Robert Moses and the Fall of New York by Robert A. Caro (1974-07-12)

A well known book and author, this study of power, politics, and corruption tells the story of New York and New York City under the powerful vision of Robert Moses. Detailed, but very well written and very interesting. With over fifty years of history covered, the main characters are both memorable and interesting.

For better and for worse, Robert Moses sculpted the present shape of the city of New York: its bridges, parks, locations of Shea Stadium, Lincoln Center, the United Nations buildings,..by following his lust for power and following it until he owned it. Robert Caro unpacks the motives, brilliance, schemes, deviousness and fatal flaws of the man, but also takes the reader through the labyrinthine routes of the life of the world's leading city and the interrelationships between the mayors and governors of New York, and presidents of the U.S. Caro's work is on par with the enormity of Moses' life and accomplishments. One flaw in my copy of the book: one page began in the middle of a sentence, and I will long wonder what the message was that was cut off.

This is absolutely the best book I have ever read on politics. I read this in the seventies in college and have given it out as a gift almost every Christmas since then. In the last forty plus years, I have collected bookshelves full of books on politics, many signed by the authors. This is still the best. Want to learn about the inner dealings of a real life politician? This is the book. Wonderful.

Unbelievably detailed analysis of New York city and state corruption under the influence of Robert Moses, whose masterful manipulation of resources and men for over four decades resulted in a great deal of development and destruction.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in how public authorities work and why they are such effective vehicles for corruption.

This is a classic book about power. I learned more about the true meaning of the term 'legislative process' in the first 6 chapters of this book than I did as a college student. For the average person, this might be filled with too many details about the inter-workings of state and local politics, but for the politicos such as myself this book is filled with a lot of details about why checks and balances are necessary, and how huge a role a person's ego plays in getting things done. This is a must read for anyone interested in what lawmakers really have to go through in order to get things done. This is a story about a man who enters the field of public service as a reformer and a pioneer in regard to public works and infrastructure, who overtime transforms into an annoying but highly useful scapegoat for New York's politicians.

Awesome book, I really learned a lot about perseverance, believing in yourself, and plowing through with hard work and while ignoring the naysayers. Also, this is a great historical record of early 1900s NYC among many other things.

Wonderful read for those grappling with career exploration, activist struggles, or just any form of existential crisis that calls one's ambition and morality into question. Note that for the hardcover, the paper sleeve gets wrinkled really easily.

Wonderful read for those grappling with career exploration, activist struggles, or just any form of existential crisis that calls one's ambition and morality into question. Note that for the hardcover, the paper sleeve gets wrinkled really easily.

I have not yet received the book. However, a neighbor has allowed me to borrow his copy. As a citizen of New York state in my youth, I heard so much about Moses. This book is not only a detailed and beautifully written book of the man, but of the times and the people. It is, in my estimation, a reference book towards the knowledge of New Ysork City and environs during the early 20th century. More so for me, since my father was born in Brooklyn in the early 1900s. I love the book and cherish the stories and I read it slowly and with great interest. When I receive my copy, I can read it at leisure, and return the borrowed book. Wonderful book and delightful writer. Many thanks.

I purchased this for my husband who never has the time to sit down and read. He enjoys this book so much that he makes the time to read this. He's adds that this book goes into the life of Robert Moses in such depth. You are torn between admiring him and hating him.

A really fascinating book, but 50% too long. I read Caro's books about Lyndon Johnson first, then went back to read this one ... Perhaps the comparison is unfair but the Johnson books are so much better and one never gets the feeling that they are too long.