The book examines how media coverage of the Kennedy assassination shaped collective memory and legitimized journalism's role as an interpreter of American reality. Barbie Zelizer's work analyzes the more than fifty reporters who covered President Kennedy in Dallas, none of whom directly witnessed the assassination. Faced with a rapidly unfolding, monumentally important story, these journalists constructed a coherent narrative from fragmented reports, often blurring the lines between verified facts and unsubstantiated leads. The book explores how this process influenced public perception and established the media's authority in interpreting national events.

Barbie Zelizer's "Covering the Body" is recognized for its incisive reassessment of the media's function during the Kennedy assassination. The book highlights the complex interplay between journalistic practice and the formation of historical memory, particularly how reporters constructed a narrative under intense pressure. It is noted for its detailed examination of the challenges faced by journalists in verifying information during a rapidly developing crisis. The work effectively demonstrates how the coverage of this pivotal event solidified the media's position as a primary interpreter of national events.