Means of Ascent
The Years of Lyndon Johnson
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Means of Ascent
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Narrated by:
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Grover Gardner
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By:
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Robert A. Caro
About this listen
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.Listeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Means of Ascent
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- E N Cuentro
- 14-05-21
Starts dry, becomes magnificent
These are the years of Johnson's frustration, in which he was least able to express on a grand scale his passions and pathologies. They were the years in which he was denied power. For part of the early going, this volume lacks the verve of its predecessor, and undeniably it gets caught in the weeds of his avoidance of serious military service, his radio station, his helicopter, his lack of legislative initiative, and so on.
But overall, and especially by the end, and with the poignancy and high drama of his fight with Coke R. Stevenson for Democratic Senate nomination, this work feels like a worthy successor. It is just as rigorous and startling in its detail, and judicious in consideration. Thoroughly recommended, looking forward to its successor.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Thomas
- 22-07-20
Excellent book. Audible version let down
Audible version let down by lack of chapter titles , but if that were to be fixed I'd wholly recommend.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 19-06-21
Good, not great
The story is fascinating, the narration is terrific. However the author's fanboy fascination with Coke Stevenson gets really tiring.
The very long fairy-book style capturing of Coke Stevenson's life and his second marriage after LBJ was sworn as a senator, was a completely unnecessary aside in my opinion.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- AnnieG
- 28-06-24
A granular history magnificently researched. Quite simply the benchmark for every other political biography.
A granular level history magnificently researched. Quite simply the benchmark for every other political biography…..
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Audible Customer
- 18-03-21
Superb2
Book 2 of 4 of LBJ bio!
Masterful detail of the man, his life and times.
if you love biography and especially political ones this is for you!
12 years between this and book one, Path to Power gives you a sense of the forensic detail the author has gone to in this book.
Highly recommended!
Now, on to book 3: Master of the Senate!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Alan Mahon
- 02-08-21
As perfect a biography as there can be
The instalments of this biography get better, more insightful and revealing not just of Johnson but of the evolution of American politics.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- JCM
- 19-09-20
Wow! Edge of the Seat Stuff.
I was going to return this audible book as in the beginning there were, I thought, too many repeats of parts of the previous book. I am glad I didn’t. Again Mr Caro delivers a spell biding (true) tale of a genuinely incredible person: LBJ. The counts, recounts and genera shenanigans of the 1948 Senate race seemed more fiction than fact.
If you started on this LBJ journey with book one, you won’t be disappointed with book 2.
Onto books 3 and 4 for me.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mr. H. F. Mccallion
- 28-07-21
Just amazing
I can’t think of a book I’ve enjoyed listening as much as this, absolutely brilliant!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- E P
- 21-04-19
Addictive Tale a Corrupt Election Campaign
Measured and insightful work which gives a clear view of what it means to be a candidate in a tight race. Conclusively exposes the corruption of post-war Texas politics
The brilliance of Robert Caro is best illustrated by his use of the photograph of LBJ will ballot box 13. A lesser biographer would have placed it centre stage as a ”smoking gun.” Caro’s proportionate use is all the more devastating
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mme K
- 16-02-23
Captivating!
This book has so much depth and detail - you are invested in the discernible truth that Caro provides through his meticulous and thorough research and context. I loved this volume!
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