Texas in the Morning: The Love Story of Madeleine Brown and President Lyndon Baines Johnson

by Madeleine D. Brown

There is a lot about President Lyndon Baines Johnson that you do not know but will be fascinated to learn. No one can shed more light on the man who became president by default when Kennedy was brutally murdered in the streets of Dallas than LBJ's longtime lover, Madeleine Brown. An eyewitness to one of the most momentous times in American History, Brown will share with you the events leading up to Kennedy's assassination and what really happened in Dallas that day, as well as the deep, genuine and intense nature of her relationship with LBJ. You will -Why she believes LBJ participated in the plot to kill Kennedy, if not initiating it himself, along with the rich and powerful men of Texas. -How LBJ stole the election that put him in the US Senate. -What happened when LBJ rose to power and what he was really like as president and as a man. -Scandals that swirled around him as vice president and a string of murders that may be associated with him. -Little known facts about H. L. Hunt, Sam Rayburn, Clint Murchison, J. Edgar Hoover, Billy Sol Estes and other famous people of that era. -How she and Johnson had his only son, Steven, whom LBJ acknowledged and supported. Madeleine Brown delivers an eye-opening look at some of the most powerful men in Texas history. This book reads like a juicy romance novel without the offensive language of a XXX rated novel, but provides the loving intimacy between two people who were deeply in love. This relationship produced a love child that LBJ secretly accepted the financial responsibility for, but was unable to publicly acknowledge. Once you start this book, you will not put it down until it's finished, for Madeleine's experience in marketing gave her the skills to communicate in a most provocative manner, the true history of her 21 years as LBJ's mistress.

241 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1997

Reviews

[KOMET · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madeleine Brown (1925-2002) in her memoir, Texas in the Morning speaks at length about her relationship with Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ), whom she first met at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas in 1948, when then Congressman Johnson was running for the U.S. Senate. LBJ was a charmer and an instant rapport developed between the 2 after they had been introduced. Madeleine was working for a major advertising agency at the time in Dallas. She was then in her early 20s and was married to a man whose sanity had been shattered by his wartime experiences as a Marine in World War II. He became an abusive husband, so much so that she had to get a separation from him. He was later institutionalized because he had been judged to be a danger to society. By that time, Madeleine (who came from a loving, supportive family) had a son by her husband. (They would divorce in 1955.)

Madeleine fell deeply in love with LBJ, as did he with her. Whenever possible, they would have discreet assignations in a private hotel suite when LBJ could get away from Washington to be in Texas. According to what he told Madeleine, his marriage to Lady Bird was more of a formal, working relationship. Lady Bird, unlike LBJ, had come from a wealthy family and LBJ knew by marrying her, he would need that wealth to help build his political career. Madeleine had a child by LBJ in 1950 to whom he provided financial support which extended beyond LBJ's death in January 1973.

The book offers snippets into the life of LBJ as he became a powerful force in Washington as Senate Majority Leader during the 1950s, as well as further solidifying his power and influence in TX, which was considerable (!) Madeleine recounts a number of conversations she had with LBJ from the time of the 1960 campaign to his time as Vice President. She knew a lot of the most powerful people in Texas society and politics, mostly from her work as an advertising executive.

There are also some comments about LBJ's relationship with the Kennedys that would be of considerable interest to anyone fascinated with U.S. history and personal relationships among historical personages of power and influence. In one of the most intriguing revelations in Texas in the Morning, Madeleine shares with the reader at some considerable length, what she observed at a private party she attended in Dallas on the night of November 21, 1963 where there were plenty of movers and shakers in local and national politics, as well as high finance. LBJ was among them, and what he said to Madeleine in confidence that night was startling. I won't shed further light on that, except to say if you --- the reader of this review --- are so keen to know the details, read this book.

For me, Texas in the Morning is a keeper. A book I am very much inclined to read again in the foreseeable future.

[Pete daPixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fact or fiction I'm not a reader of the true romance love story genre. 'Texas in the Morning' (1997) is purely another addition to my JFK assassination book collection. Thanks to U.K. researcher Malcolm Blunt who has sold a large part of his library, I managed to get hold of this signed copy.
Madeleine Brown's memoir now sells for around £100 on Amazon!
To be honest, I have long been undecided about the revelations in this book. No doubt the story of the authors love tryst with LBJ and their child Steven is true. Also legit are the murders that Johnson was involved in, carried out by Mac Wallace. It has been mooted in other publications that Lyndon was involved in the demise of his sister Josepha.
Where I remain sat on the fence are matters concerning Johnson and the purported Murchison party, as well as Johnson's later visit to Fort Worth's Colony Club. Research has never turned up any sure corroborating evidence for these events.
Equally confounding are the claims that Jack Ruby and Lee Oswald knew each other. In this instance there are others who have stated the same thing. Beverley Oliver, Carousel employee Bill DeMarr and Rose Cheramie/Marcades depicted in the opening frames of Oliver Stone's movie 'JFK'.
Brown also adds John Curington to the list who told of a meeting in Ruby's club with Oswald, H.L. Hunt and George DeMohrenschildt. Of course the Warren Commission decided that there was no prior link between Oswald and Ruby. Controversies that are debated still.
Of the very many tomes touching on the JFK case, the three female witnesses i.e., 'The Last Dissenting Witness' from Jean Hill, Beverley Oliver's 'Nightmare in Dallas' and 'Texas in the Morning' remain difficult to judge and harder to completely dismiss.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read - learned some things from History that I wasn't aware of....did a bunch of research as I read.

[abbey🎞️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steven didn’t deserve what happened to him but regardless, this book constantly had my jaw on the floor

[Mmmjay · Rating 1 out of 5]

No wonder this book is out of print! It is terrible. The author Madeline Brown claims to have had a long standing affair with Lyndon Johnson. This relationship gave her entre into his world. I read the first 50 pages and wanted to throw up. It is just a Texas-sized pile of shit. More bodice ripper than history, I closed the book after Brown described herself greeting LBJ in a mink (purchased by LBJ) and high heels. Do I care at all? After that revelation I closed the book and plan to sell it on ebay. Ugh. I could care less her opinion about anything, including JFK's assassination.

[Sherlonya Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

What to say about this book. This book was all over the place. It is by the woman who claims to have borne President Lyndon Johnson's lovechild. The subtitle of the book is "The Love Story of Madeleine Brown and President Lyndon Baines Johnson." However, what Brown describes is a series of sordid trysts, and her obsession with the president. The rest of the book is speculation on Johnson's involvement in a variety of unsavory dealings. Such topics are better covered by a number of well-researched books. This book was interesting in the way of a tragic car accident.

[Davy Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would sure love to get my grubby paws on this one. I can't even find a Texan Looks at Lyndon anymore.
UPDATE: I found a copy of A Texan Looks at Lyndon. Extremely common book.

See You Tube video of America's Untold Stories, new release on Madeline Brown. Will blow your mind. Jumbo on the loose.

Mark Groubert on America's Untold Stories on You Tube says he has posted for members this book and other cult classics in pdf form. Towards the end of the David Ferrie segment. So far I just watch segments for free. Great stuff.

[Joy Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after reading "LBJ and the Kennedy Killings" (recommendation of the author). I thought this was a great book as it read like a novel. At times, I had to keep remembering that it was a memoir of the author about her life and her affair with President Johnson. It was very interesting and because she knew so much about LBJ, his staff and his friends...I find it to be truthful in nature.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this at a flea market. Never heard of Madeleine Brown before or the LBJ conspiracy theories. About 3/4 of the book was interesting except for her ridiculous accounts of their sexual trysts, last 1/4 was a struggle- glossed over it. This lady seemed somewhat certifiable. But that's not really surprising. Learned quite a bit more about local Dallas - Austin history regardless.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seriously, this book is apparently meant to be a boudioir adventure more than a good footnote to history.