The Power Broker Book Club
WITH ELLIOTT KALAN AND ROMAN MARS
The “99% Invisible Breakdown” podcast spent a year reading The Power Broker, and invited Conan O’Brien, Jamelle Bouie, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pete Buttigieg (all fans of Robert Caro), and others onto their show to discuss the book.
“The most important and complete explanation of how cities are formed, how neighborhoods are destroyed, bridges are erected, roads are laid down, parks are designed, fortunes are made, lives are ruined, and power is amassed…A tour de force of journalism, history, and biography…Strongly in contention for the best book ever written.” —99% Invisible
LISTEN TO THE EPISODES BELOW
In this introductory episode, the hosts are joined by comedian, podcaster, late night television host, and absolute fanboy of author Robert Caro: Conan O’Brien.
Intro through Chapter 5: Robert Caro joins the podcast to talk about his book, process, and the problematic man himself: Robert Moses.
Chapters 6 through 10: Guest Jamelle Bouie, columnist for the New York Times and former chief political correspondent for Slate.
Chapters 11 through 15: Guest David Sims, Blank Check podcast co-host and The Atlantic movie critic.
Chapters 16 through 20: Guest Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the U.S. representative for New York’s 14th congressional district, describes the lasting impact Moses’ highways have made on her district, and her own philosophy when it comes to political power and bringing ambitious projects to life.
Chapters 21 through 24: Guest Brandy Zadrozny, a senior reporter for NBC News who covers misinformation, conspiracy theories, and the internet, discusses the press and its relationship to power, what has changed in journalism, and what has remained the same.
Chapters 25 through 26: Guest Mike Schur, creator of Parks and Recreation (hear how The Power Broker inspired Parks & Rec!) and former writer-producer of The Office.
Chapters 27 through 32: Guest Pete Buttigieg, former US Secretary of Transportation.
Chapters 33 through 34: Guest Shiloh Frederick, a writer and influencer who chronicled her plan to read The Power Broker in 30 days.
Chapters 35 through 38: Guest Majora Carter, an urban revitalization strategist and real estate developer from the South Bronx.
Chapters 39 through 41: Guest Clara Jeffery, the editor-in-chief of Mother Jones and the Center for Investigative Reporting.
Chapters 42 through 46: Guest Brennan Lee Mulligan, a comedian and host with Dropout TV.
Chapters 47 through 50: Robert Caro discusses the book’s lasting legacy, parallels to today, and how he decided on the last line of the book.