The Passage of Power

The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Vol. IV

Robert Caro

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

"The Passage of Power" by Robert Caro is a meticulously-researched and engaging historical masterpiece that captures the pivotal years of Lyndon B. Johnson's presidential journey.

In this fourth volume of his acclaimed series, Caro eloquently explores the turbulent period from 1958 to 1964—delving deep into the intricacies of Johnson's political career and the colossal challenges he faced upon assuming the presidency after the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Caro paints a vivid portrait of Johnson's transformation from an influential Senate majority leader into the leader of a grieving nation, burdened with the weight of continuing Kennedy's unfinished legacy. With precise attention to detail, Caro exposes the complex web of alliances, betrayals, and power struggles that characterized this period of American history.

Elevating the narrative with his clear prose and rich storytelling, Caro skillfully presents the backroom dealings and political maneuvering that allowed Johnson to pass landmark legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He delves into Johnson's skilled manipulation of power, as he deftly navigates through opposition and finds unprecedented ways to advance his policy agenda.

Caro does not shy away from examining Johnson's flaws and the toll that wielding power takes on both him and those around him. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, Caro dismantles popular myths while providing a gripping account of Johnson's rise to power and the transformative years that followed.

"The Passage of Power" is a brilliant and illuminating examination of a crucial period in American history, bringing to life the complex political landscape and the enigmatic personality of Lyndon B. Johnson. Caro's authoritative writing makes this book an essential addition to the libraries of history enthusiasts and anyone seeking a deep understanding of power dynamics and the complexities of leadership.

Explore More Books

See All
Showing Up for Life
The Emotionally Intelligent Investor
Happiness
Killers of the Flower Moon
Team of Teams
Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Napoleon
Monetizing Innovation
Statistical Consequences of Fat Tails
René Girard's Mimetic Theory
Trump and Churchill
Midnight In Chernobyl
The 48 Laws of Power
Statistical Models
The Third Chimpanzee
Unravelling the Double Helix
The Better Angels of our Nature
Liar's Poker
Factfulness
Boyd
Teddy and Booker T.
Think on These Things
Son of the Morning Star
Deep Survival
Human Action
Something Like an Autobiography
Good Profit
Growth IQ
Born a Crime
Ficciones
Manias, Panics, and Crashes
Stretching the School Dollar
The Deficit Myth
The World Until Yesterday
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
How Asia Works
Falling into Grace
The Hustler
The Bonfire of the Vanities
The First Crash
Stone Age Economics
The Meaning of the 21st Century
Pride and Prejudice
Origin Story
Cognitive Surplus
Fables
Experimental Man
Who We Are and How We Got Here
The Statistical Mechanics of Financial Markets
Distress
Memoirs
A Woman Makes a Plan
Mastery
Outlive
Sell with a Story
A Writer's Time
The Master Switch
Starting Strength
The Book of Life
The Truth Machine
The Sunday Philosophy Club
The Last Days of Night
Infectious Generosity
The Social Photo
Dear Founder
Flying Start
The Four
Fertility Pastures
Rise of the Robots
Hit Refresh
Investment Biker
A Second Chance
One Up
The Fund
Fooling Some of the People All of the Time
Modern Engineering for Design of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines
Lifespan
The Principia
Ishmael
Too Dumb to Fail
The Last Lion
Deep Simplicity
But What If We're Wrong?
T
Never Eat Alone
Plan B 3.0
The Mind of Napoleon
The Singularity Is Near
The Art of Possibility
Understanding Comics
The Little Bitcoin Book
Information
Complexity
The Making of Prince of Persia
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover
Little, Big
Positioning
Data-Driven Marketing
Continental Reckoning
The House of Getty