Uncertain Warriors Lyndon Johnson and His Vietnam Advisors David M. Barrett xii, 248 pages, illustrated, 6 x 9 Modern War Studies Paper ISBN 978-0-7006-0631-3, $15.95 Lyndon Johnson, when it comes to his role in the Vietnam War, is popularly portrayed as an irrational "hawkish" leader who bullied hi advisers and refused to solicit a wide range of opinions. that depiction, David Barrett argues, is simplistic and far from accurate. In this book, Barrett contends that Johnson's insistence on secrecy, plus his colorful personality, have overshadowed his approach to policymaking and his consideration of a wide spectrum of opinion from a variety of formal and informal advisers. Following a paper trail of memoranda, letters, diaries, and notes, Barrett not only examines how Johnson dealt with his advisers and developed a complex system of consultation but delves into Johnson's personality and style to show their impact on his decisions. Despite Johnson's willingness to consider opposing viewpoints, Barrett concedes, his rational advisory system nevertheless produced a flawed and fatal set of policies because they were based on an increasingly outdated world view. "A book that should be read closely by those interested in LBJ and why Vietnam happened. . . . By allowing for a very complex LBJ, Barrett has given us a more interesting figure than have many better-known books."--Deborah Shapley, author of Promise and Power: The Life and Times of Robert McNamara "A book of great humanity and compassion. . . . Fair-minded without being uncritical, thorough but never pedantic, always clear and readable, this book belongs on the small shelf of truly first-class books on American policy in the Vietnam War."--William P. Bundy, former editor of Foreign Affairs "A genuinely important study which views President Johnson's conduct of Vietnam policy with a fresh eye."--George McT. Kahin, author of Intervention: How America Became Involved in Vietnam "Uncertain Warriors will be much discussed as Vietnam scholars continue to debate the question, 'Why Vietnam?'"--Lloyd Gardner, author of Approaching Vietnam: From World War II through Dienbienphu "The best account I have seen of Tet decisions."--George C. Herring, author of America's Longest War: The United States and Vietnam, 1950–1975 "Highly recommended."--Library Journal DAVID M. BARRETT is assistant professor of political science at Villanova University.   Home | About the Press | Recent Awards | Contact Us | Order New Books: | By Author | By Subject | By Title | By Series Books in Print: | By Author | By Subject | By Title | By Series ©2007 University Press of Kansas 2502 Westbrooke Circle, Lawrence, KS 66045-4444 Phone (785) 864-4155; Fax (785) 864-4586