The Professional Lyndon B. Johnson

Beautifully signed on half title page: With best wishes, Lyndon B Johnson. (Signature is in fact suspiciously perfect). LBJ was a prolific user of secretarial and autopen signatures. It is possible that this may be an autopen signature. Book is bound in red cloth and is in fine condition. Dust Jacket has one inch tear at top of front impacting LBJ's head (see picture) and two minor tears at top on back. Clean text. Unclipped ($5.00). Protected by Brodart book jacket cover.

The author William S. White met 23-year-old Lyndon Johnson in Washington, both Texans, when Johnson worked as a Congressional staffer for Representative Richard Kleberg (D-TX) and White was a reporter for the Associated Press. "No one in Washington stands much higher in Lyndon Johnson's affection," Time reported. "The President loyally reads White's column . . . and he is not above calling White for advice . . . Johnson pays White the ultimate compliment of putting nothing off the record, relying on the total discretion of his friend." Over the years their friendship became close and personal.

As described by Johnson biographer Robert Caro, Johnson's Boss Congressman Kleberg was a staunch conservative, and took a dim view of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, which he regarded as socialist if not outright Communist in character. Nevertheless, he was persuaded by Lyndon Johnson to vote for certain key New Deal policies that he personally opposed when it was brought to his attention that they enjoyed significant support among his constituents.