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Rating: 
Summary: A MUST-HAVE Book For JFK Fans
Review: A large, fascinating volume devoted to all those photographers who were snapping away on November 22, 1963. There are several pictures presented here that I'd never seen published anywhere else, particularly some shots taken in Fort Worth of the impromptu gathering outside JFK's hotel on the drizzly Friday morning of November 22nd, and a shot or two snapped from the doorway of Air Force One just upon Mr. Kennedy's arrival at Love Field in Dallas.The background stories on the photogs are interesting, as are the individual stories of how each of these cameramen came to be involved in the events of November 1963. My only complaint would be that many of the pictures presented in the book are much too small in size, in my opinion. I would have preferred seeing these photos on a much larger, grander scale. However, there are several pictures that are larger, size-wise, as well. But having a magnifying glass handy as you turn these intriguing pages wouldn't be a bad idea at all. My (new) copy of "Pictures Of The Pain" arrived nicely wrapped in plastic, much like a sealed shrinkwrapped VHS video or DVD, which was a nice surprise. This method of packaging, unusual in my experience with regards to bound printed matter, ensures (for the most part) a dust-free, pristine copy of the product. Very nice. If you *think* you've seen all there was to see regarding the many pictures taken on that terrible day in 1963, you might just be surprised to find a few pics that have eluded your eye in this fine volume by Richard B. Trask.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST-HAVE Book For JFK Fans
Review: A large, fascinating volume devoted to all those photographers who were snapping away on November 22, 1963. There are several pictures presented here that I'd never seen published anywhere else, particularly some shots taken in Fort Worth of the impromptu gathering outside JFK's hotel on the drizzly Friday morning of November 22nd, and a shot or two snapped from the doorway of Air Force One just upon Mr. Kennedy's arrival at Love Field in Dallas. The background stories on the photogs are interesting, as are the individual stories of how each of these cameramen came to be involved in the events of November 1963. My only complaint would be that many of the pictures presented in the book are much too small in size, in my opinion. I would have preferred seeing these photos on a much larger, grander scale. However, there are several pictures that are larger, size-wise, as well. But having a magnifying glass handy as you turn these intriguing pages wouldn't be a bad idea at all. My (new) copy of "Pictures Of The Pain" arrived nicely wrapped in plastic, much like a sealed shrinkwrapped VHS video or DVD, which was a nice surprise. This method of packaging, unusual in my experience with regards to bound printed matter, ensures (for the most part) a dust-free, pristine copy of the product. Very nice. If you *think* you've seen all there was to see regarding the many pictures taken on that terrible day in 1963, you might just be surprised to find a few pics that have eluded your eye in this fine volume by Richard B. Trask.
Rating: 
Summary: A distinguished lone nutter's mind at work revealed
Review: A single good example of Richard B. Trask's "thinking" in this book is his observation that the bunched-up appearance of President Kennedy's jacket in a photograph that Trask is describing allows the single bullet theory to be correct. If this kind of lone nutter sensibility doesn't bother you too much, there are things here to weigh and consider. This book is far superior to the moral imbecility of a Posner, and is worth dipping into now and then.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling photographs, informative text
Review: A wonderful work of research by the author. Many people were taking photographs in Dealey Plaza on Nov. 22nd, 1963. This book examines all of the known photos. It's a real page turner. Whether you believe in a conspiracy as most Americans do or believe that Lee H. Oswald was the lone assassin makes no difference because while the author has an opinion (who wouldn't after doing this much research)he never lets it get in the way of describing the action, the thoughts and feelings racing through the minds of the participants. There are no fantastic claims of conspiracy here. No tome on the Military Industrial Complex. Just a through review of every photo in a writing style thats informative and entertaining. If you're at all interested in the JFK assassination this is a must read. I promise you won't be disappointed
Rating:
Summary: Compelling scholarship
Review: I first stumbled across this book on a trip to the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas, and I'm sure glad I did. On a topic where so much of what is published is written to support one agenda or another, Trask's book is scrupulously (and refreshing) free from any sort of bias or slant. This exhaustive work indexes the majority of known photographs and films that were taken before, during, and after Kennedy's assassination. But moreover, Trask takes us further, giving us background on who these photographers were, what they saw, and how it affected them, be they the official White House photographer or a high schooler wielding Dad's Instamatic. It's all done in a style that's both informative and eminently readable, as well! As a professional photographer and a history buff, this is the one book in my small JFK library that I find myself coming back to again and again. Trask has also produced a catalogue for the camera exhibit at the Sixth Floor Museum that makes an excellent companion volume to Pictures of the Pain..regrettably, it doesn't seem to be available on Amazon.com. ....
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