JFK book reviews basement@dnai.com Tim Canale from California , January 6, 1999 - 5 stars Highly Recommended!! Prouty gives us the point of view of both an ace historian and an insider taking us from the origins of the cold war up through the assassination of President Kennedy, and then on up through tomorrow night's evening news. It's haunting how the power elite's patterns of military strategies and propaganda tactics of that era correlate with many of today's current events. Just the other day somebody on TV was screaming, "Why wasn't there an objective in Desert Fox?!" while at the same time I'm reading the answer in Prouty's book, yet the book was written 6 or 7 years ago. This isn't a book only on the Kennedy assassination, but Kennedy's bold decisions which led to his death and the forces behind it all. He explains clearly the post-H-bomb military strategy of aiding both sides of the fence in Vietnam to win the REAL war - big business. We get an inside look at the Dulles brothers and their direct line to the "High Cabal" which overrules even the White House. I once heard Col. Prouty say in an interview that he's never read a page of the Warren Commission's 26 volumes of hearings on the assassination. He said he didn't have to because he knew who did it. I thought that was a bit odd, but after reading this book I understand what he means. Prouty had worked with these guys! These are the same forces that overthrew the Philipines, Greece, Iran, Bulgaria and Guatemala (to name just a few). Out of all the books written about the Kennedy assassination this is easily one of the best. Check out his website! Gregory Burnham (monk113@pacbell.net) from San Diego, California , December 24, 1998 - 5 stars "The Truth Shall Set You Free" - Plaque at CIA's entrance These words of St. John are displayed at CIA's Head Quarters in Langley, VA. The DCI, (Director of Central Intelligence), Allen Dulles, was not known for his ability to write good "original" material... At one time, he commissioned one E. Howard Hunt to ghost write for him. That might be likened to a liar who hires a thief to tell the truth! Colonel Leroy Fletcher Prouty was not cast from the same "mold" that produced the likes of Colson, MacGruder, Hunt, Sturgis, McCord, Liddy, Mitchell, Hoover, LeMay, Lansdale, and all the rest... No, he was cast from a very different mold... a mold of integrity and dedication to his country, the United States of America. Imagine a patriotic young man, who enlists into the military, sees combat as a subordinate on the front lines, is commissioned by his superiors (as they recognized the leadership capabilities that he possessed), and is eventually placed in a newly created position: Chief of Special Operations, as an adjunct to his previous title of "Focal Point Officer/Military Liaison" in support of all CIA Clandestine Operations, as per National Security Council Directive #5412. It is from this very perspective that the good Colonel speaks... and he does, in fact, speak the truth. I would do a disservice to those who seek an accurate account of the CIA, Vietnam, and the Plot to Assassinate JFK, if I failed to mention the following: Those who criticize or attack the content of this most important "work" of Fletcher, have failed to understand that: "In the interest of a LEGITIMATE National Security Agenda" many covert activities were necessary to insure the continued security of the United States. In such instances any and all of the brave men and women, be they CIA, military, or civilian personnel, who have engaged in such activity, including Fletcher Prouty, are to be commended for their heroism and dedication to the freedom of us all, as unpalatable as many of these activities may seem to those of us who have only known "peace" in our home land. Without the work of the many "human assets" whose dedication to preserving our security at times included, what is euphemistically called "Black Ops"-- we would not be free today to speak of these issues. In this context, "Black Ops" can be seen as a necessary, albeit "unfortunate choice" - However, choosing the lesser of two or more evils MUST be made at times. At what point does one say "enough is enough?" I believe Colonel Prouty's insight is extremely acute because of the honesty of the man AND the unique "position" he held at the fulcrum of the meeting point between the military, industrial and intelligence complex, of the United States. If one who is in such a position: 1. "Knows the signature of black ops" from years of experience; 2. Witnesses the "breakdown" of the Law mandated by Congress as a "Control Mechanism" -- i.e., the NSC's ability to DIRECT the activities of the intelligence community; 3. Ultimately recognizes that the removal of the main member of the NSC, President John F. Kennedy, was saturated with the "fingerprints" of a very carefully orchestrated "coup d'etat"; Then, (if such an individual is a true patriot), he is under an obligation to "right the wrongs" to the best of his ability... even if it may mean speaking of things that, despite their truth, will tend to strain the credibility of the messenger. I applaud Colonel Prouty's courage, dedication, wisdom, excellent reportage, attention to detail, and finally, his relentless committment... He is an excellent messenger. In the words of Jim Garrison: "Do not forget your dying king..." GO_SECURE Gregory Burnham trut@erols.com Noah Gladstone from Bensalem, PA , December 20, 1998 - 5 stars Insightful look at the real history from an insider Col. Prouty had an inside look at the real affairs of state. His description of events may be shocking to most American's, who get news in sound bites and history in sterilized censored history books. Col. Prouy points the finger at the men behind the scenes who really ran this country. Col. Prouty exposes the real causes behind the failed policies in Vietnam and how Kennedy's policy of pull out( contained in National Security Action Memorandum 263) caused Kennedy's assassination. This book should be required reading on political science courses, it trumps all other texts. mindgame@bc.sympatico.ca Anita Langley, Canada , December 14, 1998 - 5 stars Comprehensive, cutting edge truth, not to be taken lightly. Col. Prouty's rare insight into world events is enhanced enormously by his unique position in the Pentagon heirarchy. The Col. is not a very speculative author, to his benefit and to the benefit of us all. His writings are based on personal experiences, anecdotes which set the stage for understanding the subtle and not so subtle politics surrounding the pivotal events of recent history. Col. Prouty was truly positioned at the nerve center of the military industrial complex. Having read numerous works by this author, I must say that I agree with Oliver Stone, I think it is quite likely that future history students will look at the various works of Col. Prouty as precious materials useful for gaining understanding of this volatile era. In addition, I suspect Col. Prouty will go down in history as one of the most memorable heroes of this age. Smith_Dick@msn.com from Dallas, Texas , September 11, 1998 - 5 stars This vital work is a MUST READ for ALL Americans. Col. Prouty's most informative book exposes the vicious, greedy, and super-anonymous hand of the "High Cabal" as none other has dared attempt. It clearly demonstrates the bizarre and disgusting chain of events (created by the OSS and CIA) that began before the end of WWII; events that led to President Eisenhower's unprecedented farewell address (and warning) to the nation. These events also led to the creation of President John F. Kennedy's National Security Action Memorandum #263, which called for de-escalation of the Vietnam War and withdrawal of all troops from Vietnam; the memorandum that ultimately led to his death. This work exposes the planned genocide of millions of innocent, non-combatant Southeast Asian civilians, under the guise of such noble sounding terms as "pacification." Readers learn that none of these attacks on the peace-loving Southeast Asians were undertaken to protect any nation or preserve any ideology. Rather, they were thrust upon the Southeast Asians to further feed the exceedingly bulging pockets of greedy international bankers and the insidious military-industrial complex. These events also served to further perpetuate the High Cabal's iron-fisted, though ultra-secret, control over American government, among others, and the world economy. Vietnam is but one homeland that the High Cabal has decimated to serve its own purposes. There have indeed been many others throughout history. The question is: who's next? Perhaps us? Every American should read this vitally important book. And, think about it... Hats off to Col. L. Fletcher Prouty. A truly great American! I proudly salute you, Sir. A reader , July 28, 1997 - 5 stars America's Wake-Up call Flecther Prouty is one of America's greatest patriots. He has chosen to come forward and show the people how our government truly operates- from the propoganda in the media to formulated coups. I could not put this book down. I found it as shocking as it was interesting. I'm not sure what we as a nation can do to get our government back, but this book certainly woke me up. How can we be so apathetic to the lies spewed out by the power elite? I hope someday the government comes clean, but I don't think it will happen. Why should they when they have no accountability? If we don't see and hear Dan Rather talk about, it doesn't exhist, right? A shopper , June 15, 1996 - 5 stars Very, very good. I am a fan of Col Prouty, ever since I read The Secret Team. Oliver Stone is in excellent company, because both of these men aren't afraid to tell the truth. It is exactly the lack of truth that is killing the United States. Those who attack this book, and Stone, with the usual ignorant hysterics, are part of the cancer that is destroying the very innards of the last, great democracy on earth. JFK's assasination was just a symptom of disease that is ravageing us today. This book supports this point. By the way, if you believe the results of the Warren Commmission, (the House Select Comm. on Assasinations didn't, in 1976-78),then you are part of the problem. This book gives an excellent pre-text to the take-over plans of the war-industy complex,starting after World War II. Prouty clearly states how the US Navy took part in the destabilization of Viet Nam by assisting in exporting tribes to the south. The resulting mess fell into Kennedy's hands. You can understand why the fascists would have to dispatch a man like Kennedy, because he tried to do what was right. He was too charismatic, and he was correct. He could move too get emotionally involved, and then to act. This was viewed to be a dangerous thing. Kennedy's Presidential Memorandum #263 was the spark the could ignite a conflagration, pulling the armed forces out of Viet Nam. This correct moral action would lead to other positive events, such as the deconstruction of the war machine at home. If this course was allowed to be taken. It didn't , of course. The Military Right Wing and Ultra Hawks of the US had to liquidate Kennedy. Then, later, Bobby, Malcom X, King... and I am sure that it was They were all done in by the same smoking gun. They couldn't stand in the light of truth, like a vampire can stand the light of the sun. The problem is still rampant today, Ladies and Gentlemen. Read this book before revisionist history forces it from the shelves. Keep it alive, talk about it. You'll find that you will defend it when you see the context that is carefully presented by Prouty. Also, think about how (now) Sen. Arlen Specter told us how the "magic" bullet is proof of the single assasin theory. Then think about how he told us that this same bullet dediced to wait in the air 1.6 seconds before striking Gov. Connally, and then move on to kill President Kennedy, and still later was recovered with absolutely no loss of mass. Think, then reject the fantasy tale outright. Specter was a liar, then as he is today, and the Warren Commisssion's finding are pathetically false. You should then read this book. It's not fantasy. The cancer grows as you read this, but it is not too late... I think. If enough people get informed, and then act according to their conscience, they can then eradicate the cancer. There are not enough liar/fascists to stop a revolution of the truth. Today, they are afraid, and for good reason. Thank you. MBF