Episode · Dwarkesh Podcast · 2026-10-29

Books mentioned on What I learned about power from LBJ and Robert Moses

2 books · Listen

I recently got to interview Robert Caro, who is my favorite author of all time. This gave me the excuse to reread his biographies of Lyndon Johnson and Robert Moses, and to compile my prep notes into this video essay.

Dwarkesh Patel discussed The Power Broker by Robert A. Caro and Master of the Senate by Robert A. Caro.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

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1. 

   The Power Broker

   Robert A. Caro · at 8:30 · mentioned 2 times

   The Power Broker by Robert A.

   Discussed

   “The way we remember Robert Moses today is based on a reputation that was calcified in the 1970s, when the power broker came out and where New York was experiencing a dark age of crime, deindustrialization, and white flight.”

   Dwarkesh Patel What I learned about power from LBJ and Robert Moses 2026-10-29 ▶ Play 8:30

   Where to get it

   AmazonListen on Audible
2. 

   Master of the Senate

   Robert A. Caro · at 15:07

   Master of the Senate by Robert A.

   Discussed

   “While writing Master of the Senate, Volume 3 of his Johnson biographies, Cairo interviewed former Georgia Senator Herman Talmadge. He asked Talmadge what impression he got from freshman Senator Lyndon Johnson”

   Dwarkesh Patel What I learned about power from LBJ and Robert Moses 2026-10-29 ▶ Play 15:07

   Where to get it

   AmazonListen on Audible