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 thirty-sixth 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.
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“One of the better White House ‘palace guard’ memoirs of late—a compassionate, blessedly self-effacing tribute to a president who ‘put the thumb of government on the scale for the vulnerable among us.’”
— Kirkus Reviews
“A revealing anecdote-laden work…Califano…can really write. Four stars.”
— USA Today“Wonderful book…Johnson leaps out of the pages in all his raw and earthy glory.”
— New York Times Book Review“A walk through the [most tumultuous] half-decade from 1964 to 1969…Oh what anecdotes. Johnson leaves you breathless, disbelieving, aghast…Recommended without reservation.”
— Washington Post Book World“As close as we’ll ever come to seeing Johnson in action with our mind’s eye, thanks to Califano’s descriptions and care.”
— Los Angeles Times“Narrator Norman Dietz uses clear diction and a measured pace…This is a worthwhile listen with broad audience appeal.”
— AudioFileCalifano, who went on to become secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, has written an intimate, balanced and basically sympathetic portrait of the 36th president.
— Publishers WeeklyBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Joseph A. Califano Jr. is the founder of The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASAColumbia). He served as US Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and has written several books. He lives in Westport, Connecticut.
Norman Dietz is a writer, voice-over artist, and audiobook narrator. He has won numerous Earphones Awards and was named one of the fifty “Best Voices of the Century” by AudioFile magazine. He and his late wife, Sandra, transformed an abandoned ice-cream parlor into a playhouse, which served “the world’s best hot fudge sundaes” before and after performances. The founder of Theatre in the Works, he lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.