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Them and Us
Them and The American Invasion of British High Society [Hardcover] [Jan 01, 2007] CharlesJennings
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 15, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 27, 2025
I have to wonder why the author wrote this book. It would make sense if he wanted to write an unbiased work based on the facts. However, what we have here is the author's contempt of both Americans and upper crust British society written across every page. I don't think I've ever read anything quite so negative in its appraisal of both "Them and Us".
Jennings' characterization of pre-Duchess of Marlborough Consuelo Vanderbilt is misguided. He basically goes to say that her life before marriage was just one bed of roses. I can assure you, it was not. Her mother locked her away until she decided she would marry the man chosen for her. Her letters were intercepted and she was never without someone reporting on her every move. None of that is even touched on in the book.
Also, he is scathing in his opinion of William Randolph Hearst, who bought a castle in Wales (hence his inclusion in the book). Jennings accuses Hearst of thieving the art collections of Europe to enhance his own homes. He doesn't mention that Hearst purchased these treasures from homes/estates that were already destroyed and saved quite a number of things worthy of any museum. He calls his American home at San Simeon a "grotesque micro-city". I wonder if the author even bothered to visit. Not one person I know who has been there has anything but wonderful things to say about it.
I came away from this book wondering why the author had such a beef with his subjects and why write a book about people you obviously hate. With the possible exception of May Goelet, Duchess of Roxburghe, not one person mentioned in the book comes off with any sort of good character. One wonders of which Jennings was more jealous: that he wasn't born a wealthy American or that he wasn't born a British aristocrat.
Not worth your time. Move on if you want an unbiased view of Americans among British society.
Jennings' characterization of pre-Duchess of Marlborough Consuelo Vanderbilt is misguided. He basically goes to say that her life before marriage was just one bed of roses. I can assure you, it was not. Her mother locked her away until she decided she would marry the man chosen for her. Her letters were intercepted and she was never without someone reporting on her every move. None of that is even touched on in the book.
Also, he is scathing in his opinion of William Randolph Hearst, who bought a castle in Wales (hence his inclusion in the book). Jennings accuses Hearst of thieving the art collections of Europe to enhance his own homes. He doesn't mention that Hearst purchased these treasures from homes/estates that were already destroyed and saved quite a number of things worthy of any museum. He calls his American home at San Simeon a "grotesque micro-city". I wonder if the author even bothered to visit. Not one person I know who has been there has anything but wonderful things to say about it.
I came away from this book wondering why the author had such a beef with his subjects and why write a book about people you obviously hate. With the possible exception of May Goelet, Duchess of Roxburghe, not one person mentioned in the book comes off with any sort of good character. One wonders of which Jennings was more jealous: that he wasn't born a wealthy American or that he wasn't born a British aristocrat.
Not worth your time. Move on if you want an unbiased view of Americans among British society.
March 10, 2017
This was a bit of drag by the time I reach mid-point in the book. If you're more interested in upper class Brit history than I am, it may be more enjoyable to you.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews