I’ve heard good things about these books, but I’m hesitant to start the series as one, they’re all brick-sized volumes and two, it’s not finished yet. My question for anyone who’s read it is what’s the prose like? I can see myself reading several massive books on one subject if it’s got the kind of novelistic quality that authors like Shelby Foote had, but if they’re drily written I have zero chance.
by stoned_on_armageddon
6 Comments
I’ve not read them myself but my father is a long time fan and has always raved about Caro’s work.
It’s the best writing of any book or series I’ve come across, there aren’t enough positives to say. He makes pages of discussions on Texan soil conditions feel gripping and like the most important thing on earth. If you want to understand why America is the way it is you need to check them out
Conan O’Brien is obsessed with these books and Robert Caro’s writing in general. His enthusiasm is practically enough to make me want to read them too, even though I generally have no interest whatsoever in Lyndon B. Johnson or dense biographies.
Couldn’t hurt to start reading and see if it’s interesting enough to you. You could set a goal like 200 pages per month and spread out the reading over a good long time.
On a sheer research level, they are truly unparalleled.
Dry as the Sahara …
I started the 1st TL;DNR
The best books I’ve ever read.