Questions About The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York

by Robert A. Caro

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Answered Questions (8)

Phenomenal book. Can anyone recommend a comparable work about the building of L.A.? Thanks.

Jessica City of Quartz by Mike Davis is an excellent book about the historical shaping of LA.

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This is a thousand pages and weighs as much as a four layer carrot cake (platter included) and yet is not available as an ebook. It requires a table to lay the thing out to read?

Marisa Bowe I tore my copy into 3 sections and carried only the one I was reading at the time.

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I have never been to New York (or the USA for that matter) and only know it from TV and movies. Is knowing the city well necessary to enjoy the book? Or are there too many specific references to the city which will escape me and make reading it futile?

Jean Campbell I found that Google Maps was a handy reference at times when reading this book, to visualize the various highways and bridges. Later in the book, duri…moreI found that Google Maps was a handy reference at times when reading this book, to visualize the various highways and bridges. Later in the book, during the discussions of urban renewal, I used Google Maps streetview and Zillow to better understand the current state of neighborhoods that were described in the book. (I lived in New York for a few years in the 1980s, and I visit a few times a year now, but I'm no expert on the area.)

It definitely helps to have experienced New York first hand, but if you have spent time in any metropolis in the world, I think many of the issues of urban planning and "redevelopment" will be familiar. Likewise, the acquisition of power, abuse of power, and corruption of power is a pretty universal theme. (less)

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Can anyone tell me where to find the sympathy note Moses sent to an acquaintance after the death of his father-in-law who was a judge? I am listening to this book and have forgotten what chapter it is in.

Jquick99 It is in Chapter 35, 17 minutes into the chapter. Or...20.25.18 left in the audio book.

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Is there an electroic version?

J. K. Flanery Yes, Audible. It’s great! 66 hours long. We’ll narrated in my opinion! So good I’ll be reading it again on a road trip!
…moreYes, Audible. It’s great! 66 hours long. We’ll narrated in my opinion! So good I’ll be reading it again on a road trip!
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