Means of Ascent

The Years of Lyndon Johnson

By: Robert A. Caro

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Robert A. Caro's life of Lyndon Johnson, which began with the greatly acclaimed The Path to Power, also winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award, continues - one of the richest, most intensive, and most revealing examinations ever undertaken of an American President. In Means of Ascent, the Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer/historian, chronicler also of Robert Moses in The Power Broker, carries Johnson through his service in World War II and the foundation of his long-concealed fortune and the facts behind the myths he created about it. But the explosive heart of the book is Caro's revelation of the true story of the fiercely contested 1948 senatorial election, for 40 years shrouded in rumor, which Johnson had to win or face certain political death, and which he did win -- by "the 87 votes that changed history."

Caro makes us witness to a momentous turning point in American politics: the tragic last stand of the old politics versus the new - the politics of issue versus the politics of image, mass manipulation, money and electronic dazzle.

©1990 Robert A. Caro, Inc. (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Both Fascinating and Tedious

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is an absolutely fascinating book and an amazing demonstration of how good it can be when world class research and top notch writing come together. Add in Grover Gardner, one of my favorite readers and you have a great, great story.

Any additional comments?

My only criticism is that there is far too much overlap between this book and the previous book in the series the Path to Power. Both are very worthy books on their own, but it felt like perhaps 20% of this book was directly copied from the Path to Power. Same stories, same wording. It seems as though Robert Caro literally copied and pasted big sections into the 2nd book. Still very worthwhile, but large sections become tedious in this regard.

Now I am rather afraid to listen to the first volume of Master of the Senate in case Caro continues to plagiarize himself! (But I will anyway)

LBJ - how he got that way

Would you consider the audio edition of Means of Ascent to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version yet. I want audible to provide files like indices, table of contents, and illustrations, perhaps even a companion i or e book even if you must charge a little extra.

Who was your favorite character and why?

LBJ

Have you listened to any of Grover Gardner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

NO - too long and so good and thorough it would be too much

Any additional comments?

A valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of LBJ's time as well as the backstory on the man himself. Deeply comprehensive yet very well organized.

Grew Up in the Hill Country

What made the experience of listening to Means of Ascent the most enjoyable?

I laughed at his adequate description of the Hill Country because I grew up in said Hill Country on a dairy farm which became a cattle farm when the state requirements increased beyond my father's finances. On his death, it was found that my father's highest income was when he worked for the county road maintenance, the annual amount was $3000. Johnson brought our family electrical power, but my father discussed his questionable activities politically, i.e. Duval County. I thought LBJ was a hero until Vietnam.

What other book might you compare Means of Ascent to and why?

This book, in its thoroughness, cannot be compared to any other biographical work I have ever read or heard about. It is fascinating!

Which character – as performed by Grover Gardner – was your favorite?

All.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but in Book 1 it is 20 hours!

Any additional comments?

I look forward to all of the series and the as yet unpublished one.

mindboggling book on crooked politics

u have to listen to this book to realize how crooked politics could be and how corrupt it was. great book to buy

Caro Does It Again

Loved it! Incredible detail! Caro once again detailed the complicated history of a complicated man.

A tremendous storyteller!

Caro is the second best historical writer I've ever read. Given that the first is Shelby Foote, that's as high praise as I can give!

great book

wonderful book one of the best authors I've ever read can't wait for the remaining volume

Even better than the first volume!!

It’s so perfect in so many ways, a short review can’t do it justice.

My main takeaway this time was just how important it is to be a good person. I cried a lot during at least three chapters.

Learning about Coke Stevenson was worth the listen

This book is one of many parts of Caro's epic biographical sketch of LBJ, this time, focusing mostly on the 1948 Senate race. Johnson's numerous campaign innovations were on display – his helicopter, which allowed him to criss-cross the state, radio advertising, and vote-stuffing. Despite all that, he couldn't (really) beat Coke Stevenson. Learning about LBJ's opponent was well-worth the listen.

Wonderful! Don't let the length turn you off

The sheer length of the entire series (150 hours!) and the subject matter (Lyndon Johnson?) made it a difficult decision to start but it is terrific. As others have mentioned, it isn't just about LBJ, but you really get to learn a lot about the social history of the times - mostly in 1940's Texas, but nationally as well.

And LBJ - what a fascinating, amoral character. Robert Caro mentions in the introduction that this volume differs from the others in that in the other volumes there is a contrast between light and dark in Johnson's personality and accomplishments, but in this book it is only dark. Yes, that is true, but the audacity of LBJ is just amazing to be a part of. Caro's writing style really makes you feel you are there.

It is hard not to compare politics then and now - there are plenty of similarities, but my one takeaway is that we survived corrupt politicians then and we can survive them now. In many cases, it shows that we are so much better off with the information and transparency we have now. It is hard to remember or acknowledge that sometimes, but compared to what was going on in the late 40's, we are incredibly enlightened and transparent. It also shows how truly hard it is to steal an election - even successfully.

So take the plunge and listen. It is time well spent.