Experimental Blog #33

Comments on "Lyndon B. Johnson" by Charles Peters

The author of this book from the Schlesinger-Wilentz American Presidents series has worked in Democratic Party campaigns and administrations since 1960, so his political sympathies should be very clear. He also has a large number of interconnected sources that give him a well founded perspective.
The description of Lyndon B. Johnson's, that is, LBJ's, early years in what must be central Texas, although rather brief, is, as usual, very interesting. LBJ's long Washington DC political life begins very early in 1931, when he is 23 years old.
Although already a congressman, Lyndon Johnson actually flew on one combat mission during World War II in a B-26 two engine bomber as a fact finding Naval Observer. This airplane was attacked by a squadron of Japanese Zeros{fighter airplanes} and endured very intense fire, but amazingly escaped being shot down.
Charles Peters' descriptions of LBJ's habitual, humiliating, and crude language and behavior is quite explicit, and this characteristic language and behavior in itself would make Lyndon Johnson one of America's controversial presidents.
However, the author rates Lyndon Baines Johnson as a near great American President because of his almost unequalled record of legislative accomplishments in civil rights and "Great Society" welfare programs. Although these latter programs seem to have been largely demolished by President Ronald Reagan, and other following presidents.
Charles Peters' account of the growing engagement in the War in Viet Nam is also very informative.