Mr. Dallek discussed his book Lone Star Rising: Lyndon Johnson and His Times 1908-1960, which follows the president’s life from childhood to his vice presidency. A second volume will cover the remainder of his life. Since President Johnson is usually remembered by the public and portrayed by biographers in negative terms, Mr. Dallek wanted to provide a balanced biography of Johnson. Mr. Dallek said, “Johnson was a magnificent scoundrel, a self-serving altruist, a man of high ideals and no morals.” He pointed out that despite his unethical political actions, Johnson worked hard to improve the conditions of poor laborers and worked for civil rights. Mr. Dallek commented on some of the differences between his book and Robert Caro’s Means of Ascent.