A great book for Downton Abbey fans, especially Season 1, and probably best read in your snootiest Julian Fellowes/Maggie Smith voice. It's a good place to get context for Robert and Cora's marriage, since the Earl of Grantham married the American heiress for her money. It's definitely a history focused on society and celebrity -- no wars, pestilence or other "middle class" worries are mentioned. I thought the chapters on an American heiress's life after marriage were the most interesting. It can be easy to get all of the names mixed up -- I had a hard time distinguishing between the Duchess of Manchester and the Duchess of Marlborough, since they were both named Consuelo -- but there is a handy guide in the back which lists all the American heiresses who married into the British aristocracy. It made me want to read more Edith Wharton and Henry James.

An irreverent book about an irreverent time. As a Downton Abbey fan, this book is heaven.

There are lots of factual, historical information but it's presented with too many interruptions.

A bear of a book, but totally worth it. Fascinating!

An interesting book about a strange phenomenon that began around the end of Victoria's reign. American heiresses coming to England in order to snag a title, and impoverished English lords only too glad to snatch at the cash infusion to keep their estates solvent. The book's style is conversational and gossipy, quite fitting for this sort of topic. I would have liked the book to go into more depth on the fates of these heiresses after marriage, but this was clearly not meant to be academic, so I can let some shallowness slide.

So full of information. It reads more like a textbook that’s a stories but the stories are incredible.

So much data

This book seem to rely heavily on historical data and facts, more than primary sources. Some primary sources were used and that provided great context in spots. Mostly it felt like reading an almanac for the rich and famous, lots of names, dates and tidbits of the cost and value of dresses and houses and such.

It felt like there could have been more context and continuity to weave a story -- there are so many characters involved it was really easy to lose track.

This was a fun little book. Packed with fun information and loads of pictures of the Gilded Age and it's heiress's. I listened to the audiobook but also own a physical copy so it was fun to see the photos while listening along.

Filled with juicy society tidbits from the turn of the century. If you can imagine, there was lots of backbiting, drama, and gossip! Best to use as a reference book.

In depth and informative look at a phenomenon I didn't know much about!