The minutes, hours, and days after JFK was shot on November 22, 1963, provided no ready answers. For millions of Americans transfixed by the incomparable breaking news, television—for the first time—emerged as a way to keep informed. This book tells the story of four journalists who were at the epicenter; covering the assassination and its aftermath for Dallas’s KRLD. The view they were afforded of these events was unparalleled; their tales, one-of-a-kind. This 50th anniversary edition includes new photos, insights, and reflections on the state of news (and faux news) today from the four men who were active participants in television news' pivotal moment.
Bob Huffaker, investigative reporter, broadcast the JFK motorcade, the Parkland Hospital vigil, and the 'swald shooting on CBS. He was an army officer, police officer, English professor, and editor for Texas Monthly and Studies in the Novel; he wrote John Fowles: Naturalist of Lyme Regis and is honored in the Texas State University Star Hall of Fame and the Dallas Press Club Living Legends of North Texas Journalism. Bill Mercer, voice of the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, and the Southwest Conference, was a professor at The University of North Texas. He wrote Play-by-Play: Tales from a Sportscasting Insider and a history of the Navy LCI, aboard which he served in the World War II Pacific. Mercer is honored in the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, the Dallas Press Club Living Legends of North Texas Journalism, and baseball’s All-Pro Hall of Fame. George Phenix, filmed 'swald’s murder, the Parkland and Love Field scenes, and the Ruby murder trial. He founded and published Texas Weekly, the state’s top legislative newsletter. Phenix also published several weekly newspapers and served as aide to Senator Lloyd Bentsen and Congressman Jake Pickle. He writes the popular Blog of Ages at www.blogofages.net. Wes Wise, accosted by Jack Ruby the day after JFK’s assassination, before Ruby shot 'swald, was a witness in Ruby’s trial. A pioneer of play-by-play, Wise wrote for Sports Illustrated, Time, and Life. He served as Dallas mayor and president of the Texas Municipal League and is honored in the Texas Radio Hall of Fame and the Dallas Press Club Living Legends of North Texas Journalism. As Dallas mayor, he saved the Texas School Book Depository and other historic buildings from demolition, and he led the city in reclaiming its national reputation.
I. Messengers of Tragedy 1.Covering a President Becomes a Nightmare 2.Murderous Flight 3.Cables and Carpetbaggers 4.Epicenter of Grief II. On the Scene 5.Moving with the Story 6.Gunman, Mob, and Mourners III. Seeds of Hatred 7.The Media, Extremists, and Dallas 8.The Trials of Jacob Rubenstein 9.The Last of “Sparky” Ruby IV. Looking Back 10.Television, Radio, Ethics, and Duty 11.Broadcast News, Fifty Years After
