James Norwood is a former professor with a deep understanding of the John F. Kennedy era. Through Former People, he offers readers a distinctive lens through which to view the lives of key figures post-assassination.

While focusing on portrayals of JFK, Nikita Khrushchev, and Lee Harvey Oswald, Norwood builds a narrative that challenges conventional wisdom and sheds light on the deliberate shaping of legends over facts. Read more in James DiEugenio’s book review.

The Concept of Former People

Norwood introduces the term "Former People,” historically associated with displaced Russian aristocracy post-Bolshevik Revolution, to describe what happened to Khrushchev, Kennedy, and Oswald after their deaths.

This unique conceptual framework adds depth to the exploration of these three figures, offering readers a fresh perspective on their posthumous images.

Nikita Khrushchev's Complex Legacy

Norwood explores Khrushchev's post-Stalin era, portraying a leader who, despite his role in Stalin's earlier atrocities, sought a departure from the oppressive past.

He explores Khrushchev's triumphs and missteps, from the secret speech of 1956 to the crushing of the Hungarian Spring. Former People suggests that Khrushchev's removal after Kennedy's death marked the end of a period of reform and the beginning of economic stagnation under the Brezhnev Doctrine.

JFK's Legacy and Diplomacy

Norwood provides a nuanced view of John F. Kennedy, highlighting his early life, political career, and literary contributions. The book commends Kennedy's cautious handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis, preventing a nuclear war and drawing on his readings of historical events.

He emphasizes Kennedy's hope of easing tensions and reconciliation with the Soviet Union, tragically interrupted by his assassination and the subsequent cover-up of his achievements.

Lee Harvey Oswald: A Man of Mystery

The book tackles the enigma of Lee Harvey Oswald, focusing on his linguistic abilities and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his time in the Soviet Union. Norwood questions how and where Oswald acquired his proficiency in Russian and explores the possibility of a double-agent scenario.

He aligns with the notion of two Oswalds, as advocated by the John Armstrong theorem, shedding light on a long-incubating experiment in doubles and covert operations.

Challenge Official Narratives with Kennedys and King

Former People challenges the official narratives surrounding the JFK assassination, highlighting the role of J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI in shaping the three-bullet scenario. It is part of why we believe this volume makes a valuable contribution to the literature surrounding the political assassinations of the 1960s.

Get more details in our complete review, and keep reading more articles on the assassinations of the Kennedy brothers, civil rights leaders, and the current political events relevant to these past conspiracies.

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