What do you think?
Rate this book
The Astors
The Astors; whose immense fortune came from furs, ships, and real estate; whose mansions bejewelled Fifth Avenue, Newport, and England; who became leaders — first in America, then in Britain — of polite society; whose births and deaths, private feuds and public scandals, political ambitions and philanthropic munificence have fascinated the rest of the world for close to two centuries. The story of their rise to prominence, of their long reign, of their influence and importance, is more than the saga of a rich and unusual family, for it illuminates from a unique vantage point the history of the past two hundred years. When twenty-year-old John Jacob Astor arrived in icebound Baltimore from Germany in 1783, his ambition was to live comfortably from the sale of musical instruments. At his death in 1848, he was the richest man in America — he ruled over an empire and had founded a dynasty. Today’s generation of Astors, still wealthy, lead influential but less flamboyant lives than their predecessors — as modest businessmen, horse breeders, playboys, philanthropists, novelists. But between them and their ancestor John Jacob — who had spent his early years trudging along Indian trails bartering for furs and his last fourteen years quadrupling his fortune many times over on Manhattan real estate and rentals — lies a peerless array of characters, social and political forces in their own times, whose power and prestige continue to be felt today. There was William Backhouse Astor, frugal and sombre, who loathed social gatherings. There was the Southerner Charlotte Augusta, who during the Civil War raised and equipped a regiment of black soldiers to fight for the North. There was Caroline Astor, who gave balls costing as much as $200,000. There was the vindictive, prickly William Waldorf Astor, who unsuccessfully ran for Congress. There was an Astor feud settled only by the prospect of financial gain with the creation of the Waldorf-Astoria, designed to bring exclusiveness to the masses, a “glittering incandescent fantasy”. And there was Nancy Astor, vociferous Member of Parliament and leader of the Cliveden Set. From the free-wheeling entrepreneurial days of the early nineteenth century through two world wars to today, the Astors have been in the forefront of their age, both here and abroad, luminaries of politics, society, and culture. Virginia Cowles(1910-1983) was an author and journalist. Born in Vermont, USA she became a well-known journalist in the 1930s with her columns appearing on both sides of the Atlantic. During the Second World War she covered the Italian campaign, the liberation of Paris, and the Allied invasion of Germany. In 1945 she married the politician and writer Aidan Crawley. She wrote many biographies including Winston Churchill; the Era and the Man and Edward VII and His Circle.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1979
1823 people are currently reading
1298 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Cowles
27 books66 followers(Harriet) Virginia Spencer Cowles OBE was a noted American journalist, biographer, and travel writer. During her long career, Cowles went from covering fashion, to covering the Spanish Civil War, the turbulent period in Europe leading up to World War II, and the entire war. Her service as a correspondent was recognized by the British government with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1947. After the war, she published a number of critically acclaimed biographies of historical figures. In 1983, while traveling with her husband in France, she was killed in an automobile accident near Biarritz.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
June 12, 2016
This is a terrific biography of a family--the Astors. Both the American and English branch are profiled. The era explored ranges from the 1700s--and the birth of John Jacob Astor--to the present. The vast fortune available to the family early after the first Astor began creating an empire (furs, real estate, shipping. . . .) dissipated over time due to the increasing numbers in the family and the decline of the core businesses of the Astor empire (e.g., getting out of real estate in the New York area).
As tor was an immigrant, coming to the US from the old world. He began by bringing with him some musical instruments which he intended to sell and begin a modest business. Then, he came to conclude that furs would be much more lucrative. He would buy furs from Indians and sell them at much more than what he had paid for them. Over time, he added additional businesses to his portfolio, as noted previously. By the time that he dies, he had amassed a fortune.
The next generation built upon what the first entrepreneurial American Astor had developed. The family encompassed strong and singular women, and offspring of the first two generations of American Astors--some of whom succeeded and some of whom did not (one major figure in the family perished on the Titanic). Then, one of the Astors and his family relocated to Great Britain. Improbably, the wife was elected to Parliament and served many years in that context (even infuriating leaders such as Winston Churchill).
The book doesn't just explore the titans of the family. The author brings us up to date, depicting current generation Astors.
An outstanding volume on a major American family.
As tor was an immigrant, coming to the US from the old world. He began by bringing with him some musical instruments which he intended to sell and begin a modest business. Then, he came to conclude that furs would be much more lucrative. He would buy furs from Indians and sell them at much more than what he had paid for them. Over time, he added additional businesses to his portfolio, as noted previously. By the time that he dies, he had amassed a fortune.
The next generation built upon what the first entrepreneurial American Astor had developed. The family encompassed strong and singular women, and offspring of the first two generations of American Astors--some of whom succeeded and some of whom did not (one major figure in the family perished on the Titanic). Then, one of the Astors and his family relocated to Great Britain. Improbably, the wife was elected to Parliament and served many years in that context (even infuriating leaders such as Winston Churchill).
The book doesn't just explore the titans of the family. The author brings us up to date, depicting current generation Astors.
An outstanding volume on a major American family.
March 31, 2018
I lost interest when I completely lost the thread of the family tree and couldn't figure out who was related to who. It felt repetitive and was just page after page of "look what this horrible rich person did" The Astors may have been rich but they were terrible people who exploited the poor living in tenements to gain a lot of their wealth. The first chunk of the book about the original John Jacob Astor is all about the fur trade and him swindling everybody to make a quick buck. It seems to be in the Astor genes to accumulate a pile of money and just swim around in it like Duck Tales. 256 pages of that gets very old very quickly.
July 27, 2017
The overwhelming take away from this book was the total lack of concern or empathy shown by the Astors to those less fortunate. One of their main sources of income was as a slum landlord. They seemed to feel they were entitled to use others for their own benefit much the same way that some wealthy individuals today do.
August 14, 2017
Did not realize how old this book was, published in 1979. Author makes racist statements about Indians and their love of alcohol and several about "negroes." Talks about 1960's as current history and people we should know from the news. First half okay, second half lacks historical perspective.
September 26, 2025
I knew absolutely nothing about this family so this book was an extremely good introduction to the whole lot !! Very easy to read and highly enjoyable
September 20, 2020
Engrossing and Expansive
I loved this book because while not going to extremes was able to deliver a concise history of the Astors in America and England.
From the very first JJ Astor the furrier to what is now an intercontinental family tree, from times of extreme opulence to relative wealth by today's standards.
I loved this book because while not going to extremes was able to deliver a concise history of the Astors in America and England.
From the very first JJ Astor the furrier to what is now an intercontinental family tree, from times of extreme opulence to relative wealth by today's standards.
October 13, 2017
Good biography of the Astor family .
This was a great biography of an extremely wealthy family . Where did the base all this money come from ? The original JJ Astor the first was quite and ingenious man . The final , and long-sought answer to that question is in the appendix of this book . The story is a joy to read .
This was a great biography of an extremely wealthy family . Where did the base all this money come from ? The original JJ Astor the first was quite and ingenious man . The final , and long-sought answer to that question is in the appendix of this book . The story is a joy to read .
August 25, 2018
It took me over a year to finish this book, which should tell you everything you need to know. Because it’s historical nonfiction, I felt compelled to finish it the way one feels compelled to finish a homework assignment. Basically the Astors were rich but cranky people who built some fancy buildings in New York City, exploited immigrants in their tenements on the Lower East Side, and then all pretty much moved to England where they were snobby and eccentric. Not really a great American story at all, which was kind of a letdown. I wish there had been more about Brooke Astor. She wasn’t born an Astor but there are probably some interesting stories there (especially about her final days) that the author chose to leave out. I think that would have spiced up the book at the end.
If you're going to read about America's robber barons, skip the Astors and read about the Vanderbilts. They're much more fun.
If you're going to read about America's robber barons, skip the Astors and read about the Vanderbilts. They're much more fun.
November 20, 2015
Interesting overview of the lives of the Astors. Somewhat outdated, though, given that Brooke Astor died a few years back. Good companion piece to "The Last Mrs. Astor," but definitely written with a bias--the author seems to giggle at the ruthless decisions made by the Astors over the years, and views them in an entirely favorable light that others might disagree with.
February 12, 2017
As they say behind every fortune is a great crime; very interesting book!
October 16, 2023
I continue to learn of the family fortunes of our young country. This time, , the Astors. John Jacob Astor.
The book gives an excellent history of him, his family. The fact that he came from Germany originally.
His business was fur trading.
He was born prior to our Revolutionary War, but he did not fight. He developed a trading network of the fur traders as our country grew. His network of traders grew, as our country grew. From the wilds of New England eventually to to wilds of the entire western e pension.
The book details the family, the second and third generation and more.
It also shows how he spent his money, buying up quite a bit of land in what is now, Manhattan, New York. Houses were built all over and he essentially became the biggest landlord in Manhattan. Much of which, he was a slumlord. Housing for the many immigrants coming into New York.
Through many generations, the family was a pretty decent steward of the family fortune. But they were a very wealthy family.
The late 1800’s saw Mrs Astor as the leader of the New York society.
The Vanderbilt’s worked hard to have the approval of Mrs Astor.
But moving into WWI, many Astors went over to Britain to get titles, and the British Astors became a thing. Leading into WWII, the Astors did serve as part of the allied armies. But in the late 1930’s, there were family members that were communists, visited Stalin and Hitler.
As time went on, the family still had it’s philanthropic trust fund, but the individual families were losing their overall wealth.
This book was written in the 1970’s and as such, the family was still going, although many members had become quite ordinary.
An afterward in the book, was a lawsuits brought by Fredrick Law Olmsted in 1896.
In reading this chapter, he thinks he uncovered the real source of the family wealth for the first John Jacob Astor.
The treasure of Capt Kid, the pirate. He traces his facts on this to the beginnings of the Olmsted family claim to the island in Maine. Deer Isle. That there he found evidence of a buried chest, that he was able to tie to John Jacob Astor directly. That he found a dealer in London that had accounting entries to Astor and that he found proof of some of the jewelry being connected to some British aristocracy that had it stolen by the pirate, Kid.
What an ending. Is that family fortune from the pirate?
The book gives an excellent history of him, his family. The fact that he came from Germany originally.
His business was fur trading.
He was born prior to our Revolutionary War, but he did not fight. He developed a trading network of the fur traders as our country grew. His network of traders grew, as our country grew. From the wilds of New England eventually to to wilds of the entire western e pension.
The book details the family, the second and third generation and more.
It also shows how he spent his money, buying up quite a bit of land in what is now, Manhattan, New York. Houses were built all over and he essentially became the biggest landlord in Manhattan. Much of which, he was a slumlord. Housing for the many immigrants coming into New York.
Through many generations, the family was a pretty decent steward of the family fortune. But they were a very wealthy family.
The late 1800’s saw Mrs Astor as the leader of the New York society.
The Vanderbilt’s worked hard to have the approval of Mrs Astor.
But moving into WWI, many Astors went over to Britain to get titles, and the British Astors became a thing. Leading into WWII, the Astors did serve as part of the allied armies. But in the late 1930’s, there were family members that were communists, visited Stalin and Hitler.
As time went on, the family still had it’s philanthropic trust fund, but the individual families were losing their overall wealth.
This book was written in the 1970’s and as such, the family was still going, although many members had become quite ordinary.
An afterward in the book, was a lawsuits brought by Fredrick Law Olmsted in 1896.
In reading this chapter, he thinks he uncovered the real source of the family wealth for the first John Jacob Astor.
The treasure of Capt Kid, the pirate. He traces his facts on this to the beginnings of the Olmsted family claim to the island in Maine. Deer Isle. That there he found evidence of a buried chest, that he was able to tie to John Jacob Astor directly. That he found a dealer in London that had accounting entries to Astor and that he found proof of some of the jewelry being connected to some British aristocracy that had it stolen by the pirate, Kid.
What an ending. Is that family fortune from the pirate?
December 30, 2023
John Jacob Astor, who came with nothing from Germany, had an extraordinary business acumen – he made a fortune from fur trading and increased further from investing in real estate, mainly in New York, well before anyone else realised the potential. As a result, he became the richest man in the world at that time.
He was brilliant at making money but only liked to share his ample wealth only with his family. Even by the standards of the time, he did little charity and treated more than harshly his business partners and employees.
His descendants lived mainly from the ever-increasing value of the land they owned.
In a republican country, they quickly became leaders of the upper class, mimicking the European aristocrats.
Some moved to England and became English aristocracy.
Apart from wealth, there is not much to be remembered.
To be fair, some of the later generations were charitable and they got involved in the political and social life of their countries.
In England some served in the Parliament and during the First World War, all Astors of a military age — and some well over the age — served in the armed forces throughout the war.
The most remarkable is Nancy Astor, an eccentric, vivacious character and the first woman MP.
The book is a thorough biography, but the subject, apart from the immense wealth of the family, is a bit dry.
He was brilliant at making money but only liked to share his ample wealth only with his family. Even by the standards of the time, he did little charity and treated more than harshly his business partners and employees.
His descendants lived mainly from the ever-increasing value of the land they owned.
In a republican country, they quickly became leaders of the upper class, mimicking the European aristocrats.
Some moved to England and became English aristocracy.
Apart from wealth, there is not much to be remembered.
To be fair, some of the later generations were charitable and they got involved in the political and social life of their countries.
In England some served in the Parliament and during the First World War, all Astors of a military age — and some well over the age — served in the armed forces throughout the war.
The most remarkable is Nancy Astor, an eccentric, vivacious character and the first woman MP.
The book is a thorough biography, but the subject, apart from the immense wealth of the family, is a bit dry.
Read
May 13, 2024Education And Teaching Distance Education in UAE
Education And Teaching Distance Education in KSA
Advanced Entry Masters Distance Education in UAE
Advanced Entry Masters Distance Education in KSA
Advanced Entry Bachelors Distance Education in UAE
Advanced Entry Bachelors Distance Education in KSA
Science Course Distance Education in UAE
Science Course Distance Education in KSA
Psychology Courses Distance Education in UAE
Psychology Courses Distance Education in KSA
Education And Teaching Distance Education in KSA
Advanced Entry Masters Distance Education in UAE
Advanced Entry Masters Distance Education in KSA
Advanced Entry Bachelors Distance Education in UAE
Advanced Entry Bachelors Distance Education in KSA
Science Course Distance Education in UAE
Science Course Distance Education in KSA
Psychology Courses Distance Education in UAE
Psychology Courses Distance Education in KSA
January 28, 2018
I think this was a Kindle Unlimted and I started it just after visiting some of the Newport Mansions and had a curiosity about the family. (Though ironically, I did not visit any of the places belonging to the Astors...)
I found this to be a pretty dry read, mostly reciting lineage and place to place, though if you are a New Yorker, so of the history of the buildings/lands is probably of interest as it's probably something you can relate to - for me, it's just places/buildings I haven't heard of or am unfamiliar with, and not enough interest to research them.
The American Astor fortune passed to an Astor by marriage only (Brooke Astor), and most (if not all, I don't know her will) was intended to "alleviate human misery" - so a good cause for all that money, despite the many years they seemed to do the opposite for their tenants and others.
There is mention of lawsuits, so I assume the family continues to fight amongst themselves for the millions (and in some cases, tens or hundreds of millions) of dollars.
I found this to be a pretty dry read, mostly reciting lineage and place to place, though if you are a New Yorker, so of the history of the buildings/lands is probably of interest as it's probably something you can relate to - for me, it's just places/buildings I haven't heard of or am unfamiliar with, and not enough interest to research them.
The American Astor fortune passed to an Astor by marriage only (Brooke Astor), and most (if not all, I don't know her will) was intended to "alleviate human misery" - so a good cause for all that money, despite the many years they seemed to do the opposite for their tenants and others.
There is mention of lawsuits, so I assume the family continues to fight amongst themselves for the millions (and in some cases, tens or hundreds of millions) of dollars.
June 28, 2022
I first heard of the Astors while looking through the list of Titanic's first class passengers fatalities. John Jacob Astor IV at the time was one of the richest man in the world yet that did not save him from having the same fate with many others on board the ill-fated Titanic. I remember reading the description of his body when recovered, especially his pocket watch. All the tales lead me wanting to know more about this family - a rich (maybe crazy rich) dynasty with generations of millionaires and tycoons. However, sadly, the story about "the Astors" wasn't that fascinating and Hollywood. John Jacob Astor (the original Astor) was a German immigrant who started his venture in selling musical instruments, then furs, then real estate which made him become crazily rich. The Astors' money was "old money" generated from a very classic traditional form of renting out real estates. The Astors themselves, despite being crazy rich, are somewhat ... uncool, whining and faded. Did they leave me a decent impression while reading about their lives? I don't think so. Did I learn anything? Maybe how not to act if one day I become rich.
May 12, 2017
A VERY interesting book
I was fascinated with the whole story of the various generations of Astors through time. Lots of social history and context was provided which fleshed out the biographies. The Appendix which proposed that John Jacob Astor's fortune came not from fur trading but from a fortuitous find of Captain Kidd's treasure on Deer Island in Maine was deeply fascinating. That seemed very well documented. The last chapter which brought to the present time the lives of current descendents was a bit boring and read like a family newsletter sent out with Christmas cards. All in all a great read!
I was fascinated with the whole story of the various generations of Astors through time. Lots of social history and context was provided which fleshed out the biographies. The Appendix which proposed that John Jacob Astor's fortune came not from fur trading but from a fortuitous find of Captain Kidd's treasure on Deer Island in Maine was deeply fascinating. That seemed very well documented. The last chapter which brought to the present time the lives of current descendents was a bit boring and read like a family newsletter sent out with Christmas cards. All in all a great read!
February 11, 2020
A great "have to get back to it" read about a fascinating family
Tracing the history of the Asotrs from the original John Jacob to 1979, the date of publication, the book gives marvelous insights I to the Astor's personalities, their motivations, their victories and defeats. I got the book to research John Jacob IV, whom I'm playing in a play. Turns out he was a real twit.
What I wish they had included was a gene logical chart, the vas majority of men it seems just kept swapping the same three names, really difficult to keep them straight. A very worthwhile read.
Tracing the history of the Asotrs from the original John Jacob to 1979, the date of publication, the book gives marvelous insights I to the Astor's personalities, their motivations, their victories and defeats. I got the book to research John Jacob IV, whom I'm playing in a play. Turns out he was a real twit.
What I wish they had included was a gene logical chart, the vas majority of men it seems just kept swapping the same three names, really difficult to keep them straight. A very worthwhile read.
September 13, 2022
Other people's families always appear much more interesting on the outside than they are on the inside. Sadly this is not the case with the Astor family. I fully appreciate the temendous amount of work Virginia Cowles must have gone to unearthing as much detail as she could; however, I just didn't find the individual family members that interesting. I read it quite quickly, primarily for research purposes about the era. Unlike the Vanderbilts-a family, I find much more interesting-the Astors appear more reserved and a little tiresome.
August 24, 2021
Lists of Astors and their properties
I found the book boring as it devolved into lists of names of those who attended which ball. The lists of properties owned by whom added to the feeling I was reading a book of lists. A great deal of the book was about the first John Jacob Astor who seemed to be a boring narrow minded man. I was more interested in the wives and their social lives during the Gilded Era.
I found the book boring as it devolved into lists of names of those who attended which ball. The lists of properties owned by whom added to the feeling I was reading a book of lists. A great deal of the book was about the first John Jacob Astor who seemed to be a boring narrow minded man. I was more interested in the wives and their social lives during the Gilded Era.
February 19, 2023
An educational read
I know of the Astor's as people of wealth and historic, but what I learned was fascinating and enriching. The little town of Astoria in Oregon was started by the Astor and his fur trade, which gives more historical prominence to this area tracked by Lewis & Clarke. I love history and the Pacific Northwest, so this was a plus. My best friend drones on about the Gilded Age and now I know some truths to participate in jaunty repartee.
I know of the Astor's as people of wealth and historic, but what I learned was fascinating and enriching. The little town of Astoria in Oregon was started by the Astor and his fur trade, which gives more historical prominence to this area tracked by Lewis & Clarke. I love history and the Pacific Northwest, so this was a plus. My best friend drones on about the Gilded Age and now I know some truths to participate in jaunty repartee.
March 24, 2024
This was an interesting history of a family's rise to phenomenal wealth. The inside stories, the theories and actual history of how this wealth was obtained was compelling. As expected, the ancestors of the Astors did not always treat their fellow man with compassion. This came as no surprise as that is often the case in the stories of the building of America. Still, the novel was intriguing and well-written.
October 5, 2025
I read this on holiday when I want a quick easy read and this was, I read it in a couple of days. Not knowing anything of the Astors, I was actually quite surprised how many of the details of their history I was familiar with. I also enjoyed the fact that some of the plots in The Gilded Age have been based on actual history, assuming it’s factual and not hearsay or myth. Overall, easy read and enough interesting detail to keep you reading about that period of time in New York and England.
February 5, 2024
Thorough and very detailed but a confusing read. Author jumped around and repeated some information. It was difficult to follow characters as well.
It was interesting to read how selfish and unfeeling this family conducted their business.
Not recommended - if one is interested in the Astor family history, maybe find another source.
It was interesting to read how selfish and unfeeling this family conducted their business.
Not recommended - if one is interested in the Astor family history, maybe find another source.
May 10, 2017
Interesting read about a famous family.
Very good read about a famous family. I believe it was a fair representation of the various members. It also gives a different angle of historic events.
Very good read about a famous family. I believe it was a fair representation of the various members. It also gives a different angle of historic events.
November 19, 2017
Fascinating story of ordinary people who got lucky
The best part of the story is the very end.....The Astor fortune came from stolen wealth. Uncovering that fact turned the book into must read, rather than ho-hum
The best part of the story is the very end.....The Astor fortune came from stolen wealth. Uncovering that fact turned the book into must read, rather than ho-hum
February 3, 2021
Middle to later years more interesting.
The early years of Astor just did not interest me, The famous Caroline years were good but only bits of new information, after that the book got very interesting. Much better than I thought it would be.
The early years of Astor just did not interest me, The famous Caroline years were good but only bits of new information, after that the book got very interesting. Much better than I thought it would be.
May 19, 2022
I thought this would be dated. There really isn't anything more current. She didn't have a lot of sources to work with, but I thought it was very interesting. It holds up well. No pictures or family trees. Not a lot on the Astor sisters.
May 5, 2023
Informative
Very informative detailed information on the entire Astor family. Probably more for the genealogical researchers or one with ties to the family. But I still enjoyed it
Very informative detailed information on the entire Astor family. Probably more for the genealogical researchers or one with ties to the family. But I still enjoyed it
July 20, 2023
Fascinating Family
I have been fascinated by America’s royalty and the Astors definitely qualify. I loved hearing about their fortunes and misfortunes….this is American (and British) history.
I have been fascinated by America’s royalty and the Astors definitely qualify. I loved hearing about their fortunes and misfortunes….this is American (and British) history.
January 23, 2017
ASTOR fascinated
It wasn't a riveting book but clearly research done t write it. Nothing about it particularly worth mentioning. Have fun.
It wasn't a riveting book but clearly research done t write it. Nothing about it particularly worth mentioning. Have fun.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews