"American Confidential: Uncovering the Bizarre Story of Lee Harvey Oswald and his Mother" by Deanne Stillman is an intriguing exploration of the complex and lesser-known aspects of the life of Lee Harvey Oswald and his relationship with his mother. The book offers a unique perspective on a historical figure and an event that has captivated the public's imagination for decades.

One commendable aspect of the book is Stillman's commitment to delving into the more obscure facets of Lee Harvey Oswald's life. The author goes beyond the well-known details of the Kennedy assassination, shedding light on the personal and familial elements that shaped Oswald's trajectory. Stillman's meticulous research and attention to detail contribute to the book's depth, providing readers with a fresh perspective on this historical figure.

The narrative unfolds in a well-structured manner, guiding readers through the intertwined lives of Oswald and his mother. Stillman's storytelling captures the complexity of their relationship, offering insights into the dynamics that influenced Oswald's actions. The book's approachability and engaging writing style make it accessible to both history enthusiasts and general readers.

However, some readers may find the book lacking in a broader historical context or analysis of the events surrounding Lee Harvey Oswald. While the focus on Oswald and his mother is intriguing, a more expansive examination of the socio-political climate and the aftermath of the Kennedy assassination could enhance the book's overall impact.

In conclusion, "American Confidential" provides a compelling and unique perspective on Lee Harvey Oswald and his mother, offering a deeper understanding of the person behind the historical figure. Deanne Stillman's research and storytelling make the book a valuable contribution to the exploration of this complex narrative. While a broader historical context could enrich the reading experience, the book remains an engaging exploration of the lesser-known aspects of a pivotal moment in history.

Thank you for an ARC of American Confidential by Deanne Stillman. As an avid reader of all things JFK, I was super intrigued by this book. Oswald’s mother has continually proclaimed his innocence, and with just one film (without sound) to guide our conclusions, one can’t help but wonder if *maybe* Oswald’s mother knows something we don’t?

Normally, JFK-related non-fiction books are about the assassination itself. Was there a second shooter? What about the grassy knoll theory? Why did Oswald speak fluent Russian, and why was he on the CIA’s payroll?

I enjoyed reading a fresh take on Oswald in American Confidential. This book explored his relationships, albeit the most important one aside from that with his wife — the one with his mother.

Highly recommended for this who are interested in Oswald the person, not just Oswald the criminal.

I am so very thankful to Melville House Publishing, Netgalley, and Deanne Stillman for granting me advanced digital access to this vastly comprehensive breakdown of the Lee Harvey Oswald situation. This piece hits shelves on November 14, 2023, and I'm so gracious to have received advanced looks inside.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Melville House Publishing for an advanced copy of this look at the lives of one of the most famous assassins in history and his mother who wanted so much for herself and for her son, Lee.

My parents were not big on discipline when my brother and I were young. My father always seemed at a loss when his children did something dumb or wrong, something that other children would do, not his. My mother while not the discipline type had other ways of showing her displeasure. A look, a comment, even weeks later a oh remember don't do that again. I joked after my father died that I knew the worse thing my father could ever do to us would be to kill us, I had no idea what my mother would do, and never wanted to find out. That is Mom's power. And this power can be used for good and for bad. A mother who uses this power when thinking only of herself, sending her children to orphanages or family, not taking responsibility for things. Wanting not only the best things, but whatever those lucky people across the way had. That can have an effect on children. Some it could drive away. Some could become the same, never happy with life. And some it can drive to have all those things and more, and get it by any way possible. Even killing a president. American Confidential: Uncovering the Bizarre Story of Lee Harvey Oswald and his Mother by Deanne Stillman looks at the relationship that Marguerite Oswald had with her son Lee Harvey Oswald, the drive for both to be acknowledged as wonderful people, and the lives ruined by both in different ways.

Lee Harvey Oswald was born in Louisiana, a place that even the native people say can confuse a soul, surrounded by water, and the legacy of the city's history. Lee's mother Marguerite Frances Oswald was a woman who had known hardship and misery. Leaving school before graduating to work at a law firm, marrying and divorcing after the birth of her first child. Marguerite's second husband died before Lee was born, mowing the lawn, as the author says a unique American death. Lee grew up without much control, with behavior problems that might have been mental, as well as Marguerite's style of parenting. Marguerite was unhappy in that no one knew how special she was. That her children were special, and that everyone was against her, and she could never be on that pedestal she so richly deserved. Placing her children first with family than with state services, Marguerite wandered to Dallas, with hopes that a third husband would change things. It did not. Traveling to New York Lee threatend his sister-in-law, and was found to be truant. Help was offered, but Lee was taken away to Texas again, were things really began to fall apart. Leaving school for the second time Lee joined the Marines, and his life changed forever.

This is a very unique book in assassination lore, in that the author has no agenda to either explain why Lee Harvey Oswald killed President Kennedy, but more of an examination of the life and influence that Marguerite Oswald had, and might have shaped him. However this is not a cherchez la femme book. What Stillman has done is look at both of this historical characters and tried to place them in an America that many who look back at that good ole days never like to discuss. That side of America the working poor, the counting on families to help, and even Government with schools and orphanages. And nothing ever being enough, because America is for winners and not losers. Stillman looks at America at the time, the places the Oswalds found themselves, and compares what is going on with the Oswalds, and mostly the Oswalds are found lacking. Not an indictment, but a truth. One that Marguerite used after the death of her son to attack everyone that ever did her wrong, talking to anyone and everyone who would listen. America is a place where you don't exist unless one's name is in lights. Marguerite wanted her name seen from Pluto.

A really interesting and well-written book, assassination writing that pays little attention to the assassination itself, concentrating on the human factor. Which is something in the world of Oswald clones, Mexico trips, Alek Hidell, defections, gets looked over. The relationship between a boy and his mom. Even without all the bells and whistles of the names involved Oswald, Kennedy, this is a really interesting story that is an American story, and one that seems as real today as it did back then.

I have read a LOT of JFK books, including assassination ones. This one definitely has some new information to me and is unique in focusing on Oswald and his relationship with his mother, who has always seemed like a real character. Not in a good way! My only complaint is that we are asked to imagine too often and there's a plethora of rhetorical questions. This makes the book feel less like history and more like a mental exploration. That said, I did enjoy it and the details I'd never heard before.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

I was pleasantly surprised to come across a well-researched book on Lee Harvey Oswald that stands apart from the usual barrage of conspiracy-laden works. Deanne Stillman's approach is refreshingly thoughtful, offering a comprehensive exploration of Oswald's life without delving into the realm of conspiracy theories. The level of research invested in this book is commendable, and I found the author's adeptness at engaging the reader's attention to be particularly praiseworthy.

In portraying the eccentric and peculiar codependency shared between Oswald and his mother, Marguerite, Deanne Stillman has adeptly captured a relationship that can only be described as one-of-a-kind. This distinctive bond, spanning from Oswald's early years to adulthood, is presented with fascinating insights that make for an absorbing read. However, amid the engaging narrative, I did find myself slightly unsettled by the author's tendency to indulge in conjecture on various subjects. In a non-fiction work, conjecture seems out of place, as it veers away from the pursuit of factual accuracy. The appeal of historical accounts lies in their grounding in truth, rather than speculation and supposition.

Nevertheless, the book is undeniably well-crafted, effortlessly compelling the reader to turn each page in anticipation. The author's skill in weaving a narrative is evident throughout the book, ensuring a consistently engaging experience.

In summation, this book is a solid contribution to the literature surrounding the JFK assassination and the enigmatic figure of Lee Harvey Oswald. I wholeheartedly recommend it to those with an interest in these subjects.

Full disclosure: This review is based on a digital copy obtained from NetGalley, and the opinions expressed herein are solely my own.

I found this to be a rather eye-opening look at the whole Oswald story. The information about his mother is quite enlightening in view of how Oswald turned out. She seems to have been quite unlikable to most who made her acquaintance. Once Lee was killed everything became about money with her, as it always had been. She sold interviews, a self–written pamphlet, and eventually a book. She also sold some of Lee’s personal items for the highest amounts possible. She sought out recognition, for herself and for Lee, claiming he was a hero.

This was a fascinating read, Deanne Stillman does a great job in taking something that we thought we knew and made it new. It worked well overall and I could tell that the research was there. It worked well as a true crime book and I’m glad I read this.

I love reading about the JFK assassination and I know that books about it have all sorts of different tones, but I personally found this unreadable. The narrative jumps around hundreds of years forward and backwards in time, telling all kinds of stories that wander from person to person often nothing at all to do with Lee Harvey Oswald. This is hardly even history, it's more like a long prose poem about Louisiana. Grateful for the opportunity to review, and for the publisher for taking on this very risky project, so I won't be dissing it to others

This was a wonderful book about a topic I have heard of in the past. There are a lot of silly errors that I am assuming will be caught later in the process. For example, Dwight E. Eisenhower is Dwight D. Eisenhower, Civilian Air Patrol should be Civil Air Patrol and others. Great book though..

Easy to read, so I can say the author is a good writer. But there are too may ifs, had-there-beens, maybes and according-tos for me. We will never ever know what was really, really inside Lee Harvey Oswald, as much as we'd like to.
Oddly enough, I'm exactly the same age as the author, give a few months.. I remember the events exactly.
Nevertheless, it is just exasperating to read guesses.