And while he aged, perhaps gracefully, to be the preeminent American businessman of his age (dying with as much as 10% of all American monetary value!!) Well-reasoned and researched, this great biography is essential to understanding how the American economy came into being re: Wall Street and large corporations. The Vanderbilts were one of the great American families of the industrial era. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Rather than have the law deal with people that cheated him, he would drive them out of business. Thumbs down - could not finish - too tedious - not written well, This is a story of an entrepreneur, designer of ships, and businessman who used competition in a virtually unregulated capitalist economy to oust competitors (he called opponents) for his own benefit but which did benefit consumers by lowering prices while forcing out competitors in the steamboat industry. This. Excellent account and beautiful photographs. Tycoon is an appropriate title as Vanderbilt was sneaky and ruthless in building his empire. Two people could not be more dissimilar and more alike, more connected and opposing, more fascinating, more representative and more of an anomaly of the time. It skipped around from different years and then doubled back, making you feel like you already knew what she was saying. There's plenty of non-fiction books out there that are really educational but also well-written and entertaining, I'd stick to those. The First Tycoon by T.J. Stiles, published by Alfred A. Knopf. A great biography of a major American business leader. But back in his day, there was no such thing as insider trading or labor laws or level playing fields. Consuelo was forced/pushed by her mother to marry the 9th Duke of Marlborough of Blenheim Palace. It focused on Vanderbilt’s search for love, drawn in part from the diary she had kept since childhood. Good Lord, what a mother - pure id, and the Versailles pastiche would break them all. After five years of research, she published Amy Vanderbilt's Complete Book of Etiquette in 1952. The most interesting times of Consuelo were those up until her separation from the Duke, when she developed as a person, and those after her marriage to Balsan, when her bland charity work changed into more political life due to her husband's profile. Both Alva and Consuelo were involved in the suffragette movement in America and England. Later Consuelo did marry a Frenchman and they had a happy marriage. She handles the complex historical backgrounds of New York Society, the English Aristocracy, the Women's Suffrage Movement, British politics and two World Wars with deftness and aplomb. I think it's still hampered by the fact that the subject, Cornelius Vanderbilt, just didn't do very many interesting things. Refresh and try again. The author also seems to throw in mentions of Churchill whenever possible, though Consuelo probably did have other interesting friends with more interesting anecdotes. The story of a millionaire heiress pushed into a love-less marriage has to be interesting, and it is. The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt is a 2009 biography of Cornelius Vanderbilt, a 19th-century American industrialist and philanthropist who built his fortune in the shipping and railroad industries, becoming one of the wealthiest Americans in the history of the U.S. I will keep my review short and sweet, unlike the book. To see what your friends thought of this book, *Whew* I'm sure that such a ...comprehensive book deserves a comprehensive review, and yet I barely had the fortitude to make it through the reading. He got into steamboats early, and was involved in the famous Gibbons vs Ogden Supreme Court decision. Stiles is quick to set the record straight when the past has condemned Vanderbilt unfairly, but he details his unscrupulous business dealings and troubled relationships with equal aplomb. It draws on many contemporary sources in order to show the scope of their life outside of Society. So I'm now looking to rereading The Buccaneers as nonfiction. Both became involved in the suffrage movement, though Alva's involvement was much more than Consuelo's. Listen, it took me like a year to read this. Sometimes it seemed the author just threw names out like we were supposed to know them or recall them from 50 pages ago, and like, no. He was quite a man and a pioneer in the steamship and railroad business. I think that it has to do with the writing style of the author. Vanderbilt’s first book, a collection of poetry titled Love Poems, was published in 1955. We’d love your help. The reason I wanted to read it was because I am interested in the contradiction of Alva - she was important to the suffrage movement, yet she forced and arranged marriage on her daughter. Rather than have the law deal with people that cheated him, he would drive them out of business. He got out of the steamboat industry and transferred to the railroad during the Civil War consolidating RR lines making an empire. If you have only a passing interest in the lives of the rich in the Gilded Age period - which in many ways Alva and Consuelo embody - don't pick this up. The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt was a meticulously and extensively researched biography of Cornelius "Commodore" Vanderbilt. Stiles leaves the courtroom drama to tell the story of Vanderbilt. Stiles is quick to set the record straight when the past has condemned Vanderbilt unfairly, but he details his unscrupulous business dealings and troubled relationships with equal aplomb. But maybe this isn't for the casual reader of early 20th-century history, and more of a super deep dive for already-initiated history wonks. 2.5 stars. I literally couldn't remember anyone. This impressive biography of Cornelius Vanderbilt is more than a biography. And yes, they lived in an amazing array of mansions and had great wealth until the day they died. As we walked through, one of the docents pointed to a rather large picture and said that is the 9th Duke of Marlborough (the family that lives there) and Consuelo Vanderbilt. He was a powerful man and he deserves a powerful biography. The explanation that Vanderbilt was important because he could see the abstract nature of value at a time when people saw this as somewhat suspect was interesting. by Arthur T Vanderbilt II | Dec 26, 2012. The scholarship is astounding, highly detailed and complete. I probably won’t finish this - it is really boring to me. If Alva had been alive in the 21st century, she could have been an outstanding architect, in her own right, instead of the person who gave the architects the ideas for the mansions. I enjoyed the book a lot. This is a story of feminism in a time of oppression, feminism out of desperation—for two people that should have been the least desperate of their time; this is an unlikely feminist story. These appear to be true but the author's research has proven them bogus. Much of the backing information an quotes is totally irrelevant, and I'm actually really quite interested in the lives of these women. Through frugality and good management he acquired a fleet of ferries and coastal sailboats. Every railroad. Reading Consuelo and Alva is less a mother-daughter story than a story about a storm system, one that materially affected the lives of women everywhere in more ways than I realized. The author does a game job of presenting things, and while I appreciate the stunning amount of research that must have gone into this thing, as a book it just reads way too detailed. Interesting story. While it was fascinating, I had to set it down about every hundred pages to keep from being overwhelmed. The steamboat. Vanderbilt later worked at an advertising agency and a public relations firm. The reader can trace the development of American economic history from 1800-1875 through the life of Vanderbilt. Both the Duke and Consuelo were in love with other people. Two outstanding women. He consolidated the only two railroads with tracks directly into Manhattan (the Harlem and Hudson River Railroads) into the New York Central, and built it into one of the dominant (and the most profitable) of the main east-west railroads of the late ninteenth and early twentieth centuries. Reading Consuelo and Alva is less a mother-daughter story than a story about a storm system, one that materially affected the lives of women everywhere in more ways than I realized. Both became involved in the suffrage movement, though Alva's involvement was much more than Consuelo's. Vanderbilt first published a book of poetry in 1955 and has since published her memoirs and fiction. These appear to be true but the author's research has proven them bogus. I may read Consuelo's own account of her life in "The Glitter and the Gold" one day; that sounds interesting too. Obviously, she did her research, that is apparent, and I super appreciate that. This dual biography focuses on the lives of Alva and Consuelo Vanderbilt, a mother and daughter famous for their wealth, ties to British royalty, and work for the women's suffrage movement. He demonstrated an almost surreal ability to focus on a project, determination to finish even in life threatening situations, competitiveness, creativity and the refusal to go back on his word. This dual biography focuses on the lives of Alva and Consuelo Vanderbilt, a mother and daughter famous for their wealth, ties to British royalty, and work for the women's suffrage movement. But technically this was a double biography, so maybe the length is warranted. Not because it's not good, but there are SO MANY NAMES. Biography of Author(s) Alec C. Ewald is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Vermont. When Consuelo Vanderbilt's grandfather died, he was the richest man in America. She's at her best when she simply tells the story, instead of attempting to string 100 facts together. This was a 3.5 Star book for me. It's tough to critique this book, because at times, it is so interesting, but at other times, it drags along. He was a fierce competitor in every aspect of his life especially in racing horses and managing his family. A lot of information to take in. Consuelo was forced/pushed by her mother to marry the 9th Duke of Marlborough of Blenheim Palace. The author does a game job of presenting things, and while I appreciate the stunning amount of research that must have gone into this thing, as a book it just reads way too detailed. There were parts I found fascinating, but other parts lost me a bit. Vintage Books, 2010 - Biography & Autobiography - 719 pages 22 Reviews NATIONAL BESTSELLER WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD In this groundbreaking biography, T.J. Stiles tells the dramatic story of Cornelius "Commodore" Vanderbilt, the combative man and American icon who, through his genius and force of will, did more than perhaps any other individual to create modern … Be the first to ask a question about Consuelo and Alva Vanderbilt. Editor’s note: Gloria Vanderbilt died on June 17, 2019, at the age of 95. This is the last book that needs to be written on Vanderbilt for many years--possibly ever. This is a very, very, very exhaustive and detailed tome on Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. A businessman who gets all sanctimonious about playing by the rules, having first ascertained the game is rigged to his advantage. Read this after a visit to the Newport mansions, including the Vanderbilt mansion. Vanderbilt himself was awkward with language, and consequently neither wrote or spoke publicly much during his life, so there is no introspection in this book. He loved his trotting horses as much as he loved his family members. Well-reasoned and researched, this great biography is essential to understanding how the American economy came into being re: Wall Street and large corporations. his life didn't have the progression of Rockefeller or Carnegie who transformed from businessman to philanthropist during their long lives. The reason I wanted to read it was because I am interested in the contradiction of Alva - she was important to the suffrage movement, yet she forced and arranged marriage on her daughter. This is a very good book, but like Vanderbilt's life, extremely long. Amy Osborne Vanderbilt (July 22, 1908 – December 27, 1974) was an American authority on etiquette. Cornelius Vanderbilt age 30, in 1824 and working with Thomas Gibbons- Commander of Gibbons' forces. This is the fascinating dual biography of a daughter and mother, Consuelo and Alva Vanderbilt, wealthy socialite and heiress, the epitome of the wealth and burden, the emptiness and dazzling glitter, the gold of the Gilded Age. We'd like to know what you think about it - write a review about Beginners: The Curious Power of Lifelong Learning book by Tom Vanderbilt and you'll earn 50c in Boomerang Bucks loyalty dollars (you must be a Boomerang Books Account Holder - it's free to sign up and there are … Brings alive the extraordinarily complex history of steam ferries in New York Harbor. He was a hard guy, tough on his family, but had a personal side which the author illuminates. I have enjoyed reading this excellent in-depth biography. 19 $19.99 $19.99. Today we've seen his type doing the perp walk. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published In that book, Hoffert focuses almost exclusively on Alva's later years,when she worked with Alice Paul of the National Woman's Party (NWP) on behalf of woman suffrage. Overall I found the information in this book really fascinating, and any fan of Downton Abbey or with a general interest in the Edwardians should definitely read this book. Strangely enough, neither women's children were mentioned frequently, making them seem isolated from their families in ways that seem unlikely given the photos. She was born in Manhattan, to the railroad mogul Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt, as his only heiress. Now that I finally finished this thing up what do I think? His success dates from those days. Consuelo, in love with another man, was pressured by her status-seeking mother to give him up and instead marry England's Duke of Marlborough, who needed a wealthy wife to save his estate. It's really a 4.5 for me, but he deserves a rating above 4 stars overall, so I rounded up to help. Nicole M. Joseph is an assistant professor of mathematics and science education in the department of Teaching and Learning at Vanderbilt University. The primary means for shipping goods to far-away places was the use of rivers and oceans through shipping. Stiles plays it fair when it comes to Vanderbilt - showing many times that he was indeed no saint and could squash his enemies with one swift move, but also. Vanderbilt invented the modern corporation and created a dynasty that lasted. As he aged, he always chose diplomacy first, and only when repeated diplomatic efforts failed, did he resort to aggressive rate-cutting and maneuvering to subdue his rivals. A very well researched book about Consuelo Vanderbilt and her mother Alva. Four doorstoppers on Nineteenth Century America. This interesting and compelling book told not only the story of this powerful man but also the history of America during one of the most sweeping and memorable times in our history. One simple example of the author's meticulous approach: throughout the book the author recounts well-known Vanderbilt anecdotes. Then again, I spent most of my college years smoking in the library, checking out coeds on the quad, starting food fights in the cafeteria, and playing tricks on the crusty dean. Tycoon is an appropriate title as Vanderbilt was sneaky and ruthless in building his empire. “He did have his beliefs, chiefly in his own genius.”, “If he had learned anything from his parents, he learned that business was a matter of relationships.”, Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography (2010), National Book Award for Non-Fiction (2009), Pulitzer Winners: Biographies & Autobiographies, NOVEMBER 2016 - The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt, NOVEMBER 2016 - SPOILER THREAD - The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt, Bill Gates Picks 5 Good Books for a Lousy Year. Highly recommended! Filled with fascinating insights into the lives of Vanderbilt and his contemporaries, as well as America's social, political, and economic climate, The First Tycoon is a fitting tribute to a remarkable life and a must-read for anyone interested in the making of American business. The author opens the book with the courtroom drama of Vanderbilt’s children fighting over the Will. I bought this book years ago, because I loved the cover and I had been to Newport and wanted to know more about the Gilded Age. The rights to shipping had dated back to the Revolutionary times when a family controlled water way rights and continued to do so up and until the mid 19th Century. The first three parts of the book were great but the story and narrative slowed down in the latter part of the book. I did it! Be the first to ask a question about The First Tycoon, Though Stiles's admiration for the man who inspired the phrase "robber baron" shines throughout this extraordinary rags-to-riches story, he harbors no illusions about his vindictive and bad-tempered subject. This is a meticulously researched and detailed duel biography of Gilded Age millionaires Alva Vanderbilt and her daughter, Conseulo. One of these tales is printed in. Vanderbilt's long lifetime spanned from George Washington's presidency to the Centennial. There's plenty of non-fiction books out there that are really educational but also well-written and entertaining, I'd stick to those. What follows is a lot of detail on water and rail routes and deals. Still interesting. Blenheim Palace loved his family 's children: the Epic life of Cornelius Vanderbilt ” as want to read.! Meant government would keep it ’ s fortune gave rise to a massive carefully. 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