Oswald's Tale: An American Mystery

It was somewhat of a long slog but it was worth it. There were many details I did not know about Oswald and his family.

LHOIt is worth to read this book since it helps understand one of the worst moments in the history of the American presidents. It will not solve the mysteries or doubts around the assassination of JFK, but, after reading it, and considering all sources are credible, the book may help you arrive to a conclusion. The journalistic investigation is a solid part of the book and it is reliable since it cites its sources, which are valuable as in the case of the KGB. Will we know everything after reading this book? It's hard to tell.The life of LHO was short, but he really disturbed governments in his last years of life. With his "all or nothing" attitude and boldness was able to stay in the USSR, after an intent of suicide, and he affected the lives of whoever he spoke to, either in the USA or the USSR.His life could be compared to other violent and bold men like Hitler and Che Guevara since ideology and violence were behind their actions. But LHO was not in the right place (country) or the right time to enjoy victories, though temporary, the other two mentioned men had. Any good ideological intention gets dissipated by the fact that LHO was abusive with his wife to the point of hurting her.This book is not a brilliant literary work, but it may help clarify the facts surrounding JFK assassination. From what I read in the book, the conspiracy theory is weak, everything points to this unbalanced human being. He bought a rifle, he practiced, he tried to kill another man and he had motives, which were to go against capitalism, and Kennedy was the symbol and he was a self declared "socialist". Mailer will give you the facts (in depth) and you can be the judge.

I trust Mailer's mind and easy to understand writing and the layout of this book.Worth it to read. It's hard to let Oswald be the one who took the shots. Ex cops (Marine vets) I've asked, have said that a young ex Marine, as Oswald was, could have made the shots, since Oswald was only in his early twenty's when he allegedly took the rifle shots.But this book didn't fully convince me. I'd like to see more info on Oswald's Marine shooting experience, and any practice with this rifle, especially rifle range or practice to set the rifle up to shoot straight, which to me is all critical, for the 3-4 shots allegedly Oswald shot.Wish Mailer had delved into that as extensively as other things.I still think Mailer got buffaloed by his intel community contacts in the years Mailer was obsessed with the JFK assassination and US intel community activities.Mailer's "Harlot's Ghost" is Mailer's precursor novel to read before one reads Mailer's "Oswald."Is it worth anyone's time, only really JFK buffs who are willing to scrape the few pieces of meat off the bones of this whole big tragedy.Conclusion: Mailer was buffaloed, but the truth likely is a really deeper untouched, Russian hand/operation, since Russia comes out clean as a whistle, and Russia has been widely given a pass as being unconnected to JFK's death; which to me means Russia did their "perfect" op, and buffaloed the world most effectively. JFK's assassination points to Russia, as Russia's excuse that it is not them, is so beautifully believable. Their perfect op basis.

Long as it was I regretted reaching the end of this book. Oswald's Tale purports to be a work of fiction. In fact, it impossible not to appreciate the wealth of research and analysis that informs the pages of this dense text. It becomes increasingly clear that Oswald very likely acted alone. Indeed, this is only a question because of the tributaries of zealots that seemed to work on the fringes of formal organizations, including the FBI and the MAFIA and so on. Yet, Oswald very likely acted independently; it would have been practically impossible for any one organization to control him. The novel Libra had it very nearly correct with its assessment that, had Oswald be chosen, it would very likely have been because he could have been depended upon to miss his target, or otherwise bungle the job. No one but Oswald propeled himself onto to the stage of Cold War history. In Oswald's world, his sense of destiny was confirmed by the chance occurrence of being employed in the Texas Book Depository in Dallas, stationed along the very route that President Kennedy's motorcade took that day in November. In addition to the quality of the writing and analysis, the book is to be commended for focusing so intently on Oswald's marriage to Marina, and the relationship he had with his mother, Margueritte. Like so many tragedies, one is all too easily reminded of Shakespeare's Richard, "my kingdom for a horse." Had Cuba provided Oswad a visa enabling him, ultimately to return to the Soviet Union he had already abandoned, history might well have taken a different course. Instead, Oswald's dyslexia, his sense of greatness, his determination and his lack of abilities in so many areas coupled with his gifts in others: all conspired, with chance playing its part, to place Oswald in the book depository from which he assasinated President Kennedy and subsequently murdered Dallas PD Officer Tippit.

Blimey, this was a mammoth book to get through, though so was The Executioner's Song, which I loved. I learned quite a lot here about Lee Harvey Oswald. He had to have had input from either the CIA or FBI, I believe, especially as they'd had their eyes on him for years following his trip off to Russia along with all his defection then non-defection messing around. Then he still continued to antagonise on his return to the USA by getting involved with the Cuban faction as well. So he had to be having some contact with the authorities. However, he is such a liar and so secretive that it's hard to be totally sure about him. He must've been the shooter as there were hardly likely to be a pair of them in the Book Depository that day !!For me, the biggest clue was in the fashion Oswald travelled to land in Russia in the first place under a luxury travel permit......it was never properly explained who paid for this since he appeared to have no means whatsoever !!I did chuckle at a very telling remark that Marina made, "Nobody asks Jacqueline Kennedy what Jack Kennedy was like in bed" !! I found Lee's mum, Marguerite, to be a real pain in the backside and you can see why all her sons appear to have severed ties with her. Her imperious attitude was beyond belief.There were the odd formatting issues in this, a lot of needless spaces added like in meet ing or men tally or unob tainable, wrote woman and not women and area needed a space. That was pretty good for over 800 pages, though !It did become a bit of a trudge to get through but I learned more about Oswald so it was intriguing. It just went on a bit !

Obviously known for his link to JFK but Oswald had a really interesting life in his own right before the events in Dallas. Mailer goes deep in this book and I found it a really good read. Worth a look.

Great value at 1p plus postage for what is one of the great 20th century biographies. Many thanks

fascianting in depth study of Oswalds life. For me it seems to answer many questions about the odd loner and about his motives for the assination.

Anyone wanting an overview of the life of Lee Oswald would benefit from reading this book. At times it appears somewhat lengthy and there is difficulty in following the chronology, but overall a book to read and enjoy.