Reading rank 380
The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York
, subject: Robert Moses, political power, and the reshaping of New York, 1974
A biography of Robert Moses that follows power in New York through one life, written by an author who underestimated how long the work would take.
26
Coverage Score
3
Scored evidence
About the book
Caro uses Moses's career to show how political power is acquired and exercised, following the parks, bridges, highways, housing projects, and displaced neighborhoods that transformed New York.
Why read it
Best if you want to understand power in New York through one figure, Robert Moses, or you are weighing a long, ambitious project whose true difficulty you cannot yet see.
Key themes
- Starting before the full cost is visible
- Power in New York through one life
Evidence and original sources
Sources: official Founders episodes — #133, #214, #305
This record is supported by 3 public evidence rows linked to original Founders episodes.
- Edwin Land (Polaroid and The Man Who Invented It) — David names Caro's Robert Moses biography, calls it fascinating, and recommends it to listeners interested in New York history and power.
- Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography — David calls the material in this Robert Moses biography fascinating.
- Robert Caro on power, poverty, ruthlessness, & obsession — David connects Caro's underestimation of how long The Power Broker would take to the shared experience of founders who wouldn't start a company if they knew how hard it would be.