Caro, Robert A. Years of Lyndon Johnson #4

"What the hell's the presidency for?" -- pt. 1. Johnson vs. Kennedy : 1960. The prediction -- The rich man's son -- Forging chains -- The back stairs -- The "LBJ Special" -- pt. 2. "Rufus Cornpone". "Power is where power goes" -- Genuine warmth -- "Cut" -- Gestures and tactics -- The protégé -- pt. 3. Dallas. The cubicle -- Taking charge -- pt. 4. Taking command. Aboard Air Force One -- Three encounters -- The drums -- pt. 5. To become a president. EOB 274 -- The Warren Commission -- The Southern strategy -- "Old Harry" -- "The Johnsons in Johnson City" -- Serenity -- "Old Harry" II -- In the books of law -- Defeating despair -- Hammer blows -- Long enough

Pulitzer Prize biographer Robert A. Caro follows Lyndon Johnson through both the most frustrating and the most triumphant periods of his career, describing Johnson's volatile relationship with John Kennedy and Robert Kennedy during the fight they waged for the 1960 Democratic nomination for president, through Johnson's unhappy vice presidency, his assumption to the presidency after Kennedy's assassination, his victories over the budget and civil rights, and the eroding trap of Vietnam