Working

By: Robert A. Caro

Narrated by: Robert A. Caro

"One of the great reporters of our time and probably the greatest biographer." (The Sunday Times, London)

From the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Power Broker and the Years of Lyndon Johnson series: an unprecedented gathering of vivid, candid, deeply revealing recollections about his experiences researching and writing his acclaimed books.

For the first time in audiobook form, Robert Caro gives us a glimpse into his own life and work in these evocatively written, personal pieces. He describes what it was like to interview the mighty Robert Moses and to begin discovering the extent of the political power Moses wielded; the combination of discouragement and exhilaration he felt confronting the vast holdings of the Lyndon B. Johnson Library in Austin, Texas; his encounters with witnesses, including longtime residents wrenchingly displaced by the construction of Moses' Cross-Bronx Expressway and Lady Bird Johnson acknowledging the beauty and influence of one of LBJ's mistresses. He gratefully remembers how, after years of working in solitude, he found a writers' community at the New York Public Library and details the ways he goes about planning and composing his books.

Caro recalls the moments at which he came to understand that he wanted to write not just about the men who wielded power, but about the people and the politics that were shaped by that power. And he talks about the importance to him of the writing itself, of how he tries to infuse it with a sense of place and mood to bring characters and situations to life on the page. Taken together, these reminiscences - some previously published, some written expressly for this book - bring into focus the passion, the wry self-deprecation, and the integrity with which this brilliant historian has always approached his work.

©2019 Robert A. Caro (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"As an audiobook performer, Robert Caro doesn't display much polish, but there could be no finer voice for describing his career as an investigative writer.... That distinctive, indigenous voice transforms what would have been a stray assembly of reminiscences, old interviews, and magazine pieces into a compelling narrative of the writerly life.... Caro is 82, and the story he tells is an inspiration to every would-be writer, told with authenticity - and artistry - that no polish could enhance." (AudioFile Magazine)

“Superb.... Writing with customary humor, grace, and vigor, Caro wryly acknowledges the question ‘Why does it take so long’ to produce each book. Caro provides both the short answer - intensive research - and a longer, illuminating explication of just what that entails.... The results may take longer, but, as readers of Caro’s work know, it is always worth the wait. For the impatient, however, this lively combination of memoir and non-fiction writing will help sate their appetite....” (Publishers Weekly)

“The iconic biographer...offers wisdom about researching and writing.... In sparkling prose, Caro...recounts his path from growing up sheltered in New York City to studying at Princeton, Harvard, and Columbia to unexpectedly becoming a newspaper reporter and deciding to devote his life to writing books.... The author shares fascinating insights into his research process in archives; his information-gathering in the field, such as the Texas Hill Country; his interviewing techniques; his practice of writing the first draft longhand; and his ability to think deeply about his material. Caro also offers numerous memorable anecdotes.... Caro’s skill as a biographer, master of compelling prose, appealing self-deprecation, and overall generous spirit shine through on every page.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Fascinating

It is so cool to hear about the inner workings of Mr. Caro's methodology. I'm so grateful for this collection.

How good is the narrator?

This is what natural narration sounds like. I have scores of Audible audiobooks. Not one narrator comes close to Mr. Caro who sounds clear, authentic and utterly self-effacing. This makes it very easy to focus upon what he is saying. Sometimes, perhaps more often than not, a performance is not called for.

Excellent and insightful

Listening to Caro describe his research and writing process on Moses and Johnson is fascinating. That Caro devoted his entire adult life to studying and writing about two men is astounding. And to hear him describe what he was ultimately studying—power and how it affects different people—is to understand what Caro was ultimately chasing. So looking forward to the fifth and final volume of the Johnson series. Bravo!

An amazing, intelligent biographer

Great narrator. Explaining his lifetime body of work, his diligence and obsession for detail to explain the attainment of, access and use of power by the unelected and the elected.

Don't Miss This Book

I loved this book and would recommend listening to it on Audible. The author's narration adds to the experience.

Long stories of powerful personalities from a liberal point of view

Caro writes very long prose about two powerful people from a left leaning view point. While deeply researched asking about the people affected he never seems to be able to bring to conclusion what the long term effects of the changes these men made. Example: Johnson passed education bills, and spending went up but were students bettered? Did more spending and federal government control produce better education? Caro what were the outcomes?

I am a huge fan

I’m a huge fan of Robert Caro. I have read all his books with the exception of the Power Broker which is on my list. I do wonder if he ever considers the unintended consequences of the Great Society’s entitlement programs. Many black people blame Johnson for contributing to the breakup of the nuclear black family. The dependence created by these entitlement programs has provided for a solid block of voters for Democrats. I noticed that when he refers to the Senate opponents of the Civil Rights Acts he always refers to them as “Southerners” and never Democrats. And he doesn’t give Republicans like Everett Dirksen any credit for the success of the bills. I’m not an expert but I feel that there’s a bit of a whitewash going on. I still admire Mr. Caro and am grateful to him.

News to me - surprisingly good

Like a benevolent uncle, Carrow provides a Glimpse into a world that I didn’t know, because I was a child. His writing and dedication are marvelous model for writers today.

Well worth a listen.

Greatest Hits of Robert Caro

This book, especially the audio book reading by author Robert Caro filled with anecdotes about Robert Moses, LBJ and Caro's writing life, is terrific. It's like a greatest hits of Caro's mammoth Power Broker and the Years of LBJ. Caro is to non-fiction what Moses and Caro were to power. Just put the reading speed to 1.25 because Caro reads a bit slow, and you'll still be able to hear Caro's charming NY accent.

Fascinating look into how he reports & interviews

Full of detailed accounts about how he was able to track down info and interview people for his monumental books on Robert Moses and LBJ. Fantastic if you've read those, but if not you'll want to. His very heavy NYC accent doesn't sound like the typical audiobook reader, but he's right for this. Also he explains why his books take soooo long to write....