Lyndon Johnson Remembered: An Intimate Portrait of a Presidency - Tapa dura

Historian Cowger and former LBJ assistant Markman gather 15 firsthand views of the complex man who was our 36th president from administration insiders, including Joseph Califano, LBJ's special assistant for domestic affairs; James Cross, a military aide to the president; and speechwriters Harry Middleton and Benjamin Wattenberg. Many of these contributors are speaking out on Johnson for the first time in these original essays, and the collection should contribute significantly to the historical record, primarily on domestic policy. This book is appealing in its tone of intimacy, and will be of interest primarily to Johnson students and scholars. * Publishers Weekly * Lyndon Johnson Remembered makes a significant contribution to an historical re-evaluation of Lyndon Johnson's Presidency, which will place him as the greatest champion of civil rights since Lincoln, and the President who accomplished the most to promote social justice for all Americans. -- Nick Kotz, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and historian of the Johnson Presidency Finally we have the opportunity to hear from so many individuals that were close to President Johnson and his programs. Perhaps we will more fully understand his genius and vision. This book deserves a wide audience and is an appropriate tribute to the legacy of one of our most important presidents. -- W. Marvin Watson, President Johnson's Chief of Staff, 1965-1968 This unique and valuable collection is a treasure for scholars, historians, and those who follow politics and government. Our generation is fascinated with Lyndon Johnson. These observations from some who knew him best provides deep insight into this enormously complex man who dominated our political scene during some of the most momentous times in American history. The editors of this 'intimate portrait' deserve our gratitude for their contribution. -- David Pryor, former Member of Congress, Governor of Arkansas, and U.S. Senator A more balanced assessment of LBJ. . . . Cowger and Markman bring together many of the people who know LBJ best, who remember Johnson's triumphs and failures, and the personality of this larger-than-life Texan. * Foreword Reviews *

More than thirty years ago, John Roche, former special assistant to President Johnson, wrote that no "historically valid" treatment of the Johnson years would emerge for decades. The problem, he insisted, was the scarcity of primary-source evidence. Objective analysis of the Johnson presidency would have to include material from the Johnson library as well as from the Johnson participants themselves. Nearly three decades later, Thomas W. Cowger and Sherwin Markman help to fill this void in the Johnson literature by presenting the voices of many important Johnson administrators and insiders who look back on those critical years. These original essays reflect on Johnson's personality, domestic agenda, and legacy and in many cases, the authors have penned their observations or perceptions of this crucial period for the first time. Drawn from a myriad of perspectives, this volume paints a vivid portrait of Lyndon Johnson and his programs- a fitting tribute to and remembrance of our nation's 36th President.