First published 1997
Michael Beschloss examines the secretly recorded conversations of Lyndon Johnson from his first day as president through his 1964 election victory. Johnson had ordered these tapes sealed until 2023, but their early release provides unprecedented access to presidential decision making during a critical period. Beschloss transcribes and analyzes conversations that reveal Johnson's private suspicions about Kennedy's assassination, including his belief that Castro may have backed a conspiracy despite publicly supporting the Warren Commission findings. The recordings capture Johnson's early doubts about winning a land war in Vietnam even as he prepared for military action. They show his fears that Communist agitators and Malcolm X might incite riots after he signed the Civil Rights Act, potentially triggering white backlash. The tapes also document Johnson's personal relationships with Lady Bird Johnson, Jacqueline Kennedy, former presidents Truman and Eisenhower, and White House staff. Beschloss provides historical context that illuminates the crises and controversies captured in these private moments, offering readers an intimate portrait of how Johnson wielded power during America's transition from tragedy to tumultuous change.
Genres: biography, history, 20th-century, political-science, united-states, american-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-fiction, political-thriller
Setting: Vietnam, White House
Period: 1960s, Cold War, Civil Rights Movement
Audio CD · Simon & Schuster Audio