Mutual Contempt: Lyndon Johnson, Robert Kennedy, and the Feud that Defined a Decade

This was, for me, an engrossing account of the relationship (or lack thereof) between one of my political heroes and a man who I consider one of the most intriguing personalities of the 20th Century. Both of these men had the upper hand politically over the other at various times from the mid-1950s throughout the 1960s. Both took advantage of this to denigrate and otherwise undermine each other when given the chance for a variety of reasons/motivations that were overt, subconscious, cultural and visceral. One of the best attributes of this book is its through research. This means that accounts of the behavior indulged in by both parties is given by actual eyewitnesses, many who remain incredulous of it all these years later. The truth behind the old saw "politics makes strange bedfellows" is amply demonstrated by this book. The subject of this tale was well known by us who were around at the time but now, with the personalities and egos given an intimate examination, we now realize the depth of the "mutual contempt" the author has revealed. And to think, not only did this well-told story begin as his college thesis but he is best known for his daily newspaper comic strip. I cannot recommend this book highly enough to those interested in American politics and/or personalities of the auspicious 1960s.

This book is a political history of the alleged animosity between Lyndon Johnson and Robert Kennedy. Their relationship is described based on information that is available in the official and public record and in the public domain.The book puts out mixed signals at times. Johnson and Bobby traded insults in the news media, in the halls of Congress, and sometimes even in person. But yet at other times the book talks about the good will and admiration that existed between Johnson and Kennedy and the idea that they really sort of liked each other.But for those of us who believe the conspiracy theories about John Kennedy's assassination Johnson hated the Kennedys intensely. Indeed if John Kennedy had lived Lyndon Johnson would have probably ended up sitting next to his old pal Bobby Baker in the penitentiary for a long list of crimes including murders.There were people who said from the day John Kennedy was killed that Lyndon Johnson was a member of the shadow government that was responsible for the assassination and which took over the United States on November 22, 1963. I believe that. And once someone believes that their interpretation of a book like this is dramatically affected.Entire books have been written about the conspiracy theories relating to Lyndon Johnson. If those accusations are true Lyndon Johnson was a corrupt, greedy, ruthless killer. Johnson was indicted by a grand jury posthumously for being a conspirator in many murders including his own sister Josefa and President Kennedy.And anyone who thinks Robert Kennedy's murder was another random act of violence is very naïve.If Robert Kennedy had been able to become the president I think he would have re-opened the investigation into his brother's assassination. With Robert's experience and skill in the struggle against organized crime he could have probably brought the true JFK conspirators to justice and revealed the shocking truth about what really happened to his brother. And if Robert Kennedy had been able to do that the entire United States Of America may have imploded.Overall this is a solid, well researched, and very informative book. It isn't exactly a page turner though. It's political history.I don't necessarily agree with the quote on the cover of the book where Arthur Schlesinger describes this book as 'gripping'.Texas in the Morning: The Love Story of Madeleine Brown and President Lyndon Baines JohnsonThe Man Who Killed Kennedy: The Case Against LBJThe Dark Side of Lyndon Baines JohnsonBrothers: The Hidden History of the Kennedy YearsOfficial and Confidential: The Secret Life of J. Edgar HooverJFK: The CIA, Vietnam, and the Plot to Assassinate John F. KennedyJFK and Vietnam: Deception, Intrigue, and the Struggle for PowerExpendable Elite: One Soldier's Journey into Covert WarfareThe Brothers: John Foster Dulles, Allen Dulles, and Their Secret World WarPower Beyond Reason: The Mental Collapse of Lyndon Johnson

I loved this book for all of its insights, descriptions and analysis. It reads more like a text book in some ways. If you are looking for light reading - this is not it! But if you are interested in learning more about these two fascinating men and their interactions throughout their public lives, I strongly reco.mend it!

This book I found very hard to put down. I knew that these two men couldn't stand each other, but didn't know until reading this book just how deep was their level of mutual contempt. The title of this book really is spot on.You will probably discover some facts that you had never before encountered, unless you're a Kennedy or Johnson scholar. Some of these may turn your stomach. The account of an aide's visit to the University of Alabama and the depth of pro-segregationist sentiment I found sickening.This book is not for the faint of heart (or stomach!) But it is thorough and riveting. It's a good companion to a number of recent books about LBJ's years as Majority Leader and PUSA, as well as those about JFK's presidency and assassination.

Wow -- who knew two people could hate each other so much? This is a spectacular work of scholarship. Shesol covers every moment that these two men interacted and does so while placing the relationship in the broader context of the 1960s. In the end, one gets the sense that both LBJ and RFK were horrible individuals who let petty feuds and personal ambitions get in the way of real historical progress. (Also, it was interesting to learn how some social welfare programs failed in urban areas). My only question after finishing this is how will Robert Caro top it in his final installment of the Years of Lyndon Johnson series?

Lots of detail about these two high profile people who did not get along..

I have recently finished reading this book and think that it is amongst the best I have read about 20th Century US Politics, rating it just slightly below David Halberstams 'The Best and the Brightest'. The book is well written, well researched and easy to read, keeping your interest at all times. It is both incisive and flows along with plenty of tale telling and gossip. I can just see Johnson making policy decisions to slight, wrong foot or contradict RFK and I found the whole story believable and thrilling to read. This book is required reading for anybody interested in the Johnson Presidency and the decisions made that led and kept the US involved in the disastrous war in Vietnam.

Brilliant, well written, a pleasure to read.