The introduction follows the life of Robert Moses, charting his journey from an idealistic young reformer to one of the most influential—and divisive—figures in twentieth-century urban America. It begins by introducing Moses as a promising Yale student, admired for his integrity and dedication to public service. Even at this early stage, however, Moses reveals a willingness to bend the rules, resorting to deception to secure funding for the swimming team. When confronted about his actions, he chooses to resign rather than compromise, hinting at a stubbornness and resolve that would define his later career. This opening story sets up the book's central theme: the ongoing tension between Moses’ lofty ideals and his relentless drive for power.
As Moses moves from the academic world into public service, the narrative follows his first attempts to reform New York’s civil service system. Motivated by a belief in merit and fairness, he takes on powerful interests like Tammany Hall, only to be defeated and see his reforms quickly undone. These early disappointments teach Moses a hard lesson: good intentions are not enough without the authority to make them reality. This realization marks a turning point. Moses begins to shift his focus, embracing power as the essential tool for achieving his ambitious goals. His battles become less about principle and more about control, as seen in his later dealings with Mayor Robert Wagner, where Moses secures influential positions through sheer determination.
The introduction then discusses the enormous impact Moses had on New York City and its surrounding areas. Over more than thirty years, he transformed the city’s landscape, building expressways, bridges, and massive housing projects like Stuyvesant Town and Co-op City. He expanded parks, playgrounds, and beaches, and played a key role in urban renewal—often at the cost of uprooting entire communities. Moses’ influence stretched far beyond the city, reaching into the suburbs, Long Island, and upstate New York, where he oversaw the construction of dams and the development of recreational areas. His imprint can still be seen across the state.
Much of Moses’ power came from his control of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, which operated almost like a city within a city, complete with its own revenue, police, and regulations. This independence allowed him to reward allies, sideline adversaries, and maintain an unchallenged hold over public works. He used the Authority’s secrecy and financial resources to hide waste and inefficiency, all while projecting an image of incorruptibility and effectiveness. In truth, many of his projects relied on public subsidies, and he built a political machine by handing out contracts and favors to secure loyalty.
The introduction doesn’t shy away from the darker side of Moses’ legacy. His pursuit of power led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, disproportionately affecting poor and minority communities, and contributed to urban congestion and social fragmentation. While Moses revolutionized parks, highways, and urban renewal—and inspired similar projects across the country—his legacy remains deeply conflicted. The introduction ends by asking whether Moses truly improved New York or simply changed it forever, leaving readers to ponder the complex balance between visionary ambition and the dangers of unchecked authority.