The Power Broker; Enough already

   I’ve gotten to just under p. 900 (with more than 200 to go) with only now-and-then short bits of skimming. I plan to finish the book. But I must say, it’s not a pleasant experience. The last chunk I read is typical. [1] Moses proposes the route for a road that is costly in dollars and, more importantly, in the upheaval of families who live in the houses that would be demolished. [2] A much less damaging alternative is proposed and pushed for by adherents, solid citizens. [3] Moses is approached, but won’t even listen to the alternative proposal.

   It makes for downright unpleasant reading, so that I have to force myself to go on. I’ve come to  wonder how the book’s author, Robert Caro, could carry on, since he had to give an account of all this in the meticulous detail that he does, without—at best—getting disgusted. One moral of this story is that we don’t give enough credit to the fortitude of the stomach that listens to and gives an account of a lot of crap.

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   There are volumes to be said about the Robert Moses book, but I don’t plan to comment further on this theme. It’s either do it right or don’t do it at all. I’m for the latter.