The Path to Power

The Years of Lyndon Johnson

By: Robert A. Caro

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 40 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

amazing

wow.

Some time ago I listened to the last ( so far) in this series "Passage to Power". THAT is a good book! So much so, I always had in the back in my mind to listen to the others. But- 60-120 hours or whatever it will end up being??? However, Gardner is superb as an narrator ( I've listened to him multiple times) so for my New Years resolution I thought I would undertake. The first book goes only to 1941, Johnson's term as a congressman, and I was apprehensive - 40 hours just to get that far? Well - it was fascinating. Every step of the way. Deeper and more compelling than the majority ( if not all) of biographies I have read, and I read this genre a lot.

I cannot speak highly enough of the combination of Caro/Gardner. I have immediately downloaded Book 2 without hesitation

It is a long haul, but thoroughly enjoyable so far.

Highly recommend.

An impeccable biography

The first of 4 comprehensive works (with a fifth to come) on the topic, this may be one of the most compelling biographies on any American president - and it's certainly the go-to source for the life of Lyndon Johnson. Grover Gardner's perfect narration makes for a listen that is as entertaining as it is enlightening.

Excellent biography, excellent narration

Where does The Path to Power rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's up there

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

So well researched, so well written.

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

Nope

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

Ha, no - one might die.

Any additional comments?

Never hated a main character in a biography so much, but can't turn away from the train wreck. Now on to part II!

Brilliant

I had light bulbs going on after every paragraph. So many details to fill in the gaps of your knowledge of 20th c politics, and a brilliant framework in which place the things you already know. Starting Vol 2 tomorrow. Can’t wait.

Truly the Inside Story

This was a compelling listen about a very colorful United States President’s rise to power. It was disturbing, and I am anxious to read the other books in this series about LBJ. Hopefully he will redeem himself in his later years.

Excellent Biography

I’ve wanted to dive into Caro’s Lyndon Johnson biographies for a long time but was mainly interested in Master of the Senate. I’m glad I decided to start at the beginning. Caro’s research is meticulous, and the writing brings life to what would otherwise be dull reading (the introduction to TX’s hill country comes to mind). This is an extraordinary character study that turned the 40 hours into a breeze (honestly).

Masterpiece!

This book tells you exactly how Washington runs, and the dirty means politicians use to get there.

One of the greatest political biographies.

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

This is the only audiobook I've listened to more than once.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Path to Power?

The best part of the book is the long sections devoted to the 19th century background of Johnson's ancestors, and the very hard life led by the people of the "hill country" in Texas. Johnson's mother and father are fascinating people in their own right, and Caro devotes some brilliantly written and moving passages to their travails. Life was still hard for people of Lyndon's generation until he brokered legislation of dubious legality (with FDR's help) that brought electricity to the hill country -- in 1939, 30+ years after urban areas.

What does Grover Gardner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Grover Gardner's reading was perfect in every way.

Masterful

The most in depth presidential biography series I have ever come across. The narrative presents not just a complete picture of Johnson's early life, but an explanation of the political world as it really was and his maneuvering within it and attempts to control it

Impressive work by an impressive author

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

I probably would't listen to The Path to Power again due to it's length and the fact that I never re-read or listen to anything. That being said this is an impressive story by any means and shows the impressive work that Caro put into this work.

What did you like best about this story?

The attention to detail truly paints a picture of a man who want's to be the best but many times does't know how.

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

Solid consistent and enjoyable voice that goes unnoticed in the listen which is important.