Customer Reviews

Splendid Isolation: The Jekyll Island Millionaires Club 1888-1942

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Pamela Bauer Mueller tells the story of the beginnings of Jekyll Island in a way that makes one wish they had been there. The story, as told by four employees of the wealthy founders of the Millionaires' Club, brings history to life. After reading her account, one is inspired to learn more about these intriguing historical figures.

Although I have lived in Coastal Georgia for many years, Pamela Bauer Mueller's "Splendid Isolation" was still a revelation. I found it very hard to put down. Having the stories told by long-time employees of the Jekyll Island Club gives one a feeling of privilege to look "behind the scenes," and to imagine what it would be like to live a life so entwined with the Millionaires -- or even to BE one of them. Mueller's ability to evoke a time, a place, and a people is well-honed. She has taken well-researched historical facts and imagined the rest with what comes across as refreshing candor. "Splended Isolation" has given me new eyes to see aspects of the Gilded Age that still remain, as well as the natural beauty of Jekyll Island that is so soothing to the senses.

I thought I had a good knowledge of Jekyll history living on the island. I was pleasantly surprised by this ingenious take on the Millionaire's lives and especially the lives of the employees behind them. The author tells their story through the employee's eyes in a way that both educates and entertains. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially those with an interest in the Georgia coast.

This book is full of interesting characters with a variety of backgrounds that share their perspective on how the Jekyll Island Club came to be established. It's fascinating to learn how many influential people were involved and the contributions that each made to this unique little piece of heaven.

Splendid Isolation is a thoroughly enjoyable book. Mrs. Mueller makes history come alive as she puts her own personal touch on Jekyll Island Millionaire Club facts with a great blend of fiction through the voice of four employees of prominent Club members. Who knew such an important detail of our country's history was created on a small island off the coast of Georgia? If you love history, interesting facts on important historical figures or just a good read this book is for you.

Pamela Mueller's "Splendid Isolation - The Jekyll Island Millionaires Club 1888-1942" puts history into the words of the common man. Her book on the formation and operation of the Jekyll Island Club, created on Jekyll Island, off the coast of Georgia, by some of the most influential financiers in America, is examined in historical novel form from the viewpoint of several common people who served the millionaires in their island paradise.

The book will open your eyes as see the lives of these multi-millionaire moguls. You'll see their human side, sharing their triumphs and their tragedies, their laughter and heartbreak. Mueller dwells on the millionaires humanity, painting a picture of how they viewed their mogul status, how they coped with the life of a tycoon. She explores their vanities and vulnerabilities, from how they got along with each other to how they treated their employees (surprisingly devoted to them, it seems).

"Splendid Isolation" is seen from the eyes of the Jekyll Island Club manager, a young lady who taught their children, and the captain of the excursion ship that transported the millionaires from Brunswick to the island. The employees often found life working for the millionaires a challenge, albeit a pleasant one on the shores of this temperate barrier island. Most loved it on Jekyll Island, and made better wages than they would have anywhere else.

This well-written historical novel (enhanced by period photos) is worth a read to see how it really happened in the days of JP Morgan, Vanderbilt, Pulitzer, Rockefeller and Goodyear.

The richest people in the world, through the eyes of the people whose paychecks they sign. "Splendid Isolation: The Jekyll Island Millionaire's Club 1888-1942" tells the tale of four employees of an exclusive club of Jekyll's island, a Millionaire's club filled with names such as Morgan, Pulitzer, Vanderbilt, among many others. This island became so exclusive that it may have almost became a nation of its own. "Splendid Isolation" is a fine choice and intriguing reading using the characters of the great tycoons of a century ago.

An excellent time trip back to an important time and place in our nations history. Some of the most important decisions
that we still feel today were made back then. As a visitor to the island, Pamela has captured perfectly the feel of
the land and marshes. On a tour, I saw the old club and the books descriptions and archive photos brought me back there.

A beautiful place and a beautiful book!

I also recommend another of of Ms. Bauer-Mueller's books set in the Georgia area- "An Angry Drum Echoed".

Splendid Isolation is not only historical, but very entertaining. Pamela Bauer Mueller has accomplished the difficult feat of bringing characters from the past to life. This is a good read for anyone interested in all that was going on at the turn of the century when the Jekyll Island Club was built to its seeming end in the World War II era. The book evokes many mental images of what life was like on Jekyll Island and would make any reader want to plan a visit to this magical place!

Loved this inside look to this era and beautiful island and the life in the earlier days. Like this writer's style and am enjoying her most recent book "Water to My Soul". She picks such wonderful unknown characters and makes them come to life. "Water" is an adult book but my high school granddaughters are each going to get there own copy. Thanks again, Pam