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jimbowen0306's review against another edition
5.0
Means of Ascent is the second book in a five book series about Lyndon Johnson, and America, during his life. This book focuses on the time when Johnson was a congressman during, and after, World War 2, and his subsequent campaign for the Senate in 1948.
This book was a depressing book. Much of the book looks at how Johnson won his 1948 Senate race. As someone who is instinctively pro-Johnson's achievements, his behaviour in the race can, at best, be described as distasteful, and certainly left me thinking considerably less of him.
This said, if you want to understand American politics in the 1940s and 1950s, this is the book for you.It is a really interesting read.
This book was a depressing book. Much of the book looks at how Johnson won his 1948 Senate race. As someone who is instinctively pro-Johnson's achievements, his behaviour in the race can, at best, be described as distasteful, and certainly left me thinking considerably less of him.
This said, if you want to understand American politics in the 1940s and 1950s, this is the book for you.It is a really interesting read.
dale_kooyenga's review against another edition
5.0
This book is amazing. Caro pulls you so deep into the time and place you find yourself cheering for Johnson's US Senate opponent, Coke Stevenson. This is the 3rd book of the series I've read, accidentally read the 3rd book before this one. Each book is amazing. There is some material that is redundant, but it's not annoying because it serves as a good reminder and context. There is no doubt that Johnson stole the election to become a US Senator which ultimately led to his presidency. Even when he was president Johnson bragged about stealing the election.
In addition to stealing the election the book also details how he used his political power to secure a radio station and then direct parties that wanted something done in D.C. to sponsor and/or advertise on the station. During the course of the less than a decade covered in this book Johnson's corruption means he begins with nearly no assets and then brags about amassing millions. By the end of his Presidency Johnson amasses over $20 Million all the while being a full time elected official with a full time job.
The books coverage of Johnson's "service" in WW2 is also remarkable. It was service, but not very honorable. The details regarding rampant voting fraud reinforce the need for strong election laws and checks and balances.
Anyone interested in politics, history or Texas needs to read this book.
In addition to stealing the election the book also details how he used his political power to secure a radio station and then direct parties that wanted something done in D.C. to sponsor and/or advertise on the station. During the course of the less than a decade covered in this book Johnson's corruption means he begins with nearly no assets and then brags about amassing millions. By the end of his Presidency Johnson amasses over $20 Million all the while being a full time elected official with a full time job.
The books coverage of Johnson's "service" in WW2 is also remarkable. It was service, but not very honorable. The details regarding rampant voting fraud reinforce the need for strong election laws and checks and balances.
Anyone interested in politics, history or Texas needs to read this book.
alexisrt's review against another edition
4.0
This is the slow period of LBJ's career, which is why Caro only gets 400 pages out of it, and the election of 1948 takes up a large chunk of that.
Still good, but not the high point of the biography. Readers may wish to look for some dissenting views on Caro's presentation of the election of 1948 and his characterization of Coke Stevenson.
Still good, but not the high point of the biography. Readers may wish to look for some dissenting views on Caro's presentation of the election of 1948 and his characterization of Coke Stevenson.
davidrallenjr's review against another edition
“…if one characteristic of Lyndon Johnson was a boundless ambition, another was a willingness, on behalf of that ambition, to make efforts that were also without bounds.
nowacki's review against another edition
5.0
“That was when the chips were down. That was the acid test. That was it! All or nothing.”