Lady Bird Johnson

An Oral History

By: Michael L. Gillette

Narrated by: Corinna May

Over a span of 18 years, Lady Bird Johnson recorded 47 oral history interviews with Michael Gillette and his colleagues. These conversations, just released in 2011, form the heart of Lady Bird Johnson: An Oral History, an intimate story of a shy young country girl's transformation into one of America's most effective and admired First Ladies.

Lady Bird Johnson's odyssey is one of personal and intellectual growth, political and financial ambition, and a shared life with Lyndon Baines Johnson, one of the most complicated, volatile, and powerful presidents of the 20th century. The former First Lady recounts how a cautious, conservative young woman succumbed to an ultimatum to marry a man she had known for less than three months, how she ran his congressional office during World War II, and how she transformed a struggling Austin radio station into the foundation of a communications empire. As a keen observer of the Washington scene during the eventful decades from the 1930s through the 1960s, Lady Bird Johnson shares dramatic accounts of pivotal moments in American history. We attend informal dinners at Sam Rayburn's apartment and opulent social events at grand mansions from an earlier age. Her rich verbal portraits bring to life scores of personalities, including First Ladies Edith Bolling Wilson, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bess Truman, Mamie Eisenhower, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Pat Nixon.

An informal, candid narrative by one of America's most admired First Ladies, this volume reveals how instrumental Lady Bird Johnson's support and guidance were at each stage of her husband's political ascent and how she herself emerged as a significant political force.

©2012 Michael L. Gillette (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Story by a loving wife

Enjoyed learning, many things, I had no idea of. Good story of a president’s wife. If you want to know more about the presidency of Johnson, this is not the book for you. I thought the accent of Ladybird was exaggerated. I had to slow the audio speed down.

narration

narrator should make sure she knows the pronunciation of Texas towns ...Salado, Burnet are examples

Fantastic

I’m so glad I took the time to learn more. Fascinating and Fantastic book About an ordinary woman who did something truly original and long lasting.

Wish there was more depth

Definitely a view from Lady Bird. Wish there was a bit more depth to commentary about the presidency. Narrator did a good job but again, wish she had asked some mire substantive questions.

Revealing look into the Johnson period

This book revealed Lady Bird to be incredibly intelligent and an amazingly supportive partner for LBJ in every sense of the word. The programs she spearheaded and delivered to the country are still firmly rooted in our american culture today. She was arguably one of the most influential First Ladies of all the First Ladies. I was touched by her humility as well.

The performance was articulate and well delivered. Very clear and listenable. One very small point, at times when listening in s very quiet restful time the voice seemed a tiny bit strident. However, the Texan accent was spot on.