Families of Fortune [Paperback]

Alexis Gregory (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2001

Never in history were greater fortunes made and spent than in the Gilded Age, a period of immense prosperity that lasted in Europe from 1870's through 1914 and in the United States until the Crash of 1929. This beautiful and richly illustrated book traces the rice of the great robber barons around the world, and explains the alchemy by which the Rothschilds, Vanderbilts, Astors and Rockefellers, among others, rose from rags to riches thanks to monopolies, government corruption, or financial skullduggery linked to blinding ambition and a passion for hard work. But the Gilded Age was as much about making fortunes as spending them, and the author entertainingly describes the competitive castle-building, art collecting, and above all social climbing of the newly rich, who aspired to be a new aristocracy while plotting to join the closed circle of the declining ancien regime.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alexis Gregory writes for Vanity Fair, Conde Nast Traveler, Art and Auction and Town and Country. His last book, published by Rizzoli, was Paris de luxe. The Place Vendome.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Vendome Press (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865651809
• ISBN-13: 978-0865651807
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #928,093 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lavishly illustrated on virtually every page, November 8, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Families of Fortune (Paperback)

The American Gilded Age (1870-1929) and the wealthy few businessmen who profited exorbitantly from it is royally portrayed in Families Of Fortune: Life In The Gilded Age, a beauteous book lavishly illustrated on virtually every page with artwork, photographs, and images of how the nouveau rich of that era made and spent their fortunes. The straightforward text contains an immense wealth of economic and historical information, concerning how a few famous "robber barron" families (a questionable term, since they technically weren't breaking laws against theft and certainly were not blood aristocracy) amassed such incredible fortunes, as well as how they ultimately spent those fortunes. Families Of Fortune is truly a combination of art, economics, and historical storytelling; highly recommended for anyone with a keen interest in the lifestyles of the rich and famous of the Gilded Age.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lifestyles like that at the Biltmore Estate throughout, December 12, 2001

By 

David Traill (Stuart, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Families of Fortune (Paperback)

Families of Fortune is very good at depicting the rise to wealth and power that accompanied the businessmen of the Industrial Era in America. The Gilded Age homes and lifetyles are lavishly depcited, using hundreds of photos and basic, supporting text that will adequately portray the subject intended in the book. Overall, it is useful, but would not be helpful for a person trying to specialize solely on the well-known names of Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, and others.

4.0 out of 5 stars Fortunate Owner., July 7, 2011

By 

Jason Chadwell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Families of Fortune (Paperback)

I've owned this book for years and have enjoyed it very much. Informative, well researched, visually exciting. Much more than just a coffee table book. Very highly recommended.