Destiny Betrayed, by Jim DiEugenio

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!