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Destiny Betrayed, Second Edition: JFK, Cuba, and the Garrison Case Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 250 ratings

If you thought you already knew everything there was to know about the Kennedy assassination, think again.

If you enjoyed the chilling experience of In Cold Blood and were at the edge of your seat while watching Oliver Stone’s JFK, you’ll love this investigative look into all the facets of one of the top conspiracies of the 20th century and beyond. DiEugenio, who has spent decades researching the Kennedy assassination, takes both an analytical and conversational approach to his fascinating exploration of the pivotal historical events and scandals surrounding that day.

Twenty years after the first edition of Destiny Betrayed, DiEugenio is back with his ever-expanding investigation into the life and death of JFK. But this is no simple reissue. It is a greatly revised and expanded version of the original book, including updates on all the topics it introduced back in 1992. DiEugenio has used the declassification process of the Assassination Records Review Board (ARRB) to obtain the most current information on topics like the Garrison investigation and Clay Shaw; the newly exposed fallacies of the Warren Commission; U.S.-Cuban policy from 1957 to 1963; Kennedy's withdrawal plan from Vietnam; Kennedy's challenge to the Cold War consensus in 1961, and where those ideas originated; the ARRB medical inquiry demonstrating conspiracy and cover up; and the problems with the investigation of the Kennedy case. DiEugenio’s primary focus is on the Garrison inquiry, the New Orleans aspects of the Kennedy murder investigation, and the revelatory new information that bolsters Garrison’s case and has been withheld from the public.

All of this and more is contained in the narrative of this complex crime, with twin focuses on the victim, John F. Kennedy, and the investigator, Jim Garrison.

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Product details

Listening Length 23 hours and 3 minutes
Author James DiEugenio
Narrator Paul Neal Rohrer
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date February 25, 2013
Publisher Audible Studios
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B00BL43Y98
Best Sellers Rank #43,256 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
#1,240 in PC-compatible Games

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4.6 out of 5 stars
250 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-documented and informative. They describe it as an excellent, must-read book that provides good insight into the JFK Assassination. Readers praise the writing quality as clear, concise, and simple. They consider it worth every penny and a solid answer to Bugliosi's Massive Tome of Bunk. The author is considered smart and thorough.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

49 customers mention "Information content"49 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-researched and informative. They appreciate the detailed narrative of facts and circumstances around the case. The author's expert knowledge is reflected in the book, with fascinating details drawn from personal interviews.

"...reasons why I didn't give up is because of the excellent and credible information I had come across on your website...." Read more

"...The content is real, it's factual and it's devastating to any arguments attempted by those who still try to peddle the "Oswald Lone Nut" theory...." Read more

"...in fact a well attributed blend of the original text with hundreds of valid footnotes that is a reflection of the evolution of what is now known via..." Read more

"...The amount of fascinating details is amazing. I hope most of it is true. You have to buy it ; no question about it...." Read more

36 customers mention "Readability"36 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They appreciate its well-researched content and consider it a valuable addition to their personal libraries. The book provides an in-depth overview of the JFK files and is a worthwhile read.

"...In the final few chapters of this excellent book, DiEugenio discusses other important issues such as what happened to the HSCA once Richard Sprague..." Read more

"...time on the Garrison investigation, its significance and the massive effort by the CIA (mostly), the FBI and the Justice Department to infiltrate,..." Read more

"...This book however is unique well founded and a valued addition to my personal library that I highly recommend . Further info...." Read more

"...as represented by interference with Garrison, then this is a must read book...." Read more

23 customers mention "History"23 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's historical perspective on the JFK assassination. They find it insightful and informative, covering Kennedy's viewpoints before the assassination and providing a significant piece of information they didn't know. The book is considered an important contribution to history and a top 10 book on the assassinations.

"...Suffice it to say, DiEugenio does an exceptional job in exposing the lies and the hidden background of the Paine's - such as their connection to the..." Read more

"...This is a significant piece of information and it's something I didn't know prior to reading Destiny Betrayed...." Read more

"...The book is unique in that it thoroughly covers pre-assassination history of Kennedy's viewpoints on foreign third world intervention, of the Cuban..." Read more

"...will lead the reader to conclude that Garrison was on the right path in his investigation and was courageous enough to think he could take on the..." Read more

19 customers mention "Writing quality"14 positive5 negative

Customers find the book's writing quality good. They describe it as readable, informative, and well-written. The author writes clearly and concisely, drawing the narrative well. The book is comprehensive and easy to read, with simple logic.

"...In this exceptionally well written and footnoted book, Jim DiEugenio demonstrates beyond any doubt that President Kennedy was not the ferocious cold..." Read more

"...FORTH FACTS MAKES THIS GREATEST OF ALL PUZZLES INTO A PALACE OF SIMPLE LOGIC. YES IT ALL COMES TOGETHER IN THIS BOOK...." Read more

"...I would put this book among the top 10 about this case. It's well written, it's important, and you should read it...." Read more

"...I died twice. Then there is the butchering of our beautiful English language: The narrator seems to think that the aborted..." Read more

8 customers mention "Value for money"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They say it's worth every penny and well worth the wait.

"...the following areas stand out to me as ones where the author delivers real value: -..." Read more

"...In conclusion, "Destiny Betrayed" is well worth the price, and the time to read it...." Read more

"...The Paine story alone is worth the price of the book...." Read more

"...ive waited a long time for this book and its well worth the wait! i hate to ask Jim already ,but when is the next book coming!..." Read more

7 customers mention "Credibility"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book credible and well-researched. They say it's a strong response to Bugliosi's massive tome of bunk. The case against Clay Shaw is impressive, and Garrison showed great strength and courage.

"...critical, well reasoned approach lends a great deal of clarity and credibility to a complex and controversial topic...." Read more

"...This book however is unique well founded and a valued addition to my personal library that I highly recommend . Further info...." Read more

"...Yet, Garrison showed great strength and courage...." Read more

"...Best of all, the research used is up to date and undeniable...." Read more

4 customers mention "Intelligence"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's intelligence. They find the author's insights amazing and thorough. The book is described as the foremost authority on Kennedy and the assassination.

"Jim DiEugenio is the foremost authority on all things Kennedy and the assassination and its bungled investigation...." Read more

"...assassination case and is a frequent guest on "black op radio",his insight is amazing!..." Read more

"...This book sets the record straight. The fact is, Garrison was a brilliant man and he did vital work in exposing the conspiracy that killed JFK...." Read more

"...I am so pleased that a book of this high caliber exists. James is smart and thorough and this book should become the basis for a post graduate..." Read more

6 customers mention "Pacing"0 positive6 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book slow and boring. They mention it's full of irrelevant details that distract from the subject matter.

"...I also believe the discussion on the Cuban missile crisis was fairly brief...." Read more

"...words and names just hammers my ears and distracts my attention from the subject matter. I died twice...." Read more

"...Too annoying. The narration needs to be redone without that.] 1963...." Read more

"...often writes in sentence fragments -- it's annoying and detracts from enjoyment of the book. But content is quite good." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2013
    If there is any serious JFK assassination researcher who does not own a copy of Jim DiEugenio's updated book, Destiny Betrayed, then I strongly recommend you order a copy A.S.A.P! After reading through the 398 pages of text in the book, I can honestly describe it as being effing brilliant! In this exceptionally well written and footnoted book, Jim DiEugenio demonstrates beyond any doubt that President Kennedy was not the ferocious cold warrior which his shameless critics try to portray him as.

    DiEugenio spends a considerable amount time explaining how John Kennedy's views on countries such as Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, the Congo, and Indonesia differed from the views of people such as Presidents Eisenhower and Johnson, and the Dulles brothers. DiEugenio also spends an entire chapter discussing the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, and demonstrates beyond any doubt that President Kennedy was indeed deceived by CIA director Allen Dulles, deputy director Charles Cabell, and deputy director of plans Richard Bissell (this chapter is available for free here on the Mary Ferrell foundation website).

    DiEugenio also demonstrates beyond any doubt that the much vilified former New Orleans District Attorney, Jim Garrison, was not the villain he has been portrayed as, and how he was relentlessly targeted by the CIA and the justice department after he decided to investigate the assassination of President Kennedy. As a matter of fact, one of main reasons I bought the book was to learn all I could about the Garrison investigation - as this was one area of my research into the assassination of President Kennedy where my knowledge was lacking.

    One important point in the book that I wish to point out concerning Jim Garrison is the allegation that he was friendly with the Mafia - namely the New Orleans god father, Carlos Marcello. Yet, as DiEugenio explains on page 172:

    "...Garrison went out of his way to raid a Marcello establishment in Jefferson County. In his raids on the Bourbon street rackets, he shuttered bars that were either owned by Marcello or his associates."

    The other (more important) point in the book concerning Jim Garrison that I would like to point out, are the infiltrations into Garrisons investigation by Bernardo DeTorres, William Gurvich, and Gordon Novel at the behest of the CIA. As DiEugenio writes on page 233:

    "What makes this so fascinating is that all three of these infiltrations began almost six months before Garrison even accused the CIA of being part of the assassination plot against Kennedy!"

    This is indeed a crucial point. For if the CIA had no involvement in the assassination of President Kennedy, why the heck would they be so concerned about Garrison's investigation - before he even fingered them as being part of the conspiracy? Unless of course, they were involved!

    I don't wish to discuss the Garrison investigation in detail, as I think everyone should buy a copy of the book and read about it for themselves. However, I will say that DiEugenio has proven beyond any reasonable doubt that Clay Shaw was indeed the mysterious Clay Bertrand, who called New Orleans attorney, Dean Andrews, to defend Oswald after he was arrested by the Dallas Police.

    Furthermore, DiEugenio proves that Oswald was indeed associated with the notorious right wing figures, Guy Bannister, David Ferrie, Sergio Arcacha Smith, Kerry Thornley etc. Now if Oswald was truly the Marxist which the Warren Commission and its defenders uphold, then what the hell was he doing with men such as the above? Unless of course, Oswald was not the Marxist we were told he was - and was set-up as the patsy for the assassination by these right wingers.

    In the final few chapters of this excellent book, DiEugenio discusses other important issues such as what happened to the HSCA once Richard Sprague and Robert Tanenbaum were replaced by Robert Blakey and Gary Cornwell, as chief counsel and deputy counsel of the HSCA, respectively. There is also a 20 page chapter dedicated to the impersonation of Oswald in Mexico City, and an 18 page discussion of JFK's Vietnam policy - and how it substantially differed from that of his successor's, Lyndon Johnson.

    Overall, I am immensely pleased with this book. However, I wish the chapter on Mexico City had been longer. I also believe the discussion on the Cuban missile crisis was fairly brief. We should bear in mind, however, that this is not the author's fault - as sky horse publishing had placed a limit on the number of pages that could be written. Let me note that although I don't believe this is the definitive book on the assassination (as I believe Jim DiEugenio will also agree), this is certainly the book which sets the record straight! Not just concerning John Kennedy's legacy, but also concerning Jim Garrison and his investigation.

    I am also pleased that the book didn't contain any discussion on highly controversial issues such as alteration of the Zapruder film, and David Lifton's pathetic body alteration theory.

    Before concluding this article, I would like to point out what I believe is one of the best (and most important) parts of the book. I am referring to the discussion of Ruth and Michael Paine - Ruth in particular. For those new to JFK assassination research, Ruth Paine was the "innocent" Quaker lady with whom Marina Oswald and her children were living with in Dallas. But most importantly, it was in Ruth Paine's garage where Oswald allegedly kept his rifle inside a blanket. It was also in Ruth Paine's house where much of the evidence against Oswald, such as the backyard photographs and the so-called Walker note were found.

    Suffice it to say, DiEugenio does an exceptional job in exposing the lies and the hidden background of the Paine's - such as their connection to the CIA! DiEugenio also discusses in great length one of the most overlooked potential pieces of evidence against Oswald - the so-called Nixie package, which was to be delivered to Ruth Paine's residence. This package contained a sheet of brown wrapping paper. As DiEugenio explains in his book, this brown wrapping paper was likely to be used as evidence that Oswald had made a gun sack to carry the rifle into the TSBD.

    If you want to learn all you can about the Paines, the package, and much more, then you will have to buy the book and read for yourself. As I said at the beginning of this article, if there is any serious JFK assassination researcher who does not own a copy of this book, then I strongly recommend you order a copy A.S.A.P. It is a must read!

    However, a word of warning: If you are only interested in untenable conspiracy theories, then this is not the book for you! This is a book based solely on facts and declassified documents. I strongly urge anyone who is interested in learning about the real John F Kennedy, the truth behind his assassination, and the real Jim Garrison, to read this terrific book.

    I would now like to conclude this article with an open message to Jim DiEugenio:

    Mr DiEugenio,

    As someone who greatly admires John F Kennedy, I want to both thank and congratulate you on your enormous contribution to seeking the truth behind his unfortunate death. I also want to thank you for setting the record straight (as you undoubtedly have) concerning his character and legacy. You are without a shadow of a doubt one of the most knowledgeable, dedicated, and honest researchers there is.

    There was a time when I almost gave up researching President Kennedy's assassination, because of the many ridiculous theories I had been reading on the internet, and in some books. However, one of the reasons why I didn't give up is because of the excellent and credible information I had come across on your website.

    I am very pleased that your book has received many five star ratings on Amazon.com. I am also looking forward to reading the discussions about your book on the Spartacus education forum. I only wish you had been allowed to write more than you were. I also greatly enjoy listening to you on Len Osanic's radio show.

    Once again, thank you for all you have done!
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2013
    There are literally thousands of books covering the JFK assassination but probably only a couple dozen *must read* works - this book is a must read.

    This second edition of Destiny Betrayed is about as well sourced a book as I can recall reading. The author has done a lot of research on his own, meaning he has spoken directly with sources and accessed important documents himself. When he does use other books or secondary items as sources, these are well documented with endnotes. This might seem trivial to the casual reader, but on a topic so studied and so contentious, Jim DiEugenio's scholarly, critical, well reasoned approach lends a great deal of clarity and credibility to a complex and controversial topic.

    This edition of Destiny Betrayed contains a lot of information. The content is real, it's factual and it's devastating to any arguments attempted by those who still try to peddle the "Oswald Lone Nut" theory. After my initial reading, the following areas stand out to me as ones where the author delivers real value:

    - Ruth and Michael Paine: Who they are, who they are connected to and how they helped create the Oswald legend and set up Lee Harvey Oswald for Kennedy's murder.

    - The Warren Commission: The author exposes the fact that the Warren Commission was driven by Allen Dulles and was nothing more than an exercise in labeling Lee Harvey Oswald as JFK's lone assassin and how great care was taken to avoid any areas that may lead to other conclusions.

    - Mexico City and New Orleans: While the Warren Commission was pushing an "Oswald Lone Nut" scenario, Mr. DiEugenio reveals how the CIA's David Atlee Phillips was leading the effort to paint Oswald as a communist assassin connected to Castro and the KGB. These efforts were made with the goal of gaining support for an invasion of Cuba. One big revelation to me was that prior to Kennedy's murder, Phillips and James McCord were running a CIA effort to infiltrate and discredit the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. It's inescapable that Lee Harvey Oswald was their asset and Phillips was using Oswald for this purpose. The CIA's David Atlee Phillips was controlling Oswald prior to the assassination. Directly at times, and at times through Clay Shaw and Guy Banister.

    - The Garrison Investigation: Destiny Betrayed shows how close Garrison actually was to exposing the coup that overthrew the American government in 1963. Garrison was very close and he was way ahead of his time. Unfortunately, the New Orleans D.A. was also out of his depth with regard to the CIA. The author spends a great deal of time on the Garrison investigation, its significance and the massive effort by the CIA (mostly), the FBI and the Justice Department to infiltrate, undermine and destroy Jim Garrison and his investigation. Jim Garrison, in my view, is an American hero. Destiny Betrayed brings clarity and a bright light to this important part of the assassination mosaic. Specifically, the detail on the scope of the CIA's efforts to undermine Garrison is quite telling. Garrison was on to them and they knew it.

    - The Big Picture: The book has a section near the end where the author discusses U.S. foreign policy toward the Soviet Union, Cuba, Vietnam, Indonesia, Congo and Laos under JFK and how these policies were turned on their head and forced in a sharply rightward direction immediately upon Kennedy's death. Again, these are matters of historical fact. Where Kennedy was with regard to foreign policy and his world view - a view to which the CIA and the military were diametrically opposed - may not prove who murdered JFK, but is very effective in demonstrating just how Kennedy and his national security structure viewed one another and how differently they viewed the role of the United States in the world. In my opinion, it is further evidence that the national security structure of this nation seized control of the U.S. government in November 1963 and has not relinquished it since.

    - Truman and Dulles: There is a fascinating account of a post-assassination meeting between Harry Truman and Allen Dulles. The upshot is that Truman clearly believed the CIA was out of control and he suspected their involvement in JFK's murder. It also reveals Dulles attempting to cover his tracks. This is a significant piece of information and it's something I didn't know prior to reading Destiny Betrayed. The author's account of this encounter is excellent.

    I did not make any notes on my first read through, so apologies for whatever I missed. The second edition of Destiny Betrayed is a must read if you want to understand what happened to John F. Kennedy and frankly, if you want to begin to understand how our system of government has been commandeered, subverted and rendered impotent. It all began in November 1963.
    10 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Austrian Painter 89
    5.0 out of 5 stars Arrived rather early!
    Reviewed in Japan on June 20, 2021
    I ordered this from Japan and it arrived in about 2 weeks time (ish).
    Good quality!
    Thank you!
  • C. A. D.
    5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing book.
    Reviewed in Canada on February 22, 2016
    Amazing book. Have been interested in the assassination of John Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, and Martin Luther King for most of my life as I lived at that time. I was devastated when this took place, and I have some memories of things that were reported in our papers, we got the Toronto Telegram at that time, that never seemed to be reported on U.S. television, or are not mentioned now. I am seventy years of age but those murders are etched in my mind forever. I followed this purchase with the other book Dr. Mary's Monkey since it is connected to the John Kennedy murder. That spider web has many people involved, though I may not live long enough to see it made public. It seems that any of the people who are brave enough to try to make any of these things known get murdered also. Case in point, I was just listening to an old interview of Philip Marshall's on the book he wrote called the Big Bamboozle, and was thinking of buying it, and I didn't even realize he had been murdered also. Now with the U.S. elections taking place right now, and me up in Canada just watching this unfold on t.v., I am very afraid for the United States and the American people, and of course us up here in Canada as well, as we are so close to them. I fear for the rest of the world as well. What I thought at first going by just what I saw on t.v., is the complete opposite. It seems that those who I trusted are the truly evil ones, and every thing has been turned around ass backwards if you know what I mean.
  • Mr. Martin White
    5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant analysis of the background to the case; before and after the assassination.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2014
    This is unlike most books written about the JFK assassination. You will find very little written about the actual events in Dealey Plaza, but it remains a thrilling, fast moving yet detailed analysis of the background to the JFK case.

    DiEugenio takes great care to portray Kennedy as courageous deep thinker, with origins in an overseas visit in 1951. In an era where being an American Patriot meant being resolutely anti-Communist, Kennedy saw a third way. He was at peace with allowing other countries, especially those emerging from Colonialism, to forge their own path and be independent of either US influence or Communist doctrine. In his Presidency, he supported nationalist governments in Indonesia, Congo and Laos; governments that were all overthrown with CIA assistance in the years immediately following his assassination.

    This independence of thought put JFK on a collision course with Allen Dulles. Dulles took the CIA from being an intelligence gathering operation - as President Truman intended - to what became the military wing of American Big Business. Under Dulles, the CIA began to take on the mantle of promoting American business interests abroad, whatever the moral or physical cost to the indigenous people.

    This divergence explains why the assassination happened, and the author also explains who the likely planners and facilitators were.

    The most fascinating part of the book describes the trial of Clay Shaw in New Orleans which of course was the basis for the movie JFK. However, what the movie does not show you (understandably) is the lengths that major sections of the establishment went to in order to make sure that Shaw was not only acquitted, but that Garrison was destroyed. The book explains the links between the major media and the CIA, and how both of those parties were determined to crush Garrison.

    Now, remember that Garrison charged Shaw in 1967. This was before the House Select Committee on Assassinations in 1978, and before the Assassinations Record Review Board doubled the amount of documentary evidence available. DiEugenio expresses justifiable admiration with just how close Garrison came to breaking the case. Indeed, one can only imagine what Garrison would have achieved had justice not been obstructed. One of those who obstructed the case, and in all likelihood stopped the case from ever being solved, was none other than Texas Governor John B Connally, the other man seriously wounded when JFK was killed.

    Destiny Betrayed is heavily documented and footnoted. The author uses his own analysis to join the dots but this is no book of wild speculation.
  • Tine Oryshak
    5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ FOR STUDENTS OF THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION
    Reviewed in Canada on May 30, 2014
    An excellent account of the Garrison Case against Clay Shaw, placed in a historical context - Cuba, Vietnam and other Third World hotspots at the time.
    Very scary for Americans - the efforts that the press, the FBI, the Dept. of Justice, CIA and others went to in order to discredit Garrison.
    Hugh Aynesworth, who appears constantly in the national media today whenever JFK topics appear as a defender of the Warren Commission's conclusions, you should be ashamed of yourself as an open minded and fair journalist. The book demonstrates that he, James Phelan and others, were compromised beyond a doubt.!!!!!!! Ruth and Michael Paine should have been studied more closely. The critique of the HSCA is riveting. And much much more!
    Well sourced
    Two criticisms: so many names - a glossary of who's who would be helpful; some of the associations suggested by the author are speculated but not proven - I would love to believe the links suggested about Allen Dulles and the Eastern Establishment.
    All in all, an awesome book incorporating interviews and the latest documents and primary sources available. Any serious student of the assassination must read this book and McKnight's book on the Warren Commission
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  • DR
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book is essential to understanding the forces of the 'unspeakable'.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 10, 2014
    An essential reference in understanding the background and forces of 'unspeakable' evil that were deployed against Jim Garrison, the heroic DA of New Orleans who initiated the only prosecution against the traitors to America, and humanity who murdered John Kennedy. JFK saved all of us from the abyss of thermonuclear war on multiple occasions, not just during the cuban missile crisis. He was opposed by insane warmongers in the JCS and CIA, who have never been brought to account for their crimes against humanity. This book helps to correct the historical record.
    One person found this helpful
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