Splendid Isolation: The Jekyll Island Millionaires' Club 1888-1942

by Pamela Bauer Mueller

AN HISTORICAL NOVEL

Untamed, and virtually unchanged since its discovery in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, Jekyll Island's history unfolds with the excitement and suspense of a fairy tale. Because so many of the world's greatest minds and bank accounts gathered together in virtual isolation for three months each year, history was made on Jekyll Island. A group of tycoons with surnames such as Rockefeller, Morgan, Vanderbilt, Pulitzer, Baker and others formed their exclusive Millionaires' Club on this island hideaway--the richest and most inaccessible club of that time.

Between 1888 and 1942, Jekyll Island was open only to Club members' families and their guests for hunting, relaxing and playing in luxurious ease. In this sweeping historical saga, you will discover the Millionaires' pastimes and deeply guarded secrets--told through the unique voices of four Club employees. In this true story of their island getaway, discover how the decisions of these powerful titans changed the face of world finances, business and politics as they built modern America.

-Mueller's love for Georgia's culture, people and history is infectious. Her easy, unrushed tone is soothing as is her description of the stunning scenery and wildlife. Splendid Isolation is an excellent read for anyone interested in the Gilded Age and in Georgia.- - Angela Tate/Sacramento Book Review

-Pamela Bauer Mueller has really outdone herself this time, memorably linking a sleepy Georgia island to the birth of modern American industry and finance. Pam shares with us the America that once was, and the handful of men who shaped it for the ages. BRAVA!- - Carey Giudici/Award-winning journalist/marketer/editor

-This non-fictional novel, based on old articles and interviews, reads as memoirs told through the Jekyll Island Club employees' voices, and presents glimpses into the lives of the famous financiers they served. We are treated to their joys and tribulations in a way that humanizes them, and then discover mutual respect, open communication and interest in each others' lives--quite a surprising revelation.- - Enid Grabiner/RebeccasReads

-The richest people in the world, through the eyes of the people whose paychecks they sign. Splendid Isolation is a fine choice and intriguing reading featuring the characters of the great tycoons of a century ago.- - Midwest Book Review

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

260 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2009

About the author

Pamela Bauer Mueller was raised in Oregon. She has worked as a flight attendant, commercial model and actress, English and Spanish teacher and a U.S. Customs Inspector. She now lives on Jekyll Island Georgia with her husband Michael and their cat Morgan Maurice.

Pamela's children and young adult books have awarded her numerous awards, including the 2006/2008 and the 2009 Georgia Author of the Year titles, three Mom's Choice and Children’s Choice gold medals, the Independent Publisher Gold Book awards and other national awards with Writer's Digest and ForeWord magazines. In her seventh historical novel, she recounts the life story of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, an unintended and inadvertent participant in the Lincoln assassination story.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I stopped, guys. This book was perfectly sweet, it was, and I loved the historical detail but it felt like a children's book? I'm not trying to be nasty, honestly, it just felt like it had the depth of like, a nice Encyclopedia Brown or Ramona book. And after a while I just didn't want to pick it up again.

[Andrew Herren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice story about one of my favorite places. I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but I just couldn't pass this one up. I have been visiting Jekyll Island for over 40 years, and while I have seen many of the structures left behind by the millionaire's club, I knew very little about them. This book doesn't go in to great detail about events and experiences (I wondered what it would have been like with one central fictitious character...but I'm a fiction junkie)it mainly just gives an overview of what the millionaires, staff and living conditions were really like. What I found very interesting is that these were not just you average wealthy people (millionaire being a generic term today) these were some of the most influential people in the world! Mueller did a great job of allowing the reader to see that while these were exceptional people, they were also just regular people like you and me.
I still visit Jekyll Island on a regular basis, and it is a rare and beautiful place. My teenage daughter considers it her "familiar" beach, and would prefer a trip there over almost any other destination. Georgia has managed to keep this beauty comparatively unspoiled over the years, and I hope it remains this way for the years to come. My family cast my brother's ashes off the fishing pier in 2003 and I like to imagine that he is enjoying the company of the spirits of the founders who held this place so dear! Anyone planning a visit to Jekyll Island should read this book before taking the trip.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y'all know how much I love a historical fiction! And it makes it even better that it's about an Island off the Georgia coast - my home state. My sister met the author at a Christmas in the South event and bought me this little gem. I've been to Jekyll Island 2 times and I can say that if given the chance to, I would live there.

The author did a wonderful job telling the history of the Millionaires' Club through the eyes of four employees of the Club. Fun tidbits about some of the Millionaires and their family members, and such interesting information about the Island. Makes me want to go back and really take a closer look at the cottages.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Splendid Isolation by Pamela Bauer Mueller is a must read for everyone. If you live in Georgia even more so. This book is Historical about The Jekyll Island Millionaires' Club. Jekyll Island is off the coast of Georgia. You will see the view from four club employees who worked there during the almost 60 years that the Millionaires club existed. You will learn about Vanderbilt, J.P. Morgan, Pulitzer, Rockefeller and the list goes on.

This was a true getaway for the RICH...They enjoyed bike riding, driving, swimming, hunting and always talking about business. I found a real new perspective on their lives and what they did on their off time. This is truly a great page turner for all the History people.
Pamela is a beautiful writer and I enjoyed this interesting story very much.

[Darlene Ferland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for any history buff. Lying off the coast of Georgia, Jekyll Island became the private get-away for the Millionaires who ran the country from 1888 until 1942. The story is uniquely told through the eyes of four employees on the island. Pamela Bauer Mueller brings to life the manner in which families like the Rockerfeller's, the Morgan's and the Vanderbilt's lived. Joseph Pulitzer's private and public persona was brought to life in a deeply moving manner that I had never encountered prior to this book. Thank you for highlighting an era in our history easily overlooked.

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

My grandpa lives on Jekyll Island and while we were there, everyone kept recommending it to us. However, I thought there would be more plot to the book. Instead, it was more of a history of the island and the people who lived there rather than a pure narrative. If you don't have any connection to Jekyll Island, this isn't the book for you. However, if you are interested in JP Morgan, Rockefeller, and Pullitzer, then you may find it intriguing.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s okay. It felt contrived to me but I have read about and studied Jekyll island’s history for decades. A friend described it as “historical fiction for people who don’t like reading history” and that’s a pretty good summation of it. As far as I could tell, the history was accurate but the created conversations are where I lost interest.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the amount of research involved in this book admirable, the stories were disjointed and the writing as mediocre. I suspect that love of the island itself is what earned this book high ratings from other readers and not the book itself.

[DonnaJo Pallini · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jekyll Island! Very fascinating book about the island and I think the author did a wonderful job researching and creating a story. I have a new Georgia author to follow!!

[Esther Bouchillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read about the vacation life of millionaires during the gilded age. It was crazy to read that 6% of the world's wealth was held by people on that island.

[Bill Freil · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting reading on Jekyll isle millionaire resort.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Have to admit it helped that we had gone there on vaca two years ago and had tea on their verandah, but what a fascinating book. Told from the viewpoint of four people who had worked there, like a fictional novel, it had all kinds of fascinating tidbits about the millionaires who made Jekyl Island their summer home. So even if you had never been there it had anecdotes about Pulitzer, JP Morgan and Vanderbilt, their families and wives among others.

[Terry Matthews-Lombardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Searching for a good book to curl up with while hunkering down during a terrible storm? This would be a great choice, and I'm not just referring to the title's suggestion, Splendid Isolation. I was already ten pages into it before realizing how apropos that was while losing power during a hurricane! I actually chose it because it was simply next up on that tall reading pile by my bed, but what a great choice it was! A simple, easy read. Informative. Educational, and entertaining. Pamela Bauer Mueller writes such descriptive text that I could actually picture myself being transported back to that idyllic life on Jekyll Island during the reign of 'those millionaires' she writes about that first inhabited the place. Having visited Jekyll several times in my life, I was able to visualize the locations, the weather conditions, and so many other aspects of her stories. I also liked that it was written from several perspectives of people who worked there in various capacities because it really lent a balanced peek into that opulent lifestyle. And I think most readers will also be surprised by how many of the millionaires' names they recognize, especially if you take the time to read through the entire list of club members' she thoughtfully provides in the book's post notes. It must have taken a large amount of research and editing to write this one, and judging by the number of awards this book has received it was all worth the author's efforts. Oh, and the size, 250 pages, was just right to get me from start to finish during my own personal isolation hurricane Irma!

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is history in a novel. I think it works because the four voices which the author chose to share the unique club, in a unique place, and at a unique time takes the reader into the setting well and shares the lives very competently. The four were Ernest Grob, superintendent of the club, the ships captain James Clark, Kate Brown, a governess for one of the affluent families who vacationed at the plush lodge, and Negro family servant Charlie Hill who spent his life with the club for its active years, 1988-1942. As the author explains, “members of the Jekyll Island Club were players in this part of America’s history.” This was a history unknown to me in my central northern state. I applaud the author for the writing and myself for choosing to read the book after a Road Scholar trip to this unique barrier island.

[Susan Lorenz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I spent a day at Jekyll Island during a South Carolina/Georgia vacation a few years back. It was a perfect day and the island is a wonderful setting for a resort. I picked up this book at the gift store. It is the story of the millionaires who bought the island at the end of the 19th century and turned it into their personal playground. The tale is told in four parts by employees of the millionaires: the Superintendent of Operations, the ferry captain, a family's nanny and a black house servant. It is light hearted for the most part but a few tragic incidents do happen to the millionaires and their families over the years. A very nice remembrance of a wonderful vacation.

[Robby Fussell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Pamela did a great job of selecting key members and workers on Jekyll to discuss in her book. It was interesting to read how the club began all the way to its virtual end. The writing flows nicely with stories to keep the reader interested. I might be a little biased after staying at Jekyll; however, anyone that is a fan of period pieces and key history developments will definitely enjoy.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went on a girl's trip to St Simon's. We stopped on Jekyll and took the trolley tour. Mrs. Mueller was signing books in the lobby. All the ladies bought a book. I must say I really enjoyed this book, especially after the tour. The Milionaires Club were a group that will probably never happen again in our history. What a life.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up a signed copy at a local gift store when I was visiting the island. The idea of a fictionalized history from the perspective of the servants was intriguing to me. Unfortunately, the conceit just didn't work very well. The book is very well-researched and the history of the millionaire's club is very interesting, but I wish I had selected a standard non-fiction book on this topic.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read!! As a 4 time visitor to Jekyll Island, I have fallen in love with the beautiful place. While reading this book, I literally could put myself in the places mentioned. The narrative was presented in such a way that I felt like I was actually there during The Gilded Age. What a treat this book was.

[Margaret Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a mostly non-fiction account of the Jekyll Island Millionaire’s club from a variety of different perspectives- likely taken journals, recordings or other historical records. It’s fascinating and has many funny and devastating stories about the millionaires and their help. I enjoyed it especially having a personal link to this island.

[Dana Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fascinating.

I had never heard of Jeckyll Island before.
What helped me find this book though was the author. She is from Oregon. Born and raised here as am I. Then I saw the book she wrote which sounded fascinating.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful historical fiction from the perspectives of the 'workers' supporting the millionaires - just wish it was written better with more continuous flow. Enjoyed it though, especially after visiting the Island recently.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved the historical info integrated into the viewpoint of 4 people who worked on Jekyll Island. I intend to visit soon. So I can see the country club and the beautiful cottages in their Splendor! I recommend!

[Regan Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An educational read to be sure - even though it’s historical fiction. The book reads more like factual accounts from actual people who worked at/for the club/members. Four to five stars as a book from which to learn about the club. Three stars as progress through the book was slow.

[Diane Large · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took a tour of Jekyll Island several years ago and saw the hotel and homes that the "Millionaires Club" built. It was interesting to read about the background of when the club started and several of the residents and their workers. It is a beautiful island.

[Elizabeth Madeira · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a frequent visitor of Jekyll Island this was a sweet and informative read. I’m so grateful for all I learned about the millionaires who were members of Jekyll island club 100+ years ago and their relationships, connections to the island, and reasons for loving Jekyll.

[D'Anne McMillen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book put Jekyll Island on my must visit list. I learned a lot of the history of the island and the millionaires club. I enjoyed the narrative approach of the several historical people whose point of view gives us the story of this fascinating time in Georgia history.

[Judi Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved learning more of the history of early Jekyll.

[Lubna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book to read

[Amber Zegers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read when you want to more about the millionaire's club on Jekyll Island.