Astor

The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune

By: Anderson Cooper, Katherine Howe

Narrated by: Anderson Cooper

Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Loved it

Great writing, great voice performance. The structure is atypical but the authors do an excellent job in weaving theme with story. I couldn’t stop listening.

Not a favorite

I enjoyed the history of New York, wages jobs, people and historical facts, the Astors left me disappointed and I found their history rather boring.

As great as expected!

Much like Anderson Cooper’s last book, I wanted to know more about the Astors as I had the Vanderbilts. Anderson Cooper is a great narrator. He is the reason I got the audiobook vice the actual hardcover. I hope there will be more Guilded Age books coming from the written hand of Anderson Cooper.

Great book!

Very well written and such a great story telling! I love reading about these older wealthy families and the way they lived. Anderson is a great story teller as the narrator.

Incredible

The depth of American history is astounding. Will not be surprised if Anderson is asked to write a screenplay for a movie or series based on this book.

Interesting

I love when Anderson Cooper narrates! He is so easy to understand and keeps his audience engaged.

Fabulous

Truly, another brilliant gem! I appreciate the duos commitment to quality, compelling, context-driven storytelling. A fabulous listen. So not pass this by…

Part history book, part adventure story

Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe did a remarkable job of researching the Astor family for this book. The details they were able to find on this family are amazing. It’s easy to picture yourself on the ship to Astoria or in Mrs. Astor’s ballroom.

I did not like this family for various reasons but it was fascinating to read about their rise and fall. Your opinion may be different. Definitely worth reading if you enjoy history.

Another Anderson Masterpiece

Right from the start Anderson’s narration draws you in. I have come to realize, if history lessons in school had been taught with the passion that Anderson has for history, I may have payed attention! I have listened to every book he has written and anxiously wait for more. Americas, history and mystery is so much more than what was in our textbooks. I truly recommend this for anybody who walks through New York City, and wonders about the architecture and the opulence of what they are seeing as we stroll through them. Many go to places like the Plaza Hotel to take that photograph to post on Instagram but little take the time to learn the history behind many of these historical sites.
Bravo Anderson and thank you for sharing the mystery of early wealth and lifestyle!

Astor

this was well written and well read. I really enjoy learning about the Astors and the Vanderbilts. I also like the way the chapters were by years. the only bad thing I will say is if you're an animal lover, you may want to fast forward over how they dealt with the beaver pelts back in the day. other than that it was a fantastic book