The last castle : the epic story of love, loss, and American royalty in the nation's largest home / Denise Kiernan.
By: Kiernan, Denise [author.].
Material type: TextPublisher: New York : Touchstone, 2017Edition: First Touchstone hardcover edition.Description: vii, 388 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 24 cm.Content type: text Media type: unmediated Carrier type: volumeISBN: 9781476794044 ; 1476794049 ; 9781476794051; 1476794057.Subject(s): Vanderbilt, Edith Stuyvesant Dresser, 1873-1958 | Vanderbilt, George Washington, 1862-1914 | Biltmore Estate (Asheville, N.C.) -- HistoryAdditional physical formats: Online version:: Last castleItem type | Current library | Collection | Shelving location | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode | Item holds | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Book | Gloucester Twp. | Nonfiction | Adult | 975.688 Kie (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | Available | 05000009769667 | |||
Book | South County | Nonfiction | Adult | 975.688 Kie (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | Available | 05000009323143 | |||
Book | Voorhees | Nonfiction | Adult | 975.688 Kie (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | Checked out | 04/17/2024 | 05000009323150 |
Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:
New York Times Bestseller
"A soaring and gorgeous American story" (Karen Abbott) from the author of the New York Times bestselling The Girls of Atomic City.
The fascinating true story behind the magnificent Gilded Age mansion Biltmore--the largest, grandest residence ever built in the United States.
The story of Biltmore spans World Wars, the Jazz Age, the Depression, and generations of the famous Vanderbilt family, and features a captivating cast of real-life characters including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Thomas Wolfe, Teddy Roosevelt, John Singer Sargent, James Whistler, Henry James, and Edith Wharton.
Orphaned at a young age, Edith Stuyvesant Dresser claimed lineage from one of New York's best known families. She grew up in Newport and Paris, and her engagement and marriage to George Vanderbilt was one of the most watched events of Gilded Age society. But none of this prepared her to be mistress of Biltmore House.
Before their marriage, the wealthy and bookish Vanderbilt had dedicated his life to creating a spectacular European-style estate on 125,000 acres of North Carolina wilderness. He summoned the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted to tame the grounds, collaborated with celebrated architect Richard Morris Hunt to build a 175,000-square-foot chateau, filled it with priceless art and antiques, and erected a charming village beyond the gates. Newlywed Edith was now mistress of an estate nearly three times the size of Washington, DC and benefactress of the village and surrounding rural area. When fortunes shifted and changing times threatened her family, her home, and her community, it was up to Edith to save Biltmore--and secure the future of the region and her husband's legacy.
The Last Castle is the unique American story of how the largest house in America flourished, faltered, and ultimately endured to this day.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 309-363) and index.
A winter's tale -- A lady of the long man rising -- Rhapsody in mauve -- Collaborations and consecrations -- A crossing of some consequence -- New mistress -- Forest for the tress -- Births of the century -- Trials and toymakers -- The more things change -- High and dry -- Final crossings -- Washed away -- Homespun and a great war -- Freedoms and flappers -- Glimpse of a castle -- You might go home again -- Epilogue.
Documents the story of the Gilded Age mansion Biltmore, tracing George Vanderbilt's construction of his European-style estate and the efforts of his bride, Edith Stuyvesant Dresser, to become its protector in the face of changing fortunes and times.
Table of contents provided by Syndetics
- 1 A Winter's Tale (p. 1)
- 2 A Lady of the Long Man Rising (p. 17)
- 3 Rhapsody in Mauve (p. 37)
- 4 Collaborations and Consecrations (p. 57)
- 5 A Crossing of Some Consequence (p. 75)
- 6 New Mistress (p. 91)
- 7 Forest for the Trees (p. 105)
- 8 Births of the Century (p. 123)
- 9 Trials and Toymakers (p. 139)
- 10 The More Things Change (p. 157)
- 11 High and Dry (p. 177)
- 12 Final Crossings (p. 197)
- 13 Washed Away (p. 209)
- 14 Homespun and a Great War (p. 227)
- 15 Freedoms and Flappers (p. 243)
- 16 Glimpse of a Castle (p. 263)
- 17 You Might Go Home Again (p. 279)
- Epilogue (p. 297)
- Acknowledgments (p. 305)
- Notes and Sources (p. 309)
- Index (p. 365)