Lyndon B. Johnson Portrait of a President by Robert Dallek

Lyndon B. Johnson Portrait of a President by Robert Dallek Introduction The book â€Å"Lyndon B. Johnson: Portrait of a President† is a condensed version of a two volume work on the life of Lyndon B. Johnson – â€Å"Lone Star Rising† (1991) and â€Å"Flawed Giant† (1998). Written by Robert Dallek, winner of the prestigious Bancroft Prize, the book gives a wonderful portrait of President Lyndon Johnson, one of America’s well known politicians.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on â€Å"Lyndon B. Johnson: Portrait of a President by Robert Dallek A Book specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In his preface, Dallek says that he has abridged his two books so that it would appeal to more people particularly students. The book is based on fourteen years of dedicated research by the author that involved personal interviews, research of about 450 historical documents and oral histories. The book offers the reader an opportunity to think about the extraordin ary man Lyndon B. Johnson and how he influenced the country. The legacy left behind by President Johnson is highly debated by historians. But Dallek is convinced that President Johnson’s influenced the nation positively during the period extending from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The book depicts in an authentic manner, Lyndon B. Johnson as a complex personality with various shades in his character. Theme The book discusses in detail the conflicts and inner turmoil of Johnson’s early life and career and how he achieved his goals as a congressman, senator and majority leader. Lyndon Johnson was a man with a dubious background as he was involved in ballot box manipulation, back room deals, use of political contacts and control of Senators. However, he ardently supported the New Deal of Franklin Roosevelt and was truly committed to the eradication of poverty. While on hand, he showed a ruthless streak, egoism, and vindictive behavior, he was also a soft hearted, sh y, magnanimous person of extraordinary dedication, commitment, leadership and hardwork. By tracing his career and life, Robert Dallek writes about American politics, foreign policy and crucial historical changes in the American political system. The book shows Johnson as the frustrated boy who runs away from home, as the twenty three year old aide to a rich Congressman, as a forty year old Senator, and as a very unpopular president in his later days. Robert Dallek, in his book, explains the inner workings of this remarkable man – of extraordinary ambitions, lofty visions and high energy who loved working really hard to achieve his political goals. People did not always approve of the reforms he introduced. But time shows that they were truly for the welfare of the country.Advertising Looking for report on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Contents The book traces the life of President Lyndon Johnson as he starts out as a poor boy with high ambitions from a remote Texas town and how he lands in the White House, makes an impact on the nation and finally comes back to Texas in retirement. Lyndon B. Johnsons childhood is described using his own words When I was young, poverty was so common we didn’t know it had a name (quoted on p. 1). He was a very ambitious child who firmly believed he had a right to govern and lead. Lyndon Johnson was born to Sam Ealy Johnson, Jr. and Rebekah Baines who lived a hard pioneer life on Hill Country Farm. Sam was a politician and Lyndon was much influenced by the political aspirations and activities of his father. He often accompanied his father to the legislature and developed a love for campaigning. Lyndon Johnson, as a student was indifferent and lacked interest in religion. He seemed irresponsible and enjoyed drinking and wasting time with his friends. He also ran away from home on frequent trips in his childhood. He was basically a rebell ious child who had high ambitions. Without studying, he could not achieve much and that frustrated him. As a boy, he was once beaten by up a German farm boy and this event changed the course of his life. He decided to pursue his education as per his parents’ wishes and went to San Marcos College, a small provincial school in 1927. While he studied, he also took up odd jobs to pay his fees. In May 1929, Lyndon completed his teaching course at San Marcos and with the help of his uncle, George, got himself a good job in Sam Houston High School. Though he worked with passion as a teacher, Lyndons heart was in politics and in November 1931 he accepted appointment as secretary to new U.S. congressman from Texas, Richard Kleberg and moved to Washington. This marked the first major step into the political world for Lyndon. He supported Franklin Roosevelts New Deal and was much inspired by him. Lyndon’s main assets were his high ambitions and knack for practical politics. In 19 32, he returned to Texas to run Klebergs primary campaign against three other democrats. Lyndons work paid off and Kleberg won the primaries. It was during this period he met and fell in love with Claudia Alta Taylor. He proposed and married her within three months of meeting. With his aggressive style of promotion, Lyndon got the job of running the Texas National Youth Administration and made it a great success with his hardwork and won the recognition of top officials.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on â€Å"Lyndon B. Johnson: Portrait of a President by Robert Dallek A Book specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Lyndon decided to run for the House. Deciding to capitalize on the popularity of FDR, he designed a campaign strategy that would link him to FDR and his programs. He campaigned hard and met as many voters as possible. He also resorted to bribing the voters and finally won the election. Dallek writes eloquently: Johnson was a self-serving opportunist who used his connections to advance himself†¦. He was not only a shrewd operator with his eyes on the main chance but also a man of vision who worked effectively for a larger good (p. 46). Lyndon Johnson learnt very early that violating campaign finance laws and ballot box manipulations were part of the election game. He soon became adept at seeking political advantage in all ways. He also was good at business, and used his political contacts to develop his businesses. He acquired a radio station for his wife and made it hugely profitable through favorable rulings from the Federal Communications Commission. After the death of President Roosevelt, Lyndon decided to become a Senator. He wanted to run for the Senate from Texas. He campaigned hard but also broke many rules in the process. He spent a lot more than what was allowed for election campaigning. By last minute manipulation of votes, Lyndon Johnson won the election. The fraud became known to the public and due to this accusation Lyndon became very determined to be a good senator in Texas. At age 40, Lyndon Johnson became Senator. He was basically a workaholic and work was a major part of his life. He forged vital political connections. He was soon running for the post of party Whip. By 1952, Lyndon achieved the Democratic Partys Senate leadership post. With his hard work and strategic movies, Johnson ensured that the Democrats gained control of Congress in 1956 elections. He now became the youngest majority leader in Senate history. According to Bryce Harlow, Eisenhowers aide, Johnson had a special gift, an indefinable talent for leadership that created fear, admiration and a desire in others to follow (p. 82). He was good at acting, dramatizing, persuading and cajoling. He was an expert at manipulating other senators to his advantage. In 1957, Johnson chose the issue of Civil rights to upgrade his political image and decided to work to protect black rights in the South. He supported a civil rights law in 1957 which was viewed skeptically by some people and as a historical achievement by some others. A major achievement of Lyndon Johnson was the creation of NASA as a civilian controlled space agency. In 1960, he became vice presidential nominee for presidential candidate Jack Kennedy.Advertising Looking for report on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More On November 8, Kennedy won the presidency and Lyndon became Vice-President. Lyndon Johnson did not enjoy the passive role accorded to him. As a good will ambassador Lyndon visited many countries but his eccentric behavior abroad made people view him as a comic character. Lyndon Johnson succeeded John F Kennedy as president. He supported the Vietnam War but he did not want it to come in the way of the elections. So he wanted the military to wait till the elections were over in 1964. He won the presidential election easily and soon after, sent the US troops to South Vietnam. In early 1965, Johnson authorized ‘Operation Rolling Thunder’ that involved bombing of North Vietnam and NLF held regions in South Vietnam. It was expected to be over in eight weeks but lasted for three years and as the war dragged on Americans wanted the war to be over. In the meantime, President Lyndon introduced many programs to change race relations, reduce the suffering of the poor and improve th e overall quality of life among the underprivileged. Through his support for the Civil rights and voting rights of the black community he paved the way for the rise of a larger and richer black middle class. He is also responsible for introducing â€Å"Medicare, Medicaid, urban renewal, aid to education, immigration reform, and safety and consumer regulations† (p. 374). But towards the beginning of 1967, there was extensive disillusionment among the public over the sensibility of his reforms and the Vietnam War. Writing Style The book is written chronologically and begins with descriptions of the origins of Lyndon B. Johnson and traces his growth into adulthood and how he forged ahead in his political career. The author uses an easy to read style and the book can be understood by anyone with an interest in the character of Lyndon Johnson. The authors describe the historical background at every stage in Lyndon’s life. There are many direct quotes included in this book t hat add a lot of authenticity to the book. While some of the quotes are by President Lyndon Johnson, there are quotes by other historical people. Moreover, almost all significant events in Lyndon’s life are dated accurately. The book is written in third person and takes a neutral viewpoint. It does not have any bias in its portrayal of President Lyndon Johnson. In fact, there is equal focus on both his good and bad sides. The book allows the reader to understand that the boy Lyndon Johnson was frustrated and torn apart by his high political ambitions and the harsh realities of life. He was intelligent but unable to focus in his studies due to his unstable financial status. He is forced to take up odd jobs during his school days. He is forced to take up a teaching career before completing his teaching course. However, he was always a hardworking person. His work ethic is very strong as he often is said to work more than twelve hours in a day. However, Dallek also exposes the f act that Lyndon Johnson always sought political mileage and would stoop to any level to exploit situations to his advantage. Of particular note is the scene in which he and his wife Lady Bird are abused verbally and physically by a crowd in Dallas. Johnson prevented the police from protecting him and spent more time among the abusive crowd so that it could be recorded and televised. He used it to label the Republicans as extremists. Dallek also reveals that Lyndon Johnson was not averse to using bribes and manipulation of ballots in order to win an election. But the same Lyndon Johnson never wasted an opportunity to serve the youth and downtrodden of this country. In fact, according to Dallek, Johnson played a crucial role in creating national change by bringing the South into active politics. Thus the book gives adequate glimpses to both the sides of Lyndon Johnson. The validity of the author’s theories rests on the fact that this book is based on an extensive research condu cted on historical manuscripts, oral histories and personal interviews. Dallek does not ignore the weaker side of Lyndon Johnson. He talks about his passion to reach the top by any means – straight or crooked and also his sheer brilliance as a politician. President Lyndon Johnson is not a very popular historical figure as many people disapproved of the Vietnam War and many of his good intentioned reforms. This book, by focusing on the good side of Lyndon Johnson reminds the readers that he was a great visionary who worked to bring the South into the mainstream of society and worked to improve the living conditions of the poor and downtrodden. Personal Reflection The author depicts Lyndon Johnson as a man in eternal conflict. He always desired for higher political positions in life and the reason according to the author is that he desired power so that he could give things to the needy people. This seems to be a very superficial inference. When one reads about â€Å"The Treat ment† that Lyndon Johnson gives the fellow members of the Senate in order to get bills passed, one can understand that he was someone who loved power for its own sake. He enjoyed intimidating people with his theatrics. Also there are some instances in the book where the author does not explain why Lyndon was behaving the way he did. For example, when Joe Kennedy approaches him with an offer that he would get him a ticket if he expressed his intent to stand for presidency and include Jack Kennedy as Vice President, Lyndon lets go of the opportunity. It’s not in his true nature to let go of real opportunities. I personally wish the author could have added more details regarding his decisions. Moreover, the relationship between Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson is very confusing in the book. While on one hand Kennedy chooses Lyndon to be the Vice President, he also tries to keep him far away from foreign policy matters and important decisions such as the Vietnam War. Dallek write s about this gap while at the same time, Dallek also says that Kennedy invited Johnson to all cabinet meetings and important gatherings. The relationship between President Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson could have been elaborated further. Conclusion Despite the fact that one desires more from this book, what cannot be denied is that this book is tremendously thought provoking. This book serves as a biography of Lyndon Johnson while at the same time it serves as a guide to American history. It also traces the psychological evolution of Lyndon Johnson from an ambitious boy to a shrewd politician. Dallek’s research is relevant to the study of present day politics in the United States as it helps in understanding the workings of the mind of an intelligent politician with personal ambitions and good intentions. The book helps us understand that behind the smiling face of successful leaders, there is a lot of hard work, sacrifices, and compromises. Whether a leader stands out in histor y as a hero depends on how high his values are and how he makes crucial decisions. Lyndon Johnson seems more representative of present day politicians who try to exploit every possible opportunity to their own political advantage. Bibliography Dallek, R. (2004). Lyndon B. Johnson: Portrait of a President. Oxford University Press.

20 Exploratory Essay Topics What to Write about the Nature of Synthesis

20 Exploratory Essay Topics What to Write about the Nature of Synthesis Welcome to our first guide, 20 topics for an exploratory essay on the nature of synthesis, in order to help with writing an exploratory essay right away. You’ll also find a sample essay on one of those topics in this guide. The essay itself would prove to be very useful as it will assist you in understanding how an exploratory essay is really written. After this guide, we recommend checking out our second and final guide, pro guide for an exploratory essay and don’t forget our 10 facts on the nature of synthesis to into the topic. There, you’ll learn exceptional techniques, methodologies and formats that define the hallmarks of a perfect exploratory essay outline. Even if you do know how to write an exploratory essay, we recommend you go through this guide. You might find tons of useful information. Without further ado, here are 20 topic ideas on the nature of synthesis: The Designs by Nature for Her Own Purpose: An Exploratory Essay about the Nature of Synthesis Natural Product Synthesis: The Source of Inspiration for the Medically Relevant Scaffolds’ Development Properties of Natural Products Unveiled: The Reflection of Natural Products in the Environment Why Living Organisms are Spending Their Energy and Matter to Create Chemical Architectures Have Become a Delight for Organic Chemists. An Exploratory Essay on Recent Synthetic Methods that Allow Atom and Step Economies to Prosper Exploring the Total Synthesis of Putative 11-epi-Lyngbouilloside Aglycon The Representation of Non-Enzymatic Metabolics of ALA by PhytoPs The History and the Art and Science of Natural Product Synthesis The Impact of Natural Product Synthesis on Medicine and Biological Science An Exploratory Essay on the Revolutionary 1828 Discovery Made by Wohler in Germany Studies on Tumor Promoters: An Exploratory Essay on The Synthesis of Phorbol In-Depth Study on The Recognition of Human Ability to Probe, Isolate and Create Naturally Occurring Molecules The Preparation of Natural Products through Total Synthesis and Semisynthesis Natural Product Synthesis: How Cosmetics, Foods and Dietary Supplements are Produced from Natural Sources Rather than Artificial Ingredients The Significance of Secondary Metabolites which Enable Organisms to Have an Evolutionary Advantage The Therapeutic Benefits of Natural Products that Became an Inspiration for One-half of U.S. FDA Approved Drugs National Product: A Synthesized Organic Compound that’s Produced by a Living Organism Primary Metabolites: Natural Products Having an Intrinsic Function that’s Essential to the Survival of Organisms that Produce Them The Significance of Primary Metabolites: The Basic Building Blocks of Life The Functions of Secondary Metabolites and How They Act You might have probably shortlisted 2 to 3 topics already. However, before attempting to write, take a look at our sample essay below. Sample Exploratory Essay: The Significance of Primary Metabolites: The Basic Building Blocks of Life In the organic chemistry industry, natural products are defined as purified organic compounds which are produced by primary or secondary metabolites ― isolated from their natural sources. Primary metabolites are quite essential to the survival of living organisms. Primary metabolites are the building blocks of life since they include nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates, and amino acids. They are also responsible to create photosynthetic and respiratory enzymes, which are necessary for proper enzyme function. In fact, the basic structures of cells and organisms we find on Earth are composed of primary metabolites. You might now truly understand how significant they are. Speaking of enzymes, folks   of the Vitamin B family are also included in primary metabolites (enzymatic cofactors, to be precise). Vitamin B2 acts as a coenzyme for carbohydrate metabolism. Vitamin B2 is a necessity for redox reactions (not all of them, but many). The same can be said for Vitamin B3, along with the electron transport. Vitamin B5, a constituent of coenzyme, can be found in carbohydrates, fatty acids, amino acid metabolism and polypeptides. Vitamin B6 is also involved in amino acid metabolism, whereas Vitamin B12 becomes essential for fatty acid and methionine production. In fact, the archives of our genetic information, DNA and RNA, are also comprised of primary metabolites (nucleic acid). By now, you’re well aware of how significant primary metabolites are for life and survival. Without these primary metabolites, life on earth would cease to exist since the building blocks of living organisms are found in primary metabolites, which we have very thoroughly discussed above. However, what isn’t really necessary for a living organism to have are secondary metabolites. Studies show that they aren’t really necessary for a living organism’s survival, however, they do help fight diseases, illnesses[4]   etc. There has been controversy about secondary metabolites and nobody really knows why they are produced by living organisms. There is speculation, however, that they provide an advantage in terms of competition with organisms that produce secondary metabolites. Many scientists have also come to the conclusion that secondary metabolites are as important as primary ones but research shows otherwise. Perhaps, it’s a lack of studies or something else, no matter; this is why I believe primary metabolites are significant and important for living organisms. References: All natural. Nature Chemical Biology. 3 (7): 351. July 2007. doi:10.1038/nchembio0707-351. PMID 17576412  https://dx.doi.org/10.1038%2Fnchembio0707-351 Samuelson G (1999). Drugs of Natural Origin: A Textbook of Pharmacognosy. Taylor Francis Ltd Websters Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913). Natural product. Free Online Dictionary and C. G. Merriam Co.  thefreedictionary.com/natural+product Williams DA, Lemke TL (2002). Chapter 1: Natural Products. Foyes Principles of Medicinal Chemistry (5th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams Wilkins. p. 25. ISBN 0-683-30737-1. Hanson JR (2003). Natural Products: the Secondary Metabolite. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry. ISBN 0-85404-490-6 Bhat SV, Nagasampagi BA, Sivakumar M (2005). Chemistry of Natural Products. Berlin ; New York: Springer. ISBN 81-7319-481-5. Maplestone RA, Stone MJ, Williams DH (June 1992). The evolutionary role of secondary metabolitesa review. Gene. 115 (1–2): 151–7.

Heidegger's Being and Time Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Heidegger's Being and Time - Assignment Example The same explanation defines the difference in the indication between beings. The difference in beings is influenced by the fact that there is a great different in their constitutive equipment. Heidegger points out that the constitutive equipment difference in being helps one define a particular being. This form of differentiation is the most effective way if understanding a being (51). Heidegger points out that our concernful dealings are effectively put across after the equipment for indicating gets used to us (36). Additionally, each being has a particular way of indicating itself using indicating equipment. With time, the indicating equipment becomes a natural part of a being. One does not need to influence the direction of the equipment since it has already adapted to its requirements due to understanding the being. Heidegger introduces the sign-equipment which is used to detect turn signals in a being. The sign-equipment is a tool that detects any changes in the normal operations of a person. The sign equipment needs t directed by the day to day activity of a person. With time, the sign equipment gets to adapt the daily routine and can be used effectively to determine the behavior of a person. Heidegger points out that a being cannot control behavior or a vice practiced over a long period of time (44). When Heidegger says â€Å"the sign†, he refers to the behavior or characteristics displays by a being over a certain period of time. Time is the main factor when determining the sign. The sign adapted over a long period of time becomes the main sign of being in regards to a particular behavior adapted. Heidegger points out that the sign becomes the determining feature to the worldly and general characteristic that makes a being (54). The sign is detected with the sign equipment that becomes uncontrollable after understanding the totality of a being over time. From the detected sign, one may comfortably categorize a being