Means of ascent carries Johnson through his service in World War II and the foundation of his long-concealed fortune and the facts behind the myths he created about it. But the explosive heart of the book is Caro's revelation of the true story of the fiercely contested 1948 senatorial election, for forty years shrouded in rumor, which Johnson had to win or face certain political death, and which he did win -- by "the 87 votes that changed history."

Includes index. Volume two of series.

Introduction: Ends and means -- Part I : "Too Slow" -- Going back -- All quiet on the Western front -- In the Pacific -- Lady Bird -- Marking time -- Buying and selling -- One of a crowd - Part II : The Old and the New -- The story of Coke Stevenson -- Head start -- "Will!" -- The Flying windmill -- All or nothing -- The stealing -- Lists of names -- Qualities of leadership -- The making of a legend -- A love story -- Three rings.