both Oswalds. He eventually befriended Marina, tolerated Lee, and saw up close the man who would kill President Kennedy.
Gregory shares his story and comes down squarely on the side of no conspiracy - I do too. He explains why he does based on his interaction with Lee. You get the image of a disillusioned, delusional man who wanted to make a mark in a world he felt was stacked against him. And, he did.
He also shares a sometimes-unflattering portrait of Marina.
If you're dead-set on conspiracy, this book probably won't change your mind (for that, read "Case Closed" by Gerald Posner or "Reclaiming History" by Vincent Bugliosi). But if you just want to find out some truths about the Oswalds, you'll be satisfied.
One thing bugged me, though: The author occasionally wrote "Forth Worth" accidentally. C'mon, proofread it!
Paul Gregory lived in Fort Worth at the time, a Russian-speaking member of the community who became close to both Oswalds. He eventually befriended Marina, tolerated Lee, and saw up close the man who would kill President Kennedy.
Gregory shares his story and comes down squarely on the side of no conspiracy - I do too. He explains why he does based on his interaction with Lee. You get the image of a disillusioned, delusional man who wanted to make a mark in a world he felt was stacked against him. And, he did.
He also shares a sometimes-unflattering portrait of Marina.
If you're dead-set on conspiracy, this book probably won't change your mind (for that, read "Case Closed" by Gerald Posner or "Reclaiming History" by Vincent Bugliosi). But if you just want to find out some truths about the Oswalds, you'll be satisfied.
One thing bugged me, though: The author occasionally wrote "Forth Worth" accidentally. C'mon, proofread it!
June 30, 2023
Paul Gregory has done a tremendous service to all but the JFK conspiracy theorists. Professor Gregory and his family by chance became involved with Lee Harvey Oswald and Marina Oswald after they returned from Russia and were a part of the story even after Oswald's assassination of JFK. What the author does, in a very convincing manner, was do an in depth portrait of Oswald and Marina and their life together. He comes to the conclusion that YES Oswald did assassinate JFK and YES Oswald was a sole shooter.
This is a careful and conscientious piece of work written by a former professor at two universities who had Marina as a Russian tutor and whose father and family introduced the Oswalds to the Russian community in Dallas/Ft. Worth.
This is a careful and conscientious piece of work written by a former professor at two universities who had Marina as a Russian tutor and whose father and family introduced the Oswalds to the Russian community in Dallas/Ft. Worth.
March 22, 2023
A very interesting insight into the life of a man who changed history and of the people he left behind once the deed was done. I found this to be a page turner since it discusses Lee's life, his marriage and the aftermath of the JFK assassination. The author Paul, personally knew the Oswalds and for one summer spent his afternoons working on a report with Marina, he also shares that sometimes he would drive the family or Marina so they could do their shopping. I feel he does an amazing job with his insights an it's interesting to read a piece of history from such a perspective.
June 7, 2023
This book is a solid overview of LHO and his, focused mainly on their time in Texas. It's a little misleading for this book to be billed as being by their closest friend -- the author doesn't claim to have known them very well and they certainly didn't come across as friends.
I've read a lot about the Kennedy assassination, but this is the first book I've read focused on Oswald. I didn't learn much that I hadn't know before, but the book was well written and entertaining.
I received a free copy of this book -- thank you!
I've read a lot about the Kennedy assassination, but this is the first book I've read focused on Oswald. I didn't learn much that I hadn't know before, but the book was well written and entertaining.
I received a free copy of this book -- thank you!
August 25, 2024
The Oswalds should put to rest, even though it probably won't, any thoughts of a conspiracy to assassinate JFK. Paul Gregory spent more time with Lee Harvey Oswald than probably Oswald's own mother who was a real piece of work. Very interesting read regarding the life of one the most infamous assassins ever.
January 20, 2024
A good, quick read by a man who knew Lee and Marina about as well as any American could. The money quote: “If I were to organize a conspiracy, the last person I would have wanted in it would be Lee Harvey Oswald. He would have been too difficult and too unreliable.”
July 23, 2025
It was interesting to hear about the Oswalds from someone who allegedly knew them. At the same time, any sensible reader should maintain a healthy skepticism about the veracity, motives, and possible affiliations of the author.
January 24, 2023
This was a very interesting about Lee Harvey Oswald, written by someone who knew him and his wife in Fort Worth.
December 27, 2022
A great book about the famous assassin of JFK and his wife based on the author’s firsthand, personal experiences with both.
November 7, 2022
I fully enjoy the JFK conspiracies and this was a take I never considered. I enjoyed experiencing this story from one man's lived experience.
June 28, 2023
I found the story of Lee and Marina Oswald quite interesting. Most of the timeline takes place before the assassination of JFK from the viewpoint of the author, who took Russian language lessons from Marina in Texas. There is some background on Lee’s years in Russia, as well as a peek at the Oswalds’ private life. It was easy for the author to see Lee’s controlling nature, which included verbal and physical abuse to his wife.
September 16, 2022
The assassination of JFK was before my time and as such, I only know the basics of the event. After reading the synopsis, I realized that I should know more about this important time in American history. The book drew me in right away. The cover is attractive and the content allowed me to learn without feeling bored.
The authors interactions with, and personal information concerning Oswald and his wife, were quite interesting. I liked the way the author chose to address the multitude of conspiracy theories regarding the event. Without giving too much away, I also appreciated the information about his family. It was not hard to see how he became the type of man that could do such things.
The end was slightly redundant (it felt like a recap of the whole book.) This wasn't enough to sway my rating. I understand why it was set up in such a way, but I don't think it was entirely necessary. The book was engaging enough, that it really didn't need one.
***I received my copy as part of Goodreads Giveaways. This did not (and never does) influence my ratings.***
The authors interactions with, and personal information concerning Oswald and his wife, were quite interesting. I liked the way the author chose to address the multitude of conspiracy theories regarding the event. Without giving too much away, I also appreciated the information about his family. It was not hard to see how he became the type of man that could do such things.
The end was slightly redundant (it felt like a recap of the whole book.) This wasn't enough to sway my rating. I understand why it was set up in such a way, but I don't think it was entirely necessary. The book was engaging enough, that it really didn't need one.
***I received my copy as part of Goodreads Giveaways. This did not (and never does) influence my ratings.***
January 4, 2023
I found this look into the Oswalds interesting. There was so much information in it that I had not learned from history class. I was only taught about Lee and it was nice to learn about Marina.
May 14, 2025
I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Oswalds: An Untold Account of Marina and Lee by Paul R. Gregory and narrated by Traber Burns.
Listening for The Oswalds: An Untold Account of Marina and Lee by Paul R. Gregory is 8 hours, 11 minutes.
I wasn't a huge fan of the way in which Traber Burns narrated, The Oswalds: An Untold Account of Marina and Lee by Paul R. Gregory. I wish another narrator had been chosen for this book.
As far as The Oswalds: An Untold Account of Marina and Lee by Paul R. Gregory goes, I would highly recommend this book for those who enjoy learning about American history. More specifically, this book delves deeply into the lives of Lee Harvey Oswald and his Soviet wife, Marina, in quite some detail.
Paul R. Gregory, the author of The Oswalds: An Untold Account of Marina and Lee knew Lee Harvey Oswald and his wife personally, so Mr. Gregory was able to give thoughtful insight into their personal lives leading up to the assassination and aftermath.
Additionally, other details surrounding the assassination of JFK and the manhunt for JFK's killer were discussed in this book in some detail. I gained more knowledge about this subject that I didn't know about it before.
Listening for The Oswalds: An Untold Account of Marina and Lee by Paul R. Gregory is 8 hours, 11 minutes.
I wasn't a huge fan of the way in which Traber Burns narrated, The Oswalds: An Untold Account of Marina and Lee by Paul R. Gregory. I wish another narrator had been chosen for this book.
As far as The Oswalds: An Untold Account of Marina and Lee by Paul R. Gregory goes, I would highly recommend this book for those who enjoy learning about American history. More specifically, this book delves deeply into the lives of Lee Harvey Oswald and his Soviet wife, Marina, in quite some detail.
Paul R. Gregory, the author of The Oswalds: An Untold Account of Marina and Lee knew Lee Harvey Oswald and his wife personally, so Mr. Gregory was able to give thoughtful insight into their personal lives leading up to the assassination and aftermath.
Additionally, other details surrounding the assassination of JFK and the manhunt for JFK's killer were discussed in this book in some detail. I gained more knowledge about this subject that I didn't know about it before.
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