The Passage of Power

by Robert Caro
The Passage of Power cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Technical:
  • ID: 699
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-09-19
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
Ephemereality · Todd Leopold · 2019-08-01
educational 4.25

The book is exhausting but highly educational, offering a wealth of information about Lyndon Johnson's life.

Todd Leopold finds 'The Passage of Power' to be an exhausting read due to its extensive detail, but he acknowledges that it is highly educational. The book provides a wealth of information about Lyndon Johnson's life and political career, making it a valuable resource for those interested in the subject. Leopold appreciates the depth of Caro's research and the insights it provides into Johnson's character and political strategies. Despite the book's length and density, Leopold finds it to be a rewarding read for those willing to invest the time.

Quick quotes

    'The Passage of Power' is often exhausting, as Caro's books are, but I can't say I didn't learn a great deal.

    At least I probably have several new insights into Lyndon Johnson's character and political strategies.

    The book is a valuable resource for those interested in the subject.

Best Presidential Bios · 2017-12-13
insightful 4.00

Caro's writing is fluent and insightful but occasionally cumbersome. The book's depth of detail is both its strength and weakness, offering a labyrinthine experience.

The reviewer appreciates Caro's fluent and insightful writing style, which brings a vivid portrayal of Lyndon Johnson's life. However, they note that the book's depth of detail can sometimes feel cumbersome and overwhelming. This is a common theme in Caro's work, where the extensive research leads to a rich but dense narrative. The reviewer finds the book to be a compelling study of power, though the sheer volume of information can be exhausting.

Quick quotes

    Caro's writing style – fluent and brilliantly insightful but also occasionally cumbersome – is again on display.

    The labyrinthine nature of the book can be both its strength and weakness.

    The depth of detail is possible only through the peerless research that forms the foundation of Robert Caro's work.

Claremont Review of Books · 2012-01-01
compelling 3.75

Caro's portrayal of Lyndon Johnson is dramatic and compelling, but it shares the strengths and weaknesses of his previous work.

The reviewer finds Caro's portrayal of Lyndon Johnson to be dramatic and compelling, much like his previous work, 'The Power Broker'. They appreciate the vivid and engaging narrative style, which makes the story captivating. However, they also note that the book shares some of the same weaknesses, such as the overwhelming amount of detail that can sometimes detract from the overall reading experience. The reviewer acknowledges the brilliance of Caro's research but suggests that the book could benefit from a more streamlined approach.

Quick quotes

    Caro's portrayal of Lyndon Johnson has all the strengths and weaknesses of 'The Power Broker'.

    The writing remains dramatic and compelling.

    This is no accident, as Caro's style is consistent and engaging.

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