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
Prime Movers of Globalization
Fall; or, Dodge in Hell
The Idealist
#AskGaryVee
Zucked
White Working Class
The Devil’s Financial Dictionary
The Diamond Age
The Design of Everyday Things
Superhuman
The Three Marriages
Maps of Meaning
The Artist's Way
Walk in Their Shoes
Francis Crick
All I Want to Know is Where I'm Going To Die So I'll Never Go There
Devil's Harbor
A Walk in the Woods
Not The End of the World
Hyperion
An Inconvenient Truth
The Blank Swan
How To Win at the Sport of Business
The Adventures of Henry Thoreau
A History of Knowledge
A Higher Loyalty
Free Women, Free Men
The Art of People
Plentiful Energy
The Halo Effect...
The Black Dahlia
Bad News
The Plot Against the President
Lolita
Striking Thoughts
Titan
For The Love Of Physics
The Death of the Artist
Leadership
Genome
The 48 Laws of Power
Trailblazer
A History of the English-Speaking Peoples
The Hustler
The Emotion Code
Hacks
Between The World And Me
Small Is the New Big
Be the Person You Want to Find
The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo
Digital Gold
The Fabric of Civilization
Devil Take the Hindmost
Prelude to Foundation
Now, Discover Your Strengths
Flying Start
Double your Profits
The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life
An Elegant Defense
Switch
Why We Sleep
Play It Away
The Starfish and the Spider
Exit Interview
Radical Son
Powers of Two
The American Challenge
When Breath Becomes Air
Money Changes Everything
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
What Do People Do All Day?
Thinking Physics
Flow
Superintelligence
The Wizard of Menlo Park
Against The World
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt
True Believer
Born Red
The Piano Tuner
Men, Machines, and Modern Times
A Whole New Mind
At Play in the Fields of the Lord
Evolving Ourselves
The True Believer
Starlink
Sustainable Materials With Both Eyes Open
With the Old Breed
The Tycoons
Electrify
Platform Revolution
From Galileo to Newton
Modernity Without Restraint
Dominion
Sex at Dawn
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
When I Say No, I Feel Guilty
I Seem To Be A Verb
Ham on Rye
Elvis Cole Series