The Power Broker

Robert Moses and the Fall of New York

By: Robert A. Caro

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 66 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

PULITZER PRIZE WINNER • A modern American classic, this huge and galvanizing biography of Robert Moses reveals not only the saga of one man’s incredible accumulation of power but the story of his shaping (and mis-shaping of twentieth-century New York. One of the Modern Library’s hundred greatest books of the twentieth century.

Robert Caro's monumental book makes public what few outsiders knew: that Robert Moses was the single most powerful man of his time in the City and in the State of New York. And in telling the Moses story, Caro both opens up to an unprecedented degree the way in which politics really happens—the way things really get done in America's City Halls and Statehouses—and brings to light a bonanza of vital information about such national figures as Alfred E. Smith and Franklin D. Roosevelt (and the genesis of their blood feud), about Fiorello La Guardia, John V. Lindsay and Nelson Rockefeller.

But The Power Broker is first and foremost a brilliant multidimensional portrait of a man—an extraordinary man who, denied power within the normal framework of the democratic process, stepped outside that framework to grasp power sufficient to shape a great city and to hold sway over the very texture of millions of lives. We see how Moses began: the handsome, intellectual young heir to the world of Our Crowd, an idealist. How, rebuffed by the entrenched political establishment, he fought for the power to accomplish his ideals. How he first created a miraculous flowering of parks and parkways, playlands and beaches—and then ultimately brought down on the city the smog-choked aridity of our urban landscape, the endless miles of (never sufficient) highway, the hopeless sprawl of Long Island, the massive failures of public housing, and countless other barriers to humane living. How, inevitably, the accumulation of power became an end in itself.

Moses built an empire and lived like an emperor. He was held in fear—his dossiers could disgorge the dark secret of anyone who opposed him. He was, he claimed, above politics, above deals; and through decade after decade, the newspapers and the public believed. Meanwhile, he was developing his public authorities into a fourth branch of government known as "Triborough"—a government whose records were closed to the public, whose policies and plans were decided not by voters or elected officials but solely by Moses—an immense economic force directing pressure on labor unions, on banks, on all the city's political and economic institutions, and on the press, and on the Church. He doled out millions of dollars' worth of legal fees, insurance commissions, lucrative contracts on the basis of who could best pay him back in the only coin he coveted: power. He dominated the politics and politicians of his time—without ever having been elected to any office. He was, in essence, above our democratic system.

Robert Moses held power in the state for 44 years, through the governorships of Smith, Roosevelt, Lehman, Dewey, Harriman and Rockefeller, and in the city for 34 years, through the mayoralties of La Guardia, O'Dwyer, Impellitteri, Wagner and Lindsay, He personally conceived and carried through public works costing 27 billion dollars—he was undoubtedly America's greatest builder.

This is how he built and dominated New York—before, finally, he was stripped of his reputation (by the press) and his power (by Nelson Rockefeller). But his work, and his will, had been done.

©1975 Robert A. Caro (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

1975, Francis Parkman Prize, Winner

1975, Pulitzer Prize — Biography, Winner

"Caro has written one of the finest, best-researched and most analytically informative descriptions of our political and governmental processes to appear in a generation." (Nicholas Von Hoffman, The Washington Post)

"This is irresistibly readable, an outright masterpiece and unparalleled insight into how power works and perhaps the greatest portrait ever of a world city." (David Sexton, The Evening Standard)

What a surprise!

I had no clue who this man, Robert Moses, was or any idea what he'd done. A fascinating story! Well researched, well written and well narrated !

Fascinating life story

Hard to imagine a more interesting non fiction book. This is a must listen for anyone interested in building, politics, New York, or American history of the 20th century. I've listened to this audio book several times now still great every time.

Excellent

A true investment of time that is well worth every moment. An astonishing work on a complex man.

Fascinating man, good book.

How Robert Caro manages to keep one's attention through 63 hours of Robert Moses' life—especially given the fact that I really don't care all that much about New York—is the mystery of this excellent book. Fascinating and deserved the Pulitzer Prize it won.

Truely A work of art

Would you listen to The Power Broker again? Why?

with out a doubt.- Caro is at his peak in this intese study of a complex man who live only for power. He is both good and evil

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

the complexity of moses

What does Robertson Dean bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He heeps you interested

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The central park incident

great book.<br />

great book. well worth the money spent. many lessons to be learned. f I v e stars.

A Must Read Book for those interested in Business

What did you love best about The Power Broker?

Well written and a wonderful narration. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it is a massive book to listen to, but for anyone interested in how to learn from mistakes and build a base of power there is no better book to listen to!!!

What did you like best about this story?

How Robert Moses learned from his mistakes and built a incredible power base that spanned decades. A shame for New York!

What about Robertson Dean’s performance did you like?

Thoroughly enjoyed Mr Dean's performance! Excellent

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Impossible to listen to in one sitting!

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend, if you want a lesson on political history of New York at the same time of learning how to acquire power!

an important piece about NYC history

Read this first in the 70"s when I was young. Great then, greater now that I have more context to the times. loved the audio version.

Superb Caro on Audible, the softcover was falling apart

This is a phenomenal reading of a very interesting biography. I listened to this while doing my daily hour or so bike rides. I am so glad this book is available on audible. Caro’s biographical writing is second to none and this reading brought the words to life. I knew very little of New York 20th century history, this was fascinating.

Amazing book

I tried hard to get through reading this book, twice, but the experience with this book on tape was effortless and a great pleasure.