Means of Ascent (The Years of Lyndon Johnson, #2) Summary & Key Insights

Robert Caro's Means of Ascent, the second volume of his monumental biography of Lyndon B. Johnson, chronicles LBJ's rise to power in the Senate and his ruthless ambition to achieve national prominence. The book covers the period from Johnson's election to the Senate in 1948 to his narrow victory in the 1958 Senate Majority Leader election. It's less a chronological account and more a deep dive into the political maneuvering and personality that shaped Johnson's career.

The central plot revolves around Johnson's relentless pursuit of power. His ambition is depicted not as a simple desire for influence, but as a deep-seated need for validation stemming from his complex and often traumatic upbringing. Caro masterfully portrays Johnson's intricate understanding of the Senate's power dynamics, his masterful use of legislative procedure, and his cynical, yet effective, strategies to build alliances and crush opponents.

Key characters besides Johnson himself include powerful figures like Richard Russell, the influential senior Senator from Georgia; Sam Rayburn, the powerful Speaker of the House; and Johnson's formidable wife, Lady Bird, whose support and political acumen are vital to his success. The book also introduces numerous Texas politicians and operatives, highlighting the state's unique political culture and its influence on Johnson's development. The relationships, both alliances and rivalries, are depicted with intense detail, showcasing the cutthroat nature of Washington politics.

A major theme is the moral ambiguity of Johnson's methods. Caro doesn't shy away from portraying the darker aspects of Johnson's personality – his bullying tactics, his willingness to compromise his principles for political gain, and his manipulation of individuals and events. However, Caro also acknowledges Johnson's legislative brilliance and his genuine commitment to certain causes, particularly those benefiting his constituents and expanding the reach of the federal government. This duality fuels the narrative, challenging readers to grapple with the complexity of Johnson's character and his legacy.

The book culminates in Johnson's hard-fought victory for the Senate Majority Leader position, a triumph that establishes him as a dominant figure in national politics and sets the stage for his eventual presidency. This victory is not presented as a simple triumph of skill, but rather as a culmination of years of relentless scheming, shrewd political maneuvering, and a profound understanding of human nature, both his own and others'. Means of Ascent leaves the reader with a powerful and nuanced portrait of a man driven by ambition, a man whose extraordinary talents were inextricably linked to his moral flaws.