Lyndon Baines Johnson

Lyndon Baines Johnson. By Thomas S. Langston. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2002, 328 pages.

Lyndon Baines Johnson by Thomas Langston is a wonderfully informative book about the life of our nation's thirty-sixth president. While providing biographical information and offering insights into his personality and career, the author provides a brilliant summary of Lyndon Johnson's dedication to public service and ascendance to the country's highest office. This is a great supplement to the biographies that already exist on Johnson. It provides supportive documents and a biographical review in a concise format which assists the reader in understanding the life and times of Lyndon Johnson. Students, researchers, and teachers will find Langston's book to be an excellent reference to utilize in order to study Johnson. It is a great addition to the American Presidents Reference Series.

Langston organizes the book into six chapters, with each chapter concluded by supportive documents which further reveal the accomplishments and character of the President. These documents consist of letters, speeches, remarks, graphs, and maps which represent important stages in his life and career. Chapter one offers general biographical information which documents his rise from the Hill country of Texas to president of the United States and his eventual retirement to his ranch in 1970. In chapter two, the reader follows each of Johnson's campaigns and elections for the House of Representatives, Senate, as a vice presidential running mate to John F. Kennedy in 1960, and his own election as president in 1964. Administrative policies are examined in chapter three. In this chapter, Langston looks at the continued policies of the Kennedy administration as well as Johnson's war on poverty, "The Great Society," and his actions in foreign affairs. The crisis that elevated Johnson to the presidency (the assassination of John F. Kennedy) as well as his transition to power is documented in chapter four. In addition, Langston discusses the Vietnam War and its tragic and deteriorating affects on Johnson's presidency and his ability to lead the nation. Chapter five informs the reader of Johnson's relationship with officials and organizations throughout his career. For instance, Langston provides insight into relationships with such key people and groups as: Congress, civil rights leaders, military, media, the public, intellectuals, dissenters, protesters, the government bureaucracy, and the courts. In chapter six, Johnson's return to civilian life and his retirement years are highlighted. Lastly, the book ends with an appendix which provides the reader with a list of the notable figures of the Johnson presidency as well as key events that occurred in his life.

Presidential autobiographies and biographies in general can be a cumbersome and time consuming read for many. With biographies reaching into the thousands of pages as well as encompassing multiple volumes, Langston's contribution to the American Presidents Reference Series is a refreshing addition to such scholarly work. The reader is supplied with the important facets of Lyndon Johnson's life and career in a format which is easily understood and highly effective. It is a must read for the researcher, the student, and the general public.

Reviewed by: Richard M. Yon, Florida Atlantic University

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