Book Reviews – L.B.J.'s Mortal Wound: The Don Reynolds Story

As someone who appreciates meticulously researched and historically significant narratives, Mortal Wound is an absolute gem. This book offers a front-row seat to one of the most tumultuous political dramas in American history: Don Reynolds’ courageous whistleblowing against Lyndon B. Johnson during the Bobby Baker scandal. The writing balances incredible depth of detail with an enthralling pace, making this both a rich historical document and an unputdownable read. What sets this book apart is its ability to illuminate the enormous personal stakes for Reynolds, his family, and even the fabric of U.S. democracy. The author’s first-hand perspective, as a relative of Reynolds, makes the story deeply intimate, yet it doesn’t shy away from exposing the broader implications of these events. The parallels drawn between Reynolds’ testimony and the assassination of JFK—the timing alone—left me in awe. The way Reynolds testified against Johnson while Kennedy’s motorcade rolled through Dallas is one of the most gripping moments in the book. The narrative doesn’t stop there. From FBI surveillance and death threats to mysterious fires and clandestine escapes, every chapter feels like it was plucked from the pages of a thriller—except it’s all real. The book doesn’t shy away from Reynolds’ flaws either, which only adds to its authenticity. I particularly appreciated the author’s painstaking research, including the use of primary documents, Senate testimonies, and even excerpts from LBJ’s private recordings. The archival depth is staggering but never overwhelming, always contextualized in a way that’s easy to follow. As a marketer and someone who loves storytelling, I was struck by how this book masterfully conveys the emotional weight of whistleblowing at the highest level of government. It’s not just a story about political intrigue; it’s about integrity, courage, and the personal toll of standing up for what’s right in the face of immense power. For anyone fascinated by political history, the Kennedy assassination, or the hidden machinations of power, Mortal Wound is a must-read. It challenges you to think deeply about the cost of truth-telling in a world where politics often trumps justice. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Many readers may not recognize the photo of the man who appears on the cover of this fascinating book or even the name "Don Reynolds". As I discussed with a fellow researcher Phil Singer (who wrote the prologue for this book), people who research/follow the JFK assassination often focus on specific areas of the still unsolved murder mystery---the Zapruder film, the Tippitt murder, Lee Harvey Oswald, etc. Anyone who has researched the personal history of the man who inherited the Oval Office because of Kennedy's death, Lyndon B. Johnson, does recognize the name "Don Reynolds" and does understand that what Reynolds personally knew about certain corrupt activities that were being investigated at the EXACT MOMENT Kennedy was killed should be of interest to every American. Because the author was related to Don Reynolds and knew him well does not mean that he ignored the illegalities that his uncle admitted to. Instead, Bob Nelson had the courage to "tell it like it was". In this book, readers will get a front row seat to the way certain members of our government protected a President while they allowed his associates to be publicly crucified. A copy of this book should be sent to every member of the Senate and the House of Representatives with a note reading "Do NOT allow something like this to happen again!" In the meantime, anyone who is unfamiliar with the name "Don Reynolds" and how his admissions of guilt were redirected so that the most important person involved avoided prosecution while others suffered will find this book fascinating! Even though I was familiar with the story, I, nevertheless, learned much more because it was produced by someone with access to inside information---someone who refused to excuse or cover up a scandal just because his family was involved. Kudos to you, Bob Nelson!