Picture this: It's December 1960, John F. Kennedy has just won the election, and the world anticipates his bold new era. But lurking in Palm Beach, Florida, is Richard Pavlick, a disturbed ex-postal worker packed into his Buick with enough dynamite to obliterate the president-elect. This audiobook by New York Times bestsellers Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch pulls back the curtain on that chilling, little-known plot—and why fate intervened to save JFK.
Pavlick wasn't some shadowy operative; he was a loner obsessed with Kennedy's Catholic faith, timing his attack perfectly for when JFK would head to mass. He'd park, wait for the moment, then ram his explosive-laden car into the procession. What stopped him? A simple phone call from a stranger that threw off his suicidal plan, plus Kennedy's Secret Service detail spotting something off. Meltzer and Mensch dig into declassified files, witness accounts, and Pavlick's own ramblings to paint a vivid picture of how close America came to losing its charismatic leader before inauguration day.
Scott Brick's voice is pure gold here—impassioned, urgent, like he's whispering secrets across a dimly lit table. You feel the Florida humidity, hear the tick of Pavlick's watch, sense the crowd's oblivious chatter. At around 8 hours unabridged, it's perfect for those long commutes, gym sessions, or evenings when you crave real history without the textbook drone. The authors' signature style turns facts into edge-of-your-seat drama, blending conspiracy intrigue with hard evidence.
Whether you're puzzling over what-ifs like 'Camelot without Camelot' or just love audiobooks that stick with you, this one's a standout. Gift it to a dad who devours podcasts on presidential secrets, or pop it on during road trips to spark debates. It's not just a listen; it's a window into the razor-thin margins of history. Dive in and see how one man's bad timing preserved a legacy.
