The Master of the Senate by Robert A. Caro (2002, Hardcover, Illustrated)

I worked for LBJ in Washington and had a major collection of LBJ material from that time. It was all lost in a fire so I am trying to replace as much of it as possible. Some of the things cannot be replaced.

These Caro books are important. I differ with Caro here and there on his take regarding LBJ but I am a lifelong biased Democrat "without prefix, suffix or apology!!!" I am a Texan from head to toe.

Caro's LBJ books are important as to their impact on LBJ's legacy and his place in political history. His books add to any consideration of the "spirit" of LBJ's times and my own time.

Caro has a "yankee" perspective and bias regarding LBJ. That is understandable. All writers have their own unique perspective and bias resulting from their unique life experiences. Therefore anyone who reads any writer on any subject has to take into account those biases and the reader's own biases. That makes for a mind broadening argument for the serious & intellectually humble reader of history, government and politics.

I think Caro would agree with me that LBJ had a more profound effect on more lives than any American president or political figure in modern times--from his time in the senate, through his presidency going forward to the present; especially insofar as domestic considerations are concerned--than he gets credit for. That is, if we take into consideration the total body of LBJ's life's work.

I don't think any of the major writers, including Caro, have yet done a good job analyzing and explaining the why and wherefore of LBJ international impact & supposed failings. He is deemed a failure in foerign affairs but was he really a failure after all is said and done? Why did he dive so deeply into Vietnam even after advising Kennedy to steer clear there? What was the impact of the American right wing fanatics and super patriots on him and a few other presidents (Truman, Ike, Kennedy and Nixon) & western leaders in that period? Did the Vietnam "war" have a significant impact on the subsequent failure of Russian and Chinese communism? I think it had an impact. Let's take a look!!!

I bought this book because it was required reading in a Political Science class. I was not looking forward to reading it as I am not an LBJ fan, and I despise the way our Senate works. The book however, has been quite interesting and I am enjoying reading it.

First of 3 volumes. I have all 3 now. Very eloquent writing. We do not understand that poverty is not absoute. It is relevant. "Poor" people today have satellte antennas.