Lyndon Johnson: A Flawed Giant and His Tumultuous Times, 1961-1973

Flawed Giant: Lyndon Johnson and His Times, 1961-1973

by Robert Dallek

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3528 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	785 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Lyndon Baines Johnson was born on August 27, 1908, in Stonewall, Texas. He was the eldest of five children born to Sam Ealy Johnson, Jr., a farmer and state legislator, and Rebecca Baines Johnson. Johnson grew up in poverty and had a difficult childhood. His father was an alcoholic and abusive, and his mother died when he was young. Johnson was raised by his stepmother, Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson.

Johnson was a bright and ambitious student. He graduated from Southwest Texas State Teachers College in 1930 and taught school for several years. In 1931, he married Claudia Alta Taylor, known as Lady Bird Johnson. Johnson entered politics in 1937 when he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. He served in the House until 1941, when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Johnson served in the House until 1949, when he was elected to the U.S. Senate. He served in the Senate until 1961, when he was elected Vice President of the United States under President John F. Kennedy.

Johnson became President of the United States on November 22, 1963, following Kennedy's assassination. Johnson was a strong supporter of Kennedy's civil rights agenda and quickly pushed for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Johnson also launched the Great Society, a series of domestic programs designed to improve the lives of Americans. The Great Society included programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, and the War on Poverty.

Johnson's presidency was also marked by the Vietnam War. Johnson initially escalated the war in an attempt to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. However, the war quickly became unpopular with the American public. Johnson's approval ratings declined sharply, and he decided not to run for re-election in 1968. Johnson left office in 1969 and retired to his ranch in Texas. He died on January 22, 1973, at the age of 64.

Lyndon B. Johnson was a complex and controversial figure. He was a strong supporter of civil rights and social justice, but he also escalated the Vietnam War. Johnson's presidency was marked by both great achievements and significant failures. He is remembered as a flawed giant who left a lasting legacy on the United States.

Flawed Giant: Lyndon Johnson and His Times, 1961-1973

by Robert Dallek

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3528 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	785 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE