Four American Presidents have been assassinated in office & this book offers a fascinating look at what could have happened if they had each survived. Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, & John F. Kennedy never got to complete their presidential terms, as each succumbed to an assassin's bullet. After examining what happened in the lead-up to their deaths & the weapons used, the author then considers what could have happened if they had lived. Before starting this book, I knew the most about Lincoln & Kennedy, & had never really read anything about Garfield & McKinley. Very remiss of me, I feel. Here we are given a brief snapshot of their lives - enough to whet the appetite for reading more & there are some good starting points given in the book. The more important elements are the assassinations themselves & what happened, with some searching questions being asked of those involved in protecting the President in at least three of the cases. Overall, it is an engrossing read that asks some pertinent questions, including 'What If?' ~ Gayle Noble (Reviewer), Netgalley

This book is a great place to start if you’re looking for an overview of the presidential assassinations and their repercussions. ~ Autumn Mattox (Reviewer), Netgalley

This book made me realize how much I miss history class. I love history, and it was my favourite subject in school. Reading over the tragic events and the aftermath of the presidential assassinations brought forward learning about them in school, but with Koerner - it’s so much more. His fact-checking and in-depth analysis of the facts is amazing. I found myself saying “holy crap” or “wow” over and over again. I loved that Koerner also included his thoughts and what he believes would’ve happened had the assassinations not succeeded. It’s incredibly eye-opening, and I honestly can’t express enough how much this book should be read. I’ll definitely be buying a copy for my dad and brother for Christmas, as they both love history. I’ve already started recommending this to coworkers and friends. 5 out of 5 stars ~ Kaitlyn Lawhorn (Reviewer), Netgalley

Koerner's account is both thrilling and reflective as he analyzes the motivations behind every crime, a special combination of personal issues, societal influences, and psychoses. He does not spare systems for their failures: a lack of mental health support and easy access to firearms. The book, therefore, is not a narration of mere sad happenings but overall social commentary. Overall, The Four Guns is a powerful examination of human nature's and society's darker sides. Through his astute blending of narrative and analysis, Koerner has made this a must-read book for anyone who wants to understand the complexity of violent crime in America. ~ Morgan England (Reviewer, Netgalley

The guns used in the assassinations of 4 US presidents have always fascinated me, and the stories behind them lead to the wider motives of the assassins and the wider political context of the killings. The research that the author has accomplished in bringing the four events together is remarkable, as is the commentary on the broader impact on US society and world events had the events not taken place. It becomes evident that the assassination of Lincoln started a sequence that links through to the shooting of JFK nearly 100 years later. 5 out of 5 stars ~ Sandra Miller (Reviewer), Netgalley

It is fascinating and well-researched. Four US Presidents have been successfully assassinated whilst in office: Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley and John F Kennedy, and this book looks at those assassinations. The circumstances around them, the guns themselves and what could have happened if each President had lived Note from me before I get into the review: at the time I was granted access to this book from the publisher, and this review was written (Summer 2024), there were only four assassinated US Presidents; however, I’m aware of the current unrest in America and the assassination attempt on former President Trump so things might be different, but this review is based on the book that looks into the assassination attempts of four historical Presidents and my opinions at the time of writing. I felt compelled to add this disclaimer in a way that I haven’t for other reviews because of the events of this summer. This exciting book looked deeper into the assassinations in a way no one else seems to do. The research into the guns used and the circumstances around the assassinations gives the reader an insight and an understanding into each President, what they were like, and the challenges that faced them at the time of their assassinations, which really sets the scene for the look into what could have happened had the President survived. I think this final section is the one that caught my attention most, it questions the readers beliefs and perceptions plus puts forward arguments for how each man could have changed America. To note, each President's survival and future are based on the previous assassinations, which I think is a good idea as it feels more realistic for the predictions This book makes the reader ask questions and look deeper into some significant and pivotal events in US history and how things could have been different in a very ordered and fact-based approach I would recommend this book to those who want to know more about the US Presidential assassinations or just want to see and understand the known facts from a different perspective. ~ Anna Headde (Reviewer), Netgalley

I really enjoyed this very engaging book—it was filled with interesting stories and information I'd never heard before. The author can definitely tell a tale, and I would definitely be interested in other works by this same writer. It was a very fun read but also very informative!! I found the chapter about President Garfield especially interesting. Very well done . .. 5 stars!! ~ Andrew Brewer (Reviewer) , Netgalley

I like history and the journey about why history can dramatically change from one period to another. This book is superb, and I cannot wait to finish reading it. Four Guns is a book for you to read. 5 out of 5 stars ~ Yakub Tirza (Educator), Netgalley

Very well-researched and written. Unlike some authors, who come to conclusions that leave the truth still ambiguous, John Koerner uses very good logic for evidence that may not be concrete. His analysis of what could have happened if each president had survived their assassinations is also very intriguing and logical. And I am not one to go on hypothetical roads! I especially enjoyed the last chapters on the JFK assassination and finally learned new revelations that I had not read before. I will definitely recommend this book even to those who do not like history. 5 out of 5 stars ~ Janet Watkins (Reviewer) , Netgalley

I love thinking about alternate realities, and this book was perfectly done. It felt like realistic realities, and the presidents' lives had a unique effect. I thought John Koerner wrote this perfectly and was glad I got to read it. I really enjoyed everything about this book. 5 out of 5 stars ~ Kathryn McLeer (Reviewer), Netgalley

Often, when we study assassinations, we only focus on the date of the assassination or when the president died. Equally important is the day when the assassin bought the gun and determined to end the president’s life. - John Koerner I have read quite a few books on the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and JFK, however The Four Guns by John Koerner gives the reader a look at these assassinations including the deaths of James Garfield and William McKinley from a different angle. John gives the reader a rundown of the day each of the listed four presidents was shot and a look at the guns that took each of their lives. He feels it is essential to understand how each of the four weapons changed history. He also talks about where these guns are today. He then focuses on the what-ifs… What if they survived? What would the United States of America be today if they lived and died from old age? I enjoy the layout of this book and the different perspectives John had on each of these deaths. Many books have been written about these presidents, especially Lincoln and Kennedy, but I felt that John Koerner brought something a little different to the table when writing about them. ~ Tammy Egglestone (Reviewer), Netgalley

This is a very quick and interesting read with a very different take on the assassinations of Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley and Kennedy. The author's title is focused on the gun used in each murder, the history behind how the gun was acquired, what happened to the gun (where it is today), and one of the more speculative but interesting sections in what would have happened if each President would have somehow survived their assassination attempt. As a fellow academician (retired now), Professor John Koerner offers very systematic historical research to detail the story of each event. The Lincoln assassination section is most intriguing when considering what would have happened had Lincoln survived. That section alone, while hypothetical, raises many interesting questions. The Garfield section is very good. I've read several biographies on Garfield, and I believe he would have been an amazing President had he not been taken after such a short tenure in office. I found the section on McKinley the most intriguing. The author believes, and gives some compelling evidence, that there was a conspiracy in the McKinley murder, although it was never proven. The Kennedy assassination is given the most space of the four stories, and rightly so, given it happened in the television era. The author firmly believes there was a conspiracy, and it could have been any number of suspects: the Mafia, Cubans, the CIA, LBJ, etc. The tragedy is we may never know the truth behind JFKs murder, and there likely was a conspiracy to keep many things out of the public sphere as the author explains. The book is short, and there are places where the reader wants to know more. In terms of meeting the objective of the four guns, the author does that very well. ~ Alan Albarran (Reviewer), Netgalley

"The Four Guns" by John Koerner offers a provocative exploration of American history through the lens of four pivotal presidential assassinations: Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy. The book serves three main purposes: dissecting the details of each assassination, tracing the history of the weapons used, and speculating on how history might have unfolded had these presidents survived. Koerner meticulously examines the circumstances and conspiracy theories surrounding each assassination, providing a thorough analysis that is both educational and engaging. The narrative delves into the lesser-known histories of the assassination weapons themselves, revealing how they were obtained and their whereabouts today, which adds a unique layer to the historical recounting. Perhaps most compelling is Koerner's speculative exploration of "what might have been." Koerner invites readers to contemplate how different America and the world might be by considering scenarios where Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, and Kennedy survive. This counterfactual approach not only underscores the profound impact of these leaders' premature deaths but also sparks a broader reflection on the fragility and significance of leadership. "The Four Guns" is a thought-provoking blend of history, mystery, and speculative analysis that challenges readers to think critically about the past and its implications for the present and future. It's compelling for anyone interested in presidential history, American politics, or historical what-ifs. ~ Larinda Agee (Librarian) , Netgalley

I just finished The Four Guns: The Stolen History Of The Assassinated Presidents by John Koerner. I am definitely intrigued by Koerner’s argument that the Confederate Secret Service was involved in the Lincoln assassination. Still, I am not ready to take a position on that issue yet. I know they had plots against Lincoln, but whether Booth’s successful conspiracy also included them is something I definitely do want to do more reading on. I am glad that this book raised the issue, took a position and reminded me that I have to do more reading to determine which side I find more persuasive. As an aside, I see that I gave Edwin Steer’s book, in which he argued for that proposition, a B+ 5 years ago, so I must have been impressed, but I don’t recall reading it. I see that I already have Tidwell’s book that this one cites to, so I’ll have to add that to my reading book. Actually, the more I think about it, this is discussion is more of just an aside. I always consider it a positive thing when a book makes me want to want to learn more about a topic and this book checks that box. I knew that the book was going to also include a discussion of the guns used. I came into reading this thinking that I wasn’t really the target audience for that aspect of the book. But, I did enjoy that aspect more than I expected, especially the part about Booth (who had two guns with him that night). I especially liked this line, when talking about the National Archive’s web page describing the gun Oswald that Oswald supposedly used: “The most revealing aspect, though on the entire web page describing the gun is the word ‘Allegedly.’ In my opinion, the title should read ‘Mannlicher-Carcano Rifle Probably News Owned by Lee Harvey Oswald and Probably Never Used to Assassinate President J. Kennedy.’” His discussion of whether there was a conspiracy against McKinley was interesting, but I’m not ready to take a position on that yet. I wish the author’s book on that topic was available in Kindle edition, but it isn’t. His discussion of JFK was also very good, while his discussion on Garfield was good too. I hadn’t realized how many enemies Garfield had already been making during his first year in office. For each assassination, the author speculates on what would have happened if the president had lived. Those discussions were very interesting. Reading this book has prompted me to go get the Kindle version of his book on the JFK and Malcolm X assassinations. 5 out of 5 stars ~ Lee Sinins (Reviewer), Netgalley

Good discussion about interesting points in history. ~ Claire Rider (Reviewer), Netgalley

The Four Guns is a fascinating and compelling book. It gripped me and left me pondering how history could have been dramatically changed. A must-read! ~ G.L Davies, author of Harvest: The True Story of Alien Abduction, Review