Free Audio Book : Vanderbilt, By Anderson Cooper

At the dawn of the 19th century, when young Cornelius Vanderbilt started assisting his father by ferrying goods across New York Harbor, none could predict the monumental legacy he'd leave behind. With a relentless drive, shrewd tactics, and an insatiable thirst for wealth, he would establish two dominant sectors - maritime and railways. These ventures would crown him the wealthiest man in America. Yet, following his passing in 1877, the immense inheritance ignited fierce contention among his descendants. Though the fortune grew under his son Billy, the succeeding lineages would be renowned for their extravagant spending habits. Fast forward to 2018, the Vanderbilt legacy faced an ironic twist with the eviction of the last family member from The Breakers, a grand mansion in Newport, Rhode Island.

Anderson Cooper, a descendant of the formidable Commodore Vanderbilt, collaborates with historian Katherine Howe to chronicle the remarkable journey of his ancestors. Together, they weave tales of prosperity, illustrious events, and the family's embodiment of American luxury and high society. Transitioning from the rugged docks of Manhattan's early days, to the opulent chambers of the Gilded Age, and spanning across European courts to contemporary New York, their narrative provides an insightful panorama of an unparalleled American lineage.

Penned with a unique familial perspective, this narrative paints a vivid tapestry of a family whose story is intrinsically intertwined with the nation's history.