American Heiresses of the Gilded Age

By: Melissa Ziobro, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Melissa Ziobro

Welcome to the era of true marriages of convenience. Discover the reality of trading someone’s hand in marriage, such as an American heiress, in exchange for money, power, or political clout through compelling history lectures. Showcased in novels such as Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence and in present day pop culture through works like Downtown Abbey, the Gilded Age was an era of contradictions. From the end of the Civil War to the start of World War I, life on both sides of the Atlantic was grimy and glamorous, prosperous and impoverished, traditional and revolutionary.

The US economy rose at the highest rate in its history in the 1870s and 1880s, enriching hundreds of families that were able to take advantage of the boom in industrialization and urbanization. Despite their wealth, many of these new-money clans still lacked the social standing they craved. For quite a few families, gaining entry into high society meant sending their daughters across the ocean to capture the hearts—and the lands and titles—of eligible European aristocrats.

Who were the young women (and men) who espoused these sensational alliances between the Old World and the newly wealthy? What motivated them? Did they find happiness along with their entrance into the highest echelons of society? In American Heiresses of the Gilded Age, Professor Melissa Ziobro of Monmouth University introduces listeners to some of the young women whose love lives shaped social norms, transatlantic relations, and even the US economy on a shockingly large scale. What do these "marriages of convenience" say about America at the turn of the century, and what kind of legacy did they leave behind?

Throughout these 10 lectures, listeners will get a fascinating review of the ways Americans both embraced and rebelled against the social hierarchies that rigidly defined life in the Gilded Age. These stories center on social maneuvering and alliances among the fabulously wealthy and are also highly personal experiences of broken hearts, strange bedfellows, and - occasionally - a happily-ever-after.

©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

Excellent listen!

This audiobook was as delightful as a season of Downton Abbey. Focused on women’s history, it shows how these socialites from America obtained high status in Britain, how Americans marrying dukes was so commonplace in the era that it became a stereotype of the system.

There were about 9 of these marriages focused on in great detail - marriages of such family names as Vanderbilt and Churchill. Many more notable weddings were mentioned in passing, like how Lady Diana Spencer (HRH Princess Diana) had a great-grandmother who was herself American, brought into the Spencer family during the cash-for-class arrangement era of British noblemen of titles and American women of wealth.

Interesting and Varied

This lecture series exposed me to the economic impact of the dollar princesses which I had not considered prior. It is also interesting to learn that Churchill’s mother was a dollar princess. Without his leadership during the war, there may have been a different outcome for Britain.

The performance was grating. Delivered in a valley girl accent (?) with condescending overtones at times.

Terrible narration

Why in earth would someone not notice that that high pitched voice was meant for children’s books. I had to stop listening

very well researched

interesting topic. I enjoyed this podcast and presenter was very knowledgeable. And go go go

Informative but annoying to listen to

The storyline in this book is very interesting and informative. However, the author and the narrator is quite grinding, to listen to. She miss, pronounced several words, and I found her tonal narration, distracting. So that’s why I gave it a less than five star rating.

Great story. Poor narration.

The subject matter is fascinating. Unfortunately, the narrator sounds like a 1980s Valley Girl. I had to listen in small doses. The author gives many "To learn more, read _________ , " tips, which I appreciate.

A Good Summary

This is a good summary of the topic. the narration is good, but feels a little stilted at times. a lot of phrases or short explanations get repeated several times, which I found distracting. your mileage may vary and it may not be distracting at all for you.

If you are interested in this topic, however, this is a really good introduction to the time period and the topic. It introduces primary sources well and often and the scholarship is quite good.

Dollar Princesses

Listening to this short work, you'll hear these phrases many times over:
"Dollar Princesses"
"Cash for Class"
"Dollars for Distinction"
This is a bit of history I never knew existed. In America's gilded age, cash-strapped European nobility sought to marry the daughters of extremely wealthy Americans. Those women did this (or were pushed into doing this) in order to have the acclaim of a title like "Duchess" or "Baroness" matches to their name. The nobles did this because they were desperate for cash to maintain their sprawling, decaying mansions and estates. The matches, as you can imagine, were a mixed bag; some relationships were loving, some loveless. Some successful, some failed. It's interesting how large a part of the zeitgeist these were, with people, newspapers and politicians commonly discussing the trend of "Dollar Princesses"

Fascinating, informative and easy to listen to

New interest due to HBOMax's, The Gilded Age so I thoroughly enjoyed this presentation! Loved it!

Information interesting but delivery painful

The narrators tone, cadence, and emphasis made this difficult to listen. It's a shame because the information provided a background for narrator such as in Downton Abbey.