Adam Vary
Updated on: October 11, 2024 7:31 am GMT
Fifty years after its initial publication, “The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York” by Robert Caro remains a seminal text, pivotal in understanding how an unelected figure profoundly influenced the city’s development. As part of the celebrations, the New York Historical Society has launched an exhibit titled “Robert Caro’s ‘The Power Broker’ at 50,” showcasing Caro’s extensive research and the book’s enduring legacy.
The Impact of “The Power Broker”
Caro’s book, published on September 16, 1974, provides a comprehensive look at Robert Moses, a public servant who wielded considerable power over New York City’s infrastructure and landscape. Describing Moses’s influence as surpassing that of elected officials, Caro meticulously documents how Moses’s decisions shaped urban development and transportation. Valerie Paley, senior vice president and director of the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library at the New York Historical Society, emphasizes that “the story of the city is very much the story of his own quest for power.”
The book has transcended its original narrative to become a cultural touchstone, often seen as an intellectual badge of honor among readers. Paley notes that simply having “The Power Broker” in one’s home has become a symbol of academic prestige.
Exhibit Highlights
The current exhibition runs through February 2, 2025, and features artifacts from Caro’s research process. It includes handwritten notes, graphs tracking vehicle entries to Jones Beach, and transcripts of interviews that helped structure the book. The exhibit illustrates the sheer effort Caro invested over seven years, culminating in a critical portrait of Moses.
Caro began his research with limited cooperation from Moses, who famously rebuffed Caro’s efforts to write his biography. He only gained access to key figures within Moses’s circle after extensive groundwork and creative investigative approaches. One notable exhibit piece is a family tree drawn by Caro, outlining his connections to those close to Moses, which demonstrates how he navigated the challenges of researching a reticent subject.
The Research Journey
Moving beyond initial resistance, Caro’s perseverance led him to gather diverse perspectives about Moses. Paley highlights Caro’s commitment to accuracy, which even necessitated selling his home to finance his work on the book. This dedication resulted in a manuscript that ended up being one-third longer than what was ultimately published, showcasing the depth of research that was conducted.
Caro’s editorial process, captured in Lizzie Gottlieb’s documentary “Turn Every Page,” reveals the intricate discussions he had with his editor, Robert Gottlieb. These conversations often revolved around refining the text to ensure clarity without compromising the depth of detail. Such meticulousness reflects Caro’s overarching commitment to presenting a well-rounded narrative.
Moses’s Legacy and Continued Relevance
The book’s exploration of Moses also sparked continued conversation about social issues in urban planning. Notably, Caro’s depiction of Moses has drawn attention to the latter’s controversial decisions, including those perceived as racially insensitive. Part of the exhibit discusses a recent social media initiative inspired by the book, where individuals leveraged platforms like TikTok to advocate for the removal of racially offensive sculptures associated with Moses.
Caro’s work remains influential, not only for its historical insights but also for its ability to engage contemporary audiences in critical discussions about urban development and power dynamics in New York City. Paley remarks that “The Power Broker” continues to inspire new generations to contemplate the implications of Moses’s legacy.
Access to Caro’s Archives
In conjunction with the exhibit, the complete Robert Caro archive will open to researchers starting on September 16, 2024, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of “The Power Broker.” This archive will allow scholars to delve deeper into Caro’s body of work, including his writings on Lyndon Johnson and the extensive research process that preceded his writing.
As the New York Historical Society prepares to unveil these resources, they anticipate that this new access will enrich the discourse surrounding Caro’s contributions to biographical and historical literature.
Conclusion
“The Power Broker” is an important part of learning about New York City’s buildings and how it is run. With the new exhibit and the opening of Caro’s archives, students and researchers can dive into the detailed studies and the complicated life of Robert Moses. This helps keep the discussion about power, growth, and fairness going strong.
