The book culminates with Moses's eventual decline in power, as his reputation began to falter and he clashed with figures like Nelson Rockefeller. Throughout the narrative, Caro paints a complex portrait of Moses, acknowledging his intelligence and political acumen while also highlighting the negative impacts of his outsized influence on New York's urban fabric.

Themes

• Power and its corruption

• Urban planning and development

• Political machinations and influence

• Impact of infrastructure on communities

• Legacy of public works projects

• Conflict between progress and preservation

• Transformation of New York City's landscape

Setting

Set primarily in New York City and State, The Power Broker spans much of the 20th century, focusing on the era from the 1920s through the 1960s. This period saw dramatic changes in urban development, transportation infrastructure, and political power dynamics, all of which are central themes in Caro's work.

The book's geographical scope extends beyond the city limits, encompassing Long Island, upstate New York, and even reaching into neighboring states. Key locations include the corridors of power in Albany and New York City Hall, as well as the numerous parks, bridges, and highways that Moses built throughout his career.

Specific places that feature prominently in the narrative include Jones Beach, the Triborough Bridge (now known as the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge), the Cross-Bronx Expressway, and the United Nations headquarters. These locations serve as concrete examples of Moses's vast influence on the physical landscape of New York and the lives of its residents.

Key Figures

• Robert Moses: The central figure of the book. A powerful and controversial urban planner who shaped New York City and state for over 40 years. Moses held numerous appointed positions and wielded immense influence over public works projects. He was known for his ambitious vision, political savvy, and often ruthless methods in pursuit of his goals.

• Al Smith: Former Governor of New York who mentored Moses early in his career. Smith appointed Moses to key positions and helped him gain political influence. Their relationship was crucial to Moses's rise to power but eventually became strained.

• Franklin D. Roosevelt: U.S. President and former New York Governor who clashed with Moses over various issues. Despite their conflicts, Moses managed to maintain his power and influence throughout Roosevelt's tenure.

• Fiorello La Guardia: Mayor of New York City who worked with Moses on numerous projects. La Guardia and Moses had a complex relationship, alternating between cooperation and conflict.

• Nelson Rockefeller: Governor of New York who eventually curbed Moses's power. Rockefeller was one of the few politicians able to challenge Moses's authority effectively.

• Belle Moskowitz: Political advisor to Al Smith who initially supported Moses. She played a significant role in Moses's early career advancement.

• Frances Perkins: U.S. Secretary of Labor and associate of Moses during his early reform efforts. Perkins provided insights into Moses's early idealism and subsequent transformation.

Quick facts

• The book is 1,336 pages long, but this was only two-thirds of Caro's original manuscript.

• It took Caro seven years to research and write the book, far longer than the nine months he originally estimated.

• Caro and his wife Ina had to sell their house to finance the writing of the book.

• Robert Moses tried to prevent the book from being written by limiting Caro's access to information.

• The book won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 1975.

• President Barack Obama cited reading the book at age 22 as influential in shaping how he thinks about politics.

• It was named one of the 100 most important books of the 20th century by the Modern Library.

• The book sparked public discussion and debate about urban planning and power in New York City.

• An e-book version was not released until 2023, 50 years after initial publication.

• The New-York Historical Society hosted an exhibit about the book for its 50th anniversary in 2024.

About the Author

Robert A. Caro is an acclaimed American journalist and author best known for his biographies of U.S. political figures Robert Moses and Lyndon B. Johnson. Born in 1935, Caro began his career as a reporter before writing The Power Broker. Caro's most ambitious work is his multi-volume biography The Years of Lyndon Johnson, which he has been writing since the 1970s. To date, he has published four volumes, with a fifth and final volume still in progress. The series is renowned for its exhaustive research, attention to detail, and insightful analysis of Johnson's complex character and political career.

For his biographies, Caro has received numerous prestigious awards, including two Pulitzer Prizes, two National Book Awards, three National Book Critics Circle Awards, and the National Humanities Medal. His meticulous research process often involves years of interviews, archival work, and even temporarily relocating to better understand his subjects' environments.

Caro's writing style combines rigorous historical research with compelling narrative prose. His works are known for their length and depth, with some volumes exceeding 1,000 pages.