Description
Book Synopsis: New York Times bestselling author and journalist Anderson Cooper teams with New York Times bestselling historian and novelist Katherine Howe to chronicle the rise and fall of a legendary American dynasty—his mother's family, the Vanderbilts.
One of the Washington Post's Notable Works of Nonfiction of 2021.
When eleven-year-old Cornelius Vanderbilt began to work on his father's small boat ferrying supplies in New York Harbor at the beginning of the nineteenth century, no one could have imagined that one day he would, through ruthlessness, cunning, and a pathological desire for money, build two empires—one in shipping and another in railroads—that would make him the richest man in America. His staggering fortune was fought over by his heirs after his death in 1877, sowing familial discord that would never fully heal. Though his son Billy doubled the money left by “the Commodore,” subsequent generations competed to find new and ever more extraordinary ways of spending it. By 2018, when the last Vanderbilt was forced out of The Breakers—the seventy-room summer estate in Newport, Rhode Island, that Cornelius's grandson and namesake had built—the family would have been unrecognizable to the tycoon who started it all.
Now, the Commodore's great-great-great-grandson Anderson Cooper, joins with historian Katherine Howe to explore the story of his legendary family and their outsized influence. Cooper and Howe breathe life into the ancestors who built the family's empire, basked in the Commodore's wealth, hosted lavish galas, and became synonymous with unfettered American capitalism and high society. Moving from the hardscrabble wharves of old Manhattan to the lavish drawing rooms of Gilded Age Fifth Avenue, from the ornate summer palaces of Newport to the courts of Europe, and all the way to modern-day New York, Cooper and Howe wryly recount the triumphs and tragedies of an American dynasty unlike any other.
Written with a unique insider's viewpoint, this is a rollicking, quintessentially American history as remarkable as the family it so vividly captures.
Details
Experience the captivating story of American wealth, power, and ambition with "Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty." This New York Times bestseller, written by renowned journalist Anderson Cooper and acclaimed historian Katherine Howe, takes you on a journey through the legendary Vanderbilt family. From the humble beginnings of Cornelius Vanderbilt, who built an empire from a small boat ferrying supplies, to the extravagant lifestyles of his heirs, this book chronicles the highs and lows of one of America's most influential dynasties.
Immerse yourself in the opulence and grandeur of a bygone era as Cooper and Howe bring the Vanderbilts to life. From the bustling streets of nineteenth-century New York to the lavish drawing rooms of Gilded Age Fifth Avenue, you'll be transported to a world where wealth knew no bounds. Explore the family's iconic summer estate, The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island, and witness the dramas and conflicts that unfolded within the dynasty.
With their unique insider's viewpoint, Cooper and Howe deliver a riveting account of the Vanderbilt legacy, delving into the relentless pursuit of wealth, the intricate family dynamics, and the larger-than-life personalities that shaped the family's destiny. This is a tale of ambition, power, and the unyielding desire for success that defined the Vanderbilts.
Don't miss your chance to discover the compelling story of the Vanderbilts and their indelible impact on American history. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply crave a captivating narrative, "Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty" is a must-read. Order your copy today and embark on a journey through the triumphs and tragedies of an extraordinary American dynasty.
Get your copy of "Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty" now and unravel the secrets of one of America's most powerful families.
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