Book Review - Mortal Error - the Truth Behind the Kennedy Assassination

"Mortal Error" Howard Donahue offers one of the most gripping explanations of the Kennedy assassination yet due to its basis in ballistics principals. The conclusion is just as shocking as any huge conspiracy theory, but it offers more, a plausible, simple explanation for one of the most mysterious and tragic events in American history. A magic bullet theory this book is not. In his analysis, which took decades to complete, Donahue made a serious attempt to objectively look at the evidence surrounding the Kennedy assassination purely from the standpoint of a ballistics expert.

Donahue, an owner of a gun store and firearms expert, systematically examines all of the gun and ballistics evidence in the Kennedy case. In a hobby spanning several years, exhaustive examination of the evidence, and years of pouring over all of the associated documentation, Donahue decisively disproves the "Magic Bullet" theory and all by lays the conspiracy theories to rest. By doing so, he comes to a shocking conclusion. Due to the interest of all those who wish to read the book, I will not reveal it here.

In addition, he comes to some interesting conclusions regarding Oswald himself. He proves that Oswald could have made three shots in the amount of time allotted; however, it proves to be difficult. Donahue reaches the conclusion that Oswald made two shots, the third shot fired by someone else. It is Donahue's search for this mysterious gunman that drives the book. In the end, it is the identity of this mysterious gunman that makes the book so controversial, so compelling. By the way, the unknown gunman wasn't to be found on the infamous grassy knoll.

As you can see, it isn't just the subject matter and fresh theories that make the book so compelling. There is something else as well. The conclusion he reaches appears entirely plausible. Sometimes, in our attempts to explain something so tragic, an event that changed a nation, we look to extraordinary explanations in an attempt to create meaning out of chaos. Donahue doesn't do that at all. He simply reviews the evidence and extrapolates a theory based on his wide knowledge of ballistics. That is it. Nothing more, nothing less.

Even though you may think that the book would get bogged down in ballistics detail, that isn't the case. The book moves quickly and ballistics theories are discussed in the most down to earth manner possible. He does provide as much ballistics detail as possible though. Ballistics experts and the average person both can follow his explanations.

If you are interested in the Kennedy Assassination at all, it is worth the effort to track down a copy of this book. I know of no other book offering such an exhaustive review of the evidence or such fresh conclusions. If nothing else, you certainly won't be bored if you take the time to read it. Even those not particularly interested in the Kennedy Assassination, like myself, will be intrigued. The book forces you to look at the Kennedy Assassination from a completely new set of circumstances.