The Kennedy Detail: Jfk's Secret Service Agents Break Their Silence

by Lisa McCubbin Gerald Blaine

Genres: Nonfiction, American History, History

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Sarah Steen]

Bought this book at the 6th floor museum in Dallas after touring the museum. It is a fascinating account by Gerald Blaine, who was on the Kennedy detail, of the weeks leading up to and following the assassination of JFK. The lengths to which he went to collect the memories of the other men on this detail, even years later, is remarkable. What is more remarkable is the dedication, work, loyalty, and professionalism of the Secret Service. This was an intensely loyal, overworked, underpaid group of individuals who clearly, for the most part, had come to love and respect the first family. Aside from the tragedy of the assassination, what also became glaringly obvious was the complete lack of follow-up care for the agents who were directly present that day. These men had been with the Kennedys through the death of their infant son, the death of JFK, the death shortly after of Oswald, the massive guilt over not preventing this tragedy, the death of Robert Kennedy shortly after that, the heightened security issues around the civil rights movement and the death of MLK Jr, the heightened security around increasingly violent antiwar protests, and a successive president who had the same propensity as Kennedy to jump unprotected into crowds. On top of that, the media frenzy that ate these agents alive blaming them for JFK’s death was ghastly. From what I could tell, the men went straight from the assassination to their next shifts and assignments. That there was no leave, no psychological care, very little sleep, and very little time with their own families is a travesty that I hope has since been corrected. Kudos to these men, their survival, their friendships, loyalty, and healing. This was clunky at times but mostly due to the amount of detail—the story is so interesting I’m not judging the writing quality this time.

[Lori Gronewold]

It is sad that even after 61 years the secret service agents are still under paid, overworked and treated shit. There are times that they do not eat for over 18 hours. It is sad that we still do not have enough secret service agents to do a proper job of protecting everyone they are assigned.

This book was an eye opener on what happened 61 years ago. I was reading on this book on November 22nd, the anniversary of when the JFK left Washington for the last time. It was a haunting experience.

I was only 1 and half when Kennedy was killed. I have grown up watching shows about it for years.

After reading this book I have realized that on November 22nd, 1963, there was nothing the secret service did wrong.

In 1963 the President's car was not bullet proof, which would not have saved Kennedy, but it is sad to know.

It was not a federal crime to kill the President of the US, which it is appalling. I believe that the Texas politician used that to their advantage. I am not sure if they wanted to do the autopsy because of they were afraid of what would be found or if it was because they wanted to be the one to find something or if it was because Texas is a Republican state and Kennedy was a Democrat. We will never know.

[Luke]

Interesting to see the side of the Secret Service agents who worked with President Kennedy and his family. They clearly admired and cared deeply about him. After the assassination you see the struggles of guild they wrestled with.

[Brian]

This one is awesome! We get the perspective of a handful of men that were on the detail. This also supplies insight into who the Kennedys were beyond the camera. This, and all the Clint Hill books are essential for those American History buffs.

[Jeanne]

Have finally read enough of the first person accounts of the secret service men with JFK on that fateful day. Those men are heroes. They truly weren't recognized enough.

[Susan]

The book that started the cascade of Clint Hill’s and Paul Landis’ memoirs—including Lisa McCubbin. Fascinating. Precise. Slightly dry in spots. Excellent.

[Joemcgraw]

good job

[Brian Laslie]

The book is fine, but there is very little in here that cannot be found in Manchester’s “The death of a President.” Refutes many of the conspiracy claims.