The fate of Brooke Astor, the endearing philanthropist with the storied name, has generated worldwide headlines since her grandson Philip sued his father in 2006, alleging mistreatment of Brooke. And shortly after her death in 2007, Anthony Marshall, Mrs. Astor's only child, was indicted on charges of looting her estate. Rarely has there been a story with such an appealing heroine, conjuring up a world so
nearly forgotten: a realm of lavish wealth and secrets of the sort that have engaged Americans from the era of Edith Wharton to the more recent days of Truman Capote and Vanity Fair.
New York journalist Meryl Gordon has interviewed not only the elite of Brooke Astor's social circle but also the large staff who cosseted and cared for Mrs. Astor during her declining years. The result is the behind-the-headlines story of the Astor empire's unraveling, filled with never-before-reported scenes. This powerful, poignant saga takes the listener inside the gilded gates of an American dynasty to tell of three generations' worth of longing and missed opportunities. Even in this territory of privilege, no riches can put things right once they've been torn asunder. Here is an American epic of the bonds of money, morality, and social position.
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"This is what happened in the lawsuits but also in her real life. This went hand in hand with The Last Mrs. Astor. Her son Tony Marshall and his wife Charlene were not nice. It stated that Brooke was a narcissist. I'm not sure I agree with that but interesting comment."
— Vikki (4 out of 5 stars)
[An] impeccably researched, thoroughly detailed, and absorbing profile of a sadly dysfunctional family.
— Library Journal“Meryl Gordon weaves a web of fine detail into an enthralling, enraging story of Mrs. Astor’s failing years. There are characters here that no novelist would ever dare to invent, and the plot has more twists than a pretzel. This is a sometimes heartbreaking story of greed and betrayal, but also one of loyalty, love, and ultimate redemption.”
— Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of March“A riveting look behind the gates of the house of Astor…Here is an American epic”
— Amazon.com, editorial review“In the end, Gordon tells a sad and moving story.”
— Publishers Weekly" Good ol' NYC gossip. "
— Sara, 2/17/2014" The story of the family of Mrs. Brooke Astor, a New York philanthropist who died at the age of 105. Her only son was charged with misuse of her money and lack of proper guardianship, and care the year before she died. Very interesting! "
— Elaine, 2/8/2014" After reading to page 140 I realized I disliked everyone in this book, including the author. Goodbye, dysfunctional family and author! "
— Peg, 1/31/2014" A balanced account of the Astor saga that reads like fiction but includes interviews of 230 of Mrs. Astor's intimate acquaintances, friends, and family. "
— Jane, 1/26/2014" Glad I'm not rich and I don't have any kids! "
— Chrissy, 1/24/2014" Well Written and interesting true story. "
— Lisa, 1/21/2014" Very interesting.... having all that money and drive floats some boats and creates horrid undercurrents and unhappiness parallel to the treats of wealth... tips others into dishonesty via greed... full of details "
— Sue, 1/18/2014" Interesting time in history. Learned a lot about the old money in New York. What a character! "
— Kmkoppy, 12/14/2013" Choppy book that wasn't revealing enough portrait of Brooke Astor. Focused on last part of her life over detailing of charges of elder abuse however story ends without resolution of case so ends up unsatisfying. "
— Abby, 10/29/2013" Interesting take on the end of Mrs. Astor's life. Not a riveting read but interesting nonetheless. "
— Katie, 10/11/2013" Could not get into it "
— Kelly, 10/7/2013" This is a compelling read into the sad story of Brooke Astor's final years of life and what appears to be a very greedy daughter-in-law and compliant son. Interestingly, as I write this, the trial against her son and attorney is currently on-going. Tragic. "
— Janice, 7/23/2013" loved this book! I am going to dive into more non-fictions about these people :-) "
— Katy, 5/27/2013" A really good reminder that money isn't everything. "
— Donna, 3/8/2013" Reads like a gripping novel of deception and betryal -- hard to believe this is nonfiction. "
— Jackie, 12/16/2012" Makes one glad he doesn't have money. "
— Suzanne, 7/19/2012" An interesting biography "
— Lpage1479, 7/13/2012" A good summer read about disfunctional rich people we aren't likely to meet. "
— Stephanie, 5/15/2012" A truly engrossing read--hard to put down. I look forward to learning more about Mrs. Astor's earlier years and philanthropy. "
— Kathy, 11/2/2011" I didn't finish it. I'm not sure why. I think that I lost it. "
— Anita, 10/28/2011" How can you not like reading about an incredibly wealthy family that is incredibly dysfunctional? This is well done and very readable...it's very timely because Mrs. Astor's son goes on trial for issues discussed in this book in two days. A good, fast read "
— Ruth, 6/3/2011" I have to admit, I didn't really read this. About twenty pages into it, I decided that life is just to short to waste my time on junk like this. Tabloid-level reading! "
— Jeanie, 5/23/2011" Interesting time in history. Learned a lot about the old money in New York. What a character! "
— Kmkoppy, 4/21/2011" A book about a proud, generous woman who was a product of her time as a society queen. Her life ended very sadly. I enjoyed this book, which definitely proves the point that the rich are different. "
— Pat, 3/25/2011" Choppy book that wasn't revealing enough portrait of Brooke Astor. Focused on last part of her life over detailing of charges of elder abuse however story ends without resolution of case so ends up unsatisfying. <br/> <br/> "
— Abby, 2/2/2011" Not enough material for a book,but a pretty interesting peek into the life of the rich and famous. "
— Carol, 2/1/2011" Yay for well-researched tell-all books! Was she a bad mother or was he a bad son? You read the book and decide! "
— Korynn, 1/24/2011" My trusts and estates professor "recommended" that we read this. Basically nonstop tabloid-style name-dropping and unfounded sensationalism. Book was poorly-written and abhorrently structured. Not a good read. "
— Stuart, 1/16/2011" fascinating...creepy lifestyle these idle rich...very intereting story "
— Rona, 12/29/2010" I lapped it up. It's just great to read how the rich mess up their lives. "
— Marjorie, 11/29/2010" Reads like a gripping novel of deception and betryal -- hard to believe this is nonfiction. "
— Jackie, 9/13/2010" No one comes off well in this book. Leaves you with an iccky feeling when you finish. "
— Sherry, 8/24/2010" If you love upper crust NYC society of any era you will love this reporters account of a famous NY family full of greed, jealousy and betrayal. "
— Kate, 8/2/2010" Very well written using mutiple sources, the author maintained her objectivity through out. <br/>I couldn't put it down. "
— Holly, 7/31/2010" I liked this book because I went into it with one feeling about her son and yet you begin to wonder how much of it is not the whole. I think the verdict was proper, but I also think Mrs. Astor herself probably didn't help her son's reputation. "
— Hillary, 7/28/2010" The only problem with this book is that it is TOO long! IMO, the subject matter isn't riveting enough to justify the lengthiness. I got about a third of the way through listening to this on audio tape and couldn't listen to one minute more. I can't imagine trying to read the book. "
— Judy, 5/28/2010Meryl Gordon is the author of Mrs. Astor Regrets: The Hidden Betrayals of a Family Beyond Approach. She is an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in Vanity Fair, the New York Times, and New York magazine, and is the director of Magazine Writing at New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. A native of Rochester, New York, and a graduate of the University of Michigan, she lives on Manhattan’s Upper West Side with her husband, Walter Shapiro.
Lorna Raver, named one of AudioFile magazine’s Best Voices of the Year, has received numerous Audie Award nominations and many AudioFile Earphones Awards. She has appeared on stage in New York, Los Angeles, and regional theaters around the country. Among her many television credits are NYPD Blue, Judging Amy, Boston Legal, ER, and Star Trek. She starred in director Sam Raimi’s film Drag Me to Hell.