The Power Broker is one of those iconic books that sits on people’s bookshelves – particularly New Yorkers’ – but is rarely actually read. And I’ll admit, I’ve been one of those New Yorkers. At over 1,1150 pages, it’s an intimidating biography that can easily serve as a dumbbell substitute. This year, however, I am determined to get this tomb off the “TBR” list.
One “accountability partner” to push me along this journey is that 99% Invisible is doing a book club podcast series on The Power Broker this year. Each month, they will review a section of the book and host a special guest. Great, I’ll feel compelled to finish each section in order to hear what others have to say. However, I’ve found another motivating factor that’s pushing me to finish it faster …
Right around the time I was finally going to start The Power Broker, the release of meta.ai rekindled my curiosity as to how I could use AI in my personal life. One of the first questions I asked was for it to create a reading plan for me to finish all of the books that have been sitting idly on my self for several years (including The Power Broker). And honestly, it gave me a straightforward road map with roughly two months to finish the Robert Moses biography. Then, I asked it to go deeper. “Create a six-week lesson plan for the reading of The Power Broker”, “What themes should I keep in mind?”, “What questions should I consider?”, etc. (see the end of the post for what meta.ai outlined) Equipped with this “lesson plan”, I felt like I was prepared to dive in to a deeper reading experience.
You’ll notice, a part of the lesson plan are weekly “reading responses”. I feel like the last time I had to do anything remotely like this was when I was in college for either literature humanities or one of those other core curriculum classes. To stick to the plan, I am going to abide by this weekly assignment and will be posting my reflections here. This is the other motivating factor to keep me honest on this journey.
It’s worked so far .. I’m 1/10th through the book, enough to listen to the first episode of the 99% invisible podcast series, which featured, the legend himself, Robert A. Caro. And I’m putting together my first reading reflection. Now on to the next 5 weeks of reading … fingers crossed I manage to stay on track!
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meta.ai The Power Broker lesson plan responses
While reading The Power Broker, consider the following themes and questions to deepen your understanding and analysis:
- Power dynamics: How does Robert Moses accumulate and wield power? What tactics does he use to maintain control?
- Urban planning and development: How do Moses’ projects shape the city’s landscape and impact communities? What are the benefits and drawbacks of his vision?
- Political corruption and ethics: How does Moses navigate the political machine? What ethical lines does he cross, and what are the consequences?
- Race and class: How does Moses’ projects affect different communities, particularly low-income and minority neighborhoods?
- Bureaucracy and institutional power: How does Moses manipulate and control government agencies and institutions?
- Personal ambition and hubris: What drives Moses’ relentless pursuit of power and control?
- The impact of individual actions on history: How does Moses’ legacy shape the city and its people?
- The tension between progress and preservation: How does Moses’ project balance progress with the existing communities?
- The role of media and public opinion: How does Moses manipulate public perception, and what role does the media play in his rise and fall?
- The relevance of contemporary issues: How do the themes and lessons from The Power Broker apply to modern urban development, politics, and power struggles?
As you read, consider:
- How Caro’s writing style and structure contribute to the narrative
- The relationship between characters and their motivations
- The historical context and how it influences the story
- The ways in which Moses’ actions reflect or challenge the values of his time
- The implications of the story for our understanding of power, politics, and urban development
The Power Broker: A 6-Week Lesson Plan
Week 1: Introduction and Context
- Introduce the book and its author, Robert Caro
- Provide Historical context: New York City in the 1920s-1950s
- Discuss the main character, Robert Moses, and his role in shaping the city
- Assign reading: Chapters 1-5
- Discussion questions: What are your initial impressions of Robert Moses? How does Caro’s writing style engage you as a reader?
Week 2: The Rise of Robert Moses
- Discuss Moses’s early life and career
- Analyze his political maneuvering and rise to power
- Examine his relationship with New York City’s political machine
- Assign reading: Chapters 6-10
- Discussion questions: How does Moses’ background influence his political views? What tactics does he use to gain power and influence?
Week 3: The Construction of Power
- Explore Moses’ role in shaping New York City’s infrastructure
- Discuss the construction of parks, highways, and public housing
- Analyze the impact on communities and the city’s development
- Assign reading: Chapters 11-15
- Discussion questions: How does Moses’ vision for the city shape his decisions? What are the benefits and drawbacks of his projects?
Week 4: The Abuse of Power
- Examine Moses’ authoritarianism and disregard for opposition
- Discuss the displacement of communities and the impact on the poor
- Analyze the criticism and resistance he faces
- Assign reading: Chapters 16-20
- Discussion questions: How does Moses’ power corrupt him? What are the consequences of his actions for the city and its citizens?
Week 5: The Legacy of Robert Moses
- Discuss the lasting impact of Moses’ projects on the city
- Analyze his legacy and influence on urban planning
- Examine the criticisms and controversies surrounding his career
- Assign reading: Chapters 21-25
- Discussion questions: How does Moses’ legacy shape our understanding of urban development? What lessons can be learned from his successes and failures?
Week 6: Conclusion and Reflection
- Summarize the key points of the book
- Reflect on the themes and implications of Moses’ story
- Discuss the relevance of the book to contemporary urban issues
- Assign reading: Conclusion and Epilogue
- Discussion questions: What are the most important takeaways from the book? How can we apply the lessons of The Power Broker to our own communities?
Assessment:
- Participation in class discussions
- Weekly reading responses (1-2 pages)
- Mid-term and final papers (5-7 pages)
- Final project: a case study of a local urban development project, analyzing the power dynamics and implications for the community
Katie Quan 