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tree_branch's review
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Cursing
Minor: Cancer
readingtracker's review
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Some of the best moments in The Power Broker are found in this second volume, including what I consider to be the best section of the entire book: the battle of the battery crossing. Caro devotes almost 100 pages to Moses’ plans for the tip of Manhattan, tracing the history of Fort Clinton and the entire Battery Park area since the early 1700’s. He details Moses’ fight with the reformers and their ultimate decision to appeal to the president as a final attempt to save the fort, including the revenge he sought after they ultimately succeeded . It was one of the most moving and memorable portions of a book I’ve ever read/listened to.
Towards the end of this volume it begins to drag a bit, especially the last chapter when it’s simply listing mayors and Moses’ relationship to them, but there are so many memorable sections in the middle to help ease the load. The battle of the battery crossing, the mayoralty of the little flower, Moses’ completion of the Westside parkway, and the city’s post-war era are some of the highlights. The way Caro describes Moses’ riverfront highways around the island as entombing the island in concrete, and the beautiful Westside waterfront looking out at the palisades as permanently blighted by cars is vivid imagery that has been stuck in my mind since hearing it.
Could it have been shorter without much loss? Absolutely, certain circular sections could’ve been cut down, and yet remarkably this book has kept me invested and eager to know more through its 45th hour. Through the second volume it remains one of the greatest books I’ve ever listened to or read.
Towards the end of this volume it begins to drag a bit, especially the last chapter when it’s simply listing mayors and Moses’ relationship to them, but there are so many memorable sections in the middle to help ease the load. The battle of the battery crossing, the mayoralty of the little flower, Moses’ completion of the Westside parkway, and the city’s post-war era are some of the highlights. The way Caro describes Moses’ riverfront highways around the island as entombing the island in concrete, and the beautiful Westside waterfront looking out at the palisades as permanently blighted by cars is vivid imagery that has been stuck in my mind since hearing it.
Could it have been shorter without much loss? Absolutely, certain circular sections could’ve been cut down, and yet remarkably this book has kept me invested and eager to know more through its 45th hour. Through the second volume it remains one of the greatest books I’ve ever listened to or read.
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