A devotee of history in general and the local histories of New York City and Long Island in particular.
I have fortunately, and in some rare cases unfortunately, over the years made the acquaintance of Politicians, Environmentalists, Duck Hunters, Fly Fishermen, Clammers, Baymen, Political Appointees, Farmers, Members of Law Enforcement, Small Business Owners, Gamekeepers, Surfers, among all of the various individuals that make up this region. People such as these are “boots on the ground” types as opposed to those who have limited their viewpoints to the halls of academia.
For an Individual who wishes to understand the United States, Long Island functions as a microcosm. Its population relies on the largest sole source aquifer in the country. Like anywhere else, the management of natural resources balanced against the needs of the population along with the desires of real estate developers creates the same issues that exist everywhere. In our case it occurs on an Island that is 120 miles long and 20 miles at its widest point. This makes these issues easier to see and understand. Combine that with the political, economic and social whirlpool of New York City as our next door neighbor, and it is far easier to see how the world works.
For these reasons I’m provided with a lens through which I can view works such as “The Powerbroker” by Robert Caro. Much of this book is a fantastic work of local history. Unfortunately, Mr. Caro’s background as a Journalist, rather than as an Historian incorporates blatant untruths particularly regarding Mr. Moses character that are easily disprovable.
“There is beauty in truth, even if it’s painful. Those who lie, twist life so that it looks tasty to the lazy, brilliant to the ignorant, and powerful to the weak. But lies only strengthen our defects. They don’t teach anything, fix anything, or cure anything. Nor do they develop one’s character, one’s mind, one’s heart or one’s soul.’
Jose N. Harris
The goal of this work is to, as the man who brought Robert Moses into state government, Al Smith, elected Governor of New York State in 1918, 1922, 1924, and 1926 and failed Democratic presidential candidate in 1928 would say, “Let’s set the record straight.”