The Dark Side of Camelot
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
The Dark Side of Camelot is a 1997 publication authored by investigative reporter Seymour M. Hersh and released through Little, Brown and Company. The work offers a critical examination of John F. Kennedy, accusing him of personal indiscretions, political corruption, and clandestine activities during his time in office.
Content
According to Hersh, Kennedy engaged in extramarital relationships facilitated by the United States Secret Service, committed electoral fraud to secure victory in the 1960 presidential race, employed Judith Exner as an intermediary to funnel funds to mob leader Sam Giancana, and sanctioned secret missions aimed at assassinating Fidel Castro.
Secret Service personnel interviewed for the book recounted JFK’s private conduct. One agent remarked there was “always a skirt” nearby. Another agent described instructions to recover compromising photos from a Seattle photographer, including one showing Kennedy holding a drink with his arm around a nude woman.
Document hoax
Prior to the book’s release, Hersh excised a chapter based on counterfeit documents supplied by Lex Cusack, which purported to reveal a hush money deal between Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe. Forensic examination uncovered anachronistic elements such as ZIP codes and typefaces that did not exist in the early 1960s. The Washington Post characterized this incident as "part cautionary tale, part slapstick farce," underscoring challenges related to journalistic deception.
Reception
Edward Jay Epstein, writing for the Los Angeles Times, criticized the book for relying on unverified allegations, suggesting it exposed weaknesses in investigative reporting more than flaws in Kennedy himself.
In The New York Times, Thomas Powers described it as “a reporter’s book, not a historian’s,” recognizing Hersh’s investigative efforts but observing that the portrayal of Kennedy emphasized corruption and untrustworthiness rather than errors in judgment.
David Usborne of The Independent commended Hersh’s audacity following five years of research but acknowledged the intense and hostile reaction it provoked.
In contrast, The Washington Post reviewer Jonathan Yardley denounced the book for its dependence on hearsay and secondhand accounts, labeling it "gossip—much of it malicious and/or mere hearsay—parading as investigative journalism."
Legacy
The Dark Side of Camelot achieved bestseller status and ignited considerable debate. The scandal involving forged documents detracted from some credible assertions, highlighting the hazards investigative journalism faces when relying on unverifiable sources. A 2018 retrospective by The Washington Post noted: "The Dark Side of Camelot was a major bestseller but faced harsh criticism from reviewers."