About the Book
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, and purpose. He attempted to achieve no less then the total eradication of poverty and expended every last ounce of his political capitol with Congress to pass Civil Rights legislation. And, throughout, he was--as he knew better than anyone else--being destroyed by a war he inherited, detested, and could do nothing to stop.
With W. Marvin Watson, his Chief of Staff and most intimate adviser, finally revealing what he knows about this extraordinary figure, readers are taken, firsthand, inside the presidential life and times of Lyndon Johnson.
About the Author :
In 1958 W. Marvin Watson created one of the first Johnson-for-President clubs in Texas. As a result of his early work on Johnson's behalf, Watson was appointed a White House special assistant in 1965 and assumed the job of White House chief of staff after Bill Moyers resigned that position in 1966.
Sherwin Markman was a special assistant to LBJ until 1968. He went on to work as a senior trial lawyer for Hogan & Hartson until 1992. He is the author of a novel, The Election, and the editor of Lyndon Johnson Remembered: An Intimate Portrait of a President.
Review :
Marvin Watson was the loyal keeper at the gate. His memories should be a bountiful addition to the story of those yeasty years.--Lady Bird Johnson
For those of us who have served presidents, this is a fascinating insight into the role of chief of staff and the politics of Lyndon Johnson.--Leon Panetta, White House chief of staff for President Clinton
For most of Lyndon Johnson's presidency, Marvin Watson was the 'tough Marine sergeant' (LBJ's description) who served as the sentry at the gate and was closer to the seat of power than anyone except for the man who occupied it. He saw the events, the actors, the drama of that yeasty and turbulent time from a unique perspective. Marvin Watson's voice, silent through the intervening years, is now finally heard, speaking with a special authority. Listen carefully.--Harry Middleton, executive director of the LBJ Library and author of LBJ: The White House Years
Marvin Watson was the loyal keeper at the gate. His memories should be a bountiful addition to the story of those yeasty years. Lady Bird Johnson
Chief of Staff brings back memories of many years that my husband and I were privileged to be a part of...This is a most interesting, colorful, and educational book about how President Johnson and his assistants (especially his Chief of Staff Marvin Watson) together ran, managed, and protected our country. A great read for all Americans! Nellie Connally, widow of former Texas governor John Connally and author of the bestselling From Love Field
For those of us who have served presidents, this is a fascinating insight into the role of chief of staff and the politics of Lyndon Johnson. Leon Panetta, White House chief of staff for President Clinton
For most of Lyndon Johnson's presidency, Marvin Watson was the 'tough Marine sergeant' (LBJ's description) who served as the sentry at the gate and was closer to the seat of power than anyone except for the man who occupied it. He saw the events, the actors, the drama of that yeasty and turbulent time from a unique perspective. Marvin Watson's voice, silent through the intervening years, is now finally heard, speaking with a special authority. Listen carefully. Harry Middleton, executive director of the LBJ Library and author of LBJ: The White House Years
"
Marvin Watson was the loyal keeper at the gate. His memories should be a bountiful addition to the story of those yeasty years. Lady Bird Johnson
"Chief of Staff" brings back memories of many years that my husband and I were privileged to be a part of...This is a most interesting, colorful, and educational book about how President Johnson and his assistants (especially his Chief of Staff Marvin Watson) together ran, managed, and protected our country. A great read for all Americans! "Nellie Connally, widow of former Texas governor John Connally and author of the bestselling From Love Field"
For those of us who have served presidents, this is a fascinating insight into the role of chief of staff and the politics of Lyndon Johnson. Leon Panetta, White House chief of staff for President Clinton
For most of Lyndon Johnson's presidency, Marvin Watson was the 'tough Marine sergeant' (LBJ's description) who served as the sentry at the gate and was closer to the seat of power than anyone except for the man who occupied it. He saw the events, the actors, the drama of that yeasty and turbulent time from a unique perspective. Marvin Watson's voice, silent through the intervening years, is now finally heard, speaking with a special authority. Listen carefully. Harry Middleton, executive director of the LBJ Library and author of LBJ: The White House Years"
"Marvin Watson was the loyal keeper at the gate. His memories should be a bountiful addition to the story of those yeasty years."
- Lady Bird Johnson
""Chief of Staff" brings back memories of many years that my husband and I were privileged to be a part of...This is a most interesting, colorful, and educational book about how President Johnson and his assistants (especially his Chief of Staff Marvin Watson) together ran, managed, and protected our country. A great read for all Americans!"
- Nellie Connally, widow of former Texas governor John Connally and author of the bestselling "From Love Field"
"For those of us who have served presidents, this is a fascinating insight into the role of chief of staff and the politics of Lyndon Johnson."
- Leon Panetta, White House chief of staff for President Clinton
"For most of Lyndon Johnson's presidency, Marvin Watson was the 'tough Marine sergeant' (LBJ's description) who served as the sentry at the gate and was closer to the seat of power than anyone except for the man who occupied it. He saw the events, the actors, the drama of that yeasty and turbulent time from a unique perspective. Marvin Watson's voice, silent through the intervening years, is now finally heard, speaking with a special authority. Listen carefully."
- Harry Middleton, executive director of the LBJ Library and author of "LBJ: The White House Years"
