Consider This from NPR Author Robert Caro on the history of power
Sep 29, 2024
Robert Caro, a prolific biographer renowned for his works on power dynamics, shares insights into the life of urban planner Robert Moses and his influence on New York. The conversation highlights Caro's struggle during the writing of 'The Power Broker,' revealing how a small legislative detail exposed Moses's political mastery. He also discusses the intense rivalry between Moses and Mayor LaGuardia, the complexities of crafting historical narratives, and the intersection of power and democracy amidst the tumult of the 1960s.
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Obscurity as Power
- Caro discovered Moses's power came from making his legislative work too complex for others to grasp.
- This intentional obscurity allowed Moses to gain near unlimited autonomy over city projects.
Initial Rejection
- Robert Caro's initial interview request to Robert Moses was met with a dismissive reply.
- Moses's assistant stated he wasn't interested in a biography and had no time for it.
Immersive Research
- Caro realized the importance of physical immersion when researching Robert Moses's vision for the West Side Highway.
- Repeatedly driving and observing the area helped him understand Moses's genius as a city shaper.
