Customer Reviews

Too Rich: The Family Secrets of Doris Duke

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After reading the other two reviews, I waited a few months before buying this book. I was pleasantly surprised since this book is very interesting and it flows nicely. I felt that the author was fair to Doris and he did not "bash" her as the other reviews had said. I enjoyed getting to know Doris Duke, and I am glad I bought the book.

After a recent visit to the Rough Point Estate in Newport, I was interested to know more about the remarkable woman who once lived there. This book was a disapointment because it is quite obvious the authors had an axe to grind with Miss Duke and chose this method to extract more money from the association to her. It should be pointed out that Doris Duke was very generous to Pony Duke,co-author, until he threw it all away. I will say atleast he had the courtesy to admit it. The book is poorly written as well. Cheap is the word I'de like to use. It is unfortunate that a good biography has yet to be written about this huge icon. Her life was filled with controversy and great sadness, but also triumph and cunning, generosity and good will. It is a shame that even in death she was taken advantage of.

Doris Duke, the "richest girl in the world" as she was called by a N.Y. Times reporter, inherited a vast fortune at age twelve when her father, James Buchanan Duke, died. Her father was the founder of the tobacco cartel responsible for the sales of 80% of all tobacco products in the U.S. At his death she also came into possession a number of estates,mansions,farms and other properties. One of her favorite homes was in Newport, RI where she lived in the summers and, after her mother's death, began to prefer over all others. She lived a wild life, using cocaine, LSD, drinking a great deal and having many lovers. In 1966 she crashed her car into her decorator, Eduardo Tirella, while he was opening the iron gates of her property. He was crushed to death. The police (whether bought off or just intimidated by her family's power) never investigated. She was never charged although the police chief resigned shortly thereafter under mysterious circumstances.
This incident is fully detailed in another book which I recommend. A Death in Newport.In the months that followed the death of Tirella, Doris changed a great deal. Whereas earier she had neglected her adopted home, now she launched the Newport Restoration Foundation and persuaded Jackie Kennedy to serve as vice-president. She spent millions in restoring historic homes in the area. In addition, the Cliff Walk which she had previously blockaded from her home and had patrolled by dogs, was opened up and re-paved so that tourists and local fishman could have access.This book gives us a balanced portrait of the contradictory and troublesome life of an hieress who had everything except happiness.

Great insight into workings of wealthy families, black sheep, and proof that money can'
t buy happiness. A bit conjectural at times, but a fascinating read.

Really. If you have nothing nice to say, good manners dictates you say nothing and not accept money for a lot of nasty swill. If you like mucking about, you'll love this.