Lady Bird and Lyndon: The Hidden Story of a Marriage That Made a President

A fresh look at Lady Bird Johnson that upends her image as a plain Jane who was married for her money and mistreated by Lyndon. This Lady Bird worked quietly behind the scenes through every campaign, every illness, and a trying presidency as a key strategist, fundraiser, barnstormer, peacemaker, and indispensable therapist.

Lady Bird grew up the daughter of a domineering father and a cultured but fragile mother. When a tall, pushy Texan named Lyndon showed up in her life, she knew what she wanted: to leave the rural Texas of her childhood and experience the world like her mother dreamed, while climbing the mountain of ambition she inherited from her father. She married Lyndon within weeks, and the bargain they struck was tacitly agreed upon in the courtship letters they exchanged: this highly gifted politician would take her away, and she would save him from his weaknesses.

The conventional story goes that Lyndon married Lady Bird for her money, demeaned her by flaunting his many affairs, and that her legacy was protecting the nations wildflowers. But she was actually a full political partner throughout his ascent—the one who swooped in to make the key call to a donor, to keep the team united, to campaign in hostile territory, and to jumpstart him out of his paralyzing darkness. And while others were shocked that she put up with his womanizing, she always knew she had the upper hand.

Lady Bird began the partnership by using part of her nest egg to help finance Lyndons first political campaign. Over and over, she kept him from quitting, including the 1948 election when he was so immobilized with self-pity that she had to pick up the phone to solicit donations on his behalf. She was also the one who got him out of bed, when he was in a deep funk, to go to the 1964 Democratic nominating convention.

In Lady Bird and Lyndon, Betty Boyd Caroli restores Lady Bird to her rightful place in history, painting a vivid portrait of a marriage with complex, but familiar and identifiable overtones.

"Engrossing and perceptive. . . . Caroli shows that  Mrs. Johnson played a crucial part in getting her husband to the White House and  through the presidency. One of the essential studies of a modern first lady written by one of the masters of the field." Lewis L. Gould, author of Lady Bird Johnson: Our Environmental First Lady

“This inside look at the marriage of Lady Bird and Lyndon provides stunningly fresh insights into the well-examined political soul of Lyndon Johnson. But the star of this story is Lady Bird, and out of Carolis strikingly original portrait of this strong, smart woman emerges an irresistible tale of politics, ambition, and the power of unconditional marital love." David Maraniss, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of First in His Class: A Biography of Bill Clinton

"With a shrewd and clear eye, Betty Caroli has redefined one of the most compelling marriages of 20th century American politics. Lady Bird Johnson has always been seen as the loyal supporter of her charismatic husband Lyndon, enduring his wounding outbursts, unceasing demands, and flagrant infidelities. Now, in this absorbing study, Lady Bird finally takes center stage, showing the strength and resilience behind her soft Southern manner, and we see for the first time her political acuity and business savvy, which were essential to Lyndons success. Betty Caroli deeply understands the couples temperamental dynamic, and skillfully reveals how deftly Lady Bird worked behind the scenes: building bridges, offering wise advice, keeping her volatile husband steady during his darkest moments, and helping him turn his sweeping ambitions into action." Sally Bedell Smith, author of For Love of Politics: Inside the Clinton White House and Grace and Power: The Private World of the Kennedy White House

"In Lady Bird and Lyndon, Betty Caroli takes us inside the biggest mystery there is: a 40-year political marriage. The romance, love affair and partnership between Miss Claudia Taylor and Lyndon Baines Johnson are all here for the first time--and so are their struggles and heartbreaks, a reminder that politics is complicated but family is even more so." Michael Duffy & Nancy Gibbs, coauthors of The Presidents Club

"A touching, sympathetic portrait of a successful marriage despite the agony and the stress, emphasizing Lady Bird Johnson's spectacular inner grit. . . . Caroli does an impressive job refuting [Lady Bird's] 'doormat' reputation . . . by underscoring the symbiotic relationship that mutually sustained the couple through their whole lives. . . . An engaging dual biography of a most intriguing power couple." Kirkus Reviews

Betty Boyd Caroli is the author of andlt;iandgt;Lady Bird and Lyndonandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;First Ladies: Martha Washington to Michelle Obamaandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Inside the White Houseandlt;/iandgt;, and andlt;iandgt;The Roosevelt Womenandlt;/iandgt;. She has been a guest on andlt;iandgt;Todayandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;The Oandrsquo;Reilly Factorandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Lehrer NewsHourandlt;/iandgt;, Al Jazeeraandlt;iandgt;, Booknotesandlt;/iandgt; with Brian Lamb, and many others. A graduate of Oberlin College, Caroli holds a masterandrsquo;s degree in Mass Communications from the Annenberg School of the University of Pennsylvania and a PhD in American Civilization from New York University. She currently resides in New York City and Venice, Italy.