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jimbowen0306's review against another edition
5.0
This is an interesting, if somewhat depressing book, especially if you came into this series of books with a generally positive view of Lyndon Johnson.
When he started this book, Caro intended the series to be 3 books, Johnson from birth to his first electoral loss (this book), Johnson in the senate, and Johnson as president. As I'm sure people know now, it has morphed into a (probable) 5 book series, though this book still covers Johnson's life up to his first electoral loss.
If you're expecting it to be a straight biography of Lyndon Johnson's life and his family, you'd be right and wrong, for while the book looks at Johnson's life and family, it strays, interestingly, from what you'd expect from a typical biography. It looks at the Texas Johnson grew up in generally for example, and gives us considerable detail about the characters that inhabit Texas' political landscape at the time.
Where I got depressed by the book was in its' portrayal of Johnson. I understand politicians have to be ruthless, and show a certain "low cunning" if they want to achieve anything in life, but the Johnson shown here takes ruthlessness and low cunning to a whole new level, and I find it hard to contrast that with what he would later achieve with the War on Poverty, and the Great Society.
When he started this book, Caro intended the series to be 3 books, Johnson from birth to his first electoral loss (this book), Johnson in the senate, and Johnson as president. As I'm sure people know now, it has morphed into a (probable) 5 book series, though this book still covers Johnson's life up to his first electoral loss.
If you're expecting it to be a straight biography of Lyndon Johnson's life and his family, you'd be right and wrong, for while the book looks at Johnson's life and family, it strays, interestingly, from what you'd expect from a typical biography. It looks at the Texas Johnson grew up in generally for example, and gives us considerable detail about the characters that inhabit Texas' political landscape at the time.
Where I got depressed by the book was in its' portrayal of Johnson. I understand politicians have to be ruthless, and show a certain "low cunning" if they want to achieve anything in life, but the Johnson shown here takes ruthlessness and low cunning to a whole new level, and I find it hard to contrast that with what he would later achieve with the War on Poverty, and the Great Society.
autogeek's review against another edition
5.0
Quite simply, magnificent. There is simply no other way to put it.
Once in a while, when reading a book, you might have thought: "Wow, the characters in this book are so rich and multidimensional" or something similar. But whatever character in whatever book you thought that about, they're no match for the portrayal of Lyndon Johnson in this book. It is just so incredibly detailed and well written, you can never make up your mind as to whether he is a goodie or a baddie. Lyndon Johnson was most definitely a power hungry crook and a liar who abused his subordinates and toadied up to his superiors. But he was also one of the few figures who did the most to liberate the poor and disenfranchised rural people of Texas. And he achieved this even before he became a senator.
Mind you, despite how interesting it is, this is not an easy book to read. And at close to a thousand pages long, nor is it small. Partly, this is because Caro goes to great lengths to establish the historical context thoroughly wherever necessary. For example, you might imagine a biography about Lyndon Johnson might begin with his childhood. But no, the book actually begins with the historical context to Lyndon Johnson's great-grandfather's migration to Texas. Yeah, its that thorough. There are lots of such asides where Caro paints a thorough picture of relevant characters or places. And they all add to the book - both to the length and quality. And this book only covers his life up to his first run for a senate seat. There are four more books in the series remaining and I can't wait to get my hands on them.
Once in a while, when reading a book, you might have thought: "Wow, the characters in this book are so rich and multidimensional" or something similar. But whatever character in whatever book you thought that about, they're no match for the portrayal of Lyndon Johnson in this book. It is just so incredibly detailed and well written, you can never make up your mind as to whether he is a goodie or a baddie. Lyndon Johnson was most definitely a power hungry crook and a liar who abused his subordinates and toadied up to his superiors. But he was also one of the few figures who did the most to liberate the poor and disenfranchised rural people of Texas. And he achieved this even before he became a senator.
Mind you, despite how interesting it is, this is not an easy book to read. And at close to a thousand pages long, nor is it small. Partly, this is because Caro goes to great lengths to establish the historical context thoroughly wherever necessary. For example, you might imagine a biography about Lyndon Johnson might begin with his childhood. But no, the book actually begins with the historical context to Lyndon Johnson's great-grandfather's migration to Texas. Yeah, its that thorough. There are lots of such asides where Caro paints a thorough picture of relevant characters or places. And they all add to the book - both to the length and quality. And this book only covers his life up to his first run for a senate seat. There are four more books in the series remaining and I can't wait to get my hands on them.
jsilverman84's review against another edition
5.0
This extraordinary book gives an unusually detailed look at the life of an important 20th century figure. Among the numerous lessons of what to do (and what not to do) in this book, one stood out: "If you did just absolutely everything you could do, you would succeed."
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 sketchy campaign tactics.
As with Master of the Senate, I found this biography absolutely intriguing. I highly recommend it. When I started reading these, I knew practically nothing about Johnson. Now I find his life fascinating for the sheer range and frequent amorality of his actions.
As with Master of the Senate, I found this biography absolutely intriguing. I highly recommend it. When I started reading these, I knew practically nothing about Johnson. Now I find his life fascinating for the sheer range and frequent amorality of his actions.
senquezada29's review against another edition
4.0
A very dense and probably unnecessarily detailed account of Lyndon Johnson's early life from his father's service in the TX State Legislature to LBJ's unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate in 1971.
biolexicon's review against another edition
5.0
Despite living and growing up in South Texas, despite Texas history being a huge focus in school curriculum - I didn't know much going into this book. I've been to Lady Bird Lake in Austin and knew a presidential library was there. I also knew some vague stuff about LBJ as it related to civil rights and Vietnam. And that's about it. I've learned so much. Everything from why our soil is so infertile to how electricity reached the hill country. How Hispanic folks could vote, but had essentially no representation since their votes were purchased or stolen.
I've spent a lot of time reading the history of other places, NYC for example. This is a National Book Critics Circle Award winner and part of a series that won a Pulitzer Prize. People are reading the history of my neck of the woods. It's getting its time to shine and I couldn't be happier about it.
I've spent a lot of time reading the history of other places, NYC for example. This is a National Book Critics Circle Award winner and part of a series that won a Pulitzer Prize. People are reading the history of my neck of the woods. It's getting its time to shine and I couldn't be happier about it.
joshholder's review against another edition
5.0
This was probably the best book I've ever read (if not my favorite per se).
The depth of research and information this book provided was simply insane - not only about the career of a fascinating and deeply complex individual, but also of so many other figures of the day that LBJ crossed paths with. After reading this book, almost by accident I feel like I have so much more knowledge about so many things - the geographic and economic history of Texas (and the naming of basically every Rice residential college), the New Deal, the depression, the structure which underlies true political power in the United States.
To me though, the most interesting part of this book was it's commentary on success - what drives it? What makes it possible? To what extent is success compatible with idealism? Following Lyndon Johnson over the course of the book, one can't help but be awed by the naked ambition, generational political talent, and unending work ethic that he poured into his every action, and yet the book ends with him having failed his senate run, still just a relatively junior congressman. To reach his end goal, there would be decades (and thousands of more pages) of relentless, often cynical political maneuvering. It's impossible to come out of this book without a newfound respect, and skepticism for anyone who has managed to reach the top of the American political system.
If you have the stamina for it (and this book does require stamina), I highly recommend this book. This feels like one of the books that will shape my worldview in a variety of areas for many years to come.
The depth of research and information this book provided was simply insane - not only about the career of a fascinating and deeply complex individual, but also of so many other figures of the day that LBJ crossed paths with. After reading this book, almost by accident I feel like I have so much more knowledge about so many things - the geographic and economic history of Texas (and the naming of basically every Rice residential college), the New Deal, the depression, the structure which underlies true political power in the United States.
To me though, the most interesting part of this book was it's commentary on success - what drives it? What makes it possible? To what extent is success compatible with idealism? Following Lyndon Johnson over the course of the book, one can't help but be awed by the naked ambition, generational political talent, and unending work ethic that he poured into his every action, and yet the book ends with him having failed his senate run, still just a relatively junior congressman. To reach his end goal, there would be decades (and thousands of more pages) of relentless, often cynical political maneuvering. It's impossible to come out of this book without a newfound respect, and skepticism for anyone who has managed to reach the top of the American political system.
If you have the stamina for it (and this book does require stamina), I highly recommend this book. This feels like one of the books that will shape my worldview in a variety of areas for many years to come.