Two Brothers (Part 1 of 3)

Core idea

Two Brothers is one of the book's most painful topics. Paul Emanuel Moses — Robert's older brother, the favored son of Emanuel, the more brilliant student at Yale — ended his life in poverty in a rented room near the southern tip of Manhattan. Robert systematically blocked Paul's job prospects for forty years, using his city-government influence to ensure Paul was never hired for any New York public position. Paul died in 1967. Robert did not attend the funeral. Caro spends three topics on the brothers because, in his reading, the way Robert treated Paul reveals what was hidden behind the public persona.

Why it matters

Paul as the favored son

Paul Emanuel Moses, born 1887, was Robert's older brother by one year. Emanuel preferred him. Paul was the better Yale student academically. He went into mining engineering and might have had a successful career. Bella's marriage settlement was structured to disadvantage Paul; in 1915 their mother gave Robert the bulk of family assets, leaving Paul comparatively poor.

Robert's systematic blocking

Caro interviewed six high officials in the City of New York who, in different administrations across forty years, were approached by Paul about jobs. In each case, Robert's office reached out behind the scenes and made clear that Paul should not be hired. The blocking was systematic and effective; Paul lived in poverty largely because of his brother's intervention.

Key takeaways

Mental model

Copy sourceZoom

Practical application

Example

The biographies of many powerful figures across history include a topic on a sibling or close family member who was treated badly. The pattern is consistent: how someone treats those who cannot help or hurt them is the unedited character. Caro's Two Brothers is the model.

Related lessons