The Presidential Recordings

Thrust into the presidency by the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson immediately confronted the twin challenges of leading a nation in mourning while ensuring the continuity of government. As one of his first acts, Johnson ordered that a secret taping system be installed in the White House and began recording his telephone conversations. These volumes continue the University of Virginia’s Miller Center of Public Affairs’ acclaimed Presidential Recordings series, covering the time period between 1 February 1964 and 31 May 1964. During these dramatic months, LBJ launched his War on Poverty, questioned the viability of the US policy in Vietnam and deftly managed the progress of an historic civil rights bill through Congress.