A Novel of Alternative History

LOG-LINE:  After John Kennedy survives the attack at Dealey Plaza unharmed, the resulting investigation sets events in motion that tear apart his administration.

WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT: The Impeachment & Trial of John F. Kennedy
Written by Harry Turtledove & Bryce Zabel

What if John Kennedy survived Dallas?

Historians love to speculate on this “what-if” scenario, wondering if magically the nation would have been spared the pain of Vietnam and even Watergate.  They have missed the point. 

If he’d gotten out of Dealey Plaza alive, John Kennedy might easily have suffered the same fate as his arch-nemesis Richard Nixon -- humiliation and removal from office.

With the eyes of the world on the United States and the media in a frenzy, with JFK himself alive and not a martyr, an immediate investigation would have been launched into who might have been interested in killing our popular American President. And the Kennedy brothers would have been hell-bent to ensure their political as well as their physical survival.

Starting with the Secret Service, the blame-game would have taken on a life of its own, forcing explosive revelations in mere months that have instead dribbled out over decades. Kennedy’s reckless conduct would have become public: the lies about his medical condition, contacts with mobsters, election money-laundering, numerous attempts to assassinate foreign leaders, and even the hundreds of high-risk sexual encounters that endangered Kennedy’s safety and, by extension, our country’s security.

This alternative history novel covers the period from the November 22, 1963 near-miss assassination attempt of President Kennedy in Dallas, Texas through the events of early 1966 when the fate of John F. Kennedy was in the hands of 100 United States Senators worried about their own careers in the next election.

Comments

[David Medzorian]

It doesn't look like this project is going to go anywhere, which is sad because from what has been written so far, it looked like a gripping story. Several months ago, I contacted one of the Mr. Turtledove and asked what was happening. He was kind enough to reply directly and told me an announcement of some kind would soon be forthcoming, but that was some time ago and nothing since. Authors please, just let us know. Will "Winter of Our Discontent" ever be more than what it is or not? If not, why is the web site still up after all this time with no changes? Looking forward to a reply, please.

[Kevin McManus]

JFK was a responsible, honorable president...the last man to have held that office and not be a crooked piece of garbage.

[David Medzorian]

Couldn't the authors just give us a heads up on what is happening with this project. Is what we have here all there will ever be, or will a book or film be forthcoming and when? It's just that we've heard nothing and would be interested in knowing. Thanks

[David Medzorian]

It's been a while since we've heard anything about this project. I'm just wondering what the next step will be. Are Harry and Bryce going to finish the novel and actually publish it in book form...and if so, when? I for one, would love to read the finished product. What's up fellas? Anything you can tell us?

[Terry]

I've been following the good Doctor's work now for over fifteen years and I love what he and Zabel are doing here. I'm working on my own novel involving Elvis and I must say my impeachment scenario involving Kennedy in the 1970's (Having never been elected in 1960)almost changed because of this, but this is a decade earlier in a different world to mine, so after some sole searching my idea stayed. Like others I'd like to see Winter of Our Discontent make print because I find reading on a computer screen somewhat difficult. But in lieu of that I look forward to further chapters.

[John Agront]

What EVERY NOVELIST SEEMS TO BE FORGETTING, IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT "J.F.K." MIGHT HAVE BEEN IMPEACHED,ALONG WITH "R.F.K." FOR THEIR "CONNECTIONS" and ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS WITHTHE LATE MARILYN MONROE,ALONG WITH THE PROBABLE MURDER OF SAME!

[Richard Derus]

This is fascinating, and I hope it sees bookstore shelves before 2008. If traditional publishers >pfui< it, please make it available on one of the POD services! I'll buy a hardcover or two!

[Rich Whitley]

This sucked me in right from the start! The writing is smart, engrossing, and entertaining.

The alternate universe is not only unique but historically accurate in its details, transporting the reader to world you recognize, but with a different, and sometimes disturbing twist around each corner. This book/site is a real page turner, perfect for history buffs, news buffs, or readers looking for a well written thriller. Sometimes history isn't exactly what we remember...

[Michael Schimmel]

A fascinating, and, to my mind, historically accurate concept. I am of the generation that saw the assassination of Kennedy, and later of his brother, as catastrophes which darkened the whole world. As more and more has come out, it looks to me like Kennedy,and, sorry to say, the US may actually have been lucky. What particularly struck me in recent revelations was the fact that JFK was hooked on amphetamine injections, thanks to a NY society doctor called "Dr. Feelgood". I had recently seen a documentary on Hitler which revealed that he was getting amphetamine injections on a regular basis, and discussed the likely effects on him--disastrous effects, including horrible tantrums and rigidity of thinking. The thought of a U.S. President of the Atomic Age with such an addiction is bloodcurdling. Such an addiction would certainly be grounds for impeachment by itself, and I have wondered--did someone know about it and arrange for Lee Harvey Oswald to be there in Dallas with his rifle "for the greater good". Just speculation, but I wonder...