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New York Times bestselling author and journalist Anderson Cooper teams with New York Times bestselling historian and novelist Katherine Howe to chronicle the rise and fall of a legendary American dynasty—his mother’s family, the Vanderbilts.

When eleven-year-old Cornelius Vanderbilt began to work on his father’s small boat ferrying supplies in New York Harbor at the beginning of the nineteenth century, no one could have imagined that one day he would, through ruthlessness, cunning, and a pathological desire for money, build two empires—one in shipping and another in railroads—that would make him the richest man in America. His staggering fortune was fought over by his heirs after his death in 1877, sowing familial discord that would never fully heal. Though his son Billy doubled the money left by “the Commodore,” subsequent generations competed to find new and ever more extraordinary ways of spending it. By 2018, when the last Vanderbilt was forced out of The Breakers—the seventy-room summer estate in Newport, Rhode Island, that Cornelius’s grandson and namesake had built—the family would have been unrecognizable to the tycoon who started it all.

Now, the Commodore’s great-great-great-grandson Anderson Cooper, joins with historian Katherine Howe to explore the story of his legendary family and their outsized influence. Cooper and Howe breathe life into the ancestors who built the family’s empire, basked in the Commodore’s wealth, hosted lavish galas, and became synonymous with unfettered American capitalism and high society. Moving from the hardscrabble wharves of old Manhattan to the lavish drawing rooms of Gilded Age Fifth Avenue, from the ornate summer palaces of Newport to the courts of Europe, and all the way to modern-day New York, Cooper and Howe wryly recount the triumphs and tragedies of an American dynasty unlike any other.

Written with a unique insider’s viewpoint, this is a rollicking, quintessentially American history as remarkable as the family it so vividly captures.

Journey into the Realm of the Vanderbilts: A Legacy of Wealth, Power, and Intrigue

In the annals of American history, the name Vanderbilt stands tall, synonymous with immense wealth, sprawling empires, and an enduring legacy that has shaped the nation's cultural and economic landscape. Their story, as chronicled in Anderson Cooper's gripping narrative "Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty," is a captivating saga of triumphs, tragedies, and the complexities of a family that left an indelible mark on the United States.

From humble beginnings in the 18th century, the Vanderbilts rose to prominence through Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt's shrewd business acumen. His steamship and railroad endeavors transformed transportation and trade, amassing a fortune that would lay the foundation for the family's meteoric ascent. His son, William Henry Vanderbilt, further expanded the family's empire, solidifying their position as one of the wealthiest and most influential clans in the nation.

The Vanderbilts' wealth and power extended beyond the realm of business. They became patrons of the arts, philanthropy, and education, leaving a lasting impact on the cultural fabric of the United States. Their opulent mansions, extravagant parties, and lavish lifestyles became a symbol of the Gilded Age, a period marked by both immense prosperity and stark inequality.

However, the Vanderbilt dynasty was not immune to the vagaries of fate. Family feuds, financial setbacks, and personal tragedies marred their illustrious history. The death of Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt aboard the RMS Lusitania during World War I and the sensational divorce of Gloria Vanderbilt from Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt in the mid-20th century became tabloid fodder, exposing the cracks in the family's seemingly impenetrable facade.

Anderson Cooper, with his unique perspective as a descendant of the Vanderbilt family, delves into the intricate tapestry of their lives. Drawing upon extensive research, personal anecdotes, and intimate family archives, Cooper presents a balanced and nuanced portrayal of the Vanderbilts, capturing both their triumphs and their struggles.

As you immerse yourself in "Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty," you'll embark on a journey through time, witnessing the rise of a family that epitomized the American dream and the challenges they faced as their fortune and influence waned. It's a tale of ambition, power, love, and loss that will leave you captivated until the very last page.