Signed book: A President’s Country: A Guide to the Hill Country of Texas. First edition. Austin: Alcalde Press, 1964. Hardcover with dustjacket, 5 x 8.75, 80 pages. Signed and inscribed in blue felt tip on the title page, “To Marcus Childs, My friend of many years, Lyndon B. Johnson, 2/5/65.” In fine condition, with a hint of toning to jacket. On February 7, just two days after LBJ inscribed this book, the Viet Cong attacked the U.S. Marine base at Plaiku, claiming eight American lives. To that point, and despite a steady military buildup, LBJ had pointedly avoided direct measures against North Vietnam. However, as the long escalation of tensions reached this breaking point, the President immediately ordered Operation Flaming Dart, a retaliatory initiative that represented the first step in America’s ultimately disastrous strategy of an aggressive and sustained bombing campaign. R&R COA.
