DigeeBooks

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.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Vanderbilt CD: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty by Anderson Cooper is a fascinating and in-depth exploration of one of America's most iconic and controversial families, the Vanderbilts. Cooper, a renowned journalist and author, meticulously chronicles the family's remarkable journey from humble beginnings to their status as one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the United States.

The book delves into the lives of the Vanderbilt family members, beginning with Cornelius Vanderbilt, the patriarch who built his fortune through shrewd business dealings and ruthless tactics. Cooper paints a vivid picture of Cornelius's relentless ambition and determination, as well as his complicated personal life, marked by both triumphs and tragedies.

The book then follows the subsequent generations of Vanderbilts, tracing their lavish lifestyle, their philanthropic endeavors, and their scandals. Cooper uncovers the family's intricate web of relationships, rivalries, and betrayals, revealing the darker side of their immense wealth and power.

Cooper also examines the Vanderbilts' significant contributions to American society, including their role in the development of railroads, shipping, and other industries. He highlights their legacy of philanthropy, which led to the establishment of prestigious institutions like Vanderbilt University and The New York Public Library.

As the Vanderbilt dynasty reached its zenith, it also faced challenges and setbacks. Cooper explores the family's struggles with financial turmoil, public scrutiny, and the changing social and economic landscape of the 20th century. He sheds light on the family's eventual decline and the factors that contributed to their loss of wealth and influence.

Vanderbilt CD is a captivating narrative that offers a nuanced and comprehensive portrayal of the Vanderbilt family. Anderson Cooper's skillful storytelling and meticulous research bring the family's history to life, providing readers with a deeper understanding of their impact on American history, culture, and society.