Out in Front: Preparing the Way for JFK and LBJ (Excelsior Editions) [Paperback]

Jeb Byrne (Author)

Book Description

Series: Excelsior Editions | Publication Date: March 2010

Lively anecdotes retold by an advance man for presidents Kennedy and Johnson.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Imagine one's first job assignment is arranging John F. Kennedy's visit to Fort Worth, Texas on the morning of November 22, 1963. Lively and fascinating, Out in Front reveals Jeb Byrne's experiences as an advance man for JFK and as the deputy director of the LBJ advance unit during the 1964 campaign. Byrne's life experiences illuminate the work done behind the scenes of campaign stops and political appearances. His personal memoir exposes the duties, contemplations, and struggles of the advance man, all of which are hidden from the public eye.

"Most other studies of political campaigns have paid scant attention to the role of the largely anonymous corps of advance personnel and other essential, but unheralded, campaign workers." -- James B. Rhoads, former Archivist of the United States

"A remarkable history of the early days of the art of political advance. Jeb Byrne is a gifted writer who has recorded, with style and wit, the story of how the Kennedy and Johnson presidential campaigns developed the core element of presidential public appearances--political advance--which has now evolved into a sophisticated and expensive standard undertaking for all presidents. Everyone who reads this book will reach the same conclusion: Jeb Byrne is a fantastic writer." -- Harold C. Pachios, former Associate White House Press Secretary under LBJ

"Jeb Byrne has written a gem of a book about retail politicking. With humor, compassion, and insight, he reveals the world of political advance. Its denizens are neither supposed to be seen nor heard, but their handiwork is the stuff campaigns are made of." -- Max Holland, author of The Kennedy Assassination Tapes

"An excellent and interesting personal memoir of advance work." -- Sean Savage, author of JFK, LBJ, and the Democratic Party --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Jeb Byrne joined the administration of President John F. Kennedy in 1961 in a public affairs position and was an advance man in Fort Worth on JFK's last trip. He later served Lyndon Johnson as a principal advance man in LBJ's 1964 campaign. A career civil servant in later years, Byrne's last position was Director of the Federal Register, and he is now retired from the federal government. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 171 pages
• Publisher: State University of New York Press (March 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1438431449
• ISBN-13: 978-1438431444
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #861,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( J ) > Johnson, Lyndon

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Politics in the Sixties, April 24, 2010

By 

Dorothy Mcmanus (Alexandria VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Out in Front: Preparing the Way for JFK and LBJ (Excelsior Editions) (Paperback)

Byrne proves that "the devil is in the details" as he walks us through the astounding complexity of arrangements for presidential appearances in this book. The author's work for JFK was all too brief: his very first and only advance assignment for Kennedy was for the Fort Worth portion of the President's trip to Texas on November 21 and 22, 1963. In his running commentary, the author spares no one, including himself, as he recounts successes and goofs. We are placed in these Presidents' motorcades and podiums as we read about the male-dominated political life of the sixties, the rich description making us both remember those times and realize how much of it would not happen in today's world. The concluding reflections on our American political customs shape a fitting conclusion to a good read.


--Dorothy McManus

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Valuable Memoir, March 18, 2010

By 

Eugene G. Windchy (Alexandria, Va.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Out in Front: Preparing the Way for JFK and LBJ (Excelsior Editions) (Paperback)

In this book we relive the hope and glory of the Kennedy years, all too short, and then get to know better Lyndon Johnson, another tragic figure, who meant to build a great society but stubbed his toe on Vietnam.

The life of an advance man is full of emergencies, egos that need soothing, and last-minute tasks. Despite the importance of his work, the rules of the profession require the advance man to stay in the background and keep his name out of the media (unlike a recent White House social secretary!). Yet the presidential operative has to be sociable enough that he doesn't get written up as a tight-lipped mystery man.

Author Jeb Byrne has a photographic memory and kept excellent records. Byrne recalls that when it came to pressing the flesh, Johnson was so industrious his right hand could get scratched and bloody. Once when Byrne was waiting for his military plane, he discovered that it had been hijacked by another presidential assistant.

The author disbelieves in all the conspiracy theories about the assassination of President Kennedy.

Prior to the assassination, Byrne happened to visit the Dallas night club owned by Jack Ruby, the man who would frustrate the investigators by gunning down suspect Lee Harvey Oswald. Ruby, we learn, ran a lousy club with bad drinks and cheap entertainment. Somehow that makes me feel better.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, July 6, 2011

By 

Babs - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Out in Front: Preparing the Way for JFK and LBJ (Excelsior Editions) (Paperback)

Filled with fascinating anecdotes / facts from the days of JFK and LBJ - a must-have for history/political buffs or just to familiarize yourself with a most remarkable era