Join Conan O'Brien, the hilarious late-night host and Robert Caro superfan, as he dives deep into Caro's monumental biography, 'The Power Broker.' Conan shares his excitement about the book's fascinating exploration of Robert Moses' monumental impact on New York City, intertwining his love for Caro's crisp storytelling. The conversation also highlights the potential for a communal reading experience in 2024. With anecdotes and humor, they dissect urban planning, governance, and the intricate balance of power that shapes our cities.
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Signed Copy
Elliott Kalan received a signed copy of "The Power Broker" from Robert Caro.
Caro's inscription, "another member of the writing profession," deeply moved Kalan.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Oyster Bay Rye Bridge
Robert Caro's investigation into an unnecessary bridge sparked his interest in Robert Moses's power.
This led to "The Power Broker," a seven-year project exploring Moses's influence.
insights INSIGHT
Moses's Power
Robert Moses wielded immense power despite never holding elected office.
He reshaped New York's landscape based on personal desires, not public need.
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Master of the Senate is the third volume in Robert Caro's biography series, The Years of Lyndon Johnson. The book focuses on Johnson's rapid ascent in the U.S. Congress, especially his time as Senate majority leader from 1949 to 1960. It explores how Johnson transformed the Senate through his political acumen, manipulating Senate rules, building coalitions, and securing legislative victories. The book also delves into Johnson's battle to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1957, his relationships with other senators, and his strategies for maintaining power within the Senate. It provides a comprehensive look at how legislative power works in America and Johnson's role in shaping the Senate into a more effective legislative body.
Robinson Crusoe
Daniel Defoe
The novel follows Robinson Crusoe, a young and impulsive Englishman, who ignores his parents' advice and sets out to sea. After a series of misadventures, including being captured by pirates and sold into slavery, he is eventually shipwrecked on a deserted island near the coast of Venezuela. There, he spends 28 years surviving against incredible odds, encountering cannibals, captives, and mutineers. The story is influenced by real-life castaways such as Alexander Selkirk and blends elements of Puritan spiritual autobiography, travel literature, and adventure stories. It is considered one of the first modern novels in the English language and explores themes of ambition, self-reliance, civilization, and power.
The moonstone
Wilkie Collins
Wilkie Collins's 'The Moonstone' is considered one of the first and most important examples of the English detective novel. The story centers around a stolen Indian diamond and unfolds through the perspectives of multiple narrators, each offering a unique piece of the puzzle. The novel masterfully employs suspense, red herrings, and unexpected twists, showcasing Collins's innovative approach to storytelling. Themes of obsession, colonialism, and the complexities of human nature are woven throughout the narrative. Its intricate plot and memorable characters have secured its place as a classic of the genre.
The Power Broker
Robert Moses and the Fall of New York
Robert Caro
This book is a monumental biography of Robert Moses, who was the single most powerful man in New York City and State during his time. It explores how Moses accumulated and wielded power, shaping the city through his public works projects, including highways, bridges, and parks. The book delves into Moses's early life, his idealistic beginnings, and his transformation into a powerful figure who dominated New York's politics without ever being elected. It also highlights the social and environmental impacts of his projects and his eventual fall from power. The biography is renowned for its detailed and nuanced portrayal of power dynamics in urban politics[2][4][5].
Today's episode features #1 Robert Caro superfan, Conan O'Brien.
The Power Broker by Robert Caro is a biography of Robert Moses, who is said to have built more structures and moved more earth than anyone in human history. And he did it without ever holding elected office. Outside of New York City, Robert Moses wasn't exceptionally well known. Inside of New York, he was mostly accepted by the media as simply the man who built all those nice parks. But The Power Broker, which is subtitled Robert Moses and The Fall of New York, changed all that. It is a tour de force of journalism, history, and biography. Roman also argues it's really fun to read and is strongly in contention for the best book ever written.
But there is something of a catch, which can hang readers up: the book is a daunting 1200 pages long. As influential and amazing as this bestseller is, many people own an unopened copy gathering dust on their bookshelf. But that is a crime because this book needs to be read or at least discussed at length on a podcast.
Roman Mars and Elliott Kalan (Flop House, Daily Show) are starting The Power Broker book club that will run through all of 2024 as bonus episodes and in this introductory episode, Conan O'Brien joins us to talk all things Robert Caro.
99% Invisible 
