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The Path to Power

The Years of Lyndon Johnson

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The Path to Power

By: Robert A. Caro
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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About this listen

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. Americas Historical Political Science Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Presidents & Heads of State United States World
All stars
Most relevant  
Covers a lot more American history and American political history than just being solely about Lyndon Johnson. A couple early chapters with a bit too much detail but worth sticking with. Many interesting characters with real depth and conflicting motivations and personalities makes it a great listen. Outstanding narration and amount of research. On to book 2!

Worth sticking with

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Fascinating coverage of the early life of LBJ. The author portrays a description of a man whose personality was both repellent and intriguing. In fact, he was so horrible that I had to stop listening for a while. But, I came back and got back into the story. It was worth it as Caro’s writing is so compelling, and Gardner’s narration is as always, a joy. What struck me was the frightening similarity between LBJ and Trump in behavior and approach. A great book.

Enthralling

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It's well known that this Pulitzer prize winning story is incredible. An incredibly story well written.
Nobody reading this is review unaware of that.
But the Narration!
Grover obviously understood the story. He obviously has great respect for the effort to write it. You simply couldn't ask for better Narration.
Really brought the story to life.
I had psychically read that book and got a lot out of it. Grover showed me there is a lot more in there. I'm going to to listen the Grover more often.

Incredible Narration to a fantastic story

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Long and deep. A great biography and very well narrated. And go to buggery Audible.

Exceptional and highly detailed

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Absolutely loved it. It gripped me from the opening pages. Not only does Caro dissect ambition & power, his sensitivity and humanity add further dimensions to this book. I found some of the most memorable chapters were about land degradation and women's domestic labour, and of the reflections by those who had been used & betrayed by LBJ. Extraordinary reading of a panoramic book. I'm in for the long haul & really looking forward to the next volumes, & hope Caro lives long enough to finish Volume 5

Sensational. Enthralling. Panoramic

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Brilliant vocalisation of one of the great historical biographies. Engaging prose, diligent research and a riveting subject.

Spectacular.

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Caro’s biography of LBJ is hugely enjoyable. He is thorough in his research and fearless in his estimation of Johnson’s life.

A most brilliant historical biography

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Detail, relevance, scene-setting and explanation very good. Terrific narration, looking forward to next book.

Wonderful narration

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