Scan barcode
jimbowen0306's review against another edition
4.0
This book is the fourth in the series of (probably) five books about Lyndon Johnson's life (and America in his lifetime). While this was still a very good book, I'm not sure that this was the greatest book in the series.
My problem with the book focuses on the time covered. It basically covers the time from Johnson's decision to sort of run for the Presidential nomination in 1960 (against JFK) to the time 100 days after Kennedy was shot when Johnson had guided the heart of the Kennedy program through congress.
It isn't a bad book, but my grumble is the length of time he spends on the last 100 days. Approximately 350 or so are spent on those 100 days (which works out at 3.5 a day). The result was, interesting, but a little repetitive.
Let me stress though, the book is still good. If you want to find out how Johnson was treated by the Kennedys, and how he managed to guide Kennedy's program through, this is the book for you.
My problem with the book focuses on the time covered. It basically covers the time from Johnson's decision to sort of run for the Presidential nomination in 1960 (against JFK) to the time 100 days after Kennedy was shot when Johnson had guided the heart of the Kennedy program through congress.
It isn't a bad book, but my grumble is the length of time he spends on the last 100 days. Approximately 350 or so are spent on those 100 days (which works out at 3.5 a day). The result was, interesting, but a little repetitive.
Let me stress though, the book is still good. If you want to find out how Johnson was treated by the Kennedys, and how he managed to guide Kennedy's program through, this is the book for you.
kanejim57's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
The first volume of this series, The Path to Power, along with the Memoirs of Richard Nixon, began a reading journey of every American President that took me until 2011/2012 to finish up to George W Bush and Barak Obama and which has continued to this day. I had shelved this book for probably a year and then picked it up a few weeks ago to finish it. I had left off at the 1960 Democratic Convention where the drama regarding Lyndon Baines Johnson as John F Kennedy's running mate was unfolding. Within a few words, Caro's clear and smooth writing took me back in and I kept reading. There is so much to this volume, this chapter in LBJ's life, that a review cannot do justice to it. It is a worthy read and I am looking forward to the fifth and probably, final, volume of this series.
dale_kooyenga's review against another edition
5.0
If you would of asked me if I would ever be interested in reading three 700+ page books on LBJ I would say probably not, but Robert Caro is amazing and LBJ's story is also amazing. This is not only a story of LBJ, but a part of America's story during this time. This third book in the series covers LBJ's pursuit of the presidency, his settling to be JFK's VP, JFK's assassination and LBJ's presidency before his reelection campaign in 1964.
The most interesting stories in this book relate to JFK's assassination details, the passage of a tax cut bill and Civil Rights legislation and the toxic Bobby Kennedy LBJ relationship. To sum this relationship up - Bobby hated LBJ and treated him like crap when he was VP, LBJ let him know he was now President and the tables have turned.
I am looking forward to the 4th a final book in the series. It's going to be a race against time for Robert Caro to get this book out. Mr. Caro is 85 and reportedly COVID has limited his research access to complete the final book in the series. I wish him good health and success in completing this last book as I am really looking forward to it.
The most interesting stories in this book relate to JFK's assassination details, the passage of a tax cut bill and Civil Rights legislation and the toxic Bobby Kennedy LBJ relationship. To sum this relationship up - Bobby hated LBJ and treated him like crap when he was VP, LBJ let him know he was now President and the tables have turned.
I am looking forward to the 4th a final book in the series. It's going to be a race against time for Robert Caro to get this book out. Mr. Caro is 85 and reportedly COVID has limited his research access to complete the final book in the series. I wish him good health and success in completing this last book as I am really looking forward to it.
jankyalias's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
5.0
drillvoice's review against another edition
5.0
Every book in this series is totemic.
This one continues to be eminently readable, with a perfect blend of historical detail and gripping narrative and interpersonal drama. You really get a sense for the challenge that LBJ faced in ascending the presidency and the remarkable savoir-faire with which he dispatched the role in the pivotal 7 weeks between Kennedy's assassination and the State of the Union address.
This one continues to be eminently readable, with a perfect blend of historical detail and gripping narrative and interpersonal drama. You really get a sense for the challenge that LBJ faced in ascending the presidency and the remarkable savoir-faire with which he dispatched the role in the pivotal 7 weeks between Kennedy's assassination and the State of the Union address.
alexrobinsonsupergenius's review against another edition
5.0
Volume 4 complete! Ball is in your court, Mr.Caro.
odellhope's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.75
I enjoyed the information I learned, but it felt like some parts were a breeze and others were a slog to get through.
johndiconsiglio's review against another edition
5.0
If you’ve read Caro, you already know he’s a brilliant storyteller, master historian & our greatest political biographer. The 4th in what he claims will be a 5-volume series on LBJ, here he guides us from the bitter 1960 election & VP Johnson’s White House wilderness through Dallas & the early days of the new prez. Caro’s skill at turning historical figures into rich characters is unmatched. (His RFK is vicious & magnetic.) A page turner—at 700 pages! But with Vietnam & civil rights yet to come, how will he wrap it up in just one more book?