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joannchilada's review against another edition
4.0
There seem to be some expectations of this book in the reviews that the title clears up right away. This is a book about an American *fortune*, not just this American *family*. Therefore, sections like those on tenement life in NYC, the Titanic, and actress Mary Astor (no relation) are relevant to the overall story of this fortune and its impact on America.
I appreciated that “Astor” didn’t put the family on a pedestal. This was a very honest story, showing warts and all. The Astors seemed like humans, not the gilded gods and goddesses they were treated like for decades.
I found the writing stronger and more consistent than “Vanderbilt”. It might be because Cooper had such personal ties to that story as opposed to this one. However, his access to the elite allowed for interesting first person information relevant to the Astors.
I would love to learn even more about the orphan Astors covered in this book. I hadn’t heard of them prior and their story seemed harrowing. Hint hint, Anderson!
I appreciated that “Astor” didn’t put the family on a pedestal. This was a very honest story, showing warts and all. The Astors seemed like humans, not the gilded gods and goddesses they were treated like for decades.
I found the writing stronger and more consistent than “Vanderbilt”. It might be because Cooper had such personal ties to that story as opposed to this one. However, his access to the elite allowed for interesting first person information relevant to the Astors.
I would love to learn even more about the orphan Astors covered in this book. I hadn’t heard of them prior and their story seemed harrowing. Hint hint, Anderson!
kde33160's review against another edition
4.0
Gilded Era nonsense fascinates me so this was right up my alley. I also learned more about the early beginnings of the family that I wasn’t familiar with.
beth_s98's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
This book is less one cohesive narrative and rather is more tales from different points in the Astor line. I still think it was well researched, and I enjoyed Anderson’s narration.
jpaquette014's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.75
Cooper Anderson was an excellent narrator.
medicinewoman's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, War, and Classism
jmahaj's review against another edition
This family history is told anecdotally instead of chronologically. While the stories are interesting, and the writing is engaging, I had trouble keeping straight which person in which time was being discussed. I felt like I spent more time looking up images of everyone to keep them straight instead of actually staying in the book.