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Lady Bird: A Biography of Mrs. Johnson
A fresh portrait of the first lady uncovers new evidence of Lady Bird Johnson's strength and influence, revealing a passionate conservationist and civil rights supporter supporting a president who was not always so faithful to her. 40,000 first printing. Tour.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published August 16, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 19, 2015
I read the Robert A. Caro biography series on Lyndon B. Johnson, Lady Bird was of course, mentioned in the book. I just completed reading “ Lady Bird: A Biography of Mrs. Johnson” by Jan Jarboe Russell and I am surprised at how much I learned about both lady Bird Johnson but also LBJ from this book.
Russell reveals that after three years into her research for the book she received an icy letter from Mrs. Johnson abruptly ending their interviews. Lady Bird was 86 years old and freely cooperating with the author until Russell pressed her about LBJ’s affairs and long time mistress Alice Glass. Russell went into great detail about LBJ’s affairs rather than just mentioning them it passing.
The author states LBJ was born poor but lady Bird was born into a rich Southern family. She lived most of her early life in Alabama. She was raised by her black Nanny who named her Lady Bird. She was born Claudia Alta Taylor. Lady Bird's mother died when she was just 5 years old and she was raised mainly by her mother’s sister. Her father and uncle were successful businessmen and taught Lady Bird about business and money. Lady Bird grew up with servants and had never done house work until she married LBJ.
Russell covers Lady Bird's early life, college and marriage. The book provides lots of photographs. I found it interesting that during the WWII when LBJ was in the Navy, Lady Bird took over running his Congressional office and did so successfully. Russell states Lady Bird felt she could not be financially secure depending on LBJ’s politic career as it could end at any time, so she set off to earn her own money. Lady Bird is the only first lady in history to have built and retained a fortune (multimillions) with her own money. She built herself a diversified business empire and ran it on her own. She was noted to be an astute business woman. Lady Bird raises two children, ran a home for a domineering and demanding husband, and ran her own business empire all in the background of her husband’s career.
The author claims Lady Bird’s biggest challenge was being faced with LBJ’s infidelities. LBJ carried on a long term affair with Alice Glass, the wife of Charles Marsh, the wealthy publisher of the Austin American-Statesman. Russell also goes into detail about LBJ’s affairs with Helen Gahagan Douglas, the former actress and California congress woman. Like Eleanor Roosevelt and Jackie Kennedy, Lady Bird refused to play the part of the wronged wife. Instead, she battled her private misery by spearheading worthy causes, including the beautification of American and her crusade on behalf of the environment.
The book is loaded with information about Lady Bird, but is at times awkwardly written; the extensive research by the author does off set this awkwardness with its substantive information. Overall the book does provide one with a good understanding of Lady Bird Johnson. I obtained this book from my local library.
Russell reveals that after three years into her research for the book she received an icy letter from Mrs. Johnson abruptly ending their interviews. Lady Bird was 86 years old and freely cooperating with the author until Russell pressed her about LBJ’s affairs and long time mistress Alice Glass. Russell went into great detail about LBJ’s affairs rather than just mentioning them it passing.
The author states LBJ was born poor but lady Bird was born into a rich Southern family. She lived most of her early life in Alabama. She was raised by her black Nanny who named her Lady Bird. She was born Claudia Alta Taylor. Lady Bird's mother died when she was just 5 years old and she was raised mainly by her mother’s sister. Her father and uncle were successful businessmen and taught Lady Bird about business and money. Lady Bird grew up with servants and had never done house work until she married LBJ.
Russell covers Lady Bird's early life, college and marriage. The book provides lots of photographs. I found it interesting that during the WWII when LBJ was in the Navy, Lady Bird took over running his Congressional office and did so successfully. Russell states Lady Bird felt she could not be financially secure depending on LBJ’s politic career as it could end at any time, so she set off to earn her own money. Lady Bird is the only first lady in history to have built and retained a fortune (multimillions) with her own money. She built herself a diversified business empire and ran it on her own. She was noted to be an astute business woman. Lady Bird raises two children, ran a home for a domineering and demanding husband, and ran her own business empire all in the background of her husband’s career.
The author claims Lady Bird’s biggest challenge was being faced with LBJ’s infidelities. LBJ carried on a long term affair with Alice Glass, the wife of Charles Marsh, the wealthy publisher of the Austin American-Statesman. Russell also goes into detail about LBJ’s affairs with Helen Gahagan Douglas, the former actress and California congress woman. Like Eleanor Roosevelt and Jackie Kennedy, Lady Bird refused to play the part of the wronged wife. Instead, she battled her private misery by spearheading worthy causes, including the beautification of American and her crusade on behalf of the environment.
The book is loaded with information about Lady Bird, but is at times awkwardly written; the extensive research by the author does off set this awkwardness with its substantive information. Overall the book does provide one with a good understanding of Lady Bird Johnson. I obtained this book from my local library.
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December 1, 2025Great biography of Lady Bird, such a fascinating woman!
July 19, 2023
Jackie O gets a lot of attention but it is Lady Bird who deserves all the respect. She’s a fascinating woman. I had no idea how much she contributed to LBJs political life. I also didn’t know she owned her own radio and TV stations in Austin back in the 50s. She’s smart and complex and I love reading about her.
It’s weird living in, y’all. I never put two and two together and recognized how remarkable it is that a Texas Democrat was president and passed the Civil Rights Act. I just consider it a red state and assume it’s always been that way.
The one issue I have with the book is that the author interviewed her for three years and, eventually, Bird decided to sever the relationship and no longer work with her. It likely had to do with how often the author focuses on LBJ’s infidelity. Nevertheless, I want to read a Bird-approved biography the next time I’m ready to learn more about her.
Read this book!!
It’s weird living in, y’all. I never put two and two together and recognized how remarkable it is that a Texas Democrat was president and passed the Civil Rights Act. I just consider it a red state and assume it’s always been that way.
The one issue I have with the book is that the author interviewed her for three years and, eventually, Bird decided to sever the relationship and no longer work with her. It likely had to do with how often the author focuses on LBJ’s infidelity. Nevertheless, I want to read a Bird-approved biography the next time I’m ready to learn more about her.
Read this book!!
May 24, 2016
I don't usually rate books with 1 or 2 stars, because I don't usually finish books I don't like and don't feel it is fair to rate them if I don't finish them. In this case, however, I wanted the information about Lady Bird Johnson in preparation for reading Robert Caro's biography of LBJ. That being said, there were parts of this book that I liked, but overall it was disappointing.
I thought she did a good job in telling Lady Bird's experience of the assassination of JFK and her whistle-stop tour through the South in preparation for the 1964 election. However for most of the book, rather than a telling of Lady Bird's story, it seemed to be more of a platform for the author to give her opinion of Lady Bird and LBJ. And the opinions didn't appear at the end of the narrative as a conclusion, but were interspersed throughout resulting in constant repetition of the same ideas - LBJ was a weak, egomaniacal, womanizer, and Lady Bird was a "proper stoic Southern" lady who subjugated herself to the men in her life. While these things may be true, the book is based on interviews with the subject as well as many of her friends and acquaintances, and I would have preferred to hear their opinions more often than those of the author.
There was also little historical background given in the book. This wasn't really a problem for me as I've read about this time period and lived through part of it, but it would be for some other readers. I don't restrict my reading of history only to authors with history degrees. I've read some great books written by journalists, in particular, which were very well-researched, but this isn't one of them. Most of her sources appear to be interviews and oral biographies written by others. I think this book would have been better if it also had been written and presented as an oral biography. Although, this might not have been possible since after 3 years of interviews, Lady Bird ended her association with the author and project after the author published an article about LBJ's infidelities.
Overall, I would say look elsewhere for information about Lady Bird Johnson.
Publisher's Weekly says it was written "in part as a corrective to Robert Caro's multi-volume LBJ bio," but at least two reviews I read said that there was little new information. I'll try to remember to make a note here after I finish The Path to Power.
I thought she did a good job in telling Lady Bird's experience of the assassination of JFK and her whistle-stop tour through the South in preparation for the 1964 election. However for most of the book, rather than a telling of Lady Bird's story, it seemed to be more of a platform for the author to give her opinion of Lady Bird and LBJ. And the opinions didn't appear at the end of the narrative as a conclusion, but were interspersed throughout resulting in constant repetition of the same ideas - LBJ was a weak, egomaniacal, womanizer, and Lady Bird was a "proper stoic Southern" lady who subjugated herself to the men in her life. While these things may be true, the book is based on interviews with the subject as well as many of her friends and acquaintances, and I would have preferred to hear their opinions more often than those of the author.
There was also little historical background given in the book. This wasn't really a problem for me as I've read about this time period and lived through part of it, but it would be for some other readers. I don't restrict my reading of history only to authors with history degrees. I've read some great books written by journalists, in particular, which were very well-researched, but this isn't one of them. Most of her sources appear to be interviews and oral biographies written by others. I think this book would have been better if it also had been written and presented as an oral biography. Although, this might not have been possible since after 3 years of interviews, Lady Bird ended her association with the author and project after the author published an article about LBJ's infidelities.
Overall, I would say look elsewhere for information about Lady Bird Johnson.
Publisher's Weekly says it was written "in part as a corrective to Robert Caro's multi-volume LBJ bio," but at least two reviews I read said that there was little new information. I'll try to remember to make a note here after I finish The Path to Power.
August 13, 2015
This biographical work concerning Lady Bird Johnson provides an overview of her life as a child, congressional wife, and First Lady. It is, however, at best an overview of most of these. It is unfortunate that Russell chooses instead to focus on Mrs. Johnson's ability to "look past" LBJ's well documented indiscretions. Russell focuses the majority of her work on discussing Lady Bird's stoicism and strength.
While it is no doubt true that Lady Bird was the exemplar of both of those assets, there is much more to her legacy as First Lady. It would have been quite helpful if the author had delved further into Lady Bird's involvement in LBJ's congressional office (indeed serving from time to time as a de facto congresswoman), her tenure as First Lady, and the development of Lady Bird into a political icon. Russell instead chose to focus primarily on LBJ's indiscretions and immaturities, and how Lady Bird dealt with these shortcomings.
Russell also expends a great deal of attention on Lady Bird's youth. While it is no doubt informative to Lady Bird's later years, there is a disproportionate amount of time dedicated to this earlier life at the expense of later chapters. Overall, the reader is left with a solid sense of who Lady Bird Johnson was, but will also be left longing for a bit more.
While it is no doubt true that Lady Bird was the exemplar of both of those assets, there is much more to her legacy as First Lady. It would have been quite helpful if the author had delved further into Lady Bird's involvement in LBJ's congressional office (indeed serving from time to time as a de facto congresswoman), her tenure as First Lady, and the development of Lady Bird into a political icon. Russell instead chose to focus primarily on LBJ's indiscretions and immaturities, and how Lady Bird dealt with these shortcomings.
Russell also expends a great deal of attention on Lady Bird's youth. While it is no doubt informative to Lady Bird's later years, there is a disproportionate amount of time dedicated to this earlier life at the expense of later chapters. Overall, the reader is left with a solid sense of who Lady Bird Johnson was, but will also be left longing for a bit more.
May 31, 2023
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: This is the second book I've read about Lady Bird. I have found both to be informative, but I haven't loved either. Susan Page, Antonia Felix, and others have set the bar high for me, I guess--maybe too high.
This one did address what the other one I read about Lady Bird didn't--it talked about her entire life and talked about her childhood, her early marriage, etc. In part because of Lady Bird's personality and goals, both have talked a great deal about president LBJ, which again makes sense because of how she lived her life.
This was informative but a bit dry at times. I learned a lot though, and I'm glad to have read it. I didn't know a lot about Lady Bird before reading these two biographies, so I'm glad to have done so.
Love,
Danica Page
You can read more of my reviews at http://danicapagewrites.com or by connecting with me on Instagram @danicapage.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: This is the second book I've read about Lady Bird. I have found both to be informative, but I haven't loved either. Susan Page, Antonia Felix, and others have set the bar high for me, I guess--maybe too high.
This one did address what the other one I read about Lady Bird didn't--it talked about her entire life and talked about her childhood, her early marriage, etc. In part because of Lady Bird's personality and goals, both have talked a great deal about president LBJ, which again makes sense because of how she lived her life.
This was informative but a bit dry at times. I learned a lot though, and I'm glad to have read it. I didn't know a lot about Lady Bird before reading these two biographies, so I'm glad to have done so.
Love,
Danica Page
You can read more of my reviews at http://danicapagewrites.com or by connecting with me on Instagram @danicapage.
June 13, 2024
I think that the book sacrificed objectivity and more accurate historical context to make the book more personal and to make it come from a more interesting perspective on who Mrs. Johnson was. I also disliked how the Kennedys were portrayed in a way that was totally ripped out of context to be more sympathetic to the Johnsons. As a work of creative nonfiction, this was a fun and compelling read, but this book was terrible from a historiographical point of view
I also disagree with the narrative that Mrs. Johnson somehow won in life by being a slavish wife to President Johnson. Mrs. Johnson was a self sacrificing person who did at least manage to live beyond the simple boring life she was set up for, but it is saddening from a contemporary perspective that a woman with charisma, a stellar work ethic, and some impressive sophistication did not manage to do much more than live for her husband, her family, and her husband's legacy when she was an educated woman from the upper class.
I also disagree with the narrative that Mrs. Johnson somehow won in life by being a slavish wife to President Johnson. Mrs. Johnson was a self sacrificing person who did at least manage to live beyond the simple boring life she was set up for, but it is saddening from a contemporary perspective that a woman with charisma, a stellar work ethic, and some impressive sophistication did not manage to do much more than live for her husband, her family, and her husband's legacy when she was an educated woman from the upper class.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2024
Typically I enjoy biographies from different perspectives and part of this book was fascinating coming from a different perspective than what we often hear. But the psychoanalysis of sometimes limited information, while although giving a new perspective, takes much for granted that could not be known. Instead of being factual and allowing readers to come to their own conclusion there seemed to be a narrative believed by the author that was pushed on the audience. It made me question what was fact, what was bias, and what was a manipulation of facts to fit the authors perspective. Even Lady Bird herself decided not to continue to interview with the author due to the pushing of questions Lady Bird requested to not speak on. There seemed to be a lack of privacy and respect in some sections that was at odds with the way Lady Bird chose to live her life.
August 31, 2025
A Quiet Force Behind a Boisterous Presidency
Jan Jarboe Russell’s Lady Bird: A Biography of Mrs. Johnson reveals Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson as far more than a loyal First Lady. Through interviews and rich detail, Russell portrays her as a savvy businesswoman, a passionate conservationist, and a steady moral compass during turbulent political times.
I appreciated learning about her personal resilience, her influence on civil rights and poverty initiatives, and her ability to navigate a complex marriage with grace and grit. This biography reframes Lady Bird as a woman of substance and strategy—an essential partner in LBJ’s legacy.
Jan Jarboe Russell’s Lady Bird: A Biography of Mrs. Johnson reveals Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson as far more than a loyal First Lady. Through interviews and rich detail, Russell portrays her as a savvy businesswoman, a passionate conservationist, and a steady moral compass during turbulent political times.
I appreciated learning about her personal resilience, her influence on civil rights and poverty initiatives, and her ability to navigate a complex marriage with grace and grit. This biography reframes Lady Bird as a woman of substance and strategy—an essential partner in LBJ’s legacy.
July 25, 2017
Claudia Lady Bird Taylor was not the first woman to run off with a good looking man she barely knew in an attempt to escape a domineering father, only to discover she'd bedded down with an equally domineering husband. Poor Bird, what she chose put up with.
It came as a surprise that behind the drab exterior was a savvy business woman, an ambitious politician, as well as an independent and wealthy woman. That she was an unavailable mother also came as a surprise.
Good bibliography and history lesson.
It came as a surprise that behind the drab exterior was a savvy business woman, an ambitious politician, as well as an independent and wealthy woman. That she was an unavailable mother also came as a surprise.
Good bibliography and history lesson.
July 15, 2018
The movie was so highly acclaimed that I wanted to read the book first. Knowing little to nothing about the Johnsons and the Johnson presidency (a bit before my time), it was interesting from a historical standpoint. The recounting of JFK's rise to president, assassination, civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr., etc. I don't think I've ever read a book that wasn't better than the movie. I am guessing this movie is going to be boring.
August 8, 2019
What a lovely Book - I read it right after one on Jackie O. No comparison, a spoiled, egocentric 'girl' versus a well mannered lady. You know her husband wasn't a bad guy, desoite how he sometimes treated her - but she just persevered, and - very much made her own millions. Something he never did. Liked the book - would recommend if you have any interest in the history of that time or first ladies.
February 7, 2018
Lady Bird: A Biography of Mrs. Johnson by Jan Jarboe Russell provides fascinating insight in to the world of Lady Bird Johnson. The book puts in to context how Mrs. Johnson's childhood shaped the woman that she became while married to LBJ and during his political career. I was captivated by every part of the story. It is a great read and I highly recommend it!
March 7, 2018
Interesting account of the life of Lady Bird Johnson. Our book club is reading another biography and I'm waiting for my copy to arrive, so I read this one to compare. As a Southern woman who grew up around women like Mrs. Johnson, I could understand a lot of her motivations and reasons for putting up with a lot of pain in her marriage. I do hope women have more choices in their lives these days.
August 27, 2019
I wish Lady Bird had been born about thirty years later. I like reading about first ladies, her husband disgusted me, I wish she'd had a more loving, more devoted, less selfish husband. I understand she married him and found that she had not married a very good husband but what she considered a good man and he needed her which she liked.
July 7, 2020
Excellent in brief biography of Mrs. Johnson. Begun with the subject's cooperation, Mrs. Johnson subsequently ended the collaboration with the author in light of how her husband may appear. Therefore the book has the feel of uncompletion, while nevertheless containing a wealth of information and facts which those who remember Lady Bird-and those who don't-will appreciate.
May 27, 2022
I loved hearing more about Lady Bird Johnson, about her determination, political acumen, and drive to create beauty around her. I was appalled to learn about how her husband treated her. And I was amazed at how he stood up for the civil rights movement, going against his peers. Another lesson that there’s good and bad in all of us. But gosh, what a marriage!
August 16, 2022
I enjoyed this book - I knew little of Lady Bird other than her love of wildflowers. She was a complex, strong woman who made choices that were expected and admirable for her time but seem very foreign to younger generations. I still am unsure wether if this biographer liked her, which is strange.
January 15, 2025
Enjoyed, did not realize just how involved Lady Bird & how integral she was to the political success of her husband. Also did not realize just how godawful he treated her. Very enlightening to me and not necessarily in a good way. Still she was loyal to him. Guessing she was a product of her time, after reading this, I think she would have made the better candidate.
May 24, 2023
This was a book club choice, and I didn't think it would interest me. But I was wrong! Very insightful look at Lady Bird as a woman, a wife, and a First Lady. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The inclusion of photos would have made it even better.
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August 1, 2019Honestly, this barely even feels like it's about Lady Bird.
March 22, 2023
This was a solid biography and I learned a lot
I think the author does a great job of framing Lady Birds actions with the old times and new in a way that truly shows her strength and power
I think the author does a great job of framing Lady Birds actions with the old times and new in a way that truly shows her strength and power
December 30, 2023
I never knew much about her before reading this. She was a fascinating and resilient woman.
January 28, 2021
This is one of the best books of a first Lady that I have read.
March 12, 2024
I really wanted to love this book, but I just didn't love it. The author is a journalist, not a biographer, and that is very clear. She states her opinions throughout the book as though they are fact. She also spends a lot of time talking about LBJ, particularly his affairs with multiple women. While Lady Bird's life and career was largely tied to that of her husband, I wish the author would have spent more time talking about Lady Bird and her initiatives. The book was very heavy on the politics and campaigning, but I was really hoping to learn more about her beautification projects, her and LBJ's trips to national parks, and her time in the White House. I learned a lot, but overall I felt like it missed the mark.
September 12, 2015
This book takes quite some time to really pick up. The author spends much of her time trying to explain how Lady Bird's childhood influenced her as an adult, it began to feel forced. The big themes that the author pressed was 'Southern stoicism" and the concept that Lady Bird had no mother, therefore tried to fill the gap with the love of mother nature. There are interesting tidbits that come from her childhood. I was really intrigued by a profile on the man who founded Kellogg's, the cereal company, he was also the founder of a retreat that administered alternative medicine.
I have been meaning to read about Lady Bird for quite some time. She was very dynamic for her time and held responsibilities that customarily would be delegated to a man. In many other ways she represented the past, she stood along her husband fiercely. Reading about Lyndon Johnson was very hard. On one hand I cringe at the way he treated women and on the other I can't help but feel bad for him. He was caste into the presidency during turmoil and it never quite stopped. I often think that Nixon was the big story of Shakespearean tragedy, but Johnson, Hoover, and Truman's story have similar context.
It was an interesting book but there was nothing special about it. The writing was decent but strained at times. The author did her research well, but didn't spend nearly as much time on development. There were parts that were redundant and others where I didn't know who she was talking about. (There are five people with the last name Johnson and they all also have the same initials).
I have been meaning to read about Lady Bird for quite some time. She was very dynamic for her time and held responsibilities that customarily would be delegated to a man. In many other ways she represented the past, she stood along her husband fiercely. Reading about Lyndon Johnson was very hard. On one hand I cringe at the way he treated women and on the other I can't help but feel bad for him. He was caste into the presidency during turmoil and it never quite stopped. I often think that Nixon was the big story of Shakespearean tragedy, but Johnson, Hoover, and Truman's story have similar context.
It was an interesting book but there was nothing special about it. The writing was decent but strained at times. The author did her research well, but didn't spend nearly as much time on development. There were parts that were redundant and others where I didn't know who she was talking about. (There are five people with the last name Johnson and they all also have the same initials).
January 19, 2015
Lady Bird Johnson was just as complicated as her husband, and journalist Jan Jarboe Russell sometimes struggles with understanding the choices Lady Bird made with her life. Maybe I'm just a romantic, or old-fashioned, or both, but her relationship with Lyndon makes a lot of sense to me. She loved him, he loved her, they shared the same goals, and none of Lyndon's many affairs or personality flaws could change that.
While the relationship with Lyndon is central to the book (as it was to Lady Bird's life), Russell also does a good job of showing just how smart and competent Lady Bird was as a business woman and a political operator. She had the skills and drive to succeed at anything she set her mind to, and both Lyndon Johnson and the country are lucky that she set her mind to managing him.
While the relationship with Lyndon is central to the book (as it was to Lady Bird's life), Russell also does a good job of showing just how smart and competent Lady Bird was as a business woman and a political operator. She had the skills and drive to succeed at anything she set her mind to, and both Lyndon Johnson and the country are lucky that she set her mind to managing him.
September 22, 2011
Very detailed life story of a First Lady. She had strength, class & an inspirational love for nature. She was more than a devout wife to LBJ - a saint who bore his political escapades and extramarrital affairs. I'm disappointed that the writer, Jan Jarboe Russell, pressed Lady Bird on why she stayed with cheating LBJ all those years. It was because she wanted to. She loved him "warts and all." I also got a not-so-admiring look at the Kennedys. Nevertheless, Lady Bird was Texas' class act. The LBJ Ranch was great to visit this past summer. I'm so glad I found out more about the woman who stood beside her man in hard times and behind him when need be.
March 4, 2016
This biography of Lady Bird is both researched and developed from interviews the author Russel conducted. Though the first half of the book suffers a bit from a choppy style, Russel makes it clear how Lady Bird was a woman of her times: how this influenced and shaped her relationship with LBJ and with others as well as her perspective on life. Russel offers a fairly full account of the tumultuous times of the 1960s from Bird's perspective as a Southern Lady and the vice- and then, president's wife.
May 30, 2008
I really liked this biography of a woman who, among many other roles, was the First Lady of the US. Following an icon like Jackie Kennedy must have been difficult but Lady Bird was elegant and had far more substance and class than many of us knew at the time. LBJ was a challenging (understatement) man to be married to as history has shown. Her loyalty, and devotion to him and to her family and country are recounted in a prose that I found engaging and enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews