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Astor

The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune

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Astor

Written by: Anderson Cooper, Katherine Howe
Narrated by: Anderson Cooper
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About this listen

The number one New York Times bestselling authors of Vanderbilt return with another riveting history of a legendary American family, the Astors, and how they built and lavished their fortune.

The story of the Astors is a quintessentially American story—of ambition, invention, destruction, and reinvention.

From 1783, when German immigrant John Jacob Astor first arrived in the United States, until 2009, when Brooke Astor’s son, Anthony Marshall, was convicted of defrauding his elderly mother, the Astor name occupied a unique place in American society.

The family fortune, first made by a beaver trapping business that grew into an empire, was then amplified by holdings in Manhattan real estate. Over the ensuing generations, Astors ruled Gilded Age New York society and inserted themselves into political and cultural life, but also suffered the most famous loss on the Titanic, one of many shocking and unexpected twists in the family’s story.

In this unconventional,compelling historical biography, #1 New York Times bestselling authors Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe chronicle the lives of the Astors and explore what the Astor name has come to mean in America—offering a window onto the making of America itself.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers
Professionals & Academics United States Business New York Gilded Age
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INTERESTING ESCAPISM

Somehow the stories of the wealthy past are more facilitating, not for the money and greed alone but for the historical significance. Learning of the families who shaped the landscape I find very interesting. Anderson Cooper brings these stories to light better than anyone. I wish they would make this book and the story of the Vanderbilts into TV mini series. That would be fun.

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Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness

Appreciated the no holds barred detail of the Aster family, and the comfortable narration by Anderson Cooper. Anderson is proof positive that not everyone born into a comfortable life has a sense of entitlement or an heir of superiority. Sadly the story of the Astors reinforces the idea that most families with huge fortunes amassed their wealth at the expense of so many hard working people. An interesting read.

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Awesome!

Astor was a name I’ve often heard, but knew nothing about. Thank you for taking me on this journey.

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A historical enlightenment

This audiobook could not have the same impact for it not the voice of Anderson Cooper.

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Not my cup of tea

Not much to the story. Had to slow the speed down twice to hear it

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