Robert Caro Thread

>>9524174

I just started his Robert Moses book. Great introduction. Very excited about the rest of it. Will definitely read his LBJ books eventually.

>>9524200
Cool, I actually just got the Power Broker in the mail. Its fucking gigantic and I sort of regret not shelling out extra for a hardcover copy.

I think what I loved about The Path to Power is that I have a special affinity for those corrupt, Shakespearean politicians.

>>9524174
>riveting

A book about Lyndon B Johnson is riveting?

Please, elaborate.

>>9524174
Means of Ascent was pretty boring imo

>>9526377
It's riveting in its attention to detail. One of the strengths of Caro is his ability to make his subject come alive. He's known for his very thorough research so his books are dense and long.

But part of what makes this book great is LBJ's machinations. The first book covers the time period between his birth to his election as congressman. I feel this book truly succeeded in conveying the dirty politics of the day and how skilled LBJ was at manipulating others.

Caro said it best. "...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."

Its just such a treat of a book. I'd even say its probably the greatest modern biography ever written.

>>9526377
LBJ is a great character, like so many other powerful men in the history of American politics.

The chapters discussing life in the Hill country and LBJ's attempt to set-up utilities for the people living there in order to expand his voter base for his first congressional election is some of the best non-fiction prose I've encountered in a while. Caro does his research and evokes the sense of the place and the people's hardships really well.

>>9524174

read The Power Broker earlier this year, was fantastic. In particular the 'One Mile' chapter was phenomenal. Caro can make a time and place from the past come to life. Definitely want to start reading the LBJ books soon.

Thanks for the thread OP. I will certainly read the book. I've read countless of biographies -- hundreds. I recommend The Titan by Chernow. Excellent book on Rockefeller. Please continue to recommend MUST READ biographies in this thread.