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There"s little that can be said about the assassination of the man who was unquestionably one of the greatest political figures in American, if not world history. The tragic events of November 22, 1963, resulted in possibly the only time in American history when the country was without a president for an extended period. Kennedy was not particularly popular in Texas, which was the primary reason for his visit to Dallas, but little did JFK or his advisers know that the decision to reach out to the people of Texas would result in such a tragic outcome.
Based on a 2009 book of the same name by Steven Gillon, The Kennedy Assassination: 24 Hours After picks up the story just before the assassination and wastes no time getting into a blow by blow account of the fine details of the assassination and the events that followed. Gillon and other experts relate some of the details, amid re-enacted quotes from secret service agents and other eyewitnesses. As much as 24 Hours After is about the assassination itself, it also takes a close look at the political implications the event had for vice president Lyndon Johnson. Johnson had entered his role as vice president with great expectations which were quickly extinguished as Kennedy, realizing Johnson"s political savvy and influence, kept a short leash on his vice president for fear of losing control of his administration. As the tragedy and aftermath of Kennedy"s fatal wounding and death were unfolding, political machinations were also underway as Johnson became aware that the way was now clear for him to take the role he had coveted for many years.
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