The Triumph and Tragedy of Lyndon Johnson

The White House Years

By: Joseph A. Califano Jr.

Narrated by: Norman Dietz

President Lyndon Johnson was bigger than life - and no one who worked for him or was subjected to the "Johnson treatment" ever forgot it. As Johnson's "Deputy President of Domestic Affairs", Joseph A. Califano's unique relationship with the president greatly enriches our understanding of our 36th president. Califano shows listeners LBJ's commitment to economic and social revolution, and his willingness to do whatever it took to achieve his goals. He uncorks LBJ's legislative genius and reveals the political guile it took to pass laws in civil rights, poverty, immigration reform, health, education, environmental protection, consumer protection, the arts, and communications.

A no-holds-barred account of Johnson's presidency, The Triumph and Tragedy of Lyndon Johnson is an intimate portrait of a president whose towering ambition for his country and himself reshaped America - and ultimately led to his decision to withdraw from the political arena in which he fought so hard.

©1991 Joseph A. Califano, Jr. Introduction copyright 2015 by Joseph A. Califano, Jr. (P)2015 Tantor

powerful book! narrative slurred...

great story well told,,,the narrative could have been much better....in parts it had overtones of a drunken slurr....

Simply an outstanding reflection of LBJ.

This is an astonishing account the time LBJ during his presidency. Very accurate, we'll narrated, and offers first-hand accounts of how history unfolded during Johnson's term in the White House.

A complex story about a complex man.

The story was well written and the narration very well done. I felt the narrator had the voice mannerisms of LBJ and you could hear LBJ doing the speaking.

Great story but mediocre reading

Any additional comments?

Califano has a unique insight into one of the less understood but more important presidents of our era. Johnson was a political master and Obama could learn a bit from him. The reading of the book detracted from the material, it just was not very engaging for the listener.

Great 1st-hand account of LBJ

Great review of his time as an elected president. A complex President with a heart of gold and the head hitman.