Irishman Speaks - Conor Cunneen
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| THIS TIME, THIS PLACE: MY LIFE IN WAR, THE WHITE HOUSE AND HOLLYWOOD |
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Author: Jack Valenti In a sense this is two books in one. Jack Valenti (apart from his war years) had two very different careers - as a valued aide to President Lyndon Johnson and latterly as President Motion Picture Association of America. He did sterling work in both roles.Almost anything written about Lyndon Johnson is fascinating and Valenti keeps that legend going. The author never fails to see good in people and like other Johnson aides such as Joe Califano, seemed to have a genuine love for the towering Texan. Valenti's opening chapter on the dreadful events of November 22nd 1963 is compelling reading. Valenti met Jack Kennedy for the very first time, the night before the charismatic leader’s assassination. The author also writes well on the meetings and decision processes that encouraged LBJ to enlarge the war in Vietnam. For those with rose tinted glasses who believe JFK would have taken the US out of Vietnam before it became a quagmire, Valenti makes it quite clear that the bulk of LBJ's Vietnam advisors were Kennedy people. Overall the section on Johnson and the White House years is enjoyable reading. Valenti is an excellent writer with a wonderful style. The book weakens when he comes to MPAA memoir.
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