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.

Haven't read anything positive about the United States of America lately?

Can hardly remember exactly why we fought all those wars or what that is worthwhile came out of them? The author of this book of 12 speeches and several essays was the invited speaker in those difficult Sixties and Seventies on Independence Day, Naturalization Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day at gatherings in Southern Oregon. There he spoke from the heart (and his years of historical training) to the matter of our wars and their reasons for being waged.

Large audiences and small alike stood or sat while Vaughn Davis Bornet delivered short orations that speak directly to sensitive matters. In the Country and around the World at the time there grew to be muttering and questioning; many "tuned out" or "dropped out" as the drug culture and draft resistance moved in on the spirit that had won World War II and earlier World War I.

The Rogue River Valley is a place of small towns; the locale is just north of California, in the mountains, but Ashland, Medford, and the smaller places are in valleys where old values continue to be honored in ceremonies that honor our service personnel year after year.

This book, whose prose is in most cases forty years old, returns readers to an older time. It does so without apology, for the author admits from the very beginning to being "patriotic." His essay/speeches are, in a word no longer in general use, patriotics.

The author's publications and bio appear on pages 150-153.

Since most of the words in this book were created to be spoken aloud, why not read a few paragraphs or pages to a friend or relative?

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.