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Honoring the 50th Anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s Assassination: 20 Books About JFK’s Life, Death and Legacy

The life and death of President John F. Kennedy is a defining moment in American history. People still talk about where they were when they heard the news, and they usually can recount their personal story in depth. Fifty years after his assassination, scholars, government officials and tin hat-wearing Bigfoot enthusiasts continue their efforts to solve the mystery: who exactly was John F. Kennedy? Over the decades, fact has melded with fiction as this man is remembered.

As we recognize the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s death, we have collected some of the newest and most exciting books about the man behind the myth. These works examine Kennedy as a statesman, a father, a friend and, above all, an incredibly complex, flawed and ultimately human figure. The arguments over Kennedy’s progressive politics, dramatic family life, and what exactly happened behind that grassy knoll in Dallas continue to inspire fiery debate. While the truth may never be known, there are plenty of answers --- and plenty of stories. And there are moments we still wonder what would have happened if he had lived.

Curated by Tom Donadio and Nate Einhorn

The Assassination and its Aftermath

    
Assassination Theories
    
Fiction and Speculative History
    
JFK's Career and Legacy