Some of It Was Fun: Working with RFK and LBJ

In the various books I've read about the Kennedy / Johnson era, Nicholas Katzenbach is often mentioned - mainly in positive but understated terms and maybe that sums up my review of this book! I was sorely tempted to put this book down after about fifty pages. Katzenbach is a dry writer who writes in a scholarly style and it takes some time to get used to it. I'm glad I persevered because the book is truly interesting and a real insight into the politics and personnel of the sixties. The author owed his original tenure in government to Bobby Kennedy whom he has an obviously deep affection for, - everyone's opinion was welcome - although he does not present the stricken Senator as a saint. Interestingly while RFK and Lyndon Johnson were arch-enemies, Katzenbach takes a balanced view of Johnson highlighting his great strengths and his great flaws. Katzenbach writes well about two vastly different personalities. Bobby Kennedy was direct and candid which did not apply to the more political Johnson. Kennedy did not trust Johnson on civil rights, something where he was proved wrong. Some interesting insights: * Bobby Kennedy considered cabinet meetings a waste of time as all key decisions were made outside of the cabinet room. * When discussing great Presidents, JFK rather poignantly said, "It looks to me like you have to die in office to be classified as great by historians." * During the furor over James Meredith's admission to the University of Mississippi, Katzenbach stayed in contact with the White House via a pay phone which they kept open all night. The White House paid - collect! * Much of the decision making on the Vietnam War in the author's opinion was based on the fear of domestic political consequences and not national security. I'm sure many families who lost loved ones during that terrible war would love to know that. I do have one quibble of fact. Katzenbach perpetuates the myth that the Illinois vote in 1960 decided the presidential election. Even had Kennedy lost Illinois, he still would have had sufficient Electoral College votes. A surprising misstep from a very lucid writer. For anyone interested in the politics of civil rights, the sixties and Vietnam, this is one good read

An excellent insider's view of the Kennedy-Johnson Department of Justice during the turbulent years of the Sixties. From there, Nicholas Kazenbach went on to serve in the State Department, which he also discusses. Those who want a well written memoir of the Federal Government's efforts to extend and enforce civil rights for all Americans under some very difficult and challenging circumstances, will both enjoy and appreciate this book.

An excellent, concise and very readable memoir from one of the lesser known yet influential members of the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Katzenbach's almost blow-by-blow account of the Ole Miss desegregation struggle and his in-depth review of his encounter with Wallace at Alabama are the strong points.

This book would be a great purchase for anyone with a speck of interest in the politics and policies of the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations. Mr. Katzenbach, who is very bright, liberal, and calm, reflects back, in a style easy to read, on his own career a the center of some of the central issues of a turbulent time--such as passage of the Voting Rights Act, Vietnam, and the discord between Robert Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. The author is especially good at explaining the widely divergent leadership styles of RFK and LBJ. This book does not pretend to be a complete history, but is instead the focused memoirs of a now older man who once was entrusted with top positions at Justice and State during a transformational time in our nation's history. I think Mr. Katsenbach deserves the renewed gratitude of the nation for his quiet leadership and bravery during his entire career in government, but especially for the dangerous spent days upholding the rule of law when helping to ensure voting rights in the South and the racial integration of such higher educational institutions as the University of Alabama.

Now in his mid 80's, Nicholas Katzenbach has authored a fascinating memoir of his years in government service, in the Departments of Justice and State during the JFK and LBJ administrations. In addition to being a fine memoir, his unique perspective on these two presidents, as well as Robert F. Kennedy, combined with the important historical events in which he was involved, render this insider-account an important historical document in its own right. Katzenbach's period of service in DOJ (1961-65), as head of the Office of Legal Counsel, Deputy AG, and finally AG, occurred during some of the most critical periods of American history. Katzenbach recounts his involvement in school desegregation in the South involving George Wallace (even having lived through this period, I found it incredibly bizarre given the election of Barack Obama). But the most valuable perspective the author affords is a really intimate portrait of Robert Kennedy as Attorney General, and later as Senator. RFK is sometimes seen as a distant and cold figure--those holding this view should read this book. The author also was one of those who advocated the creation of the "Warren Commission." After DOJ, thanks to LBJ, Katzenbach became Under Secretary of State (1966-1969). Much as is true with the Kennedys, Katzenbach intimate portrait of LBJ is invaluable, admiring but tempered with some stringent judgments on Johnson. Given his State Dept. position, he was involved in much higher level policy making than at Justice. He recounts important developments in the Vietnam War policy, African diplomacy, and affords us an unique insight into how these important decisions were made (including the role of the so-called "Wise Men" such as Dean Acheson who served as advisors to LBJ). While this material is interesting, clearly I believe Katzenbach saw his center of gravity in government service as occurring during his DOJ years--at least I hope he does. This is not meant to be a "scholarly" treatment--there are no footnotes, or bibliography, though the author is not shy about reminding us that he was a Rhodes Scholar, is a Princeton graduate, attended Yale Law School, and taught and wrote at Chicago Law. Rather, it is a relaxed and extremenly thoughtful recollection of the author's government service during the 1960's--tempered with the passage of 40 years. Katzenback is full of judicious opinions and perceptive insights, and focuses upon the events and personalities rather than himself, which is refreshing in a Washingtion memoir. I am very glad that he chose to record his recollections, and so should anyone else who has an interest in this country during the 1960's.