![The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York | [Robert A. Caro]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51gfvjnO02L._SL175_.jpg "The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York | [Robert A. Caro]")
The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York
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- Regular Price :$84.00Special Offer: Learn how to get this for $7.49 !
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Average Customer Rating
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LENGTH66 hrs and 11 mins
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RELEASE DATE05-20-11
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AUDIO FORMATS
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Program TypeAudiobook
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PUBLISHER
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Publisher's Summary
For the sheer magnitude, depth and authority of its revelations, The Power Broker stands alone - a huge and galvanizing biography revealing not only the virtually unknown saga of one man's incredible accumulation of power, but the hidden story of the shaping (and mis-shaping) of New York through the past half-century.
Robert Caro's monumental book makes public what few outsiders have known: that Robert Moses was the single most powerful man of our 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 new information about such national figures as Alfred E. Smith and Franklin D. Roosevelt (and the genesis of their blood feud), and 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 of his power (by Nelson Rockefeller). But his work, and his will, had been done.
©1975 Robert A. Caro (P)2011 Random House Audio
What the Critics Say
"Surely the greatest book ever written about a city." (David Halberstam)
"A masterpiece of American reporting. It's more than the story of a tragic figure or the exploration of the unknown politics of our time. It's an elegantly written and enthralling work of art." (Theodore H. White)
"The most absorbing, detailed, instructive, provocative book ever published about the making and raping of modern New York City and environs and the man who did it, about the hidden plumbing of New York City and State politics over the last half-century, about the force of personality and the nature of political power in a democracy. A monumental work, a political biography and political history of the first magnitude." (Eliot Fremont-Smith, New York)
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What Members Say
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jeff pickering, ON, Canada 09-15-11 Member Since 2007Non fiction- science, history,biography,80% classics 10% other fiction 5% misfits 5%
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"AMAZING read"
This is such an amazing listening experience! If this was fiction you would say it was way too far fetched. Truth is so much stranger. Of my 300 audible books this is in the top 5. For those of you who have been lucky enough to read.. Master of the Senate.. this is the book end for that fab series on lyndon johnson. It was robert caros purpose to expose the workings of power on the local and national level, hence this award winning masterpiece of research and writing, taking almost 10 years to write, AND the lyndon johnson series, the last of which were still waiting for impatiently. I learned so much about power, politics and how the world really works by reading caros masterpieces. If you dont like long books- Be forewarned it is long, really long! I wouldnt cut a single word out of it though. It was actually been cut and edited back to fit in a paperback form. A must read, as far as I'm concerned
10 of 10 people found this review helpful -
Stephen SPRING VALLEY, NY, United States 03-15-12 Member Since 2011
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"A must-know for New Yorkers"
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?If you grew up in the New York area, as I did, whether you've even heard of him or not, Robert Moses had a dramatic impact on your life. Virtually every highway in NY and Long Island is where it is because Moses said it should be and most parks are either there because of Moses or look that way they do because of him.
Moses was a controversial figure, to be sure, and Caro pulls no punches in criticizing him thoroughly and harshly in many cases (a Moses sympathizer might argue that the entire book is one long hit piece). But the book also brilliantly chronicles the story of one of the great bureaucrats in the world history; a man who simply know how to get things done and get them done his way, come Hell or high water. Elliot Spitzer once said that if a Moses biography would be written today, it would be entitled
What did you like best about this story?The way Caro traces the development of Moses' personality from young good government idealist to power-obsessed king of his own feifdom.
Which scene was your favorite?The confrontation with Wagner on inauguration day over the appointment to the city planning board summed up Moses in a single incident.You could hate the man and have more power than the man, but you still couldn't resist doing what he ordered you to do.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?This is not really a funny or sad book, though some of the anecdotes are pretty funny.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful -
"Landmark, the best of many genres."
Where does The Power Broker rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?Top 3. Quite simply the greatest combined work of public administration, urban planning, political biography, and big city politics ever. For any young man or woman who is considering a career in public service, read this first. It is superior to any single graduate course in public administration of political science, and provides an important tutorial on how the real world works. The audio version is wonderful
What other book might you compare The Power Broker to and why?Caro's LBJ series is the only serious competitor in the field of 20th century political biography.
What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?Spoiler alert; one example of the power of Robert Moses was how he was able to push around Governor and then President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful -
"Simply Outstanding - Long, But Worth Every Minute"
This audiobook is one of the best ever. The narrator was simply wonderful. I listened at 1.5x playback speed, which for me was perfect.
There is simply nothing better than a great narrator reading a wonderful book to you!
Robert Caro is a master author.
This book should be required reading in college political science classes as a classic study of political power. Moses' life spanned decades during critical development of NYC. Moses was good and bad.
If you are a New Yorker or visit New York City often, this book is a must. And, if you just like a damn good story, this is it.1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
Jeff Pickering, Ontario, Canada 05-15-12 Member Since 2007
50yrs old / audible member for 5 yrs library. 75% nonfiction, 15% classics and 10% fiction. History/Science/biography/Eng.18th cent fiction
- HELPFUL VOTES
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"AN ASTOUNDING UNFORGETTABLE TRIUMPH !!!!"
Sound over the top? Its not. This is that oh so rare super-book that leaves you gasping at its unimaginable stupendednes . Doubt it? check out its amazon ratings or try to find an award it hasnt won. You may recognize Caro from his masterful Lyndon Johnson multi-book bio which includes MASTER OF THE SENATE. or his just released volume of said- titled The Passage Of Power
You may not have heard of Robert Moses before but once you read this you'll wonder how thats possible ! I really don't know what else to say other than its a masterpiece that's not to be missed and its in the top 5 of my 900 titles. Very long book but worth every word! Well narrated and a MUST READ if there ever was one.
OH hbo is making a mini series of this book that should be coming out in a year or 21 of 1 people found this review helpful -
"VERY INTERESTING BOOK"
I purchased this for my husband because he has always been interested in history. He had just finished the book by the same author, Robert Caro, about Lyndon B Johnson....not someone he cared for. He found this very interesting also and thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. Definitely would recommend this book.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
"One of the greatest biography of all times"
Would you listen to The Power Broker again? Why?Absolutely! great writing and great narration.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Power Broker?Robert Moses from an idealist to a power monger.
What does Robertson Dean bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?He brought life to the characters in the book.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Autobiography of Robert Moses and New York City"
Great man doesn't mean nice man. When I finished this book (66 hours but never boring) I was left with the impression he was like Lance Armstrong, hugely driven and talented but a sociopath if you get in his way. One of those people you'd rather read about than meet. He did remake the face of New York in many ways and he never held office. Makes you wonder how the raw politics work in your own city.
The history was fascinating as well. You'll learn about everyone from Al Smith up to Nelson Rockefeller and everyone in between. Plus how he won a feud with Roosevelt when he was President.It's about Tammany politics and the history of New York from the 1890's up to the 1970s. The reader had a nice even voice too.0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"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
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"An Incredible Work of History"
What did you love best about The Power Broker?To call this a work of history does not do the author justice. The book will also be of interest to students of political science, urban planning, law and legislative drafting, finance and engineering. While the length of the book may be daunting, I found myself caught up in drama and the tragedy of the story. "The Power Broker" equals if not surpasses Caro's multiple volume biography of Lyndon Johnson-high praise indeed.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful