Astor

More about the book

Ambition and tragedy shape the extraordinary saga of the Astor family, starting with John Jacob Astor's ruthless rise from a beaver trapping business to a real estate empire in 18th-century New York. The narrative explores the family's influence on Gilded Age society, including the creation of the iconic Waldorf-Astoria hotel, alongside their internal conflicts and personal losses, such as John Jacob IV's death on the Titanic. The story culminates in the downfall of the dynasty, marked by scandal and betrayal, providing a compelling lens on American history.