Four Dead in Ohio: Was There a Conspiracy at Kent State

Rating:
Summary: Who Shot the Kent State students? Revealed in this Book!
Review: Alright, we all know that it was the national guardsmen, but who gave the fatal order to fire?! This is one of the best books on the subject, and believe me, I've been looking at them all recently. Michener's book was comprehensive, but may have come out too soon. Davies' book was too conspiracy minded, but did move the case onto the front burner. Aided by the longer view of history and time to reflect, study and learn, this book gives adequate coverage of all time periods... pre-riot, attitudes, facts, photos, aftermath, trials, settlements, and probable motives and suspects. I found Gordon's writing very accessable, a mixture of human emotion and factual account, challenging testimony and statement in the light of subsequent testimony and further research. By far, the most comprehensive look at what happened and why... and pulls no punches when it lays out who was at fault and why. I tend to agree with his conclusions, though author Gordon admits that we will never truely know until one or more of the National Guardsmen steps forward and tells his/their story. And that will narrow the field of suspects even more. Perhaps that is why they agreed among themselves not to speak. They don't have to.... only time, (and these books) will tell!

One or two concerns with this book: The map on the inside cover has a differing location of the various victims than other books. In fact, photographs SHOW different figures laying or falling in different spots. (In fact, many of the books differ between themselves on where the four fell. I don't understand how and why this happened yet....)

I also enjoyed Davis' book alot, as it has SO MANY photos.. I find I flip back and forth to Davis' book to cross check things.
As with other books that were published earlier, the Kent State story continues to unfold... see other reviewers for further developments that have happened since publication. Perhaps another edition with updates and corrections is in order:

**This book is criticized by some "who were there," as it does not promote their agenda. (But then everyone has attempted to spin May Fourth to their advantage.) If there are factual errors, I did not spot them on the first reading. I enjoyed this book, despite the criticism. But, perhaps the best view is gained by reading MANY authors and MANY points of view. That's why I continue to seek them out...and to question their points of view with people who were on campus then. Inquire, reflect, learn.

I know I did. And I'm still searching out others....

Rating:
Summary: Who Shot the Kent State students? Revealed in this Book!
Review: Alright, we all know that it was the national guardsmen, but who gave the fatal order to fire?! This is one of the best books on the subject, and believe me, I've been looking at them all recently. Michener's book was comprehensive, but may have come out too soon. Davies' book was too conspiracy minded, but did move the case onto the front burner. Aided by the longer view of history and time to reflect, study and learn, this book gives adequate coverage of all time periods... pre-riot, attitudes, facts, photos, aftermath, trials, settlements, and probable motives and suspects. I found Gordon's writing very accessable, a mixture of human emotion and factual account, challenging testimony and statement in the light of subsequent testimony and further research. By far, the most comprehensive look at what happened and why... and pulls no punches when it lays out who was at fault and why. I tend to agree with his conclusions, though author Gordon admits that we will never truely know until one or more of the National Guardsmen steps forward and tells his/their story. And that will narrow the field of suspects even more. Perhaps that is why they agreed among themselves not to speak. They don't have to.... only time, (and these books) will tell!

One or two concerns with this book: The map on the inside cover has a differing location of the various victims than other books. In fact, photographs SHOW different figures laying or falling in different spots. (In fact, many of the books differ between themselves on where the four fell. I don't understand how and why this happened yet....)

I also enjoyed Davis' book alot, as it has SO MANY photos.. I find I flip back and forth to Davis' book to cross check things.
As with other books that were published earlier, the Kent State story continues to unfold... see other reviewers for further developments that have happened since publication. Perhaps another edition with updates and corrections is in order:

**This book is criticized by some "who were there," as it does not promote their agenda. (But then everyone has attempted to spin May Fourth to their advantage.) If there are factual errors, I did not spot them on the first reading. I enjoyed this book, despite the criticism. But, perhaps the best view is gained by reading MANY authors and MANY points of view. That's why I continue to seek them out...and to question their points of view with people who were on campus then. Inquire, reflect, learn.

I know I did. And I'm still searching out others....

Rating:
Summary: what a time in our history
Review: Mr. Gordon's book is a highly-detailed and fascinating recap of this tragic incident. I hope he continues to update it should new information appear! The book is a well-written investigative analysis, although not void of the human element, especially the sad plight of the grieving parents. I might recommend one read it with a good novel on the subject: Silent Bell, by Gary Drake, which deals heavily with the human element as its a story about a couple who broke up the day of the shootings and meet up again at the 25th Anniveray. Both books complement each other.

Rating:
Summary: what a time in our history
Review: Mr. Gordon's book is a highly-detailed and fascinating recap of this tragic incident. I hope he continues to update it should new information appear! The book is a well-written investigative analysis, although not void of the human element, especially the sad plight of the grieving parents. I might recommend one read it with a good novel on the subject: Silent Bell, by Gary Drake, which deals heavily with the human element as its a story about a couple who broke up the day of the shootings and meet up again at the 25th Anniveray. Both books complement each other.

Rating:
Summary: This hits home for me as a KSU student
Review: Yesterday I picked up this book at the Kent State bookstore as I finished out the semester. I had seen this one before, and it looked good. Even though I haven't completely finished the book yet, I can say already that it is something special. Gordon presents many facts, interviews, and testimonials that make you wonder if there really was a conspiracy at Kent State. I don't think it's false information that he's giving. Alot of it makes you wonder what happened. At the beginning of the book however, Gordon bad-mouths Kent State for not commemorating the 4 students that were killed. Yes, they did dedicate a memorial to the "event" of May 4th, but since being published in 1995, the university has dedicated a number of memorials to the 4 students, including blocking off 4 parking spaces where the students were shot. All in all, this is an excellent book.

Rating:
Summary: This hits home for me as a KSU student
Review: Yesterday I picked up this book at the Kent State bookstore as I finished out the semester. I had seen this one before, and it looked good. Even though I haven't completely finished the book yet, I can say already that it is something special. Gordon presents many facts, interviews, and testimonials that make you wonder if there really was a conspiracy at Kent State. I don't think it's false information that he's giving. Alot of it makes you wonder what happened. At the beginning of the book however, Gordon bad-mouths Kent State for not commemorating the 4 students that were killed. Yes, they did dedicate a memorial to the "event" of May 4th, but since being published in 1995, the university has dedicated a number of memorials to the 4 students, including blocking off 4 parking spaces where the students were shot. All in all, this is an excellent book.