Power and Control

Every human desires some measure of control over himself, his circumstances, his lifestyle, his goals, and his future. Without such control, an individual feels helplessness and in despair, becoming dysfunctional. The issue appears to be in the understanding of the limits of control and in using reasonable rationality in one's pursuit of it.

Goodwin traces the theme of power through control throughout this work, beginning with Johnson's utter lack of control over self as a young child to his zenith at the height of his Senate career through the first years of his presidency, and ultimately to the inevitable self-destruction it wrought.

During his childhood, Johnson's parents continually fought for control over him. It was not until he struck out on his own by leaving for California that he began to feel some power over self. Once he decided to become a politician, it became his...