The Path to Power

The Years of Lyndon Johnson

By: Robert A. Caro

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

This is the story of the rise to national power of a desperately poor young man from the Texas Hill Country. The Path to Power reveals in extraordinary detail the genesis of the almost superhuman drive, energy, and ambition that set LBJ apart. It follows him from the Hill Country to New Deal Washington, from his boyhood through the years of the Depression to his debut as Congressman, his heartbreaking defeat in his first race for the Senate, and his attainment, nonetheless, at age 31, of the national power for which he hungered.

In this book, we are brought as close as we have ever been to a true perception of political genius and the American political process. Means of Ascent, Book Two of The Years of Lyndon Johnson, was a number-one national best seller and, like The Path to Power, received the National Book Critics Circle Award.

©1981, 1982 Robert A. Caro, Inc. (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

The Pulsing History of LBJ's Early Years

"...if Lyndon Johnson was not a reader of books, he was a reader of men--a reader with a rare ability to see into their souls."
-- Robert A Caro, The Path to Power

If the next three (and the final, yet to be written book) are as polished and well-researched as this one, this may end up being the definitive biography of any president. I loved Morris' Theodore Roosevelt Trilogy. It and Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton were nearly tied in my affection and esteem as my favorite political biographies. This one just jumped ahead.

Caro writes as well about place and people as John McPhee. He seems to possess all the qualities you want in an academic and popular historian. I bought these novels years ago. They sat collecting dust behind me and haunted me, but I was afraid to pick them up. They are just damn intimidating. Not just their thickness, but also the heft. The books are dense and heavy. So, each time I turned to read them, I imagined some immense mountain I would need to climb. But Caro's narrative is so easy, so fascinating, so compelling that the mountain practically pulls you up. After the first chapter I had a hard time putting this beast down.

Great intrduction to understanding LBJ's life

this was a great book that gave a good introduction into the young life of LBJ looking forward to reading the other three books

forgot how great this was. Caro the master biograp

her. hopefully he finishes the series in our lifetime. and his. narration was very good

Incredible

This is the best history book I have ever read. Absolutely incredible. Brilliant snapshot into how politics in America work.

So worth the time

Amazing chronicle of American history and the workings of power. Loved every minute of it!

Bob Caro tells a good story

Here he relates hundreds of anecdotes using thousands of sources to tell a great story.

At last

A biography of a politician written by someone who understands political power and how it is achieved.

Great listen!

Would you listen to The Path to Power again? Why?

Yes. It is historical and the narrator is perfect for this book.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The narrator is awesome and anyone who enjoys learning a little about Texas history will enjoy the book.

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

LBJ

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

LBJ: The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend this book.

Fascinating story albeit a tad heavy handed

Carrows book is without a doubt a masterpiece of research, and a fascinating story. However, in an effort to describe every aspect of LBJ's life in elaborate detail, the story occasionally drags.

If Grover Gardener could only pronounce Ickes!

I love Grover Garderner's voice but he mispronounces Harold Ickes name throughout. It's like fingernails across a blackboard to me. I do love his work otherwise.