I wanted to dislike this book because I am a natural contrarian. I cannot. It's too good. It deserves all the hype. Despite its gargantuan size and seemingly dry subject matter (urban planning in New York), the book is completely engrossing. It never once felt like a slog.

It tells the story of Robert Moses, who, despite never holding an elected position, shaped New York City's parks, highways, public housing, and general urban development for four decades. By setting an early example of automobile-centered development in New York, he also shaped the urban landscape of nearly every major city in America. But the book is also the story of Moses' quest for power for its own sake.

What makes it excellent is Caro's ability to seamlessly weave together exacting technical detail--about hyper-local Long Island politics, highway construction, public authority financing, federal housing funding schemes--and a rich portrait of Moses the man. Herein you will learn of the vain ambition of Man and also why you cannot take the subway to LaGuardia Airport. More importantly, you will learn of the connection between those two things.