Robert Caro's 'The Power Broker' Turns 50: How He Uncovered the Secrets of NYC Power

Robert Caro: The Time-Traveling Historian

Robert Caro's Upper West Side office is a time capsule. Amidst overflowing boxes of typewritten drafts, a vintage typewriter, and a bulletin board filled with outlines for his final Lyndon Johnson book, Caro, at 88, remains deeply immersed in the past.

This month marks the 50th anniversary of his groundbreaking work, The Power Broker, a chronicle of Robert Moses's influence on New York City and state, where Caro meticulously unraveled how political power is wielded in America.

The Power Broker: A Story of Hidden Power

Caro delves into history with an almost supernatural ability, transporting listeners back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, as he vividly recounts interviews with engineers who worked alongside Moses, and even the precise language Moses used to secure near-unlimited power in New York State.

Through tireless research, Caro discovered a crucial document buried in the archives - a letter from Mayor Fiorello La Guardia to Moses. It exposed how Moses, despite seemingly innocuous language in legislation, manipulated power behind the scenes.

The Lasting Impact of Caro's Work

Caro's painstakingly researched books have earned him a dedicated following and recognition as one of the most significant American authors of the last half-century. His work is praised for its comprehensiveness and immersive quality, encouraging readers to delve deeper into history.

The New York Historical Society, which houses Caro's archives, recently unveiled a new exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Power Broker. Among the artifacts on display are Caro's initial request for an interview with Moses and Moses's dismissive response, along with notebooks filled with interview quotes and meticulous research.

A Deeper Look at Humanity

Caro's approach to biography is unique in its dedication to experiencing the physical settings and lives of his subjects firsthand. He famously lived in the Texas Hill Country for years to understand Lyndon Johnson's childhood.

He credits Frances Perkins, who later became Franklin Roosevelt's secretary of labor, with inspiring his approach. Perkins recounted a conversation with a young Moses where he envisioned a muddy industrial wasteland as a potential site for a beautiful playground.

This anecdote led Caro and his wife to spend days driving along the West Side Highway, seeking to understand Moses's vision. They discovered a different kind of genius in his ability to shape cities, a genius often overshadowed by his more controversial actions.

Beyond the Good and the Bad

In a world where journalists and historians are often pressured to take sides, Caro stands out for his commitment to portraying the complexities of his subjects. He has spent a half-century documenting the good and the bad - the full humanity - of both Robert Moses and Lyndon Johnson.

Caro's work reminds us that even the most powerful figures are shaped by their experiences and motivations. It's a lesson that resonates with readers even today, making his work a timeless masterpiece.