--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Even though Lyndon Johnson's presidency…" description: "\"Even though Lyndon Johnson's presidency was in many ways scarred forever by the war in Vietnam, and destroyed in a lot of ways, he - as a character - w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b30/doris-kearns-goodwin-1951_able_even-though-lyndon-johnson-s-presidency_1647122.jpg" --- # Even though Lyndon Johnson's presidency was in many ways… ![“Even though Lyndon Johnson's presidency was in many ways scarred forever by the war in Vietnam, and destroyed in a lot of ways, he - as a character - was even larger than his presidency. Being able to get to know him well, that firsthand relationship with this large character, I think is what drew…” quote by Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b30/doris-kearns-goodwin-1951_able_even-though-lyndon-johnson-s-presidency_1647122.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b30/doris-kearns-goodwin-1951_able_even-though-lyndon-johnson-s-presidency_1647122.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b30/doris-kearns-goodwin-1951_able_even-though-lyndon-johnson-s-presidency_1647122.jpg) > “Even though Lyndon Johnson's presidency was in many ways scarred forever by the war in Vietnam, and destroyed in a lot of ways, he - as a character - was even larger than his presidency. Being able to get to know him well, that firsthand relationship with this large character, I think is what drew me to writing books about presidents.” [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Lyndon Johnson’s presidency was tarnished by Vietnam, yet his personal presence and influence were larger than his political record. **In simple terms:** Johnson was a big personality despite a troubled term. Key Takeaway Study his character beyond policy. Themes history leadership character Mood reflective critical Type historical biographical When to use this quote - leadership training - historical analysis - public speaking - policy making Key Concepts political science biography Questions to Reflect On - How does personal charisma affect historical judgment? - Can leadership be separated from outcomes? A Different Perspective His charisma may have masked policy failures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Presidency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presidency/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Vietnam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vietnam/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing a book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-a-book/) ## Related quotes > [“Well, I've worried some about, you know, why write books ... why are we teaching people to write books when presidents and senators do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/well-i-ve-worried-some-about-you-know-why-write-books-why-are-we/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [In real life, I'm a large character, and I need the space and platform to be large.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-ashley-carter/in-real-life-i-m-a-large-character-and-i-need-the-space-and-platform/) [Lauren Ashley Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-ashley-carter/) > [The foundational principles of modern liberalism - civil rights and greater economic equality - took further strides during Johnson's presidency than any since the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/the-foundational-principles-of-modern-liberalism-civil-rights-and/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [Bobby Kennedy's conduct toward Lyndon Johnson was childish and despicable. 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He could be as couth as he was uncouth, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-moyers/lyndon-johnson-was-thirteen-of-the-most-interesting-and-difficult-men/) [Bill Moyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-moyers/) > [During the 1937 congressional election campaign, Johnson's group probably paid $5,000 to Elliott Roosevelt, one of Franklin Roosevelt's sons, for a telegram in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-dallek/during-the-1937-congressional-election-campaign-johnson-s-group/) [Robert Dallek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-dallek/) > [It took me five years on Lyndon Johnson, ten years on the Kennedys, six years on the Roosevelts. 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He was huge, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/lyndon-johnson-is-still-the-most-formidable-fascinating-frustrating/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [“For better than thirty years, as a working historian, I have written on leaders I knew, such as Lyndon Johnson, and interviewed intimates of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/for-better-than-thirty-years-as-a-working-historian-i-have-written-on/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [ Years of concentration solely on work and individual success meant that in his retirement \[Lyndon Johnson\] could find no solace in family, in recreation,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/years-of-concentration-solely-on-work-and-individual-success-meant/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [People will love him (Theodore Roosevelt) for the enemies he has made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/people-will-love-him-theodore-roosevelt-for-the-enemies-he-has-made/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) ## More by Doris Kearns Goodwin > [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. 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