Chief of Staff: Lyndon Johnson and His Presidency

by W. Marvin Watson and Sherwin Markman

Book Overview

Chief of Staff to the President is perhaps the most important political appointment in our nation's government. Aside from handling the myriad of day to day details that keep the White House running, the Chief of Staff is often the President's closest confidante and gatekeeper--anyone who wants access to the Oval Office goes through the Chief of Staff. President Lyndon Johnson bestrode the American political scene as a colossus of energy, ambition,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312285043
• ISBN13: 9780312285043
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
• Length: 353 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Chief of Staff

I have known the Watson family for many years. They are warm, decent, and honest people. Mr Watson's book does credit to himself and to President Johnson. It was a pleasure to read a book written by an honest man. Dr Ted French Southlake Texas

In the Shadow of A Big Man

Once while visiting Alaska with my family, we saw coming out of a bar a young woman in a peasant blouse who was extremely well endowed above her waist. Later, I asked my five-year-old son what he thought about the woman. "Dad," he said, "those things were so big my little eyes couldn't even see them all." Lyndon Johnson also was so big most eyes could not see all of him. But, Marvin Watson had as close a look as anyone outside Lady Bird and the girls. But therein may be the only problem with this story -- discretion in telling all as long as Lady Bird is alive. Had I been in Watson's position, I also would not want to reveal what many would relish in a true tell all. Nevertheless, you'll get your money's worth for the time Watson faithfully served his big boss in the power center of the world.

Best book on politics I've ever read.

Who would have thought there's such a thing as a book on politics you can't put down? Marvin Watson's Chief of Staff is quite simply one of the best two or three nonfiction books I've read this millennium. Fascinating from start to finish, the book makes presidential politics come alive, vivid even for the politically uninitiated.