The Texas Connection: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

anyone still investigating the Kennedy assassination , this is a must read.

To his credit, this author stands back from the details of JFK's short reign as President and builds a carefully worked up detective's framework from which he then unfurls a convincing narrative of how our 35th President was assassinated. The framework consists of the historically familiar and very logical investigative variables of character, motives, timing and opportunity. These are then skillfully applied to the data available on the only "prime suspect" missing from the Warren Commission's investigation: the opportunistic megalomaniacal and "right hand man" of low character, whose scandal-ridden reputation was just a half step ahead of criminal prosecution on the eve of the assassination, none other than LBJ himself. LBJ fails the test of elimination as a prime suspect on all variables. Although the analysis is not without its flaws -- occasionally there is just too much reliance on bridging gaps with logic and hearsay rather than hard facts; and at other times the facts themselves are adjusted like a Procrustean bed in order to make the dots connect. Plus, no one will be fooled by the author's glib backhand and prosaic dismissal of all competing theories. For it is obvious that in doing so, he was merely clearing the ground to more firmly pin the tail of the assassination donkey on LBJ. Even so, the author accomplishes his goal with his investigative integrity pretty much intact: His analysis securely connects the dots between "Texas small town politics" (with LBJ's megalomania as its guiding light), to JFK's relaxed security arrangements and naiveté about LBJ's vast potential for evil. Thus, all things considered, this is a compellingly tight narrative that tracks well with subsequent revelations by both Barr McClellan, LBJ's personal lawyer, in his "Blood, Money and Power;" and St. John Hunt, the son of E. Howard Hunt. "The Secretary of State for the CIA," In which St. John relates his father's confession that LBJ had enlisted a team of CIA experts, including Cord Meyers, to assassinate JFK. Readers may recall that each of these insiders put the murder of Kennedy at LBJ's feet. As did Jochaim Joesten, in the "The Dark side of LBJ," an out of print book published in 1964, that covers most of the same ground covered here in much greater detail. While one may easily point to a different set of facts that are either missing from this analysis or to an over-emphasis on the ones included here, the detective's framework does impose a stern discipline on the narrative that cannot be denied. One that gives a sense of coherence that is uncommon in JFK assassination theories. For these reasons alone, the book deserves five stars

I found this to be a very interesting book, and thought provoking. At times I would read some of it to my girlfriend who was a young girl when this happened, and she would ask me to not read any more as it angered her so bad. I used this book along w/ other sources for a final paper in College. The thing I found most interesting was the fact the Mr. Zirbel never really states his opinion. He does make you think. And although we will never be told the truth behind JFK's untimely demise, this does give food for thought. I will have to buy myself another copy as the first ones I bought(in hardcover) I ended up giving away as presents. Perhaps I should buy more than one. Kudos Mr. Zirbel

Craig I. Zirbel read almost every book, article, or newspaper dealing with the JFK assassination for 25 years. This book is the result of his studies. If it happened in a foreign country, 11/22/1963 would be viewed as a coup d'etat. If finding a motive for murder exposes the killer, then motive could explain why JFK was killed. This book explains why the Warren Commission and others are not credible. The most likely solution may be the most obvious, not the most complex (p.4).After JFK's death LBJ refused to leave Dallas until JFK's body was placed on the plane. The Warren Commission decided there was no conspiracy; Oswald was a lone gunman. Page 17 tells of the faults in the autopsy of JFK. The Warren Commission was created to investigate the crime (p.23). They would examine the evidence developed by the FBI. LBJ was never called as a witness (p.27). Chief Justice Warren would not listen to Jack Ruby (p.29)! LBJ created and controlled this Commission, when he was one of the logical suspects (p.33). Page 35 explains why political assassinations occur, and why some are covered up. Page 37 explains why Oswald did not fit the pattern of assassins (not insane, no motive). His quick elimination hints at a wider conspiracy. Page 43 tells of the problems in that mail-order rifle. Page 47 tells of the failures with a stationary target. (A telescopic sight adjusted to shoot "high and to the right" would have the built-in lead exactly needed for the shots fired that day! But was this done before that day?)Chapter 7 analyzes various assassination theories, and tries to discredit them all in a few pages. (You may not agree with it once you've read other books.) Does the photograph on page 82 resemble the villain in "From Russia With Love"? Chapter 8 discusses his theory of "right hand man assassinations". I don't think his examples prove his theory. Chapter 9 announces that he will try to pin it on LBJ alone (p.95). The big problem in this is the lack of any defender who may dispute his charges. Being dead, there is no way LBJ can defend himself. So his arguments are one-sided. Is that fair?Chapter 11 tells of LBJ's moral rules. Chapter 12 tells of his support by Big Business, page 113 tells how the NASA Space Center was built. How did LadyBird buy those radio stations? See pages 117-8. Page 122 tells of the crash of LBJ's airplane. Chapter 18 hints at the reason why LBJ didn't run in 1968: a strenuous campaign could cause a heart attack (he died in 1973). Chapters 22-23 describes the three major scandals of the Vice-President. Chapter 27 explains how the unsafe detour past the Schoolbook Depository was done against Secret Service wishes. Chapter 29 list the mistakes and problems in Oswald's capture. Chapter 31 tells of Oswald's activities; these may be explained as that of a secret agent who is controlled by others. Could the failure to record Oswald's interrogation be explained by the knowledge that he was doomed? Chapter 35 relates various strange acts: L

I bought this book with some skepticism, however, Zirbel, an attorney, does an impressive job of making his case. Although some time has passed since its writing, and it could use a new edition, Zirbel makes a VERY convincing case for LBJ's involvement in the JFK assasination. I left with a feeling that Zirbel is onto something, and he certainly convinced me. Definately a worthwhile book. It even inspired me to so my own research into this!

I have read virtually every JFK assassination book that has been published. This is the only one that focuses on who really was behind it and why. What does it matter who was shooting from where? What matters is who was behind it and why. This is the first book that attempts to answer these questions and why the usual theories (Mafia, Castro,CIA etc) are not viable when evaluated objectively. "The Texas Connection" is a must for anyone interested in the murder of John F. Kennedy.