Customer Reviews

Builders: Herman and George R. Brown (Kenneth E. Montague Series in Oil and Business History)

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This is the story of Herman and George Brown and the engineering and construction firm, Brown & Root, they founded. From humble origins in Central Texas building roads with a team of mules to much larger projects such as damns, military installations, ship building, offshore platforms and industrial plants. The book is not about the history of Brown and Root, but rather focuses on the lives of both brothers and their political and philanthropic activities. The book shows the relationship between the brothers and an up and coming Congressman from Texas in the 1930's, Lyndon Johnson. The book chronciles the parallel rise of both the Brown brothers' company and Lyndon Johnson in the national and international scene. The book shows the Brown brothers as movers and shakers in Houston politics and how they helped shape the growing city in the 1940's and 50's. A good book for anyone interested in construction as well as the history and poltics of Texas.

Much of what I had read on Brown & Root had been written in relation to the ties between the company and Dick Cheney but having had the chance to read this examination of its founders, I was quite surprised. First I was pleased that the authors did an excellent job of detailing the brothers and their company from the beginning to end without political or popular slant. The details of their early roadwork on through the first World War when they began a national player was extremely enjoyable. It was also interesting to learn of the brothers personality traits and hear the details behind some of their more memorable local deals such as the complicated structuring of the land deal which led to the construction of Johnson Space Center.

This is indeed a top notch book written in a calm and easy flowing manner which make it a pleasure to read.