Doris Kearns Goodwin is fast becoming one of my favorite historical authors. One of the things that I find appealing about her works is that she doesn’t go the strict biography route when writing about one of her subjects, yet rather focuses on key idiosyncrasies or nuances about an individual, and how such characteristics shaped their overall destiny. When she wrote about Abraham Lincoln, she focused on his diverse cabinet and how Lincoln was able to play to everyone’s strengths and weaknesses and uniting his team for a common cause. When she wrote about Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, her aim was to show how different, and sometimes incompatible they were, yet use their talents and gifts to unite and redefine a country.
Her approach with this book is basically the same. It might seem a bit bizarre that she would choose Johnson as a subject matter, but we must remember that this was her first book, and she actually worked for Johnson for a few years after his presidency. It was this experience that probably got the author’s creative juices flowing and made her realize she was more than capable to tackle such an endeavor.
Her focus isn’t so much on the history of the man, but rather the man’s personality and what he had hoped to achieve. We read about how his brash tactics and cunning nature allowed him to ascend in the world of politics was also responsible for his ultimate demise once he had finally made it to the very top. History has shown us that Vietnam was Johnson’s ultimate failure, but Goodwin shows us that it really isn’t quite as black and white as that. We are allowed to delve into the man’s psyche and see what his motivations were, and how things might have turned out a bit different had LBJ played his cards a bit differently.
If you’re looking for a biography of the man, this really isn’t the book for you. Instead, I would recommend Robert Caro’s outstanding tetralogy (there’s at least one more book to be written). I had to force myself to stop making comparisons. After learning so much from Robert Caro, there were times that I felt Doris Kearns Goodwin was skipping too many things and zooming too fast through Johnson’s life. I haven’t done a page by page comparison, but by the time Goodwin was describing Lyndon Johnson’s first run for congress, Caro was still describing Johnson’s grandfather’s earlobes. Whereas Robert Caro spend almost an entire book devoted to the congressional races where Johnson infamously opposed Pappy O’Daniel and Coke Stevonson, Goodwin devotes merely half a page to each.
Again, though, this isn’t to be classified as a biography in the strict sense of the word. No, once LBJ makes it as president is where this book kicks into high gear. This is where we see things start to slowly unravel. LBJ’s pet project, “The Great Society” is what gives the president the energy and excitement that drives him. Although he makes some great strides, putting legislation as enormous as this in a position to succeed isn’t as simple as signing a few bills and making a few speeches. There are too many other factors to be considered, and based on Johnson’s background, he really didn’t have the knowledge nor the patience to paint by the numbers.
The main drawback, again, is Vietnam. But Vietnam really isn’t a main player in this book either. We learn an awful lot about Johnson’s cautious nature when the conflict begins, and hindsight shows us that perhaps many leaders (even John Kennedy) may have inadvertently got us involved in this muck just as deeply as Johnson did. We learn he’s smart enough to not want to make the same mistakes as Neville Chamberlain did a quarter of a century prior (being extremely pacifistic), nor does he want to “drop the big one” since that might bring in China and Russia and start World War III. In many ways, Johnson sees this conflict in Southeast Asia as a basic nuisance to his Great Society.
Because of all this turmoil, he’s forced to deal, face to face, with the American press and the American people. Something, again, that he’s not used to, nor is he very good. This sort of interaction is a far cry from the smoke filled Senate cloakroom where backs are slapped, deals are made and favors are swapped. It truly is a tragic downfall. After his presidency, the author includes (published?) writings from LBJ where he fiercely tries to defend himself and explaining his actions during his presidency. He sadly comes across as misdirected, misinformed, and just out of touch. It really his sad.
It most also be said that this is not a “warts and all” book either. Although the author does show pros and cons of the man, she doesn’t go too far in either direction. There were SO MANY things about this man to love and hate him for, yet we’re steered away from the majority of those instances. Instead Goodwin stays focused on her primary topic- “The American Dream”, specifically what this was for LBJ and how he ultimately failed in achieving it.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Great on Kindle
Great Experience. Great Value.
Putting our best book forward
Each Great on Kindle book offers a great reading experience, at a better value than print to keep your wallet happy.
Explore your book, then jump right back to where you left off with Page Flip.
View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look.
Enjoy features only possible in digital – start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more.
Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration.
Get the free Kindle app: 
Enjoy a great reading experience when you borrow the Kindle edition of this book with your Kindle Unlimited membership.
Learn more about Great on Kindle, available in select categories.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
Similar items that may ship from close to you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Popular Highlights in this book
This defect, almost an inability to conceive of societies with basically different values, was the source of his greatest weakness as President.Highlighted by 359 Kindle readers- The richest and fullest lives, Erikson argued, attain an inner balance composed of work, love, and play in equal order. To pursue one sphere to the disregard of the others is to open oneself to sadness as the years go by, whereas to pursue all three with equal dedication is to make possible an older age capable of serenity and fulfillment.Highlighted by 340 Kindle readers
- For what a man like Johnson chose to remember may be as important to understand as what really happened.Highlighted by 243 Kindle readers
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from other countries
Jaqueline Louisa Gibbons
Biografía que te acerca a Lyndon Johnson como persona
Reviewed in Spain on August 5, 2023
Jaqueline Louisa Gibbons
Reviewed in Spain on August 5, 2023
Images in this review
RosemarieMenassas
If you thought LBJ was a son of a bitch...
Reviewed in Canada on January 2, 2019Mr. Nc Shackley
Well written tribute of a great President
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 17, 2004