Robin M. (robinmy) - , reviewed on 1/1/2022 + 2049 more book reviews

This is the story of the Vanderbilt family. Patriarch Cornelius Vanderbilt made two fortunes, one in shipping and the other in railroads. He was once the richest man in America. For every $20 of wealth in the country, Mr. Vanderbilt had $1. This book, written by Vanderbilt's Great, Great, Great-Grandson, Anderson Cooper, is the story of the greatest American fortune ever squandered. Cooper tells us about the money makers, the lavish homes and summer cottages, the yachts, and the scandals. When Cooper's mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, passed away in 2019, he decided to look into the family history and write this book. He declared that nobody can make money vanish into thin air like a Vanderbilt.

I've been interested in learning about this family since I visited a few of their homes in Newport, RI, and Asheville, NC. Their beautiful homes are full of vintage furniture, tapestries, and stunning artwork. This book brings the family to life. We are told stories about various family members and their places in history. I enjoyed most of the stories, but I didn't like the way the stories were told in a non-linear timeline. My rating: 4 Stars.

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