JFK ASSASSINATION EYEWITNESSES SPEAK TOGETHER (1963) Second Edition

In this review of JFK ASSASSINATION EYEWITNESSES SPEAK TOGETHER (1963) Second Edition, the bottom line is simple: this is a focused archival release for students of modern American history and JFK scholars who want unvarnished contemporary recollections. The recording gathers four key participants - Malcolm Kilduff, J. F. Ter Horst, Robert Donovan, and Sid Davis - in a round table moderated by Jim Snyder within weeks of November 22, 1963, and preserves their spoken recollections on tape. For anyone seeking primary-source audio from the immediate aftermath, this edition is the single most direct document of those candid voices.

Key Features

• Contemporaneous recording: The round table was recorded in 1964 just weeks after the assassination, giving listeners a direct sense of how events were remembered at the time.
• Multiple eyewitness perspectives: Four participants offer distinct recollections, which helps listeners compare and contrast individual accounts of the same event.
• Moderator-led discussion: Jim Snyder guides the conversation so the tape reads like an organized oral history rather than scattered reminiscences.
• Limited original release history: The item preserves a rare double album set that was originally produced in a very limited way and never sold widely, making this edition notable for collectors.
• Historical context: The session was organized by Donald H. McGannon and captures a deliberate effort to document firsthand testimony about a major historical moment.

Who It's For

This edition is best for historians, archivists, journalism researchers, and serious collectors who value primary-source audio and want to hear how key figures discussed the assassination within weeks of the event. It suits listeners who prefer archival tapes and oral history formats over modern documentary synthesis.

It is less suitable for casual readers seeking a comprehensive narrative biography or a modern forensic analysis; those audiences may prefer a contemporary documentary or annotated edition that adds external research and context to the raw testimony.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides direct primary-source audio from the immediate post-assassination period, valuable for research.
• Multiple participants create a rounded view by offering differing recollections and emphases.
• Moderator structure produces a coherent discussion that is easier to follow than unmoderated tapes.

Cons

• As an archival recording, audio quality and contextual annotation may be limited compared with modern remasters.

Specifications

Title	JFK ASSASSINATION EYEWITNESSES SPEAK TOGETHER (1963) Second Edition
Edition	Second Edition
Participants	Malcolm Kilduff; J. F. Ter Horst; Robert Donovan; Sid Davis
Moderator	Jim Snyder
Organizer	Donald H. McGannon
Original format	Limited double album tape produced in 1964

Our Verdict

This edition is a valuable archival release for anyone studying the JFK assassination because it preserves candid, contemporaneous testimony from four participants in a single, moderated session. While audio and annotation may reflect its archival origins, the historical value and rarity make it a worthwhile acquisition for researchers and serious collectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the original session recorded?
The round table was recorded in 1964, a few weeks after November 22, 1963.

Who appears on the recording?
Participants are Malcolm Kilduff, J. F. Ter Horst, Robert Donovan, and Sid Davis, with Jim Snyder as moderator.

Was this recording widely released at the time?
The original was produced as a very limited double album set and was not made widely available for sale.