Book Blurb:
Why is based on the actual events in the tumultuous life of Malcolm Wallace, his wife Andre, Lyndon Baines Johnson, and Johnson’s sister Josefa Johnson. Their lives are dominated by ambition and power, lies and deceit, and life-altering desire. Their diverse but intertwined paths led them to one of the most transformative moments in the history of the United States. November 22, 1963 — a day that changed the future of our country.
Why provides a possible explanation for a critical piece of evidence that went unnoticed for thirty-five years. On March 12, 1998, A. Nathan Darby, a certified latent print examiner with several decades of experience, held a press conference to announce that the only unidentified fingerprint on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository belonged to Malcolm Everett Wallace.
Why tells the story of: Why Wallace walked away, a free man, after being convicted of first-degree murder, Why Wallace was in the School Book Depository, Why John F. Kennedy was murdered, and Why LBJ suddenly decided not to run for President in 1968.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/fQBudy
Author Bio:
Since back in the sixties, in Mr. Masterson’s high school English class, I promised myself one day I would write a book. Recently, I retired from a career in the construction industry and no longer had any excuses for not completing that goal. Transforming that desire into black ink became a lesson I didn’t learn in English class. I was taught there were two kinds of writing, fiction and non-fiction. That was wrong. Hemingway said, "The only kind of writing is rewriting." In the case of Smoke, a keyboard and printer expired in giving birth. I hope everyone enjoys the reading this rewritten book as much as I did writing it.
Also, I am following in the footsteps of my brother Matthew and my sister Alice. Matt has authored three wonderful military - mystery novels. And... my sister Alice, has a website offering the short stories of Kate Simon. They are an inspiration.
Editorial Review:
“He was tall, taller than the average Texan, taller than almost any man. Standing six-feet-four, he towered over his constituents even when they wore ten-gallon hats. He was lanky, weighing only 170 pounds, and walked, slightly bent over, as if he were constantly leaning down to speak to smaller people. A high forehead rose to meet short thin hair parted slightly off center, which gave an odd balance to his disproportionally long nose and oversized ears. A person might assume he was older than his years due to the dark circles beneath intense, narrow brown eyes. His daunting appearance allowed him to appear in control at all times.”
This reviewer is gripped from the first paragraph (yes, it’s Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1944 (LBJ)), and also by the earlier hint that “Why” by Paul Eberz will traverse the background to the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK). Spoilers are not allowed, that is acknowledged, but this reviewer also wonders whether spoilers are even possible in this field of writing where conspiracy theories abound and “truth” is no longer an absolute concept. Newsflash – there’s a new alleged theory, or a new interpretation of a theory, and it is absorbing, even for the most jaded pursuer of JFK rabbit-holes.
Eberz proves that, even with a subject that some might think has been comprehensively covered, even with a subject that was so long ago (over 60 years – how is that possible?) but still feels like yesterday, there is still much to be said. The title is apt, from the introductory comments to the overarching theme of the book, which seeks to set out a possible theory as to why this catastrophic event occurred.
The narrative is set around LBJ, and his perspectives, and is by its nature a political thriller, with intrigue and machinations that are unfortunate to say the least. The book has a standard disclaimer (“pure invention/imagination of the author”) which is slightly jarring given that identifiable historical figures are included the narrative. It must be said that “Why” is listed as a fiction book, however the content may cause the reader to reflect on the sometimes amorphous boundary that defines a non-fiction narrative versus a deeply researched “fiction” book.
“Why” includes some fairly coarse language, but it was the 1960s after all, and this use of words is allegedly true-to-life to LBJ’s speaking style. The dialogue is authentic, although at times it is confronting. This is not a sanitized recounting of the times. The author also introduces some secondary characters (additional to the Presidents), including LBJ’s family members, the usual political associates, and a third party who was allegedly involved in the assassination. It is noted of course that all matters surrounding JFK’s assassination have been subject to interpretation and re-interpretation, but nevertheless “Why” is a compelling read. 1960s political buffs will appreciate the detailed focus on LBJ as a person, including his personality and political hope, even before he became President in such tragic circumstances.
“Ten men were grouped in the dining room, drinks in hand, discussing politics in full voice. They were expressing righteous indignation over government hacks’ never-ending efforts to tax them into poverty. They were the wealthiest men in Texas, and one of them was probably the richest man in the United States. They had been invited to the ranch to hear how Lyndon Johnson’s win of the Presidency would further enrich their lives.”
The chapter headed “November 22, 1963” will automatically make the reader’s heart drop, but Eberz’s writing style makes even one of the most written-about events of 20th century history still seem like it is being read about for the first time. The chapter is shocking, and traumatic, including short terse sentences and precise description. The recounting of excited newspaper headlines (“Love Field Braces for Thousands”) and the political landscape seem like something from another time, and maybe they are.
“I’ve had a week to think about this. Remember, Wallace is a really smart guy, smart enough to get a doctorate. He did a lot for us in the beginning. I know because I was there. But his problem has always been that he’s a drunk.” He and LBJ started to walk. “Consider this: the fingerprint puts him on the sixth floor, at the window where Oswald took the shot. Wallace was also convicted of murder, a conviction from which he walked away. There has always been rumors that we had a hand in that verdict. With the controversy about the Warren Report, if his fingerprint shows up in that location, there will be a firestorm and you will be front and center.” He paused a second, thinking. “What did you say earlier… confusion is illusion… if that print is identified, your Presidency will be over.”
The ending of “Why” is connected to the historical events it relates. The narrative extends past the death of LBJ in 1973, to the death of another character in the book, and this does bring this fictional story to a conclusion, causing the reader to reflect on the essential question of – why? There is also a historical timeline at the end of the book.
“Why” by Paul Eberz is an absorbing “fictional” novel that will undoubtedly cause the reader to reflect on a number of matters raised within it, not least the tragic loss of a President, husband and father. The author has gone beyond what many would assume is “just another JFK book” to create a compelling and authentic window into the 1960s, together with a focus on LBJ as a person, a man whose legacy is still not fully understood in the wider context of his times. The dialogue and the extensive research the author has clearly undertaken into events makes this novel a standout contribution to a distinctively American genre.
*****
"Why” by Paul Eberz receives 4 ½ stars from The Historical Fiction Company
Note: the reader may be aware that the disclosure of documents relating to JFK’s assassination is governed by The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992, and there is recent media commentary about ongoing issues relating to the extent and timeframe of disclosure of some remaining records.
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
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