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.

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.