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Guinness: A Family Succession: The True Story of the Struggle to Create the World's Largest Brewery
The head of the Guinness family tells the dramatic true story of how his ancestors created the largest brewery in the world.
Growing up at Farmleigh, the country house outside Dublin, Arthur Edward Guinness – Ned for short – was fascinated by the secrets and legends that surrounded the early generations of his famous family of brewers.
Against the backdrop of epic and convulsive times in Ireland and Britain, he explores the struggles and passions of his ancestors, who went from obscurity in Kildare to the pinnacle of Irish and British society.
Each generation confronted new challenges until the dramatic events when the author's great-great-grandfather bought out his glamorous older brother and floated Guinness on the stock exchange. Overnight Edward Cecil Guinness became Ireland's richest man.
This is a tale in which brewing genius, sibling rivalry, bounteous philanthropy and astonishing social mobility are interwoven with historic national events, including the Act of Union, Catholic Emancipation, the Famine, the Home Rule movement, the Dublin Lockout and ultimately Irish independence. It is the inside story, as told by Ned Guinness.
"This book is far more than an account of the commercial success of Guinness; it's also a love letter to the city which produced it."
– The Irish Independent
Growing up at Farmleigh, the country house outside Dublin, Arthur Edward Guinness – Ned for short – was fascinated by the secrets and legends that surrounded the early generations of his famous family of brewers.
Against the backdrop of epic and convulsive times in Ireland and Britain, he explores the struggles and passions of his ancestors, who went from obscurity in Kildare to the pinnacle of Irish and British society.
Each generation confronted new challenges until the dramatic events when the author's great-great-grandfather bought out his glamorous older brother and floated Guinness on the stock exchange. Overnight Edward Cecil Guinness became Ireland's richest man.
This is a tale in which brewing genius, sibling rivalry, bounteous philanthropy and astonishing social mobility are interwoven with historic national events, including the Act of Union, Catholic Emancipation, the Famine, the Home Rule movement, the Dublin Lockout and ultimately Irish independence. It is the inside story, as told by Ned Guinness.
"This book is far more than an account of the commercial success of Guinness; it's also a love letter to the city which produced it."
– The Irish Independent
240 pages, Hardcover
Published October 21, 2025
72 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 23, 2025
“Like his [Edward Cecil’s] father, he married within the family. He and Adelaide shared great-great-grandparents [..] Her father was a barrister and MP, but he died when she was only 13. He left the family with no money, and Adelaide described her childhood [..] as lived in ‘grinding poverty.’ It is a phrase not usually associated with a seaside mansion, a team of servants and trips to Paris”
[..]
“The brewery had been producing 236,000 hogsheads of beer a year when Arthur and Ned inherited it in 1868. Eight years later, in 1876, this had shot up to 525,000. [..] This trends was set to continue, and by 1880 the brewery of St James’s Gate would be the largest in the world.”
————-
📖 Tot me genomen op papier
Vast niet toevallig publiceerde het huidige hoofd van de Guinness familie, de vierde Earl van Iveagh, dit boek over de familiegeschiedenis, precies ten tijde van de lancering van de Netflixserie. Hoewel uiteraard niet volledig objectief, geeft dit boek een mooie weergave van de rol van de firma Guiness in Ierland en Engeland. Waar brouwen al lang in de familie zat en stabiliteit van het brouwproces een sleutel tot het succes lijkt, is het bedrijf ook op vele cruciale momenten bedreigd geweest. En die cruciale momenten waren dan ook volledig verweven met de belangrijkste gebeurtenissen uit de moderne Ierse geschiedenis (1790 - 1930). Niet alleen is dit boek dus leuk om te lezen omwille van de boeiende familiehistorie en de onderlinge strijd tussen twee broers die in de serie ook goed aan bod komt, maar dus ook een leuke weergave van nationale historie.
Hoewel het geld in die succesjaren tegen de plinten klotste, en de eerste Earl van Iveagh op enig moment gold als de rijkste man van Engeland en Ierland samen, mag ook erkend worden dat de Guinnesses een grote bijdrage hebben geleverd aan de minderbedeelden in de stad. De vele rode baksteenpanden rondom de St Patrickkathedraal waar de naam Iveagh boven de deur prijkt vallen duidelijk op in het straatbeeld, maar een goede cynicus kijkt daar toch met argwaan maar. Het boek benadrukt echter dat die sociale woningen en voorzieningen toch wel echt uit gigantische privecontributies kwamen van Ned, die eerste Earl van Ivaegh. Of dat enkel uit een goed hart kwam, de angst voor het hiernamaals of dat de ultieme beloning van verheffing tot de adelstand de reden was, dat maakt dan toch iets minder uit. Misschien zouden Elon Musk en de zijnen er ook een voorbeeld aan kunnen nemen.
[..]
“The brewery had been producing 236,000 hogsheads of beer a year when Arthur and Ned inherited it in 1868. Eight years later, in 1876, this had shot up to 525,000. [..] This trends was set to continue, and by 1880 the brewery of St James’s Gate would be the largest in the world.”
————-
📖 Tot me genomen op papier
Vast niet toevallig publiceerde het huidige hoofd van de Guinness familie, de vierde Earl van Iveagh, dit boek over de familiegeschiedenis, precies ten tijde van de lancering van de Netflixserie. Hoewel uiteraard niet volledig objectief, geeft dit boek een mooie weergave van de rol van de firma Guiness in Ierland en Engeland. Waar brouwen al lang in de familie zat en stabiliteit van het brouwproces een sleutel tot het succes lijkt, is het bedrijf ook op vele cruciale momenten bedreigd geweest. En die cruciale momenten waren dan ook volledig verweven met de belangrijkste gebeurtenissen uit de moderne Ierse geschiedenis (1790 - 1930). Niet alleen is dit boek dus leuk om te lezen omwille van de boeiende familiehistorie en de onderlinge strijd tussen twee broers die in de serie ook goed aan bod komt, maar dus ook een leuke weergave van nationale historie.
Hoewel het geld in die succesjaren tegen de plinten klotste, en de eerste Earl van Iveagh op enig moment gold als de rijkste man van Engeland en Ierland samen, mag ook erkend worden dat de Guinnesses een grote bijdrage hebben geleverd aan de minderbedeelden in de stad. De vele rode baksteenpanden rondom de St Patrickkathedraal waar de naam Iveagh boven de deur prijkt vallen duidelijk op in het straatbeeld, maar een goede cynicus kijkt daar toch met argwaan maar. Het boek benadrukt echter dat die sociale woningen en voorzieningen toch wel echt uit gigantische privecontributies kwamen van Ned, die eerste Earl van Ivaegh. Of dat enkel uit een goed hart kwam, de angst voor het hiernamaals of dat de ultieme beloning van verheffing tot de adelstand de reden was, dat maakt dan toch iets minder uit. Misschien zouden Elon Musk en de zijnen er ook een voorbeeld aan kunnen nemen.
October 16, 2025
Interesting look at the history of the Guinness family and the growth of the brewery over generations. This book painted the family in an overly positive and generous light, I felt. Given that the author is a Guinness himself, this was to be expected, but it really did feel heavy-handed at times.
November 4, 2025
Really enjoyed reading this book about the Guinness family and how they founded the brewery. I'll admit I did read this book after watching the recent Netflix series "House of Guinness" as that show fascinated me to read more about the real family, and then saw this book was being made by the real great-great grandson of Edward Guinness, who is one of the show's main characters. It was great getting to read the history going back to the first Arthur Guinness and how the brewery was founded in the 1700s, and go all the way to the 1920s and the various generations of the family. It also told a lot of Irish history too, which even though I'm Irish-American myself my family came over to the US during the famine in the 1840s and didn't pass on any of their history in Ireland so a lot of this was new to me and glad it was included. Looking forward to reading more about the family and what happened after the 20s, and hoping we get a 2nd season as well.
February 17, 2026
What I love about reading is that it allows you to step outside of yourself and experience vicariously a life you couldn’t conceive of otherwise
January 26, 2026
I was very kindly given an e-arc audio copy of this book via Netgalley and Bolinda Audio.
The story of Guinness - both the drink and the family - is an epic one. We've seen it in the Netflix series 'House of Guinness', which dramatizes a small part of the family's history, and we see it in this book, which stretches across three centuries. But for anyone deciding to read this book, I would approach it with a particularly big pinch of salt. The author is a Guinness himself and while not directly involved with the current operations of the brewery, he does have the legacy of the family (and it's extraordinary wealth) to think of. Therefore, during my time reading, I felt a distinct sense of 'look how wonderful they all were' about the players in this drama. There are great philanthropists and innovators and charity workers. God's gift to brewing and the world, it seems.
I couldn't help but feel that the author had neglected some details for the sake of his family name. Not to mention that the story ends before WWII, missing out quite a significant portion of the Guinness history that the author would have been alive for. Moreover, it hurries through how the company dealt with the volatile landscape of Ireland as a nation - we get mentions of Wolfe Tone, the Act of Union, Daniel O'Connell, the Famine, the Fenians, Home Rule, and the Easter Rising. This is a family who were, and remain, very entrenched in the British establishment and its political systems. It all paints the Guinnesses in a very positive light that becomes a bit unbelievable the more you read. Indeed, the author points out that one of his relatives insisted that he had subscribed to both Catholic and Protestant organisations and thus stood firmly in the middle of a conflict that still divides people today.
If you want a basic, if slightly biased, overview of part of the Guinness history, you'll like this book. For the rest, you might need to find a slightly more objective volume. The audiobook is well produced and the narrator excellent, turning material that could have been quite dry into a good read.
'Guinness: A Family Succession' is available from February 1st.
The story of Guinness - both the drink and the family - is an epic one. We've seen it in the Netflix series 'House of Guinness', which dramatizes a small part of the family's history, and we see it in this book, which stretches across three centuries. But for anyone deciding to read this book, I would approach it with a particularly big pinch of salt. The author is a Guinness himself and while not directly involved with the current operations of the brewery, he does have the legacy of the family (and it's extraordinary wealth) to think of. Therefore, during my time reading, I felt a distinct sense of 'look how wonderful they all were' about the players in this drama. There are great philanthropists and innovators and charity workers. God's gift to brewing and the world, it seems.
I couldn't help but feel that the author had neglected some details for the sake of his family name. Not to mention that the story ends before WWII, missing out quite a significant portion of the Guinness history that the author would have been alive for. Moreover, it hurries through how the company dealt with the volatile landscape of Ireland as a nation - we get mentions of Wolfe Tone, the Act of Union, Daniel O'Connell, the Famine, the Fenians, Home Rule, and the Easter Rising. This is a family who were, and remain, very entrenched in the British establishment and its political systems. It all paints the Guinnesses in a very positive light that becomes a bit unbelievable the more you read. Indeed, the author points out that one of his relatives insisted that he had subscribed to both Catholic and Protestant organisations and thus stood firmly in the middle of a conflict that still divides people today.
If you want a basic, if slightly biased, overview of part of the Guinness history, you'll like this book. For the rest, you might need to find a slightly more objective volume. The audiobook is well produced and the narrator excellent, turning material that could have been quite dry into a good read.
'Guinness: A Family Succession' is available from February 1st.
February 6, 2026
Guinness: A Family Succession chronicles the origins of the iconic brewery and the global legacy of its famous dark stout. This "tell-all" follows the Guinness family from their earliest years through the early 1900s. If you are looking for scandalous secrets, this isn't the book for you; however, if you want to learn about the immense good the family did for the world beyond brewing, this is right up your alley. The book focuses on their dedication to the betterment of Ireland and their efforts to promote the public good. It is a story of deep familial love, a passion for beer, and a devotion to Ireland, all woven together with a wealth of Irish history.
The audio production of this book was fantastic. I felt as though I were listening to a grandfather share a story. While some of the data and statistics were a bit harder to grasp in an audio format, the narrator made the rest of the experience so enjoyable that I didn't mind. Gerry O'Brien added a touch of heartfelt warmth that made me feel like I was sitting around a holiday fire, listening to a family reflect on their history.
While the content wasn't exactly what I expected, it made me want to grab a Guinness and support a brewery that gives back to its community in such substantial ways. My favorite part of the book was learning how deeply the Guinness family was involved in housing the unhoused and caring for people whom others deemed unworthy.
I give this book 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4. Thank you to NetGalley, Bolinda Audio, and the author for this advanced listener copy!
The audio production of this book was fantastic. I felt as though I were listening to a grandfather share a story. While some of the data and statistics were a bit harder to grasp in an audio format, the narrator made the rest of the experience so enjoyable that I didn't mind. Gerry O'Brien added a touch of heartfelt warmth that made me feel like I was sitting around a holiday fire, listening to a family reflect on their history.
While the content wasn't exactly what I expected, it made me want to grab a Guinness and support a brewery that gives back to its community in such substantial ways. My favorite part of the book was learning how deeply the Guinness family was involved in housing the unhoused and caring for people whom others deemed unworthy.
I give this book 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4. Thank you to NetGalley, Bolinda Audio, and the author for this advanced listener copy!
February 1, 2026
This was a fascinating walk through the early history of the Guinness family, including the brewery and many of their other pursuits. I really appreciated the larger societal, religious, and political histories interwoven into the book to help contextualize each generation. I think I would've liked to have more information about innovations at the brewery that helped cement their beer's success, but the deeper dive into their relationships and philanthropy also helped in understanding the family's continued growth. The inclusion of primary sources written directly to and from them was a very nice touch!
I do feel like the book did it's best to paint all of them in the best light possible and smooth over any controversial actions/opinions, but I'd expect that given the book is written by a member of the family.
The narration was wonderfully paced and clear. The audiobook almost felt like having the author himself telling me his family stories - quite engaging and spirited. Thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the advanced listener copy!
I do feel like the book did it's best to paint all of them in the best light possible and smooth over any controversial actions/opinions, but I'd expect that given the book is written by a member of the family.
The narration was wonderfully paced and clear. The audiobook almost felt like having the author himself telling me his family stories - quite engaging and spirited. Thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the advanced listener copy!
January 31, 2026
I picked up The Guinness Family of Succession by Arthur Edward Guinness; Antonia Hart out of curiosity—not because I’m a big Guinness drinker, but because I love stories rooted in history, complicated families, and the drama that comes from legacy and power. This book delivered all of that and more.
The author does a wonderful job weaving together the personal and the historical, showing how the Guinness name became so iconic while also revealing the very human struggles behind it. The family dynamics, ambitions, and tensions made this feel almost like a novel at times, even though it is firmly grounded in real events. I found myself drawn in by the personalities just as much as the business story.
On a personal note, my husband and I were lucky enough to visit Dublin years ago and tour the Guinness factory. It was fascinating to revisit that experience through the lens of this book and gain a deeper understanding of the people and decisions behind what we saw there. It gave new depth to something that had already felt special.
Listening to the audiobook, compliments of @netgalley, was great—the narration kept the story moving and made the complex family history easy to follow. By the end, I was so intrigued that I’m now eager to watch the Netflix series about the family to continue exploring their story.
If you enjoy historical nonfiction that reads like a family saga, with plenty of drama, ambition, and legacy, this is well worth your time.
The author does a wonderful job weaving together the personal and the historical, showing how the Guinness name became so iconic while also revealing the very human struggles behind it. The family dynamics, ambitions, and tensions made this feel almost like a novel at times, even though it is firmly grounded in real events. I found myself drawn in by the personalities just as much as the business story.
On a personal note, my husband and I were lucky enough to visit Dublin years ago and tour the Guinness factory. It was fascinating to revisit that experience through the lens of this book and gain a deeper understanding of the people and decisions behind what we saw there. It gave new depth to something that had already felt special.
Listening to the audiobook, compliments of @netgalley, was great—the narration kept the story moving and made the complex family history easy to follow. By the end, I was so intrigued that I’m now eager to watch the Netflix series about the family to continue exploring their story.
If you enjoy historical nonfiction that reads like a family saga, with plenty of drama, ambition, and legacy, this is well worth your time.
November 1, 2025
After watching "House of Guinness" on Netflix, I found myself wanting to learn more about the Guinness legacy, particularly its origins, seeing as the show commences from the fourth generation of ownerhsip. Luckily for me, this book was released shortly after the series.
The book gives a detailed account of each Guinness owner with the use of personal accounts and new articles published during their times. The author's storytelling helped me imagine how Irish society functioned during the rise of Guinness.
Now having watched "House of Guinness", I was particularly interested in reading more about Edward, Arthur, Annie, and Benjamin, and the book did not disappoint. In fact, it offered more insight into the characteristics of the siblings and their personal lives. While I wished he further discussed the tensions between Catholics and Protestants (as this was one of the main plot points of the show), I think he did a beautiful job sharing his family's story. Sláinte!
The book gives a detailed account of each Guinness owner with the use of personal accounts and new articles published during their times. The author's storytelling helped me imagine how Irish society functioned during the rise of Guinness.
Now having watched "House of Guinness", I was particularly interested in reading more about Edward, Arthur, Annie, and Benjamin, and the book did not disappoint. In fact, it offered more insight into the characteristics of the siblings and their personal lives. While I wished he further discussed the tensions between Catholics and Protestants (as this was one of the main plot points of the show), I think he did a beautiful job sharing his family's story. Sláinte!
January 30, 2026
I was really excited to listen to Guinness: A House of Success because I loved the Netflix show and was hoping for that same drama and behind the scenes storytelling. The audiobook was interesting, but a little drier than I expected. It focused heavily on the men in the Guinness family, their business decisions, their generosity, and their work with the government. I kept waiting for more personal stories or scandal, but it mostly stayed very factual and historical.
That said, I did learn a lot. The Irish history woven into the story was fascinating. I had no idea about the origin of the word boycott and the story of the Irish landlord who was run out of Ireland was shocking and memorable.
Overall, it is a solid historical biography. If you like business history and Irish history, you will probably enjoy it. If you are looking for drama and juicy family stories, this one might feel a little slow.
Thank you NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest opinion..
That said, I did learn a lot. The Irish history woven into the story was fascinating. I had no idea about the origin of the word boycott and the story of the Irish landlord who was run out of Ireland was shocking and memorable.
Overall, it is a solid historical biography. If you like business history and Irish history, you will probably enjoy it. If you are looking for drama and juicy family stories, this one might feel a little slow.
Thank you NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest opinion..
October 8, 2025
This was a fascinating book and an enjoyable read. After watching House of Guinness (which is almost completely fiction) I really wanted to read about the history of the actual family themselves.
It is staggering the difference they made to the city of dublin and the extent of their philanthropy, and so interesting to see how much they have physically shaped the city I was born it. I throughly enjoyed this book and I really liked the tone- I felt i learned a lot. The fortunes of the Guinness have really shaped Dublin for the better.
It also was lovely to read in October, a time when I always miss living in Dublin the most.
It is staggering the difference they made to the city of dublin and the extent of their philanthropy, and so interesting to see how much they have physically shaped the city I was born it. I throughly enjoyed this book and I really liked the tone- I felt i learned a lot. The fortunes of the Guinness have really shaped Dublin for the better.
It also was lovely to read in October, a time when I always miss living in Dublin the most.
February 4, 2026
It’s… fine. It really is what it is: a family history, but only the old stuff. And honestly, it feels like it was written by someone who’s a bit too close to the material. A younger editor or writer could’ve kept the facts intact but made it way more engaging and easier to follow.
The Guinness story itself is incredible — the audiobook just doesn’t quite bring that energy across. Interesting content, but the delivery didn’t grab me the way I hoped it would.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the review copy.
The Guinness story itself is incredible — the audiobook just doesn’t quite bring that energy across. Interesting content, but the delivery didn’t grab me the way I hoped it would.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the review copy.
January 31, 2026
Arthur Edward Guinness grew up at Farmleigh near Dublin and gives us this history of his family. They came from Kildare and worked to create the drink and company we know today. He gives us the background to the times and pressures throughout their throughout their history.
Very well written and well narrated book (I listened to the audiobook). Fascinating family history, well told and explained. An ambitious family, brewing genius and wonderful philanthropy. Very fascinating.
Very well written and well narrated book (I listened to the audiobook). Fascinating family history, well told and explained. An ambitious family, brewing genius and wonderful philanthropy. Very fascinating.
February 6, 2026
Guinness is absolutely my favorite beer, so of course I had to add this to my TBR. I loved learning the history of my favorite brew, and I learned a lot - not just about the family but in general. One of my favorite fun facts was at the very beginning - that the stonemasons would drink an average of 12 pints a day. If only we could do that now, maybe that's what's wrong with the world today - not enough delicious pints of beer shared among coworkers, friends, and family throughout the day.
January 28, 2026
I loved learning about the Guinness family history! As a huge fan of the beer, I was surprised to discover there is so much more to the family behind it. This book goes beyond the brewing business and dives into Irish history as well. If you’re interested in the history behind this iconic beer brand, this is the book for you! 🍺📚
Thank you Net Galley for providing me with this ARC!
Thank you Net Galley for providing me with this ARC!
January 25, 2026
It was a good read, the author did a good job keeping it tight and on point and keeping a big story not only well within boundaries, but also ensuring it was honestly told against just being ‘we are awesome, enjoy our beer’.
January 31, 2026
It’s a good read and explains the political landscape of Ireland in the 19th century but it’s impossible to forget about who wrote it and what type of people it’s about. They’re all the one percenters and there is no reality where they are as without sin as they portrayed
February 5, 2026
Read if interested in the Guinness’
Read this because of watching the show Guinness Family
Gives a more fleshed out history of family but is biased towards the family in comparison to the miniseries
Read this because of watching the show Guinness Family
Gives a more fleshed out history of family but is biased towards the family in comparison to the miniseries
November 15, 2025
Enjoyable read! Also enjoyed Arthur’s Round. Not about this is new but it’s well written!
January 2, 2026
This was a very interesting book. I enjoyed the story of all the generations of Guinness men!
January 5, 2026
An interesting read that sheds a light on what the Guinness family stood for from the conception of the brewery and their impact in Ireland.
January 16, 2026
2.75 - well written but I found it quite dull at points.
February 13, 2026
Somewhat bland, but also not as baised as I thought it would be but still quite baised. I reckon rich dublin protestants just aren't that interesting .
February 11, 2026
3.75⭐️
You can tell how enthusiastic AEG was to go through all of the family lore and dive through the newspapers and archives to put together this family narrative. There is so much pride in what his ancestors have established, you can't miss it.
I do wish there were more stories about the female members, who were usually mentioned attached to their spouses (I know at the end he says he had to chose to pair down the narrative to certain family members, but still). I’m glad he provided some historical context to some of the oddities mentioned.
I'm not sure what AEG sounds like in real life, but the narrator chose, Gerry O'Brien, gave a great reading and tone to the history of this family and legacy.
I imagine this to be a great read before/after a visit to the distillery in Dublin 🍺🇮🇪
You can tell how enthusiastic AEG was to go through all of the family lore and dive through the newspapers and archives to put together this family narrative. There is so much pride in what his ancestors have established, you can't miss it.
I do wish there were more stories about the female members, who were usually mentioned attached to their spouses (I know at the end he says he had to chose to pair down the narrative to certain family members, but still). I’m glad he provided some historical context to some of the oddities mentioned.
I'm not sure what AEG sounds like in real life, but the narrator chose, Gerry O'Brien, gave a great reading and tone to the history of this family and legacy.
I imagine this to be a great read before/after a visit to the distillery in Dublin 🍺🇮🇪
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews