I'd change that to the first seven chapters. The first chapter doesn't even mention the issue of Ruby's Mafia ties. But, yes, chapter 1 is a good starting point to understand the original lone-gunman theory.
I would include the HSCA's extensive and historic research into Jack Ruby's Mafia ties and how Ruby entered the basement to shoot Oswald. These were two areas where the HSCA showed what a joke the WC's investigation was.
Meagher's book has too many errors for me to recommend it to a newcomer. In some cases, she severely distorts the primary sources that she cites. She does make many valid points, but she also makes quite a few errors.
A solid choice. As a former Senate investigator, Weisberg was a very careful scholar. He was also honest. He turned on Garrison when he realized that Garrison was incompetent and unethical.
My two copies of Crossfire both have endnotes. I'm not sure which edition you have. The updated 2013 edition has endnotes, including in the Kindle version.
Most of Marrs' research on the JFK case was credible.
Oh, Thompson's updated version of Six Seconds in Dallas, his 2020 book Last Second in Dallas, is much better. It includes over 100 pages on the historic new research that was done by BBN scientists on the acoustical evidence, including the PCC test by Dr. Richard Mullen that proves the gunshot impulses on the dictabelt were recorded during the assassination. Thompson also makes very good use of the historic ARRB disclosures regarding the autopsy evidence.
- Michael -
You're quite right, I overlooked the parts regarding Jack Ruby and the fact that the Dallas Police Department allowed their prime suspect to get lynched. It always troubled me that Ruby was allowed to be in the parking garage during the 'aborted transfer' of Oswald, that not a single police official recognized him and told him to leave. It is most unfortunate. A trial could have provided many answers.
The 'joke' of the Warren Commission can be explained, at least in part, by the geopolitical circumstances of the time. Remember LBJ telling Earl Warren about the 40 million American dead within an hour? The Warren Report offers a political solution to the crime. Another handicap was the complete reliance on FBI and other federal agencies and the lack of independent investigators.
The version of
Crossfire that I own was made available to me as a free PDF and has no notes whatsoever. Now that I know there is a version that includes end notes I will try and acquire it. Thanks for the heads up.