A review of Robert Caro's 'The Years of Lyndon Johnson' series, exploring LBJ's life, political tactics, and legacy, while praising the author's dedication and writing style. Longer summary

This book review of Robert Caro's series 'The Years of Lyndon Johnson' presents LBJ's life as an epic fantasy that happens to be true. The review highlights memorable characters from LBJ's era, outlines LBJ's strategies for amassing power, and discusses the author's dedication to thorough research. It also explores the moral complexity of LBJ's legacy, particularly his role in civil rights and the Vietnam War. The reviewer praises Caro's writing and research methods while pondering the implications of LBJ's political tactics for modern democracy. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander examines the history of increasing competitiveness in college admissions, analyzing causes and questioning whether the focus on elite college admission is justified. Longer summary

Scott Alexander explores the history of college admissions and the increasing competitiveness in recent years. He traces the evolution from a time when top colleges admitted almost anyone qualified to the current highly competitive landscape. The post examines various factors contributing to this change, including increased applications per student, changing demographics, and shifts in evaluation criteria. Scott also investigates whether the intense focus on college admissions is justified, given research suggesting that attending a selective college may not significantly impact most students' long-term outcomes. Shorter summary