I hardly ever give a book five full stars-- But Caro deserves this 5 star rating for sure. When I hefted this over 700 page biography I wondered if I would be able to wade through it-- I didn't-- I whizzed through as if it was the most dramatic novel ever! Caro made reading this LBJ insider captivating and interesting. It was like sitting on a shelf in the white house and seeing and hearing what really goes on in a political life-- the good the bad and the very ugly.

I love the insight to the Kennedy's as well -- it was told without prejudice and you felt you were getting the straight skinny-- and you got to make up your own mind with the facts given on the transition from a laid back playboy to a very serious President--

You get to see the calculating mind of LBJ as he moves from the strong man of the entire senate , if not government -- down into the bottom of pit as a seemingly useless Vice President- to him grabbing the reins of the Presidency with both hands- guiding stronger than before the halls of government-- masterfully but still calculating and I hate to say it deceitful in nature--

This is a have to read for those who want an inside seat in immaculate detail of how our government in molded and worked by the most powerful.