The life and presidency of Lyndon Baines Johnson could never be summed up in a word, phrase, or sentence. Even hundreds of pages seem insufficient to capture Johnson's years. Both books present Johnson as a political figure as powerful and memorable as Lincoln or FDR, each attempting to give a complete picture of this immense man. History books will forever remain intrigued by this enigma of man, as will readers and students. The biggest challenge is determining how one feels about Johnson's actions and effects. Many presidents can be considered almost entirely "good" or "bad" depending on one's political ideology and views. However, when looking at Johnson, it is easier, almost inevitable, to find nuances and contradictions that make the formation of opinions simple and binary. difficult, if not impossible. Accomplishments are followed by persistent failures, and triumphs are overshadowed by incessant criticism. These two books (Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream by Doris Kearns Goodwin and A Life: LBJ by Irwin and Debi Unger) attempt to present the story of a character who is larger than life, yet is only a ordinary man underneath. Both books tell the story, but leave it up to the reader to decide how to feel, to decide whether good outweighs bad and vice versa. They must decide what to make of this man who, in his life, has been a confident young senator, a triumphant president, a defeated and tired leader, until finally a simple old man hoping for his story to live on. In just 6 years, Johnson went from a newly elected senator to the most powerful man in the Senate. (Unger, 180) This rapid rise was unprecedented and fascinating and Johnson's journey there is arguably as important as his presidency. Both books use Johnson's quotes...... middle of paper ......uotes. (Goodwin, 280) Looking at the section on the Vietnam War, one can see a trend that applies to both books overall: Goodwin's book is more of a look at Johnson as the man himself , the book resolves completely around him. On the other hand, Unger of course focuses on Johnson, but this is more of an account of the period and how Johnson affected it. You always have to consider bias and point of view when reading a book, and Goodwin and Unger's account of the life of Lyndon B. Johnson contain both. However, as long as you understand this, you will be able to form your own opinion about Johnson. This opinion will certainly never be complete, because it will never be possible to form an opinion on a man as complicated and nuanced as Johnson. But as long as you know the facts and read the story, you'll be able to decide what to think of this larger-than-life man..