MASTER OF THE SENATE The Years of Lyndon Johnson

The massive third volume of Caro's massive life of Lyndon Baines Johnson focuses on the 12 years (1948-1960) during which LBJ was a member of the U.S. Senate. It reveals his "take-no-prisoners" drive to power, as well as his ability to manage a previously unmanageable institution. Caro includes lots of Senate history and lots of information covered in his previous books on Johnson. In audio format, the book's redundancy can be frustrating, as it is hard to skip text and read ahead. Grover Gardner's narration is a straightforward rendition of the text. The drama--and there is much drama in the events chronicled--is carried by the words, not the voice. While some listeners might want more verbal dramatics, this reviewer found the neutral reading easy to listen to and appropriate. R.E.K. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 02/ JAN 03]