Master of the Senate

Robert A. Caro's "Master of the Senate," the third installment of "The Years of Lyndon Johnson," meticulously chronicles Johnson's transformative twelve years in the U.S. Senate (1949-1960). This book offers an unprecedented look into the mechanics of legislative power and how Johnson, through sheer political genius, ascended to become the youngest and most dominant Senate Majority Leader in history. Caro reveals how Johnson manipulated the Senate's hallowed rules and customs, converting it from a fragmented body into a potent legislative machine under his iron-fisted control. The narrative details his uncanny ability to reconcile opposing factions—retaining Southern support while securing cooperation from liberals—to achieve his ambitions. It also explores the darker facets of his ambition, including the destruction of Federal Power Commission Chairman Leland Olds. A monumental achievement is Johnson's maneuvering to pass the first civil rights legislation since 1875, a testament to his strategic prowess. Through unparalleled research, Caro crafts a galvanizing portrait of Johnson, a volcanic titan of Capital Hill, and a definitive study of personal and legislative power.