Thursday, July 26, 2012

My review of "A Fox Among Wolves" by FBI agent & JFK autopsy witness Francis X. O'Neill


Terrific book by a great American from the greatest generation! July 26, 2012

I highly recommend this book by JFK autopsy witness and FBI Agent Francis X. O'Neill Jr. titled "A Fox Among Wolves". A decorated veteran of World War II and the Korean War, O'Neill also served with distinction as a New York City police officer, an FBI agent (1955-1978), and a member of the Connecticut State Legislature (1982-1990). Francis X. O'Neill Jr. is most famous for his eyewitness observations at JFK's autopsy on 11/22/63---in that regard, the chapter devoted to this specific matter does not disappoint.

This is a highly enjoyable book from start to finish with many photos, as well. For those with a keen interest in the JFK autopsy, here are a few of the highlights (including a reprint of the infamous Sibert & O'Neill report):

-confirms that the statement about surgery to JFK's head came from the autopsy doctors themselves;

-speculates that some surgical procedure had been performed before the autopsy such as cutting of hair or removal of some tissue to view the head wound (!!!);

-states several times that the head wound was massive and was located in the right rear of JFK's skull;

-"parts of the brain were still there, but not much";

-there was a small hole in the upper right rear of the back and there was no exit for this wound;

-states that Humes said that external cardiac massage must have worked the back bullet out of the wound in Dallas and that this solved the dilemma of the bullet found at Parkland;

-states that Arlen Specter's single bullet theory was "just a theory";

and a whole lot more!

Beyond this controversial topic, the book is surprisingly as engaging as its author (anyone who has had the honor of viewing the television debate with author George Michael Evica will appreciate Frank's dry wit and humor, as well as his tell-it-like-it-is approach). There are fascinating stories of his work in the FBI, as well as anecdotes about his participation in World War II, the Korean War, and the other touchstones of his life. Frank had a rich, full, extraordinary life, indeed, and this work does a magnificent job of conveying that to the reader. Highly recommended!
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JFK autopsy witness and FBI Agent Francis X. O’Neill: his book titled “A Fox Among Wolves”

I highly recommend this book by JFK autopsy witness and FBI Agent Francis X. O’Neill titled “A Fox Among Wolves” (especially the updated edition provided to the author via O’Neill’s son at fxoneill@cbs.com ). Even though there is an Amazon listing for it, Frank’s son posts a review with information on the superior version, available directly from him for less than 20.00:

http://www.amazon.com/Fox-Among-Wolves-Francis-ONeill/dp/1605307726/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343337476&sr=1-1&keywords=a+fox+among+wolves


Here is Frank’s son’s review: of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars My father wrote this bookMarch 9, 2011
By FXO
This book was written by my father who passed away in February 2009 at the age of 85. It is an excellent account of his life and the moments of history of which he was a part, from his presence at President Kennedy’s autopsy to his World War II parachute jump on Corregidor. As his son, though, I am quite likely biased.

I am writing this review to inform anyone considering purchasing a used copy of the book that there are a number of minor picture caption typos and one big misstatement in the Editor’s Note of which you should be aware.

The misstatement concerns the rifle used to shoot President Kennedy. The Editor’s Note states that it was an M1. That is incorrect. It was a 6.5 millimeter model 91/38 Mannlicher-Carcano rifle. This has been confirmed with the other F.B.I. agent who was at JFK’s autopsy with Dad.

This Editor’s Note was not written by my father. His health was beginning to fail at the time and I do not believe he even proofed it. He would have caught such a glaring error. The incorrect picture captions were corrected in my final proof of the book however the publisher inadvertently neglected to make the corrections before the book was printed.

I have not put this book up for sale on Amazon, or sent it to the major East Coast newspaper reviewers as planned, since we have yet to receive corrected copies of the book. The publisher, Codfish Press of Brewster, MA, has not been forthcoming with those promised copies and we have little legal recourse since Dad apparently did not sign a written contract with them. Not unusual for him since his contract was often just a handshake. It has now been several years and I doubt we will ever see reprinted copies.

My family and I do hope to have copies of the existing book up for sale at some point. Any copies sold/distributed by us will contain labels with corrections pasted over the offending passages. Thank you.

Francis X. O’Neill III
1/6/2012 Addendum – A reprint of this book has been completed. If interested in a copy of this book with the errors corrected, please email me at fxoneill@cbs.com. I will be happy to provide you with details or answer any questions you may have.
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