The historical work "Death of a President", which describes the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, was written by which author?

Introduction / Context:
This question relates to modern history and political writing. "Death of a President" is a detailed historical account of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the thirty fifth President of the United States. The question asks you to identify the historian who wrote this well known narrative from among several unrelated authors.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The book title is "Death of a President".
• It deals with the assassination of a U.S. President.
• Four options are provided, including one historian and two literary authors.
• Only one of these names is historically associated with this book.

Concept / Approach:
William Manchester is the historian and author who wrote "Death of a President". The work offers a comprehensive narrative of the events before, during and after the assassination. Amitav Ghosh is an Indian novelist, William Shakespeare is a Renaissance playwright and "None of the above" is an abstract option that should be selected only when no listed name fits. In this case, the historian is clearly present in the options, so "None of the above" is not correct.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that "Death of a President" is a historical and political account, not a work of fiction or drama. Step 2: Recall that William Manchester is known for detailed historical books, including this one about John F. Kennedy. Step 3: Review the provided options. Amitav Ghosh writes literary fiction and essays, and Shakespeare work belongs to a much earlier period and different themes. Step 4: Since the correct historian William Manchester is explicitly listed, there is no need to consider "None of the above". Step 5: Mark William Manchester as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Biographical information on William Manchester shows "Death of a President" among his key works. Descriptions of the book clearly state that he was commissioned to write about the Kennedy assassination and his name appears on all editions as the author. No authoritative source connects this title with Amitav Ghosh or any other writer from the options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Amitav Ghosh writes novels and essays focused on South Asia and global history, but he is not involved with this work on the American presidency. William Shakespeare wrote plays and sonnets centuries before the events of 1963 and therefore cannot be the author. "None of the above" is incorrect because the right name is already present as option A, making it unnecessary and wrong to choose the generic option.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners feel uncertain when they see "None of the above" and may overthink the question, doubting even a correct name they recognise. To avoid this, always ask if at least one option clearly fits the known facts. If a specific author like William Manchester matches the topic and period exactly, there is no logical reason to prefer a vague answer like "None of the above".

Final Answer:
William Manchester