Really more of a social history than a financial history, especially since the source of the Astor family wealth -- its massive real estate holdings alluded to in the title -- is only glancingly looked at, in favour of assorted family eccentricities and scandals. The family history stuff is fairly old hat -- readers of Lucius Beebe would be familiar with it. A missed opportunity, in some respects, though it's still an interesting read. ( )

A well-written account of an interesting time in history. I thought it went a little too deep on some members of the family. I would have like a broader perspective on more Astors as well as a little more about where that fortune is now. ( )

The family patriarch, John Jacob Astor, left the German village of Waldorf circa 1780 and started a fur-trading business in New York.
He was the barely literate son of the village butcher.
By the time of his death in 1848, he had become established in real estate and built the Astor Hotel on Broadway.
He was the country's first millionaire, with a legacy of 20 to 30 million, mainly in Manhattan real estate.

"The love of accumulation grew with his years until it ruled him like a tyrant"
---------------------------------

Kaplan's work concentrates on two cousins, William Waldorf Astor and John Jacob Astor IV.
The great-grandsons inherited a family feud and were intensely antagonistic to one another.
Each produced grand, ostentatious hotels that defined the term luxury hotel.
Both have been deemed responsible for the " invention of conspicuous consumption."
There is also a study of architectural form in the various hotels plus demonstration of the latest inventive skills.

The Astors just do not evoke admiration
The cousins' joint venture, the Waldorf Astoria, was setting for a costume extravaganza during the winter of 1896-1897
It was called "the most notorious society event of the era" because of economic distress and widespread unemployment.

The excesses and indulgences were startling as "new money" attempted to pass into the exclusive circles of "old money"
There were amusing moments, such as Mrs Astor's (Caroline) last formal reception.
Jewel laden, she was noted to look like a "walking chandelier"......

As for the question Should I read this?........I'll remain neutral. ( )

Blue bloods and grand hotels in a gilded age

by Justin Kaplan

181pg
hardcover

★ ★ ★

The family patriarch, John Jacob Astor, left the German village of Waldorf circa 1780 and started a fur-trading business in New York.
He was the barely literate son of the village butcher.
By the time of his death in 1848, he had become established in real estate and built the Astor Hotel on Broadway.
He was the country's first millionaire, with a legacy of 20 to 30 million, mainly in Manhattan real estate.

"The love of accumulation grew with his years until it ruled him like a tyrant"
---------------------------------

Kaplan's work concentrates on two cousins, William Waldorf Astor and John Jacob Astor IV.
The great-grandsons inherited a family feud and were intensely antagonistic to one another.
Each produced grand, ostentatious hotels that defined the term luxury hotel.
Both have been deemed responsible for the " invention of conspicuous consumption."
There is also a study of architectural form in the various hotels plus demonstration of the latest inventive skills.

The Astors just do not evoke admiration
The cousins' joint venture, the Waldorf Astoria, was setting for a costume extravaganza during the winter of 1896-1897
It was called "the most notorious society event of the era" because of economic distress and widespread unemployment.

The excesses and indulgences were startling as "new money" attempted to pass into the exclusive circles of "old money"
There were amusing moments, such as Mrs Astor's (Caroline) last formal reception.
Jewel laden, she was noted to look like a "walking chandelier"...... ( )

I’m a historical voyeur. I enjoy looking back and seeing the way that people used to live in all walks of life. And of course a peak into the uber-rich’s lifestyle is always interesting. That is what drew my attention to this book.

If you’re interested in historical New York hotels, why they were built, why they were destroyed, and a very little detail about the goings-ons in them back in the day, this book might almost be for you. If you are interested in ritzy New York generally from about 100-125 years ago, this book is not for you. I guess I just didn’t take the author’s title literally enough. I guess at one point the Astor family owned a not inconsequential chunk of Manhattan. And that is all that this book is about–oh, with a little sibling rivalry built in so that we leave New York for a few pages to visit England. Otherwise, it’s about the Astor family’s acquisition of property and pissing match as to who could build the biggest, most ostentatious hotel.

My historical life-and-times voyeurism was not fed. The end. ( )