Moses uses this influence to build a power base. He quickly gains a reputation as a man who can handle huge, complex projects and get them done in the atmosphere of the Great Depression, these projects are considered vital for the state and country’s recovery, giving him immense influence. He is successful at designing and building beautiful public works, such as parks and bridges, on schedule and on budget through the shrewd use of bribery and overlooking inconvenient laws and regulations. He accepts a job with the city government. Moses runs for governor of New York in 1934 but loses the election. Initially thwarted by corrupt officials who do not wish him to succeed in his reforms, Moses works for future New York Governor Al Smith, returning years later to government work with a better understanding of the way power works. Moses attends Yale University and then enters into government service. Caro argues that Moses modeled much of his adult life on his mother, who was dedicated to helping those around her and confident that she knew what they needed better than they did.

Caro then details the many ways that Moses personally transformed New York City in the twentieth century-not always in good ways.īorn in 1888, Moses was inspired by his mother, Bella, a pillar of their German-Jewish community in New York City. Caro argues that this taught Moses that dreams and idealism are worthless without the power to implement them, and so, he spent the rest of his life amassing that power. His zeal for reform, however, made political enemies, and at the age of thirty, he was pushed out of his job.

Caro describes Moses’s early professional life as one of idealism and a passion to improve New York City. The mayor gives in, granting the third position. Angry, Moses tells the mayor privately that if he doesn’t get the third appointment, he will resign. Moses expects to be named to three positions, but due to activist work against his influence and power, is only sworn in for two. Wagner is being sworn-in as mayor of New York, and is giving his appointees their oath of office. The captain accepts his resignation, and Moses never swims for Yale again. Truculent, Moses tells the captain he will quit the team if he’s not allowed to do so. A star swimmer, Moses announced his intention to convince a sponsor to donate to the school’s general fund using less-than ethical techniques the team captain orders him not to.

Caro begins the life story of Moses with an anecdote about his time at Yale. Caro’s biography of Robert Moses, The Power Broker (1974), is considered one of the most influential biographies of all time. Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, Robert A.

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