Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream

Rating:
Summary: An extremely interesting and inspiring biography
Review: Goodwin's writing style is fluid and lyrical. She tells a story of a great president with a great deal of compassion and interesting criticism. Her personal experiences as an aid on Johnson's staff make this a unique account about him. Johnson allowed Goodwin close contact with his personality, political style, and drive to improve this country. The book has a great assortment of personal and public history with plenty of anecdotes thrown into the mix. This biography brings Johnson's inner character to life as well as details some of many policy decisions of his illustrious political career.

Rating:
Summary: Dull
Review: I am (was?) a great admirer of Doris Kearns Goodwin's work. "No Ordinary Time" was a masterpiece of historical writing. But this early biography of Johnson just doesn't stand the test of time. It's MUCH too theoretical and lacks narrative drive. Johnson was an immensely interesting figure. It says everything that this book makes him dull.

Rating:
Summary: Dull
Review: I am (was?) a great admirer of Doris Kearns Goodwin's work. "No Ordinary Time" was a masterpiece of historical writing. But this early biography of Johnson just doesn't stand the test of time. It's MUCH too theoretical and lacks narrative drive. Johnson was an immensely interesting figure. It says everything that this book makes him dull.

Rating:
Summary: Very good historical biography
Review: I wanted to find an biography on Lyndon Johnson because I was doing a reading of a script for a screenwriters class based on his life. I chose this book because I do not usually read such detailed historical books. This book was very easy for me to read and understand. I was pleased that the background about his childhood was included because I wanted that for my research. I also think it is very interesting to learn about what makes a leader great - how he was raised, etc... I think this is a good book for someone who wants to get a thorough understanding of the complete life of Lyndon Johnson.

Rating:
Summary: Goodwin and the American Dream
Review: I wanted to like this book. Goodwin is a respected author (Pulitzer Prize winner, etc). But I didn't enjoy her writing style. Her tone is arrogant. She repeatedly psychoanalyzes - or, rather, psychoBABBLEizes - LBJ. Too often, her subject matter is herself - HER thoughts, HER feelings, HER background. Who cares about her? This book is supposed to be about LBJ. What was Goodwin ever the President of? The President of boring, if you ask me.

Rating:
Summary: Mind Feast
Review: Some actors make you just a little nervous when they perform. You're not sure they're going to deliver--or even make it. Some, from the first gesture, allow you to sit back and relax. They inspire your trust and confidence. Well, sit back and enjoy this Thanksgiving mind feast of writing and insight. From the first page you know that everything you ever wanted in such an important biography will be there for you to enjoy. And it is. Thank you Ms. Goodwin.

Rating:
Summary: Too Psychological
Review: This book by Doris Kearns Goodwin has too much of one thing and not enough of a couple of things. This book has too much psychoanalysis, relating every decision Johnson made back to his childhood, or his parents. One thing this book lacks is interesting stories. LBJ was probably the most colorful President in history, yet this book depicts him much differently. Finally this book lacks a lot of information about his time in the Senate. LBJ was a much more successful senator than president, yet this book flies through the Senate years. The stuff about the Presidency is great though and you do understand this man better after reading this book.

Rating:
Summary: Too Psychological
Review: This book by Doris Kearns Goodwin has too much of one thing and not enough of a couple of things. This book has too much psychoanalysis, relating every decision Johnson made back to his childhood, or his parents. One thing this book lacks is interesting stories. LBJ was probably the most colorful President in history, yet this book depicts him much differently. Finally this book lacks a lot of information about his time in the Senate. LBJ was a much more successful senator than president, yet this book flies through the Senate years. The stuff about the Presidency is great though and you do understand this man better after reading this book.

Rating:
Summary: The Rise and Fall of LBJ
Review: This book deals with three exceedingly complex themes: first, there is LBJ's life, his friends, family, relationships, job experiences, political positions, and bits and pieces of his personal thoughts and philosophy on morals, ethics, human behavior, etc.
Secondly, there is LBJ's Great Society program, his dream for America. It will expand on FDR's New Deal. It will identify and resolve all serious problems in America. It will provide help and assistance for those suffering or needy: the poor, students, farmers, consumers, the unemployed, the aged and retired, businessmen, conservatives, minorities, etc. There will be construction programs of all kinds, and educational and training programs, and health programs, and civil rights programs - literally, something for everyone. Just as the Great Society gains momentum, however, something happens that halts it - namely, the Vietnam War - the third complicated theme in this book.
LBJ's position is this: South Vietnam is a small, independent country that's being invaded by its neighbor North Vietnam - that is receiving aid and support from the Soviet Union and Red China. This is another effort by the 'monolithic' communist world to grab up another piece of non-communist territory. The U.S. duty and obligation (per its Truman Doctrine, its 'containment policy,' and its international treaties) is to protect the weak from communist aggression, like it had done previously in Greece, Turkey, W. Berlin, and S. Korea. The U.S. has never lost a war; LBJ is not going to lose a war. Ergo, the U.S. will stay the course, do what has to be done - until a negotiated peace can be attained - like in Korea. Aggression will not be rewarded! Period!
The anti-war movement began to grow as LBJ escalated the war. The U.S. presence in Vietnam climbed - from 23,000 (1964) to 500,000 (1967), casualties and deaths rose accordingly (2500 in 1965 to 80,000 in 1967), and the opposition mounted. The anti-war 'Peaceniks' who'd initially enjoyed little support anywhere, began winning supporters with their new 1960's-style tactics - many already successfully employed by civil-rights promoters: parades, sit-ins, demonstrations, bombings, draft-card and flag
burnings, rallies, military desertions, etc. These events, plus bloody scenes filmed in Vietnam (bombing, combat carnage) began increasingly to fill the TV news that Americans and their families viewed in their homes at suppertime (this was an era when TV anchors were heroes, when there were actual families who dined together at home, when there was an interest in the daily news). This was a civil war, the 'Peaceniks' maintained, that had nothing to do with any 'monolithic' communist movement, or world strategy, or 'domino theory.' History counts for little, they said, but the bombing raids were killing innocent people and the war was getting thousands of young Americans killed, wounded, and maimed. Furthermore, the war was illegal (never officially declared) and it was immoral. Eventually, the 'Peacenik's' gyrations and the lack of U.S. success in the war brought LBJ down.
When LBJ saw the 'Peaceniks' gaining momentum, the media and the people turning against his Vietnam policy, and his Great Society programs dying, he opted to bow out of politics. LBJ was an honorable, humane, decent, compassionate, individual with great leadership and legislative skills, but he could not lead Americans where they didn't want to go. So he retired and in 1968 Richard Nixon assumed power. Nixon, of course, dismantled the Great Society programs and he negotiated with the North Vietnamese his version of 'peace with honor.' Honor and civility reached new lows in America.

Rating:
Summary: Tedious but Interesting
Review: This book doesn't have the grasp of Goodwin's other historical books but it is worthwhile. I learned much about Johnson that I did not know and have come to appreciate him much more than I ever did while he was president and later.