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komet2020's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Madeleine Brown (1925-2002) in her memoir, Texas in the Morning speaks at length about her relationship with Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ), whom she first met at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas in 1948, when then Congressman Johnson was running for the U.S. Senate. LBJ was a charmer and an instant rapport developed between the 2 after they had been introduced. Madeleine was working for a major advertising agency at the time in Dallas. She was then in her early 20s and was married to a man whose sanity had been shattered by his wartime experiences as a Marine in World War II. He became an abusive husband, so much so that she had to get a separation from him. He was later institutionalized because he had been judged to be a danger to society. By that time, Madeleine (who came from a loving, supportive family) had a son by her husband. (They would divorce in 1955.)
Madeleine fell deeply in love with LBJ. He was much besotted with her, too, and their relationship would last for close to 25 years. Whenever possible, they would have discreet assignations in a private hotel suite when LBJ could get away from Washington to be in Texas. According to what he told Madeleine, his marriage to Lady Bird was more of a formal, working relationship. Lady Bird, unlike LBJ, had come from a wealthy family and LBJ knew by marrying her, he would need that wealth to help build his political career. Madeleine had a child by LBJ in 1950 to whom he provided financial support which extended beyond LBJ's death in January 1973.
The book offers snippets into the life of LBJ as he became a powerful force in Washington as Senate Majority Leader during the 1950s, as well as further solidifying his power and influence in TX, which was considerable (!) Madeleine recounts a number of conversations she had with LBJ from the time of the 1960 campaign to his time as Vice President. She knew a lot of the most powerful people in Texas society and politics, mostly from her work as an advertising executive.
There are also some comments about LBJ's relationship with the Kennedys that would be of considerable interest to anyone fascinated with U.S. history and personal relationships among historical personages of power and influence. In one of the most intriguing revelations in Texas in the Morning, Madeleine shares with the reader at some considerable length, what she observed at a private party she attended in Dallas on the night of November 21, 1963 where there were plenty of movers and shakers in local and national politics, as well as high finance. LBJ was among them, and what he said to Madeleine in confidence that night was startling. I won't shed further light on that, except to say if you --- the reader of this review --- are so keen to know the details, read this book.
For me, Texas in the Morning is a keeper. It's a book I am very much inclined to read again in the foreseeable future.
Madeleine fell deeply in love with LBJ. He was much besotted with her, too, and their relationship would last for close to 25 years. Whenever possible, they would have discreet assignations in a private hotel suite when LBJ could get away from Washington to be in Texas. According to what he told Madeleine, his marriage to Lady Bird was more of a formal, working relationship. Lady Bird, unlike LBJ, had come from a wealthy family and LBJ knew by marrying her, he would need that wealth to help build his political career. Madeleine had a child by LBJ in 1950 to whom he provided financial support which extended beyond LBJ's death in January 1973.
The book offers snippets into the life of LBJ as he became a powerful force in Washington as Senate Majority Leader during the 1950s, as well as further solidifying his power and influence in TX, which was considerable (!) Madeleine recounts a number of conversations she had with LBJ from the time of the 1960 campaign to his time as Vice President. She knew a lot of the most powerful people in Texas society and politics, mostly from her work as an advertising executive.
There are also some comments about LBJ's relationship with the Kennedys that would be of considerable interest to anyone fascinated with U.S. history and personal relationships among historical personages of power and influence. In one of the most intriguing revelations in Texas in the Morning, Madeleine shares with the reader at some considerable length, what she observed at a private party she attended in Dallas on the night of November 21, 1963 where there were plenty of movers and shakers in local and national politics, as well as high finance. LBJ was among them, and what he said to Madeleine in confidence that night was startling. I won't shed further light on that, except to say if you --- the reader of this review --- are so keen to know the details, read this book.
For me, Texas in the Morning is a keeper. It's a book I am very much inclined to read again in the foreseeable future.
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