The Making of the President 1964

The Making of the President 1964 chronicles the U.S. presidential campaign that pitted Democratic incumbent Lyndon Johnson against Republican challenger Barry Goldwater. White's account follows both campaigns from the primaries through election day, documenting the strategies, personalities, and pivotal moments that shaped the race. The narrative captures the political dynamics of a nation still reeling from President Kennedy's assassination and facing deep divisions over civil rights and Cold War policies. White's reporting draws from his direct access to key figures in both campaigns, providing behind-the-scenes details of their decision-making and responses to unfolding events. Through extensive interviews and firsthand observations, White reconstructs the internal workings of each campaign organization, the impact of television on political messaging, and the evolution of modern campaign techniques. The book stands as a study of American democracy during a period of transition, examining how political parties and their candidates adapted to rapid social change and new forms of mass communication.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of William S. White's overall work: White's books receive limited reader reviews online, making it difficult to gauge broad reader sentiment. His political works from the 1960s-70s garner occasional mentions in academic circles but minimal general reader engagement today. Readers appreciate: - Insider perspective on Congress and LBJ administration - Clear explanation of complex legislative processes - First-hand accounts of historic political moments Common criticisms: - Writing style feels dated - Pro-establishment bias in political coverage - Too favorable toward LBJ, lacking criticism On Goodreads, White's books have very few ratings: - Citadel: 3.5/5 (8 ratings) - The Making of the President 1964: 3.7/5 (6 ratings) - The Professional: No ratings Most online reviews come from academic citations rather than general readers. His books appear to be primarily used as reference sources by historians and political researchers rather than for general reading. Note: This summary is limited by the scarcity of public reader reviews for White's works online.

The Making of the President 1960 by Theodore H. White This account follows John F. Kennedy's campaign through detailed reporting of strategy meetings, polling data, and behind-the-scenes political maneuvers.

What It Takes: The Way to the White House by Richard Ben Cramer The book chronicles the 1988 presidential campaign through intimate portraits of candidates Bob Dole, George H.W. Bush, Gary Hart, Joe Biden, Dick Gephardt, and Michael Dukakis.

Game Change by John Heilemann, Mark Halperin This examination of the 2008 presidential election reveals the inner workings of both the Obama and McCain campaigns through interviews with staff members and political operatives.

Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 by Hunter S. Thompson Thompson's coverage of the 1972 presidential campaign between Nixon and McGovern provides unfiltered access to campaign operations and political strategies.

The Boys on the Bus by Timothy Crouse This report follows the press corps during the 1972 presidential campaign, documenting the relationships between journalists and candidates that shape campaign coverage.

🗳️ Author William S. White won the 1955 Pulitzer Prize for his biography of John F. Kennedy's Senate career, "Citadel: The Story of the U.S. Senate" 📚 This book was part of a influential series that began with Theodore White's "The Making of the President 1960" (no relation to William S. White), which revolutionized presidential campaign reporting 🎯 The book covers the landslide victory of Lyndon B. Johnson over Barry Goldwater, where Johnson won 61.1% of the popular vote - one of the largest margins in U.S. presidential history 📰 William S. White was a respected Washington columnist who enjoyed unique access to LBJ, having covered him since his days as a junior congressman from Texas 🏛️ The 1964 election marked the first presidential campaign after the assassination of JFK, and the book captures how this tragedy shaped both the campaign and American political consciousness