I have read a lot about Lyndon but this is the first book I have read about Ladybird. It was very informative but I wish there was a bit more to it. I found myself with many questions and wanting more details. I realize this might be because there are not that many primary sources about Ladybird as her husband but the book at times left me hoping for more. Overall, a really good book.

Lady Bird Johnson has often been neglected in favor of her predecessor Jacqueline Kennedy. In this biography, she seems to have a made her mark on history. She was the most influential woman in LBJ’s life. This novel gave Lady Bird Johnson the recognition she deserved! This biography is not only perfect for those wanting to read about the First Ladies but also a excellent Independence Day read!

I have limited understanding of this time period, so this book was an fascinating look into First Lady Johnson's diary during her time in the White House. (It is not a biography of her lifetime.) Although it seems she kept meticulous records, sometimes mind-numbingly detailed, it is quite notable that she either didn't have anything to record about LBJ's, ahem, bad marital behavior, or the author chose not to include it. (Surprisingly, she doesn't even address it. Maybe 500+ pages wasn't long enough? LOL.)

I didn't know the role Mrs. Johnson took in the administration's work for civil rights, women's rights, and environmental preservation, work that she continued through the rest of her lifetime.

Although I received a digital review copy from netgalley and the publisher, I also listened to the audio on Libby. It's over 18 hours long but parts of it are very engaging. Near the end, there is an actual audio clip of First Lady Johnson's diary so you can hear it in her own words!

Being from Texas and living only 30 minutes from Johnson City, I have heard many stories about the Johnson family, but more times than not, it was always about LBJ.
This book is dedicated to the woman who started the wildflower tradition and why the Texas highways are absolutely loaded with colors in the spring.
Using Lady Bird's transcripts of actual audio diaries, author Sweig, tells us how Lady Bird worked behind the scenes, offering her husband calm and thoughtful counsel as well as her work on environmental advocacy.
The book is divided into three chronological Acts and does not shy away from issues that showed Lady Bird unfavorably. One such event was when she had a lady's luncheon (1968) and actress and civil rights advocate, Eartha Kitt, spoke to the group and to the president when he made an impromptu appearance.
The book can be a dry read in places where a lengthy, verbatim transcript is there, but this is a very interesting and insightful read.
A ton of research went into creating this book and I appreciate Sweig's work.

*I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Before reading this engaging biography, I knew very little about Lady Bird Johnson. I learned what a profound influence this remarkable woman had upon her husband and his presidency. I liked the idea that the material upon which this book was based included Lady Bird's own diary entries. This allowed me to know more about her in her own words. I would recommend this book to anyone who desires to know more about this lady, or just to read about an interesting time in United States history.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I have grown up knowing of Lady Bird Johnson, but this book taught me so much about her. I always admired her and now I know even more accomplishments that she had. She was quite a woman. I highly recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this read. It provided a lot of insight into Lady Bird Johnson, as well as the entire Johnson Administration.

My mother and I both read this book. She was a kid at the time Johnson was in office. It is a very interesting perspective from her generation and mine. I was born in 1989 so there’s that. I didn’t know too much about Johnson’s presidency so this book was wonderful in introducing his come up. I can’t believe how much of what is going on in the states then compares to present day. This book was very informative and I would read it again.

This non-fiction publication is based on Lady Bird's voice-recorded journal entries as well as outside research. I found it a bit dry and so I haven't finished it yet. It is well-written but I don't think I'll finish it.

I love reading about First Ladies and their time in The White House. This biography went into detail of Lady Bird Johnson's time as a Second Lady and then eventual First Lady. I've always loved behind the scenes accounts into the White House and this book did not disappoint. If you love modern day biographies, be sure to pick this one up.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.

A masterful undertaking. Sweig captured the essence of Lady Bird Johnson. The Johnson presidency started out in rough times, with the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Jackie Kennedy was one of the most exotic first ladies ever, and Lady Bird Johnson came across as a plain Texan who spoke with a twang. Lady Bird did not let that intimidate her or stop her from her own mission, to be a helpmate to Lyndon as well as a scholar in her own right.

As we read Sweig's biography we find that the First Lady was a strong, intelligent, complex, and impressive woman, well able to hold her own with Lyndon B. Johnson and his political cronies. She knew how to do the research on many issues and she was not afraid to pursue leads if she thought those people might be able to give her a more accurate picture of the issues. She was a progressive woman at a time when women were seen as keeping the home fires burning, well-educated and able to articulate her thoughts and ideas.

She became a role model for young women, including her own daughters, who learned to study issues and speak out clearly about those issues. Best known for her environmental work and highway beautification, there was so much more she was able to do. The Voting Rights Act was passed during a time of deep racial divide, and some deep tragedies. Her ongoing campaign to get this signed into law has to remain a high point in any first lady's tenure in the White House. A tireless crusader, she kept journal after journal, recording each day's events, and these became some of the sources that Sweig used in her writing.

Julia Sweig's Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight is an outstanding biography of a fascinating woman who has been ignored in history. She played an important role as the First Lady of Former President L.B. Johnson, helping to shape, endorse, and contribute to the Presidency and the years that followed. Ms. Sweig obviously did her homework and provides the reader with a picture that helps them to get a better understanding of this remarkable woman.

I am so glad that Lady Bird Johnson left such articulate details about her time in the White House and of her relationship with her husband, as we never would have known of the immense impact she had on history. The First Lady was part of the important decisions that her husband made after becoming President due to JFK's assassination. This book provided so many facts that I didn't know about this former First Lady and left me admiring her immensely.

As author Julia Sweig points out, Lyndon Johnson's presidency was bookended by Kennedy assassinations, and this exploration of Lady Bird Johnson's time as First Lady is so defined as well. When LBJ became president after JFK's assassination, the Johnsons were no strangers to politics or Washington, DC. LBJ had served his home state of Texas since before their marriage. However, the roles were still new and unfamiliar.

Unfortunately, the Johnson presidency is remembered, and reviled, too much for Vietnam, although Sweig observes that nothing had prepared the administration for the possibility that a quick and decisive victory would not be possible. The sweeping social reforms that Johnson, encouraged by Lady Bird Johnson, attempted are the focus of this treatment. Reading the book, nearly fifty-six years after the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act, it's shocking to realize these issues are still indeed issues.

This exhaustive account of the Johnson presidency shows that the achievements of the two LBJs, who worked in concert, deserve far greater recognition. The book draws heavily on Lady Bird's recorded diaries, although the author also conducted research in numerous libraries, archives, and through interviews. The publication is remarkably timely. A useful tool for research, the book is also very readable. #HidingInPlainSight #NetGalley

At last we have a "flesh and blood" testimony, as close as we can, of the Johnson presidency, thru the eyes of a historian and journalist who also was LBJ's closest advisor and companion.
Julia Sweig's masterpiece bring us Lady Bird Johnson as policy maker, political strategist, committed environmentalist and loyal and devoted soul companion of one of the greatest and complex political figures of the 20th century. Great history and a joy to read!

Riveting story about Lady Bird Johnson! Reveals little known facts how her influence impacted on President Johnson's presidency! She is one the few First Ladies that made a difference in America's history and policies that are still relevant today! Along with her views on policies, affecting America at the time, her personal feelings and thoughts tells a story of her strong personality, perseverance, and love of family and Country!

Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight by Julia Sweig is an intriguing historical memoir. A book that shows a magisterial portrait of Lady Bird Johnson and her role in LBJ's presidency.Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight is full of stories about the first lady that many do not know. An insightful read that is sure to leave you wanting to know more.

For the right person, this book would be a treasure trove of insight. I, unfortunately, was not that "right person", despite my interest in politics, strong women, and the civil rights movement.

First, let me tell you what this book is. It is a highly researched, intensive expansion of the First Lady's five years in the White House. Drawn from 123 hours of personally recorded audio diaries, this book reveals Lady Bird's deep devotion to her husband (this book focuses primarily on their political relationship), her well-honed political instincts, and her tireless efforts for "beautification"/environmental work as first lady. I am sincerely confident that there are readers who would whole-heartedly delight in reading literally hundreds of pages about Lady Bird's urban beautification projects. If you are not one of those specific readers, be prepared for a *lot* of skimming.

Disappointingly for me, this book had very little reference to Lady Bird's life before she married her husband at the age of 21, to her personal story as a wife, mother and friend, nor to her continued growth as a woman and feminist leader after her White House days. The parts that I did enjoy included a short section on the relationship between Lady Bird and her predecessor Jacqueline Kennedy, insights into the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War, and a brief story about Bird's support of a high level staffer who was outed as gay. Overall, though, this was just a miss for me. It was very heavy on expository and very light on commentary and reflection. Again- the right person could *love* this book, and I hope this review helps that person to make the connection.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. #NetGalley #LadyBirdJohnsonHidinginPlainSight

Thank you to Random House Publishing and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

I liked this book, and I learned a lot about the Johnson Administration. It was very well written with a lot of historical details.

Living in Austin, it seems everywhere you go something is named Lady Bird. The lake is informally known as this, the wild life center. Conference rooms. But I really didn’t know a ton about this lady and found this book fascinating. I kept telling my husband parts of it. Kept looking up pictures and people mentioned. It is an excellent book! My only problem is it isn’t as chronological as I expected but even then, I found it so I’m depth without being boring I kept reading.