Lady Bird and Lyndon: The Hidden Story of a Marriage That Made a President Hardcover – October 27, 2015

This was a sad story in many ways. I realize that in the past intelligent and ambitious women often had to find their way to success by marrying. That seems to be one reason why Claudia Taylor finally succumbed to Lyndon Johnson. He was attractive then, he was ambitious, and he was her way out of Texas into another world. But, Lordy, what a deal she struck. He was also a spoiled, coarse bully, and probably bipolar to boot (judging from hindsight). She stuck with him despite the humiliations, the very public adulteries, the constant ego massaging he needed, the requirement to put him above and beyond the needs of her daughters, the continuous placating of friends and allies he bullied. When he was in the depths of depression, she seemed to be the only one who could reach him. And despite her loyalty, her nonstop attention to him, Lady Bird seemed to be afraid in 1959-60 he might divorce her for a younger woman. It is obvious that Caroli despised LBJ and there are not many positive things she has to say about him except his achievements as President before the quagmire of Vietnam brought about the end of his political career. After his death Lady Bird had almost forty years to carve out another life for herself, a life full of friends, family and achievement. I always admired her and after reading this particular version of her partnersip with LBJ, I admire her even more for her unending patience and service, but I do wish she could have clouted him a few times. This was a fascinating book. What is frightening to think about is the fact that from November 22, 1963, until August 1974, the U.S. was governed by two men who definitely were not psychologically healthy.

Having recently visited the LBJ Library and Ranch, read Robert Caro's Passage of Power and watched ALL THE WAY on HBO I was particularly attuned to the Johnson's. In this look at the life of Lady Bird Johnson, author Betty Boyd Caroli captures the unique relationship between the president and the first lady. The photo on the cover does must to tell the story of "Bird" who - for the public - was behind the scenes, but in reality the engine that kept LBJ going. The president does not always come off very well in the book. He's a womanizer, paranoid, moody, and can generally be a miserable SOB. But with Bird's tender hand, he could be directed and guided.Bird put up with a lot staying with Lyndon. Many women would have left. But they had a deep and abiding love for each other and but for her, he may not have made the political advancement that he did. She was often able to smooth over some of his rough edges and also bring friends and staff back into the LBJ fold after he had insulted them or treated them badly.Lady Bird Johnson's intelligence, knowledge and general ability to deal with people and circumstance have largely been overlooked by historians. Caroli takes a fresh look at this first lady who holds the distinction of having the longest term of secret service protection of any other person afforded the service. This fresh look provides a unique look at the life in Washington for political insiders, life in the White House and life with one of the most complex men to every occupy the Oval Office.If you want to understand Lyndon Johnson - understanding Lady Bird and her role in his life is essential. LADY BIRD AND LYNSON are a good way to gain that understanding.

Betty Boyd Caroli's biography of Lady Bird Johnson, "Lady Bird and Lyndon: The Hidden Story of a Marriage That Made a President", is a well-written look at one of the most famous and yet, curious, political marriages in US history. Claudia Alta Taylor - known throughout her life as "Lady Bird" - was a calm, smart southern lady who hitched herself to a rising political star when she married Lyndon Baines Johnson. She literally devoted her life to the care and feeding of Johnson - who called her "Bird"; often times to the detriment of raising two daughters. Like many couples devoted to each other, the daughters knew who came first in their parents' lives and affections.Reading Caroli's book and noting the emotional ups-and-downs that seemed to afflict Lyndon Johnson his whole life, it's not difficult to speculate on his deep need for a wife to keep him in balance, particularly in the eyes of the world. And "Bird" did just that for her husband. She followed behind him, cleaning up his messes, and in some cases taking the blame for problems. Was Lady Bird Johnson an enabler for her husband? Sure seemed like it, but then so are many women married to "difficult" men. "Bird" acknowledged her husband's attractions to other women, seemingly unconcerned about the affairs he conducted, some quite openly. But she was always sure he needed her and would stay with her. (But there were a couple of "other" women...)Betty Caroli's book touches on all the parts of Lady Bird's life, from her childhood loss of her mother and her idealisation of her father, a larger-than-life figure. He was replaced by Lyndon - maybe that was a bit of LBJ's initial attraction to Lady Bird - and continues through her education at UT, marriage to Johnson, the raising of their two daughters, and her financial management. But it is in noting Lady Bird's political life - both "behind" Lyndon as he built his political career, and then as First Lady - that Caroli's biography shines. Her book is an excellent look at a political life and a political marriage and all the tact and smarts it takes to succeed at both.

This book completely overlooks the assassination of JFK as well as the masterful legislative accomplishments of LBJ. The author focuses entirely on Lyndon’s substantial flaws without much insight as to why Lady Bird loved him and supported his efforts in spite of those flaws. The writing style did not make me want to read her other books.

This book is fantastic! Who,would have thought these 2 were so interesting. I was young when they were in the White House, and they seemed very boring. Nothing could be further from the truth. Read this book, it is an inspiration for women who survive all sorts of situations. Well written and fast paced.

Gift for my mother - great book especially for those of us that remember President Johnson and Lady Bird.

Totally admire Lady Bird. Good read.