Fallen Prince

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John Kennedy, like Marcus Aurelius two thousand years ago, served at the apex of his country’s power and glory. His life was only half over when an assassin’s bullet took him away from his countrymen and his family. For those who were alive in 1963, his violent death was a bigger jolt than the natural death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1945. Kennedy has been gone now for fifty-eight years. The controversy surrounding his death has never abated. Half the country believes Lee Harvey Oswald was the sole architect of the murder. The other half believes the government hid the real conspiracy. The sands of time have finally revealed the actual actors responsible. Fallen Prince is a political thriller involving interaction between historical and fictional characters. The goal is to finally name the men who ended Camelot after one thousand days. A secondary goal is to entertain readers who love history and drama.

What People Are Saying About Fallen Prince

“In “Fallen Prince” Jon Dietz has used his extraordinary skills developed in his years as a reporter and homicide investigator to pen a plausible history of the Kennedy family. He pieces together a puzzle that is probably closer to the truth than the Warren Commission report. 

The story begins in the 1920s, an era of organized crime and bootleg whiskey. Did the bootlegging activity of Joe Kennedy and his association with the mob set the wheels in motion that led to the death of his two sons? Were the killings of John Kennedy and Robert Kennedy solely the results of just two men, Lee Harvey Oswald and Sirhan Sirhan?

This retelling of the Kennedy family and Camelot will bring memories of an era that has long since gone to anyone born in the 1950s. The story will introduce younger readers to a fascinating time in our history.”

- Pat Fagen

Just finished reading your book, "Fallen Prince" and wanted to write you that I found it one of the most fascinating books I ever read. I was thoroughly engrossed by the history of the John Kennedy era and the characters you placed in the story that made it so intriguing. Great job!
Ben Klein

Block out several hours to read it in one sitting. Once you start, you won't get anything done until you finish it. The Fallen Prince is a fascinating theory on the on the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Jon Dietz brilliantly recaptures the hopes, illusions, fears, suspicions, and disappointments of those tumultuous years. A well-crafted and adroitly balanced account, that tells a compelling story of the Kennedy family. The book is a meaningful reexamination of a national tragedy.
Michael Glass

"The Fallen Prince delves into the lives of the Kennedy family starting with Joe Kennedy Sr. It tells the story of their misbegotten fortunes and how the actions of the father impacted the lives of both John and Bobby.

Starting in the 1920s It covers the political world and the underworld through the 1960s. It tells how these two worlds were interrelated resulting in the rise of John F Kennedy and the ultimate demise of both he and Bobby. It puts names to the theories surrounding the deaths of both men. 

It also provides an interesting look into what goes on behind the scenes in Washington. 

Jon Dietz is an excellent story teller, which makes this well worth the read."

—John McDermott


I do not typically read a lot of books on a regular basis however after reading this book I felt inclined to write a review for the Fallen Prince written by Jon Dietz.
I found the book to be both intriguing and fascinating. I have always been interested in reading about the Kennedy family and what might have really happened to JFK.

This book takes on a different angle based on the facts surrounding his death. It causes you to pause and rethink what may have really happened. I found it riveting and could not put the book down. It was a page turner and recommend it highly as it will not disappoint.

—Frank Demagistris

“Jon Dietz reveals the time of 11/22/1963 when the most charismatic President of our country was gunned down in front of a crowd of people. Truly a bleak time in our country. He uncovers the facts and event like he was there. There have been many theories of this event and many movies as well but Fallen Prince is very accurate and believable. A must read I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

—Michael Beninato 

“If you like reading a good Grisham novel, and you have a solid understanding of 20th Century U.S. history, you cannot help but delight in the literary espousing of this original allegory. It is an interesting page turner that reminds us that incidents we consider history are seldom a clean line of events but rather a cornucopia of interwoven or even isolated occurrences.

            As the novel concludes, if you believe you are reading fiction, you will be concerned that a unique or at best an interesting ending is not forthcoming. However, if you realize you are reading mostly fact with fiction for flavor, you understand that the Kennedy assassination remains an unsolved enigma and therefore no precise conclusion is possible.

            I did find the book interesting from beginning to end and I would absolutely recommend it to others.”

Wayne Wackowski


“A friend mentioned that Jon Dietz had written another book after, “The Jerusalem Train.” It is entitled “Fallen Prince.”

In my mind it explained away the controversy of President Kennedy’s assassination. The author presents what he believes is the true story of the horrible events of 22 November 1963. It combines fictional characters interacting with historical figures. It is easy to read, and I did not want to stop. The longer you read the book, the more that sentiment increases.

The novel offers many iterations. It is history meeting mystery, as only a storyteller can tell it. And Jon does it. He constantly recounts past events, true facts, with real and fictional characters advancing the narrative.

Even though there are many names, it is easy to remember them. They are listed alphabetically in the beginning of the novel.

The core of this book centers around the most important person in this tragedy. Not John F. Kennedy, but his father, Joseph Patrick Kennedy Sr., the architect of the Kennedy dynas.

The author explains how Joseph Patrick Kennedy’s money, ego, and ambition propelled his quest for the Presidency. When political arrogance ended his own dreams of the top job, he channeled all his energies into his namesake, Joseph Patrick Kennedy Jr. WWII killed Joe Jr. and nearly killed John Kennedy. Joe Sr. decided the march must go on regardless of the cost in money or interpersonal relationships.

This book is not what I expected. Nor is it what you probably expect. There are no bedroom tidbits or salacious episodes. It is a faithful retelling of facts and possible scenarios designed to get to the truth.

Reading this book was pure enjoyment. I never wanted to put it down. I don’t think you will either.”

-Peggy Gates

Consensus is unlikely on who is responsible for the Kennedy assassinations.

However, all who read Jon Dietz's second novel, Fallen Prince, will unanimously agree, Dietz has produced another well-told tale.

The book examines the assassination of President John Kennedy, and five years later, his senator-brother and presidential candidate, Robert Kennedy. The family patriarch, Joseph P. Kennedy, is explored at the outset and ends up outliving three of his four sons. Were the two murders connected in some way?

Fallen Prince is an efficient book, broken into short, fast-paced chapters filled with crisp details. Dietz develops all of his characters, real or created, such that they react and respond as expected in his clever narrative.

Fallen Prince presents evidence and offers a plausible resolution to what happened while contributing to the ongoing debate and controversy surrounding the Kennedy clan.

With Fallen Prince, Dietz wades into one of the most dissected historical events of our time. His first historical novel, Jerusalem Train, delved into a lesser-known historical pivot point, the Russo-Japanese War.
Both are satisfying, wild rides worth the read.

Fallen Prince
Michael Duranko
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