Lone Star Rising: Vol. 1: Lyndon Johnson and His Times, 1908-1960

For the foreseeable future, I think it's safe to say Dallek's two volumes will be the definitive LBJ biography for the simple reason(s) that it's unclear if Caro will finish his works and it is doubtful that anyone will soon take on the onerous task of researching Johnson's extremely complicated life ... and find anything new. This volume tracks LBJ's life up to the 1960 election and everything is here ... and I mean everything, from Johnson's lineage, his childhood and education, his work as a New Deal caretaker and Texas politician, his dubious "military service", his meteoric climb through both the House and US Senate, including his "election" to the latter and finally his acceptance as JFK's vice-presidential running mate. The reader meets the big (and small) personalities in LBJ's life including FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Sam Rayburn, Richard Russell and Hubert Humphrey as well as the truly dedicated people who worked ungodly hours for him. Dallek also does an admirable job in tracking the development of LBJ's character and motives, (and ego) while parsing through, at times, the frenetic activity of his life. Where this biography differs from others, (especially Caro's), is in Dallek's self-restraint in judging LBJ's actions and behaviors, (and there is a lot to judge). Others have made this out to be an omission on the author's part, I would beg to differ and label it as evenhanded. Dallek presents the facts and lets the reader make the call while other authors, (again Caro), have stepped into the breech and passed judgement. (This doesn't mean I disagree with those judgements, in fact in most cases I do agree. It's hard not to.) I just appreciated Dallek allowing me to come to my own conclusions. If there is a fault with this book, (and the second volume), and this is a nit, it's that too much detail is provided and at times can become mind-numbing. In Dallek's subsequent bio of JFK, at least in my opinion, he does a better job of not overwhelming the reader with at times, repetitive details.

Dallek's two-volume examination of LBJ is a dramatic and nuanced examination of one the most complex figures in 20th century American history. Even almost three decades after his death, there are no shortage of people who see LBJ as the ultimate villan of American politics. Many people of this camp dislike Dallek's work, because he puts his subject in his context.While Dallek does not excuse the sort of election fraud in which LBJ engaged, he does explain that it was wide spread. Some find this an unacceptable defense, but one should note that the sorts of tricks he describes have been wide spread in the US for most of the 19th and early 20th century. To dismiss LBJ for engaging in such activities who require similar condemnation of every US president from Adams to FDR. Dallek in fact, is unflinching in discussing LBJ's negative side. His pension for strong arming opponents, his abuse of his staff, his womanizing and drinking, and his dirty tricks are all layed bare. At the same time, Dallek reviews how crucial LBJ was as part of the New Deal and his brave role as a champion of civil rights.The other major LBJ biography by Caro is far less balanced in its approach to this complex and ultimately tragic figure. For a truly great and complete biography of LBJ, I suggest that you read this one.

Although Presidents and national politicians are very different from you and me, LBJ stands out among presidential personalities due to his indomitable will to succede.Dallek writes a fascinating portrait of Johnson and his route to national preeminence. A poor boy from the hill country of Texas, LBJ should not have risen much above the station of his relatives or neighbors. He had none of the advantages that most other notables of his era enjoyed. But he did have an incredible hunger to achieve and he developed uncanny political and personal skills that made him perhaps the moste effective Senate Majority Leader in our history (this volume only takes LBJ's life up through his ascention to the Vice Presidency). This book is fascinating as the author delves into each challenge faced by Johnson. We quickly see him learn what is necessary to master his immediate situation (college, congressional staffer, congressman, senator), understand perhaps better than those around him what buttons his colleagues and supporting cast needed pushed to aid Johnson in achieving his goals and use his incredible persuasive powers to bend others to his will.Dallek uses innumerable personal recollections as well as published sources to minutely document Johnson's rise. He is a skillful enough author that the wealth of information does not bore, but illuminates a fascinating personality and a well written study.As a reader, I could not help but be fascinated by LBJ's life story and this disseciton of his methods. Whether or not you agreed with LBJ's political goals and philosophies, one can appreciate his mastery of the process necessary to implement them.This is a first rate presidential biography

A history of Lyndon Johnson from birth to the time he is offered the vice-presidential spot on Kennedy's ticket, the book is detailed without being tedious. It gives a balanced, objective account of Johnson's life as well as his motivations and influences. It casts him in neither a positive nor negative light, but as something of a paradox... a man with good intentions but dirty means... a bigoted man who genuinely cared for minorities. A fair account of a complex man that keeps the reader coming back for the next page. Well-documented and researched. Very good book.