"The President Has Been Shot!"

I saw "The President Has Been Shot!": The Assassination of John F. Kennedy by James L. Swanson at the library and thought it would be an interesting read, especially because I really like US history.  It is a nonfiction narrative (written for young adults) about the background, presidency, and assassination of President Kennedy.

This was a fascinating book.  I learned a lot and was completely interested throughout the book.  I also found the book to be very inspiring.  (For example, for JFK's funeral, his wife led a procession by foot from the White House to the cathedral.  The Secret Service asked Lyndon Johnson--the new president--to ride in a car because it was too dangerous and they didn't want to lose another president.  But Johnson refused and said, "I would rather give my life than be afraid to give it.")  I felt like the book had lots of tidbits like that that just pointed out the inspiring things various people did.  I really liked the positive feel of the book, especially in that it didn't focus on JFK's affairs, which I know is often talked about with him.  I also liked how the book focused on the most-accepted theory of the assassination (Oswald as a single gunman) rather than delving into all the other theories and conspiracies.  I wouldn't have been as interested in all that.  The book, clear by its subject matter, was sad and hard to read at times, but it was a really great read.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)