The Power Broker

by Robert Caro, Robert Caro ’68JRN, Robert A. Caro
The Power Broker cover
Good Books rating 4.45
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  • ID: 99
  • Added: 2025-09-02
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9781847923646
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2015-07-02
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

The Power Broker delves into the life and influence of Robert Moses, a man who, without holding any elected office, became the most powerful figure in New York City's history. Through meticulous research and compelling narrative, Robert A. Caro reveals how Moses transformed the city's landscape, leaving an indelible mark on its infrastructure and communities. The book is not just a biography but a profound exploration of power, its abuse, and the consequences of unchecked authority. /n/n First published in 1974, this monumental work has been celebrated as one of the greatest books of its kind. It offers a timeless account of how one man's vision and ambition could reshape a city, while also highlighting the human cost of such transformations. Caro's masterful storytelling and investigative journalism make this a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of power, politics, and urban development.

Reviews
RobertCaro.org · 2025-09-02
brilliant 4.80

The biography is celebrated as a brilliant, multidimensional portrait that reveals the extraordinary complexity of Robert Moses’s life and his far-reaching influence on New York City.

RobertCaro.org highlights The Power Broker as a Pulitzer Prize-winning work that uncovers the hidden realities of political power in New York through the life of Robert Moses. It presents Moses as both an idealistic young man and a powerful figure whose accumulation of authority reshaped the city in ways both beneficial and destructive. The review praises Caro's detailed narrative for exposing not only Moses’s personal ambitions but also the broader political and social forces at play, illustrating how power can be used to both build and dismantle communities. This nuanced portrayal challenges readers to grapple with the duality of Moses’s legacy and the consequences of unchecked power.

Quick quotes

    The Power Broker is first and foremost a brilliant multidimensional portrait of a man.

    The accumulation of power became an end in itself.

    Moses brought down on the city the smog-choked aridity of our urban landscape.

Columbia Magazine · 2020-03-30
epic 4.50

The book is praised for its epic scale and meticulous research, offering a deep dive into the life and influence of Robert Moses. It is recommended for those seeking an immersive and enlightening read during social distancing.

The reviewer highlights the book's epic nature and the author's meticulous research, making it a compelling read. They suggest that the book's detailed exploration of Robert Moses' life and influence provides valuable insights into the fall of New York. The reviewer recommends it as a perfect read for those looking to delve into a substantial and enlightening work during social distancing. They appreciate the book's ability to transport the reader into a different time and place, making it a memorable experience.

Quick quotes

    The Power Broker is a monumental work that captures the essence of Robert Moses' influence.

    This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of power and urban development.

    The detailed research and vivid storytelling make this a compelling and enlightening read.

Columbia Magazine · 2020-03-30
critical 4.00

The book is noted for its timely relevance, especially in the context of the Watergate scandal. It provides a critical look at how regulations and guardrails can stifle progress.

The reviewer points out the book's relevance, particularly in the context of the Watergate scandal, which adds a layer of depth to the reading experience. They appreciate the critical examination of how regulations and guardrails can sometimes hinder progress, making the book a thought-provoking read. The reviewer suggests that the book's insights are particularly pertinent in today's political climate, offering valuable lessons from the past. They find the book's exploration of power dynamics and the consequences of unchecked authority to be both enlightening and cautionary.

Quick quotes

    The Power Broker offers a timely and critical look at the consequences of unchecked authority.

    This book provides valuable insights into how regulations can sometimes stifle progress.

    The relevance of this book, especially in the context of the Watergate scandal, cannot be overstated.

Jim Bouman · Jim Bouman · 2015-08-11
insightful 4.50

The book is praised for its extensive research and compelling writing, offering valuable lessons on power, control, and urban development through the rise and fall of Robert Moses.

Jim Bouman appreciates The Power Broker for its exhaustive research and clear, engaging prose. He emphasizes the book’s detailed examination of the ways Moses amassed and wielded power, highlighting the author's skill in showing how ideas alone are insufficient without power to implement them. Bouman notes Moses's ruthless approach in displacing people for urban projects and his ability to command influence over city officials and public opinion. The review reflects on the broader implications of Moses’s legacy on American urban infrastructure and political corruption, making the biography a critical study for understanding the dynamics of political power.

Quick quotes

    An understanding that ideas-dreams-were useless without power to transform them into reality.

    The wealth of the empire enabled Moses to keep many city officials in fear.

    Moses’ genius for organizing corruption gave it a new force that bent the entire city government off the democratic bias.

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