You Can't Catch Us: Lady Bird Johnson's Trailblazing 1964 Campaign Train and the Women Who Rode with Her

by Shannon McKenna Schmidt, Suzanne Toren (Narrator)

1,682 miles. The First Lady of the United States. One incredible journey.

At a time when political candidates' wives were expected to be seen and not heard, Lady Bird Johnson made history as the first presidential spouse to take a leading role on the campaign trail. Her to aid her husband, Lyndon B. Johnson, in his reelection bid.

Proud of her southern heritage and of what her husband had done for civil rights, Lady Bird undertook an eight-state whistle-stop tour in October 1964, both to garner votes for Lyndon and to help ease the animosity that arose from the signing of the Civil Rights Act three months earlier.

The "Lady Bird Special," a custom, nineteen-car train, forged headlong into the powder keg of Southern politics, traveling from Washington DC to New Orleans and making forty-seven stops in only four days. Despite the potential dangers, the First Lady, aided by a team of pioneering women, pressed forward, making speeches, shaking hands, and breaking ground.

You Can't Catch Us isn't simply the story of an election campaign. It's the story of a women-led operation and an appeal for understanding and civility. Lady Bird Johnson's monumental journey expanded the role of women in politics and progressed the fight for women's rights—a fight we still continue today.

"Surprising, gripping, and hilarious, this inspiring journey through the American South never derails. Shannon McKenna Schmidt has written a gem of American campaign history. All aboard!"—Margaret McMullan, author of Where the Angels One Family's Story of Exile, Loss, and Return

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, Audiobook, Feminism, Biography, American History

Audible Audio

First published March 3, 2026

About the author

Reader, writer, traveler. Shannon is the author of YOU CAN'T CATCH US: Lady Bird Johnson's Trailblazing 1964 Campaign Train and the Women Who Rode with Her (March 3, 2026) and THE FIRST LADY OF WORLD WAR II: Eleanor Roosevelt's Daring Journey to the Frontlines and Back. She is also the co-author of NOVEL DESTINATIONS: A Travel Guide to Literary Landmarks from Jane Austen's Bath to Ernest Hemingway's Key West, 2nd Edition and WRITERS BETWEEN THE COVERS: The Scandalous Romantic Lives of Legendary Literary Casanovas, Coquettes, and Cads. www.shannonmckennaschmidt.com

Reviews

[Fran Hawthorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This engrossing book tells the wonderful, pioneering, yet surprisingly unknown story of Lady Bird Johnson's "all-women" whistle-stop tour through the South during the 1964 presidential campaign.

Author Shannon McKenna Schmidt conducted vigorous research into reams of primary sources, including letters, diaries, and newspaper articles from the 50 cities of the four-day trip. I'd never thought about the logistics of such an endeavor: In the era before the Internet, how did the reporters on board manage to listen to Lady Bird's speeches, interview spectators, telephone their stories to the news desk, and then jump back onto the moving train? How did they arrange to take showers? (Answer: They didn't, except for one overnight stop.)

Interspersed with the daily itinerary is the important context of the era--the violence and racism of the civil rights struggle, and the glass ceilings that the women on board the Lady Bird Special had to fight in order to get those journalism jobs.

Inevitably, the chapters become somewhat repetitive after awhile. Another cheering crowd; another small group of anti-LBJ hecklers; another speech of Southern charm by the gracious First Lady. But after all, that's what the trip was probably like.

Reading about this tour today is painful--not because the book is bad (it isn't!) but because our current sociopolitical condition is so awful.
Imagine: During the seven-state trip into politically hostile territory, even the most anti-LBJ local officials admonished hecklers who booed or chanted "Fly Home, Lady Bird," urging them to give the office of the First Lady basic courtesy.
Yeah. Right.
Today, Donald Trump and his cultists don't give the US Constitution basic courtesy.

Epilogue: Although the tour was considered a political success, LBJ ended up losing most of the states his wife traveled through--because he had the courage to endorse the nation's most important civil rights bill in a century. For all his flaws, that was a moment of greatness.

[Robert Alexander Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¼ When History, Politics, and Women’s Labor Come Alive

I first noticed You Can’t Catch Us by Shannon McKenna Schmidt before its release on March 3, 2026, and I was immediately interested because I wanted to learn more about Lady Bird Johnson. She is a First Lady who is referenced often, but this book gave me a much clearer understanding of her political significance. Schmidt presents the 1964 campaign train through the Deep South after the passage of the Civil Rights Act as more than a campaign event. She frames it as a historically important moment in American politics, civil rights, and women’s public labor.

This is exactly the kind of history book I appreciate: well researched, engaging, and genuinely page-turning. I was especially fascinated by the argument that Lady Bird Johnson was one of the first First Ladies to truly campaign and politic in a direct and visible way. The book shows how her role extended beyond symbolism and how the women who traveled with her helped shape a political operation in a tense and historically significant moment. It also works well as a study of women in politics, gender, civil rights, and the expanding public role women were beginning to occupy in American life. I had not known this story before, and I finished the book feeling genuinely enlightened.

My only criticisms are minor. I would have appreciated photographs, and I also wanted more about Lady Bird Johnson’s later life, especially whether she continued to support campaigns, politics, or public service after this particular moment. Still, those wishes do not take away from the strength of the book. You Can’t Catch Us is vivid, historically important, and accessible enough for a wide range of readers. Reading it felt like discovering a vital piece of American political history that had been hiding in plain sight, carried forward by Lady Bird Johnson and the women who helped reshape the meaning of campaigning, public service, and political labor. I highly recommend it to readers interested in American history, women’s studies, gender studies, civil rights, and political history.

[Christina Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading You Can't Catch Us felt like I was given the ability to be another member of the team on board the Lady Bird Special.

While I have some background knowledge of the major politics driving the 1964 US presidential election, I have somehow managed to never hear about the incredible work that Lady Bird Johnson and fellow pioneering women did to build and cement support for LBJ in the south. What a tremendous trek in her whistle-stop tour across 8 southern states, with Lady Bird focusing on building bridges, harnessing hope, and undertaking an unprecedented foray into politics for a First Lady.

The book was so detailed about each of the locations she passed through, the speeches and experiences she had at each stop, and how local press and populations reacted to her visits. Plus this book does an excellent job of sharing the backgrounds of the women who made the journey successful through preparations, collaborations, and on the ground support.

When I reached the end and was reminded that all of this took place over a 4 day span, I was honestly so impressed. I learned so much from reading You Can't Catch Us and feel like I was granted a warm, accessible, and comprehensive ride along with the journey of the Lady Bird Special.

[SarahO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a trip! I love reading about First Ladies. They're so fun and inspiring and boy do they have guts! A couple years ago, I read the author's book on Eleanor Roosevelt's trip to the Pacific and loved it so I had a good feeling about this book. I was right! There were some parts that literally had me laughing out loud (something I rarely do with a book).

I can't say I knew much about Lady Bird Johnson, or her president husband, but she truly was an inspiring force. Leading up to the 1964 election, the Johnson candidacy may have been doing well in most of the country but dismal in the South. Having passed the Civil Rights Act earlier that year, LBJ's popularity among fellow southerners was bad enough that in one state he wasn't even on the ballot! It had been less than a year since the JFK assassination, and Johnson was warned that campaigning in the south was a no-go. However, neither one of the Johnsons wanted to abandon the south so it was decided that Lady Bird would take a whistle-stop tour through eight states in four days.

Not only the trip itself, but all the preparations leading up to it were fascinating. Getting together an all woman team to lead and plan the event, finding a lounge car that would work for their purpose (rescuing it from a trash heap), and getting the politicians (or their wives) to join in the tour. Even the Johnson daughters joined in. They were almost as popular as Lady Bird amongst the students who showed up.

I enjoyed every step of this journey and wished many times that I had been there. There were some worrisome parts of the trip, where the hecklers got a bit too rambunctious or someone got too close to the tracks with a gun. My favorite part though is when a woman "bopped" a noisy Goldwater fan for trying to drown-out Lady Bird's speech:
"I'm ashamed of forgetting to act ladylike, but I'm afraid I bopped him." She hit the man twice in the body and then gave him a backhanded slap across the face all while holding her fourteen-month-old daughter.
There's a lot of talk about southern hospitality in this book and this was one instance where a heckler got what was coming to them!

Women's history month might be over but that doesn't mean you should stop reading books like this. As one of the organizers says: "It takes women to have guts."

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. FLOTUS Lady Bird Johnson found herself at the turning point of US Culture as she rides the 1964 Campaign Train for her husband’s presidential campaign. Trailblazing with her daughter and campaign team, they traveled from city to city amidst the Civil Rights Movement, garnering votes for Lyndon Johnson, advocating for equality, and empowering a generation of women to be more than just a quiet, pretty face.

This book could not be more timely with the political climate of today. Lady Bird’s use of Thomas Jefferson’s famous quote really stuck out to me: “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past” (though the book was “better than the history that never was”).

Narrated by Suzanne Toren, this book was very informative and enjoyable, though I felt there were some repetitive parts that could’ve been shortened.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be honest, before now I knew very little about Lady Bird or the LBJ presidency. I knew the basics like he was Kennedys VP and took over after the assassination, that he ran and was voted in for another term, and that he was a major hand in getting the Civil Rights Act. I did not know how much of a partner Lady Bird was to him and how she supported him.
After Kennedys assassination the country feared LBJ getting killed as well but Lady Bird willing went campaigning for him despite the risk and she was instrumental in him getting re-elected. I very much enjoyed learning so much about the women who influenced the presidency and ultimately the course of history.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me want to learn more about Lady Bird Johnson. A fast paced ride through the south during the 1964 presidential campaign. The writing is excellent and the story sucks you in. Great for lovers of History, women's literature, historical fiction and politics. This book needs to be made into a movie!

[Joseph J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative. Delightful. Detailed and for me nostalgic. I was a kid in 1964, but in many ways grew up over the weekend of JFK's assassination. Watching LBJ address the nation first time as President, disembarking Air Force One at Andrews AFB, my mother noted his wife beside him, her" name, a Bird." Here is the unique story of that unexpected First Lady one year later, campaigning for her husband's election in his own right. A campaign through her native South (Alabama) and other states now hostile to her husband's civil rights platform-rudely and viciously hostile. The story of a woman reaching out to Democratic governors and senators, often experiencing their rejection, often winning them over. An uncomfortable four-day tour in a renovated salvaged rear train car (sadly the book lacks pictures) behind sleepers and diners packed with mostly women reporters and staff and security-the last much needed. The rudest and most hostile receptions-I knew of but did not appreciate the extent-in my native South Carolina. Loud supporters of the GOP nominee Goldwater were everywhere, but Columbia and Orangeburg and Charleston, really bad-and no surprise. Always gracious and calm, Lady Bird soldiered on, supported by her daughters Lynda (20) and Luci (27). The author should have noted that Lynda Bird's later East Room wedding would further her political profile as wife to Gov. And Senator Charles "Chuck" Robb. In November Virginia, North Carolina and Florida were saved for LBJ in a landslide nationwide victory. The remainder of the South-a portent for the future-was rock solid GOP, "conservative" defined as anti-civil rights. This book while a hint of the future is a reflection of the past and a determined First Lady charting a unique political odyssey.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very detailed book about a rather unusual presidential campaign organised and ran by a First Lady - Lady Bird Johnson.

On one hand, I found the idea of such a campaign quite impressive. I hadn’t heard about it before, so it was interesting to learn more. I’m always particularly interested in stories that show how women can influence events and create change when they are given the opportunity. Their creativity and problem-solving abilities often stand out, and this book certainly provides many examples of that.
On the other hand, the level of detail makes the book extremely repetitive and, at times, rather boring. The campaign itself lasted only four days, but it included more than 40 rallies and speeches. Most of these appearances were just 5–10 minutes long, yet each involved dozens of local guests, large crowds, and background stories about the towns visited. Perhaps it’s my own limitation, but reading about yet another small town with a handful of residents over and over again quickly became tedious. For readers deeply interested in political campaigning this might be fascinating, but for someone looking for a broader historical perspective it felt excessive.

I also kept wondering how a five-minute speech could truly be a game changer. One person comes, says a few words, then another does the same — and people decide their vote based on that? The more I read about each stop on the tour, the more frustrating this aspect became. Perhaps this reaction simply reflects my own distance from political campaigning, but by the end it made it difficult for me to fully enjoy the book.

Still, it was undeniably an interesting and unusual campaign.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

On October 6, 1964, a decked out nineteen car train left Washington, DC for a four day journey through eight states involving forty-seven stops ending in New Orleans: this was the Lady Bird Special. Lady Bird and her two daughters (Lynda accompanying her for the first two days and Lucy for the final two days) accompanied by as many as 300 people and all the campaign paraphernalia for the various stops to be handed out by recruited college girls and women at the various stops. Liz Carpenter, a former journalist, was Lady Bird’s press secretary and staff director and she chaired the committee to organize this political jaunt in only one month’s notice. Why was this trip thought to be necessary? It was election year, 1964, and LBJ had signed The Civil Rights Act of 1964 while the administration thought they would win the election but knew much of the South could be a problem. Therefore, they sent their best asset out to campaign—a first for a First Lady to do the campaigning without her spouse Various democrats from the state they were journeying with along their spouses were invited to ride on the train or to speak at the chosen stops. Author Shannon McKenna Schmidt and her index of notes is overwhelming but would be beneficial for information on campaigning or for those interested in American campaigning. Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for a digital ARC of this book; this is my personal opinion.

[KylieAtkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Politics (particularly American Politics) is not normally my jam, but the idea of a train full of trailblazing women campaigning in 1964 had me intrigued. And I'm glad I found this fascinating book.

This is thoroughly researched, detailing each day on the four day, eight-state whistle-stop tour in October 1964. I felt like I was right there on the custom, nineteen-car train, aiding Lyndon B. Johnson, in his reelection bid. They made 47 stops and travelled 1682 miles, shaking hands, making speeches, and ignoring the hecklers in a tumultuous time, amid the animosity that arose from the signing of the Civil Rights Act three months earlier.

LBJ's wife, Lady Bird, sounds like an absolute cracker of a woman. She reshaped the role the First Lady in politics, as did her two daughters, Luci and Lynda, who were both impressive in their ability to draw a crowd and speak publicly. But this book is not just about the politics, it's about the fight for women's rights. So many women who rode 'The Lady Bird Special' had wonderful background stories, pushing to be seen in male dominated workplaces.

We’ve come a long way, and these pioneering women helped pave that road. A fascinating, inspiring read.

I listened to this on audio, courtesy of Netgalley and RBMedia and the narrator, Suzanne Toren, did a wonderful job.

[Katie katiek-is-booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You Can't Catch Us" was a fun way to kick off Women's History Month! I am not too familiar with the history of President Johnson's administration or family, so to listen to the story of his wife's involvement and her insistence and political acumen was an excellent introduction.

This story follows Lady Bird Johnson as she takes the train with her own trusted companions and 'advisors' for lack of a better term to states and areas where Pres. Johnson's campaign insisted were "not worth it" because they were "a lost cause". Living through the heartbreaking defeat of Hillary Clinton's run in 2016, and the disinterest they shows states they assumed were "locked in" only to lose, it felt that Lady Bird was before her time insisting on being seen, regardless of assumptions, and talking to everyone. After listening of her campaigning, it felt like Lady Bird would have been just as interesting as Eleanor Roosevelt to speak with (another First Lady known for her involvement, boundary pushing, and political, economic, and social acumen).

The narrator, Suzanne Toren, was perfect. It felt like she spoke for that time period and made the reader feel like they were along for the journey. I would absolutely listen to more narrated titles from Suzanne Toren.

I recommend this title for anyone who is interested in U.S. Women's History and the involvement and work of the First Ladies.

[Benjamin Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Can't Catch Us is the kind of history book that makes you sit up straighter and think why don't we know this story better? Shannon McKenna Schmidt has written a gripping, deeply researched, and genuinely inspiring account of Lady Bird Johnson's extraordinary 1964 whistle-stop campaign through the volatile, powder-keg South.1,682 miles. Forty-seven stops. Four days. A nineteen-car train steaming into communities still raw with anger over the Civil Rights Act. And a First Lady who pressed forward anyway, speaking with grace, courage, and conviction at every single stop.The women-led operation behind this campaign is what truly captivates. At a time when political wives were expected to smile and stay quiet, Lady Bird and her team rewrote the rules entirely. Schmidt captures both the historical significance and the personal courage involved with such skill and care.Timely, thrilling, and genuinely moving. A must-read for anyone who loves political history, women's history, or American history. 🚂🌸

[Kaitlin Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not normally a non-fiction reader, so I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. This book moved quickly, and read more like a narrative than a simple recounting of events, which I enjoyed. I am Canadian, so I had very little knowledge about Ladybird Johnson, or Lynden B. Johnson for that matter, before reading, and I learned a LOT. I listened to the ARC via audiobook, and I also thought the narrator did a great job. She had almost a transatlantic accent, which made me feel like I was listening to an old Hollywood movie script. Overall, I would definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book for review. All ratings and thoughts presented in this review are my own :)

[Theresa Lorenzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I liked the way this book was written, I found it very hard to get into. Politics is an interesting subject and being very young when this event occurred, I was amazed at how it was put together and carried out. That being said, it seemed very repetitive and while I know how it had to be planned down to the minute, I found it just seemed to be the same thing over and over and over.

While interesting on its own merit, it could have used some different information and photos would have been nice. It is an interesting read for political junkies.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a highly informational read that I enjoyed from the start. This is the first book that I have read by Ms Schmidt and she did not disappoint. This book while informative was also upbeat and at times made me long for the days of political campaigns of that era. I also felt at times that I was on the campaign trail with Mrs. Johnson. Overall, this was an enjoyable quick read that I enjoyed from start to finish.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lately, I've been enjoying reading nonfiction about historical events and figures I'm not familiar with. This book kept me interested through all the stops on the first lady's campaign train, with interesting facts about the women who participated and especially those who orchestrated the trip. This is the second book by Shannon McKenna Schmidt that I've read; her work is detailed and engaging, and I look forward to seeing what other topics she delves into for future books.

[Mary Cummins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed story about a little known event when Lady Bird Johnson embarked on a 4 day train trip in Oct of 1964to campaign for her husband in the South.She was met with many hostile Barry Goldwater supporters who opposed her husband’s newly signed Civil Rights Act.Ladybird was a very courageous woman when she embarked on her journey just 10 months after the Kennedy assassination.

[Almeta · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were lots of personal stories but covering every whistle stop along the way, lost my interest.

As a youngster I had a belief in the civil rights movement but only in general terms and awareness of the protests across the country.

Included in this book is this speech. It impressed me.
On the Civil Rights Act
We have talked long enough in this country about equal rights, we have talked for one hundred years or more, it is time now to write the next chapter and to write it in the books of law. The time has come for Americans of all races and creeds and political beliefs to understand and respect one another, so let’s put an end to the teaching and preaching of hate, evil and violence ~ Lydon B. Johnson

[Critter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.

I am not really familiar with this history. I always love trying to learn something new about history. I thought the narrator did a great job with this one. However I did find that this book got a bit repetitive at times. There did feel like a lot of research went into this book.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is amazing, real-life journey about a First Lady breaking with convention and bravely setting out to campaign through the turbulent South during the 1960s. Lady Bird Johnson and her train full of gutsy, progressive ladies won the votes and the hearts of the Southern States.

[Elizabeth Kuntz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was interesting to read that the same topics we hear about in the media today were the same topics discussed in the 60s disappointing that women still struggle with rights. Violence still happens, people still want their voice heard. History repeats.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read for people who enjoy women's history and political history. Highly recommend!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit dry but interesting

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating political history of a tour of the South that shattered glass ceilings.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting history about the Johnsons and the Civil Rights Act