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Gilded Leaf: Triumph, Tragedy, and Tobacco : Three Generations of the R J Reynolds Family and Fortune
Chronicles the tribulations and legendary excesses of the Reynolds tobacco family, from patriarch R.J. Reynolds, to his two playboy sons, Dick and Smith, down to Dick's children
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1989
6 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Reynolds
1 bookPatrick Cleveland Reynolds is an American anti-smoking activist and former actor. He is also a frequent speaker before youth in school, universities and community groups. He is the grandson of the tobacco company founder, R.J. Reynolds.
Librarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 5, 2013
Rivetting and well researched family saga - the famous Reynolds clan of tobacco fame. Patrick Reynolds' involvement in this book has made it a cutting edge read. Part of world history and a cautionary tale for all those who wish to endow their children with too much unearned cash as they grow up and overdoing their inheritance. The money that was wasted by these people is a massive scandal. All well captured in this book. And a great read.
January 28, 2016
This book was very interesting - for me especially since the majority of the book takes place near my hometown. Having grown up in the area, I have always known of the Reynolds family but never realized how much they shaped the town of Winston Salem OR the products that are loved (or hated) and used by many. (I mean, who knew they had anything to do with Reynolds Wrap??) The book itself reads fairly quickly even though the history goes through several generations. At times it reads like a soap opera - indeed there is everything that makes up a good drama - intrigue, shady business dealings, relationship issues, affairs and even (possibly) murder. Overall, reading this book was a very pleasurable way to spend a cold, snowy weekend.
January 6, 2025
I completed this book on the drive back from the Dulles Air & Space museum with my in-laws, which was oddly fitting given how much aviation history is woven into the Reynolds family. I thought this was a well-written and, for the most part, balanced retelling of one family’s larger than life story through the decades from civil-war era to 1980s.
Selfishly, as a Richmonder, I had hoped for more of my city to be featured with the Reynolds Aluminum building being here—it’s such a spectacular architectural feat! But that part of the story was mostly neglected and instead focused more on Dick Reynolds.
Overall, I was engrossed from start to finish, with only the periodic eye-roll from Dick’s numerous affairs and self-destructive tendencies. What was particularly engaging for me was the Joshua coin lore, the murder-mystery component, and Patrick’s “betrayal” of the family tobacco legacy in pursuit of justice in a time where smoking was normal and encouraged.
I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys wide-spanning ancestry stories, the behind the scenes construction of a household business, or general American history.
Selfishly, as a Richmonder, I had hoped for more of my city to be featured with the Reynolds Aluminum building being here—it’s such a spectacular architectural feat! But that part of the story was mostly neglected and instead focused more on Dick Reynolds.
Overall, I was engrossed from start to finish, with only the periodic eye-roll from Dick’s numerous affairs and self-destructive tendencies. What was particularly engaging for me was the Joshua coin lore, the murder-mystery component, and Patrick’s “betrayal” of the family tobacco legacy in pursuit of justice in a time where smoking was normal and encouraged.
I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys wide-spanning ancestry stories, the behind the scenes construction of a household business, or general American history.
January 5, 2023
History of rj Reynolds family in Winston Salem that started rj Reynolds tobacco. Less info about business and more about the history of a family that was troubled with money and the lack of correct parenting. Sad story but very interesting for anyone who lived in WS.
August 30, 2018
Amazing story of the RJ Reynolds family. As usual, greed & money take over anything else.
May 9, 2021
One screwed up family. Highly entertaining biography.
January 8, 2023
A must read for anyone who lives or has lived in Winston-Salem. In some ways the classic story of the next generations squandering the estate, achievements of their parents or grandparents.
February 25, 2025
Good, informative book if a bit heavy reading. Lots of characters. Could have really used a family tree included.
August 16, 2022
I picked up the Reynolds bio in an effort to understand the history of the tobacco industry in Winston-Salem. I knew the book was biased, being written by one of the Reynolds descendants, but what I wasn't prepared for was the abominable reek of privilege accompanied by overtly racist and homophobic tones throughout their biography, especially since the author claimed to embody the "free love" and ideals of the 60s and was snubbed by most of the RJR clan himself.
For instance, Reynolds (the author) says "Modern psychologists have written that the lack of a father's affection and an overbearing mother are often conditions that contribute to homosexual tendencies in men." He also refers to RJR's children with African-American women as "mulattos" and mentions how RJR's father was a devout Christian who was extremely upset after the Civil War because he lost his slaves and wouldn't make as much money on their tobacco plantation. So cringeworthy.
The book was also far more biased than I'd anticipated. The bias is ironic since the author claims, multiple times, that the accounts he details on behalf of others may be biased by their views. For instance, when describing Smith's suicide, he says "in considering the following tale, we must continually take into account that what was later said by Libby and Ab - and by many of the other people who were at the party that night - may have been biased by their own possible culpability." The wanton lack of self-awareness is annoying. An objective third party editor would've been beneficial to tone things down. There were also notable errors an editor should've caught - for example misspelled words like "atttraction" and oftentimes mention of folks with no reference or context into who they were, despite the author having clear familiarity. As a pet peeve, it's also personally annoying to me that the author refers to himself in the third person. Dude, we know you wrote the book...
Ultimately, I know these people came from a different time, but I am left feeling mostly disgusted with the legacy they built - which is surprising, since I started reading it with the mindset that they single-handedly built their wealth by knowingly contributing to the sickness and death of millions with their tobacco products, as RJR was keenly aware of (or so the author says and then renegs on later in the book).
For such an interesting family, their story should've been written with more thoughtfullness and reflection. Some parts were slightly redemptive -i.e. RJR Jr's philanthropy and the author's devotion to anti smoking campaigns (although I can't help but feel he participated as a form of payback to the Reynolds after he was disinherited vs doing it because it was the right thing to do).
For instance, Reynolds (the author) says "Modern psychologists have written that the lack of a father's affection and an overbearing mother are often conditions that contribute to homosexual tendencies in men." He also refers to RJR's children with African-American women as "mulattos" and mentions how RJR's father was a devout Christian who was extremely upset after the Civil War because he lost his slaves and wouldn't make as much money on their tobacco plantation. So cringeworthy.
The book was also far more biased than I'd anticipated. The bias is ironic since the author claims, multiple times, that the accounts he details on behalf of others may be biased by their views. For instance, when describing Smith's suicide, he says "in considering the following tale, we must continually take into account that what was later said by Libby and Ab - and by many of the other people who were at the party that night - may have been biased by their own possible culpability." The wanton lack of self-awareness is annoying. An objective third party editor would've been beneficial to tone things down. There were also notable errors an editor should've caught - for example misspelled words like "atttraction" and oftentimes mention of folks with no reference or context into who they were, despite the author having clear familiarity. As a pet peeve, it's also personally annoying to me that the author refers to himself in the third person. Dude, we know you wrote the book...
Ultimately, I know these people came from a different time, but I am left feeling mostly disgusted with the legacy they built - which is surprising, since I started reading it with the mindset that they single-handedly built their wealth by knowingly contributing to the sickness and death of millions with their tobacco products, as RJR was keenly aware of (or so the author says and then renegs on later in the book).
For such an interesting family, their story should've been written with more thoughtfullness and reflection. Some parts were slightly redemptive -i.e. RJR Jr's philanthropy and the author's devotion to anti smoking campaigns (although I can't help but feel he participated as a form of payback to the Reynolds after he was disinherited vs doing it because it was the right thing to do).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2017
This is a good read especially if you smoke (which I don't, but read it anyway, then gave it to my father who smoked). The fact is that tobacco is "enhanced" with chemicals that manufacturers hope will get you addicted, and this has been going on for a long, long time. Although, I do not believe that quitting is as hard as getting off heroin. Nonetheless, this is about big business and they don't care how you get hooked so long as you do. They don't care if you blow second-hand smoke in your baby's face because they want your money. You are paying them to kill you! And second-hand smoke is just as deadly. Ironically, most of the Reynolds family smoked until they choked and then croaked. I would not have wanted to be in that board room.
August 2, 2011
Very interesting, especially as a new resident of Winston-Salem. Written by the grandson of R.J. Reynolds, Patrick Reynolds examines the rise of the tobacco magnate R.J. as well as the effects of his fortune on the entire clan. Real life stories of love, ambition, murder, and high living. Interestingly, Patrick is now a major player in the anti-smoking movement as a spokesperson for a tobacco free America.
August 21, 2012
I love courage. I love a legitimate rebellion. Even more, I love and respect honesty from the heir of a huge empire at obvious risk. It is so refreshing to focus on what is right versus defending the industry just because you were born into it.
I will be candid. I read the book many years ago and I loved it for those reasons versus the not so engaging narrative. BUT it is well worth respect and a good read.
I will be candid. I read the book many years ago and I loved it for those reasons versus the not so engaging narrative. BUT it is well worth respect and a good read.
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March 25, 2008re-reading this - read back in 2000 or 2001. This is story of RJ Reynolds - last private owner of Sapelo Island. It's history that is relevant as I spend time at Sapelo and am a member of volunteer group, Friends of Sapelo.
May 24, 2010
Read this mainly because I live near the scene of the actiion, so to speak, but the family is interesting, nonetheless. Wouldn't recommend to anybody else unless they're already interested the region and the family's effect on it.
July 21, 2013
Fascinating read, especially for this Camel City native. Who doesn't want to know more about our city's most famous family? Well written and well researched.
January 16, 2017
Excellent read. A well researched, well written and fascinating history. Reads like a novel.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews