Few historical figures captivate the public imagination like President John F. Kennedy, and few authors bridge the gap between forgotten history and contemporary relevance as seamlessly as Brad Meltzer. A Jewish author known for his thrillers and meticulously researched narratives, Meltzer’s latest book, “The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy—and Why It Failed,” co-authored with Josh Mensch, sheds light on an obscure but pivotal moment in U.S. history. Set for release Jan. 14, the book reveals the little-known story of Richard Pavlick’s 1960 attempt to end Kennedy’s life before his inauguration.
Just four days after the book’s release, Meltzer will be in St. Louis to discuss “The JFK Conspiracy” as part of the Westfall Politics & History Series. The event, one of his first appearances following the release, will take place on Jan. 18 at the Clark Family Branch of the St. Louis County Library.
Unearthing JFK’s forgotten crisis
Meltzer’s new book uncovers the shocking but largely unknown plot by Pavlick, a disgruntled postal worker, to assassinate President-elect Kennedy in December 1960.
“The reason you don’t know this story,” Meltzer explained, “is because on the day it was going to break, there was a plane crash over New York. Two planes collided, everyone on board died except for one child, and America became obsessed with this child. It took the story about JFK and turned it into a footnote.”
Through his research, Meltzer delved into the political climate of 1960—one that, as he noted, feels eerily familiar today.
“When Kennedy was elected, the country was divided. It was the closest election in modern time. Whatever side you were on, you thought the other side was horrible. Sound familiar?”
One of the key lines of discussion at Meltzer’s St. Louis event will most surely include his respect for former First Lady Jackie Kennedy. Beyond Pavlick’s venom and hatred, Meltzer’s narrative shines a spotlight on her.
“Jackie was followed by the press, haunted by the press, hounded by the press but she was also a master of the press. After researching her, you see who is responsible for what we believe Kennedy is.”
Meltzer shared another especially poignant anecdote: Jackie Kennedy’s first visit to the White House after John F. Kennedy’s election.
“Jackie had just given birth and suffered a severe hemorrhage. She was exhausted, pale, and needed a wheelchair but Mrs. Eisenhower didn’t provide one. Jackie pushed through anyway. It’s an unbelievable story of resilience,” Meltzer said, emphasizing how moments like these shaped Jackie’s lasting image as a figure of strength and grace.
Lessons from history
For Meltzer, history is more than a sequence of events—it’s a lens through which he has learned to understand the world around us.
“We have a hard time figuring out politics today because we’re so emotional about it,” he said. “But when you read ‘The JFK Conspiracy,’ you see the reality of living in JFK’s house, being in his family and how fragile our public leaders are. They’re not better or braver than us—they’re us with all the same flaws and potential.”
A personal connection to history
Meltzer’s body of work reflects his commitment to making history accessible and relevant. This is especially true in “I Am Anne Frank,” part of his “Ordinary People Change the World” series. Written in response to the alarming rise in global antisemitism, the book introduces younger generations to the story of Anne Frank in an age-appropriate way.
“When I saw the rise in antisemitism, it became very clear that our newest book had to be about Anne Frank,” Meltzer said. “It’s heartbreaking but I love that people use this book to educate their youngest children and give them these lessons that Anne Frank gave us all those years ago.”
Meltzer shared a poignant anecdote about Anne Frank’s connection to a chestnut tree outside her attic window. “That tree was her hope,” he said. “Years later, they planted saplings from that tree all over the world. That’s what ‘I Am Anne Frank’ is about—planting seeds of hope and telling kids what it is to be Jewish, what it is to be hated, and what it is to hope.”
Event details
The Westfall Politics & History Series
What: Brad Meltzer
When: Saturday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m., doors open at 6
Where: Clark Family Branch, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.
How much: Free, books will be available for purchase and signing from Left Bank Books
