Enduring Power: 'The Power Broker' remains relevant due to its exploration of power dynamics through Robert Moses, illustrating how unchecked power shapes society and informing both politicians and readers about the realities of governance and leadership.
Robert Caro's book, 'The Power Broker,' has endured for 50 years because it explores the intriguing nature of power and its far-reaching impacts, exemplified through Robert Moses, who wielded significant authority without being elected. Caro's work reveals how unchecked power can shape cities and influence governance, making it essential reading for those interested in politics and power dynamics. Many in government have acknowledged how the book provides insight into the origin of power and teaches valuable lessons about leadership, as exemplified by the transformation of figures like Lyndon Johnson, who shifted his focus once he gained the presidency. This lasting relevance emphasizes that understanding power is crucial, not only for politicians but for anyone seeking to comprehend the mechanisms behind governance and societal change.
Strategic Influence: Rising to power often requires concealing true beliefs and building strategic relationships, as seen with Lyndon Johnson and Robert Moses, whose legacies continue to shape communities even as some of their works vanish.
In order to rise to power, politicians often need to hide their true beliefs and work behind the scenes, as Lyndon Johnson did in the Senate. He befriended Southern leaders like Richard Russell to gain influence while covertly pushing for civil rights. Similarly, Robert Moses built his legacy through infrastructure that shaped New York City, even if some of his constructions, like Shea Stadium and the Coliseum, eventually came down. Despite this, the impact of his planning continues to affect daily commutes and lives throughout the region. The long-term effects of their actions highlight how leadership and influence often require strategic concessions and personal relationships, demonstrating the complexity of political and urban development over time.
Meticulous Writing: A slow and meticulous writing process is crucial for uncovering the complexities of historical subjects, leading to deeper insights and better storytelling.
Writing a biography or historical narrative is not just about fast production; it’s about deeply understanding the subject and their context. The author emphasizes a slow, meticulous approach to writing, where asking the right questions and revisiting sources multiple times leads to richer, more meaningful connections and insights. This process seeks to uncover the complexities behind a subject’s actions and decisions, as demonstrated by Robert Moses, whose decisions shaped New York City’s infrastructure. The careful, slow method prioritizes quality and depth over speed, resulting in thorough storytelling that resonates with readers and provides a clearer picture of historical figures and their impact on society.
Writing Non-Fiction: Effective non-fiction writing requires balancing persistence in research with sensitivity to interviewees. Robert Caro highlights the importance of rhythm and style in prose, showing that compelling narratives can elevate the reader's experience, making even factual lists engaging.
Writing non-fiction involves a careful balance of persistence and sensitivity to the interviewee's comfort. Robert Caro shares his experience of asking deep questions repeatedly to capture the essence of his subjects. He emphasizes that the rhythm and style of prose are just as important in non-fiction as in fiction, making the narrative engaging. His approach to researching significant figures like Lyndon Johnson showcases how repetition helps uncover details, yet he also acknowledges the challenge of not overwhelming those he interviews. Creating a captivating structure and flow in writing can transform a mundane list of facts into a compelling story that resonates with readers, demonstrating the power of thoughtful organization and the art of crafting a narrative that feels alive and immersive.
Collaborative Dynamics: The collaboration between a writer and an engaged editor, along with strong support from a partner, enhances storytelling by fostering deeper insights and richer narratives through challenging discussions and shared experiences.
Navigating the intricate relationship between a writer and their editor can greatly enhance the creative process. The author emphasizes the importance of having a passionate editor like Robert Gottlieb, who challenged his choices and pushed him to think deeply about his work. This dynamic often leads to intense disagreements but ultimately enriches the writing. Alongside this, the author credits his wife, Ina, for her invaluable contributions, from supporting him during tough financial times to becoming a talented researcher and interviewer. By moving into the community they were writing about, Ina connected with the locals, uncovering stories that significantly shaped the author’s understanding and narrative. Their collaborative efforts showcase how essential partnerships can transform the journey of writing a book, highlighting both the challenges and rewards found in shared creative endeavors.
Historical Research: Diligent research and focus are essential for uncovering important historical information, especially when dealing with disorganized or modern, digital archives that lack traditional documentation.
Researching and writing biographies, especially of historical figures like Lyndon Johnson, involves a lot of dedication and patience. This conversation highlights how important it is to thoroughly comb through archives, even when it feels tedious. Discovering key documents can unveil significant insights that shape our understanding of history and the individuals who have influenced it. The challenge of maintaining focus for long periods is apparent, yet it’s crucial for uncovering valuable information, such as Johnson's handwritten notes on campaign funding requests. As records become increasingly digital, finding data becomes more complicated, making the work of historians essential. The careful examination of seemingly disorganized files sometimes leads to the discovery of important pieces of history that can change our perspective on a person’s life and career.
Power Dynamics: Lyndon Johnson used Texas financial contributions to build his influence in Congress, showcasing how money shapes power. Robert Caro's "The Power Broker" explores this theme, highlighting the relationship between politics and financial support, while the author also appreciates fiction's impact on his storytelling.
Lyndon Johnson realized that to gain influence in Congress, he needed to connect powerful Texas donors with federal opportunities. By facilitating their financial contributions, he could ensure that they would turn to him for support, thus establishing his power in Washington. This strategy helped him rise from being a junior congressman to a significant political player. Robert Caro’s extensive research and storytelling capture this transformation in his book, "The Power Broker." It intertwines politics with narratives from influential characters like Johnson, providing insights into how money and connections shape power dynamics. Caro's work highlights the importance of understanding the motives behind political maneuvers and has earned acclaim as a major nonfiction text. The conversation also touches upon the author's love for fiction, specifically mentioning authors like John Le Carré and Anthony Trollope, reflecting a broad appreciation for literature alongside the analysis of political systems.
'Book Review': Robert Caro on 50 Years of 'The Power Broker'
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How NAFTA Broke American Politics
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are constantly talking about trade, tariffs and domestic manufacturing.
In many ways, these talking points stem from a single trade deal that transformed the U.S. economy and remade both parties’ relationship with the working class.
Dan Kaufman, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, explains how the North American Free Trade Agreement broke American politics.
Guest: Dan Kaufman, the author of “The Fall of Wisconsin,” and a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine.
Background reading:
- How NAFTA broke American politics.
- Both Democrats and Republicans are expressing support for tariffs to protect American industry, reversing decades of trade thinking in Washington.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
The Year Since Oct. 7
Warning: this episode contains descriptions of war and trauma.
One year ago, Israel suffered the worst terrorist attack in its history. The conflict that followed has become bigger and deadlier by the day, killing tens of thousands of people and expanding from Gaza to Yemen, Lebanon and now Iran.
Today, we return to two men in Israel and Gaza, to hear how their lives have changed.
Guests: Golan Abitbul, a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri, in southern Israel; and Hussein Owda, who was among more than a million people sheltering in Rafah.
Background reading:
- How Oct. 7 sparked a year of conflict.
- Listen to the first interview with Golan.
- Listen to the first interview with Hussein.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
The Sunday Read: ‘The Blind Side’ Made Him Famous. But He Has a Different Story to Tell.
It was an overcast Monday afternoon in late April, and Michael Oher, the former football player whose high school years were dramatized in the movie “The Blind Side,” was driving Michael Sokolove on a tour through a forlorn-looking stretch of Memphis and past some of the landmarks of his childhood.
In the movie, Oher moves into the home of the wealthy white couple Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy. They take him shopping for clothes, help him obtain a driver’s license, buy him a pickup truck and arrange for tutoring that helps improve his grades and makes him eligible to play college football. In real life, Oher went on to play eight seasons as a starting offensive tackle in the N.F.L. and won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens.
Now, Oher is suing the Tuohys, claiming that they have exploited him by using his name, image and likeness to promote speaking engagements that have earned them roughly $8 million over the last two decades — and by repeatedly saying that they adopted him when they never did.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
'The Interview': Al Pacino Is Still Going Big
Four Weeks to Go
With Election Day fast approaching, polls show the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump to be the closest in a generation.
The Times journalists Michael Barbaro, Shane Goldmacher, Maggie Haberman and Nate Cohn break down the state of the race and discuss the last-minute strategies that might tip the scales.
Guest:
- Shane Goldmacher, a national political correspondent for The New York Times.
- Maggie Haberman, a senior political correspondent for The New York Times.
- Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- The state of the race: a calm week and perhaps the clearest picture yet.
- Scenes of workers on strike, hurricane devastation in the Southeast and missiles over Israel pose tests for Ms. Harris.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
Iran Retaliates
Israel’s series of military successes against its longtime adversary Hezbollah had raised the question of whether the militant group’s backer, Iran, would retaliate. On Tuesday, that question was answered, when Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel.
Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The Times, and Farnaz Fassihi, The Times’s United Nations bureau chief, discuss how they see events developing from here.
Guest:
- Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief for The New York Times.
- Farnaz Fassihi, the United Nations bureau chief for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Fiery balls of light could be seen falling from the sky over Jerusalem and loud explosions could be heard in Tel Aviv and other areas as Iran launched 180 ballistic missiles at Israel.
- After the missile attack, Israel may be more prepared to risk war with Iran.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
The Walz-Vance Debate: Civility and Then a Clash
Just three weeks after Kamala Harris and Donald J. Trump engaged in a fiery and often hostile presidential debate, their running mates, Tim Walz and JD Vance, met for their own face-off — and struck a very different chord.
Reid J. Epstein, a politics reporter for The Times, explains why this debate was so different and what it could mean for the race.
Guest: Reid J. Epstein, a politics reporter for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Read coverage of the debate.
- Analysis: Mr. Vance strained to sell a softer image of Mr. Trump.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
Hurricane Helene’s 600 Miles of Destruction
Warning: This episode contains strong language and descriptions of death.
Over the past few days, Hurricane Helene has left a trail of devastation, killing more than 100 people, driving thousands from their homes and leaving millions without power.
Judson Jones, a meteorologist and weather reporter for The Times, and Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, a Times national reporter, discuss the toll left by the deadly storm.
Guest:
- Judson Jones, a meteorologist and reporter for The New York Times.
- Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, a national reporter for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Hurricane Helene spawned flash floods and landslides as it barreled north after devastating parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
- In less than a day, Helene transformed from a Category 1 hurricane to a Category 4. Read about how that happened so quickly.
For more information on today’s episode, visit
. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
Alliance vs. Isolation: Harris and Trump’s Competing Views on Foreign Policy
As wars in Ukraine and the Middle East deepen, the U.S. presidential campaign is raising a crucial question: Whose idea of American foreign policy will the world get next?
Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for The Times, walks us through the plans put forward by Kamala Harris and by Donald J. Trump.
Guest: Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Ms. Harris met with Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, signaling that the White House was preparing her to take over a thorny diplomatic relationship.
- Mr. Zelensky also met with Mr. Trump as concerns mount in Kyiv that a second Trump administration could spell the end of American support against Russia.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.
The Deserter: Parts 4 and 5
In “The Deserter,” Sarah A. Topol reports the story of Ivan, a captain in the Russian Army who fought in Ukraine and then ultimately fled the war and his country with his wife, Anna. Topol spoke to 18 deserters while reporting in eight countries across four continents over the last year and a half; their experiences helped paint a vivid picture of the Russian war operation and its corruption, chaos and brutality.
Narrated by Liev Schreiber.
“The Deserter” is a five-part special series in collaboration with The New York Times Magazine.
All five parts of this audio feature can be found here or by searching for “The Deserter” on the NYT Audio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
The text version of the story can be found here.
Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.