Working is a memoir by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert Caro, in which he reflects on his career as a biographer and historian, and the research and writing process behind his celebrated books.
Caro begins by discussing his early experiences as a journalist and how he became interested in the art of biography. He then describes the extensive research he conducted for his first book, The Power Broker, about the life and career of New York City urban planner Robert Moses.
Introduction to Robert Caro and Working
Robert Caro is one of the most distinguished journalists of our time. He is the acclaimed author of The Years of Lyndon Johnson series and Working, a memoir of his investigative reporting techniques.
“From the very start I thought of writing biographies as a means of illuminating the times of the men I was writing about and the great forces that molded those times—particularly the force that is political power.”
Caro is renowned for his unique approach to gathering information and coaxing out details from those he interviews. He digs deep into the history of a subject and always looks for the stories behind the facts. He believes in the power of tenacity and creativity when uncovering the truth.
Working tells the remarkable story of Caro’s career, from his early days as a newspaper reporter to his later career as an investigative journalist. In it, Caro shares his secrets for success and provides inspiring insight into the art and craft of journalism.
Throughout the book, Caro emphasizes the importance of on-the-ground research and the value of talking to people who were directly involved in the events he was writing about. He also shares his thoughts on the writing process, including the importance of finding and crafting a compelling narrative, and the challenges of balancing the demands of research with the demands of writing.
Besides discussing his work on The Power Broker, Caro also reflects on his other books, including his multi-volume biography of President Lyndon B. Johnson. He discusses the unique challenges and rewards of writing about a complex and controversial figure like Johnson, and the role of the biographer in interpreting and understanding the subject of their work.
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If You Ask Me by Betty White, Summary
Overview of the Book
In Working, Robert Caro shares stories about his unique reporting techniques and how he gets people to recall decades-old details from their pasts. He recounts his visit to the Johnson boyhood home with LBJ's younger brother, Sam, and how he convinced him to reenact family fights at the dinner table. He also talks a lot about power, and how it can be used for both good and bad.
Caro also shares tips on researching, interviewing and writing, showcased in wonderful, revealing, often funny anecdotes. He discusses his early newspaper days and the sense of mission that drove him. The book was over 1,300 pages, and its surprising success gave Caro the confidence he needed to continue his work.
His journalism has always been focused on the unvarnished facts, with no bias or embellishment. In the end, he provides readers with a powerful set of lessons on how to be a successful journalist.
The Power of Research and Writing
In Working by Robert Caro, the author shares his insights on the power of research and writing. He recounts his own experiences as a young newspaper reporter and the sense of mission that drove him to uncover the truth. Caro shares tips on how to research a story and find hidden details, as well as how to create compelling stories when writing.
He helps readers to understand the physical setting. Readers should be able to see in their mind’s eye the places in which the book’s facts are located. He can do this because before he writes, he sees the book in his mind’s eye. Caro boils the book down to three paragraphs. Then he turns the paragraphs into an outline of the book.
He writes and rewrites a lot, and he brings people to life. Caro tells us it takes time to write a book because research takes a long time. There are moments of revelation. And readers need to experience the moments.
We hear all the time the importance of writing a book. But before you start the process, you need to ask yourself what you’re trying to accomplish with the book.
Caro emphasizes the importance of tenacity, creativity, and empathy in order to create a successful story. He also reflects on how his own experience has shaped his writing style and how he has uncovered stories that no one else could. Through his own experiences, Caro shows the power of research and writing in crafting powerful stories.
The Power of Interviews
In Working, Robert Caro emphasizes the importance of interviews when conducting research for a biography or other project. Silence is golden. People will want to fill the pauses. He writes SU for shut up in his notebook.
Caro shares stories about his unique reporting techniques, and how he gets people to recall decades-old details from their pasts. He recounts his visit to the Johnson boyhood home with LBJ's younger brother, Sam, and how he convinced him to reenact family fights at the dinner table. This shows the power of interviews, as Caro could get a very detailed and vivid account of events that had happened a long time ago.
It also shows the power of his creativity and empathy, as he could think of a way to make Sam open up and talk about his past without making him feel bad. Caro also says that it is important to be persistent when interviewing people and getting information. It can often take multiple conversations and attempts to get the full story.
Finally, he points out the importance of reflection, as it can help you understand yourself, as well as the people and events you are looking at.
The Power of Reflection
Robert Caro has always taken the time to reflect on his work, and in Working, he illustrates the power of reflection. As he says himself, “I think one of the most powerful ways to understand a situation is to look back on it.” Caro’s reflection on his process has been an invaluable tool in honing his craft. He looks back at his work, noting what went right and what went wrong, and learns from it.
Caro believes that reflection is the key to improvement, and the more you reflect, the better your work will be. He encourages readers to take the time to reflect on their own work and to make sure that they are doing their best. Caro believes that the more effort you put into understanding and reflecting on your work, the more powerful it will be.
He also asks readers to ask themselves questions about their work. By taking the time to reflect on his work, Caro has honed his craft and become one of the most respected journalists of our time.
Conclusion: Lessons from Working by Robert Caro
Robert Caro’s book Working is a powerful and inspiring reminder of the power of ambition, research, writing, interviews, tenacity, creativity, empathy, and reflection. It is a thought-provoking and illuminating look at the life and career of a renowned historian and biographer. Caro's work reveals the importance of never giving up, the value of taking calculated risks, and the importance of being open to the unexpected.
Working also shows us that even when the odds seem to be against us, we can still stay focused, find the truth, and tell a story that resonates deeply with readers. By understanding and applying the lessons from Working, we can all become more empowered, more creative, and more successful storytellers.
Overall, Working is a candid and illuminating look at the life and career of a notable biographer and offers insight into the research and writing process behind some of the most highly regarded works of nonfiction of the past century. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the art of biographical writing, the role of the historian, and the importance of accurately interpreting and understanding the past.
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