Historian Steven Gillon tells the story of how Johnson consolidated power in the twenty-four hours following the assassination. Based on scrupulous research and new archival sources, this narrative sheds new and surprising light on one of the most written-about events of the twentieth century.--From publisher description.

"It all began so beautifully" -- "They do love this president, don't they" -- "They're going to kill us all" -- "Dave, he's dead" -- "The condition is not good" -- "He's gone" -- "Mr. President" -- "Anybody can swear you in" -- "I have only one president" -- "I do solemnly swear" -- "Rufus, where's my hat" -- "I ask for your help and God's" -- "It's getting late, Mr. President" -- "It was a gray day, fitting the occasion" -- "Honey, you stay as long as you want" -- "In Kennedy's shadow".