This pioneering assessment of all significant aspects of the
Johnson presidency is the first book-length appraisal by a
professional historian to cover all issues, decisions, and
developments of consequence--from foreign affairs, Vietnam, and the
space race to the Great Society, civil rights, and the war on
poverty--during the span of Johnson's five years in office. At a
time when unflattering portraits of Johnson's distinctive personal
and governmental style prevail, this volume presents a full,
thoughtful, and balanced evaluation of the administration's
achievements and failures.
Vaughn Bornet draws a compelling picture of the dramatic period
from late 1963 to early 1969 based on a close examination of
memoirs, scholarly books and articles, manuscript materials in the
central White House files, and key oral histories. Many of the
sources of information have not been used before; only a few of
those who worked closely with Johnson during his 1,886 days in
office will be familiar with all the details of this comprehensive
account.
Bornet documents that, at the very outset, Johnson ignored or
dismissed information from key advisors showing that our Vietnam
war efforts would fail without a major commitment. In his chapter
on the hostile relations between Johnson and the media, Bornet
blames both the President and the press for the so-called
credibility gap. He credits Johnson, rather than Kennedy, with the
moon landing. He shifts the focus from Johnson as a consummate
politician to give full attention and credit to the Presidents
important and talented team--a group that included Bill Moyers,
Joseph Califano, Douglass Cater, Horace Busby, Walt Rostow,
McGeorge Bundy, Lawrence O'Brien, Dean Rusk, George Reedy, and Jack
Valenti. And Bornet is the first to argue that it was poor health,
not political pressure, that caused Johnson to decide against
seeking reelection in 1968.
General
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