Millionaires, Mansions, and Motor Yachts: An Era of Opulence [Hardcover]

Ross MacTaggart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 12, 2004

A re-creation of a time of fantastic wealth through never-before-seen photographs.

Through a lively text and 250 stunning duotone images (most never previously published), Millionaires, Mansions, and Motor Yachts re-creates an era of opulence and extravagance that today seems incredible. Dominating this volume are the mansions and yachts of Alfred and Jessie du Pont. Equally larger-than-life personalities include Thomas Lawson, his expansive estate, Dreamwold, and yachts such as Dreamer; empire builder John Spreckels's 227-foot Venetia; Emily Cadwalader, who commissioned a vessel destined for world renown as a U.S. presidential yacht, before checkmating this achievement by ordering the largest private yacht ever built, the 407-foot Savarona; Eugene Tompkins, the "Napoleon of Theater Managers"; George Fabyan; Harry Darlington; and William Rands. Enfolded in this volume's fascinating pages are not only the wealthy individuals who shaped this era but also curmudgeonly writer/yachtsman Thomas Fleming Day, photographer Nathaniel Stebbins, and the designers and builders who created the splendid yachts that here return to life. 250 duotone photographs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ross MacTaggart is a writer, researcher, architectural designer, and urban observer. He lives in Strong City, Kansas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (November 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393057623
• ISBN-13: 978-0393057621
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 10 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #633,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Only One Review??, October 31, 2009

By 

Peter T. Wolf "Gilded Age Lover" (lake forest, ca United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Millionaires, Mansions, and Motor Yachts: An Era of Opulence (Hardcover)

I'm not surprised. Taggart has created an unusual book on a subject for specialists and fanatics ( like me) only. This book had a long gestation period and when it finally came out reviewers were hard pressed on how to judge it. Here's why;
a) It broad brushes an era as opposed to focusing on a specific area of that era. Taggart in his earlier work on steam yachts focused exclusively on this subject to great effect.
b) The examples of millionaires he uses are not the world famous ones like Vanderbilt or Astor but rather lesser known ones( but every bit as rich as the others) like Alfred Dupont.

But nevetheless the book is important in this subject, if you are an afficiando. I really like the rare photos he's selected. The jacket photo of financier Tom Lawson at his ticker tape machine was worth the price of the book to me.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, December 1, 2009

By 

Daniel K. Kummerlowe (Halethorpe Md.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Millionaires, Mansions, and Motor Yachts: An Era of Opulence (Hardcover)

Just really enjoyed the large photos and well written.I liked that the author looked at documents and letters and had questions about some of them.There is some nice history and insight into the Dupont family. Good work
Dan Kummerlowe Halethorpe Md.