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The World of Gloria Vanderbilt
Gloria Vanderbilt is many things: an heiress, a painter, a muse, a designer, a model, a writer, an entrepreneur, an actor, a socialite, a survivor, an icon. She brought the Vanderbilt name out of the Gilded Age and into the Digital Age, reinventing herself over and over along the way. Hers is a story of charisma, glamour, and heartbreaking loss, told here by Wendy Goodman, who had intimate access to Vanderbilt for this book. The illustrations include portraits of Vanderbilt and her extraordinary homes, filled with original and influential decorating ideas, by such photographic legends as Richard Avedon, Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Inge Morath, Horst P. Horst, Francesco Scavullo, and Annie Leibovitz. Vanderbilt’s son, Anderson Cooper, contributes a foreword.
In April 2016, the documentary Nothing Left Unsaid: Gloria Vanderbilt & Anderson Cooper debuted on HBO.
In April 2016, the documentary Nothing Left Unsaid: Gloria Vanderbilt & Anderson Cooper debuted on HBO.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 22, 2022
Wonderfully told bio of one of the great multi-talented female socialites. So many great photos too - more than the actual text. Thanks to Alana who pointed me in the direction of this gorgeous book.
May 11, 2015
Not my usual kind of read. It was recommended to me by my librarian who knew that I was researching the end of the gilded age, and thought this book may give me a taste of that especially from the period around Gloria Vanderbilt's birth.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. Gloria Vanderbilt overcame quite a bit, and though her choices weren't always great, she owned them and she rose above things that would have destroyed many other people.
The photographs were as much a part of the book as the writing was. Her life was well documented through photographs by amazing photographers.
I think it was a great book!
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. Gloria Vanderbilt overcame quite a bit, and though her choices weren't always great, she owned them and she rose above things that would have destroyed many other people.
The photographs were as much a part of the book as the writing was. Her life was well documented through photographs by amazing photographers.
I think it was a great book!
November 27, 2011
I picked this up earlier this year and forgot to review it. Having read Gloria Vanderbilt's books about her life this book was like a photo companion to her life story. It is filled with beautiful pictures that exude the wealth and opulence of the Vanderbilt family. Looking at the photos gave me a real sense of just how rich and elegant these people were. An excellent look into a world that we will never see again.
August 28, 2024
fame and fortune isn’t all it’s cracked up to be
May 18, 2012
Gloria was the not-so-trashy Paris Hilton of her day. So why did I like this biography so much? Because Gloria was so much more than that. Not only was she the most beautiful woman you have ever seen (not so much now - too much work), but she was actually talented. She modelled, painted, acted and designed, including the weirdest most funky collages and mosaics.
The book also particularly took my fancy because of Gloria's fairy-tale life, full of the excesses of wealth and fame. She starts off life as a poor little rich heiress at the centre of a much reported custody battle, she mingles with the rich and famous, marries 4 times, and like a fairy-tale she encounters villians and terrible tragedy. She somehow comes through because of her exuberance for life.
The book also particularly took my fancy because of Gloria's fairy-tale life, full of the excesses of wealth and fame. She starts off life as a poor little rich heiress at the centre of a much reported custody battle, she mingles with the rich and famous, marries 4 times, and like a fairy-tale she encounters villians and terrible tragedy. She somehow comes through because of her exuberance for life.
June 19, 2011
One of the joys of using the library is getting to know my librarian, Peter Muckolsky, who has started recommending and reserving books for me. The World of Gloria Vanderbilt was a left field gem. Chapeau to her for building an extraordinary and rich life after a brutal childhood. I think more often than not people who grow up like GV - not only ridiculously wealthy but abandoned by their parents - turn out more like Lindsay Lohan or any number of wasted British lesser nobles - but Gloria Vanderbilt has built several successful businesses and her surviving children, including Anderson Cooper, are doing incredibly well themselves.
December 23, 2010
Reading this beautiful book was my first Chritmas gift. This book is gorgeous! The photography is outstanding! The story of Gloria Vanderbilt is an inspiration to all comtemporary woman rich and poor who face good days and bad days and must triumph amid dissappointments and tragedy and find hope and joy in the future.
October 8, 2020
A survivor. A creative genius. A fighter. Nicely put together book of Gloria V’s life. Gorgeous pictures. Features many famous photographers. Terrible childhood followed by an escape marriage. Then a father figure embraces her but it’s not enough for Miss V. Glamorous life continues but horrible setbacks nearly wreck this sensitive woman. Vanderbilt strength and resiliency prevail in the end.
July 27, 2024
The first 75-80% of this book was fantastic. However, when we got to the fashion/art career of Gloria Vanderbilt, the author went to full hero worship, describing her amaaaaazing sense of style and how her art was just the best. Meanwhile, looking at pictures… not my style, and I know art is subjective, but her work is past eclectic and into disorganized, seemingly monetized by her name and not it’s merit.
Other than the last bit, though, the book was fairly honest with a few tidbits I hadn’t read elsewhere.
Other than the last bit, though, the book was fairly honest with a few tidbits I hadn’t read elsewhere.
May 7, 2016
I don't think I'll ever stop being obsessed with Old Money New York.
Full review to come
++++++
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This will be a shorter review, as this book is shorter on text than my usual fare. it is also harder to review, as there were tons of photographs along side the text.
First though, I don't know how it has escaped my attention for the last decade or so that Cooper Anderson is a Vanderbilt. I can see why he would not want people to know it immediately - not because he was ashamed, but because of all the 'baggage' he rightly claims that comes with it.
I'm terribly intrigued by Old Money New York of the Gilded Age. The Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, Morgans, etc. What I especially found interesting about this books is it gives an account in photos and text of the life of a Vanderbilt in the modern era. Gloria Vanderbilt is certainly an interesting figure, from her many marriages, her multiple careers, and the tragic suicide of her son, Carter.
I must confess: Everything I wrote prior to this sentence, I wrote a few days ago. I saved this review as a draft and have just now come back to it. I can not for the life of my explain why this review has been so much harder for me to write than others. At first I thought as I struggled with this one on Friday night, that it was because I was just in a reviewing slump, that I know I am 8 books behind in my 2016 Challenge if I want to get it completed, this, that, whatever. But it can't really be a slump OR the Challenge, if I managed to write three reviews since then for three other books I had just finished recently, right? I don't know what it is, but for some reason I am just struggling with this one. And that is certainly not fair to the book, because I enjoyed it. Every book deserves a fair review and not one that is half-hearted.
So, here is what I will say: The text was lacking in detail of Gloria's life, because I do not think this was meant to tell her life story in words. Certainly, she has written her autobiography and there are other books that do so as well. This was meant to tell her life in pictures and there it was successful. Personally, however, I just could not get over the fact that in so many rooms she was pictured in later in life, the walls are quilted. It is just weird to me. I do recommend the book, especially for those interested in the remnants of days gone by and seeing how the children of the Gilded Age grew into adulthood, and what it is like to be a Vanderbilt now.
Full review to come
++++++
http://allthebookblognamesaretaken.bl...
www.facebook.com/AllTheBookBlogNamesA...
www.twitter.com/SarahsBookNook
This will be a shorter review, as this book is shorter on text than my usual fare. it is also harder to review, as there were tons of photographs along side the text.
First though, I don't know how it has escaped my attention for the last decade or so that Cooper Anderson is a Vanderbilt. I can see why he would not want people to know it immediately - not because he was ashamed, but because of all the 'baggage' he rightly claims that comes with it.
I'm terribly intrigued by Old Money New York of the Gilded Age. The Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, Morgans, etc. What I especially found interesting about this books is it gives an account in photos and text of the life of a Vanderbilt in the modern era. Gloria Vanderbilt is certainly an interesting figure, from her many marriages, her multiple careers, and the tragic suicide of her son, Carter.
I must confess: Everything I wrote prior to this sentence, I wrote a few days ago. I saved this review as a draft and have just now come back to it. I can not for the life of my explain why this review has been so much harder for me to write than others. At first I thought as I struggled with this one on Friday night, that it was because I was just in a reviewing slump, that I know I am 8 books behind in my 2016 Challenge if I want to get it completed, this, that, whatever. But it can't really be a slump OR the Challenge, if I managed to write three reviews since then for three other books I had just finished recently, right? I don't know what it is, but for some reason I am just struggling with this one. And that is certainly not fair to the book, because I enjoyed it. Every book deserves a fair review and not one that is half-hearted.
So, here is what I will say: The text was lacking in detail of Gloria's life, because I do not think this was meant to tell her life story in words. Certainly, she has written her autobiography and there are other books that do so as well. This was meant to tell her life in pictures and there it was successful. Personally, however, I just could not get over the fact that in so many rooms she was pictured in later in life, the walls are quilted. It is just weird to me. I do recommend the book, especially for those interested in the remnants of days gone by and seeing how the children of the Gilded Age grew into adulthood, and what it is like to be a Vanderbilt now.
January 26, 2011
I gave this 3 stars, but that's an average as I'd give it 5 stars for pictures and 2 stars for the text.
I was expecting this to be more of a traditional biography but instead it's more like a coffee table book with lots of pictures. The pictures were stunning, however, and there was still a lot of biographical information. I didn't know a lot about her years in between "poor little rich girl" and Anderson's mother, so that was really interesting and detailed. However, as the book went on, the last thirty years were really glossed over. Also, in the chapter on her design work, the author crammed in the sudden death of Gloria's husband and the suicide of her son, which I found a little tacky. As Gloria has already written several of her own autobiographies, one of which I've already read, I think I'll just stick to those and use this as a pictorial reference.
I was expecting this to be more of a traditional biography but instead it's more like a coffee table book with lots of pictures. The pictures were stunning, however, and there was still a lot of biographical information. I didn't know a lot about her years in between "poor little rich girl" and Anderson's mother, so that was really interesting and detailed. However, as the book went on, the last thirty years were really glossed over. Also, in the chapter on her design work, the author crammed in the sudden death of Gloria's husband and the suicide of her son, which I found a little tacky. As Gloria has already written several of her own autobiographies, one of which I've already read, I think I'll just stick to those and use this as a pictorial reference.
October 5, 2011
This book is like a mini biography of Gloria Vanderbilt with lots and lots of personal photos. Reader beware: this book is coffee table-sized. It will not fit in a purse, so if you plan on bringing this with you on your commute to and from work, it's not gonna happen. I had to keep this one home and read it whenever I had the time, and I really didn't have much time at home. So I ended up skimming the text and just looking at all the pictures (including some of baby Anderson Cooper, Gloria's son) and reading the picture captions. I think I may check out one of Gloria's many autobiographies for something more commute-friendly.
October 12, 2011
I just found out that Anderson Cooper is Gloria Vanderbilt's son, and after watching him interview her, I realized I knew nothing about her. So, in true Beth fashion, I got a book about her. This is filled with biographical information and pictures of a lot of her artwork. She is creative in a very different way, and I admire her eclectic style, even if I wouldn't make it my own.
July 13, 2011
The story was interesting because although she came from a wealthy family they were very dysfunctional. What really makes this book special is the pictures. They are so beautiful and fascinating to look at.
December 24, 2011
I'm always fascinated to learn that ultra-rich people are not immune to abuse, pain or the feeling that you are living in an 'inescapable cage'. Yes, the cage is more comfortable, but a cage is a cage.
June 8, 2012
I really enjoyed this book brought back many memories of my era. I have seen her on Anderson Cooper TV show and she is such an elegant woman. Being born to a rich family is not all it is cracked up to be.
January 11, 2013
I've been interested in the Golden Age since my trip to Rhode Island last year. I enjoyed this book for the additional info on the Vanderbilt's and history from that era. The photographs were beautiful.
May 21, 2014
A fascinating look at the life of Gloria Vanderbilt.
Book includes lots of photos and illustrations.
Book includes lots of photos and illustrations.
December 3, 2010
Interesting life story, but the photographs, particularly the Richard Avedon photographs, make this book.
December 30, 2010
Brief biography and beautiful photography.
January 12, 2011
I bought this book because my neighbor wrote it. I really enjoyed learning about GV. Didn't know much about her life. Lots of pretty pics, but not too much detail. A quick easy read.
February 15, 2011
Very interesting. Hard to imagine the life she has lived.
March 12, 2011
Absolutely GORGEOUS book - the pictures, the fabrics, and the way the book was organized was perfect. Interesting biography as well.
March 13, 2011
Visually stunning! I recommend if one is interested in fashion, design, photography, history, it quickly tells a fascinating life story with fabulous illustrations.
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February 10, 2012I loved this book! Very interesting life she has had and a wonderful story with beautiful pictures!
April 24, 2012
The pictures are amazing and worthy of 5 stars. I had hoped the text would be more in-depth though and was disappointed with it.
July 11, 2012
Biography of Gloria Vanderbilt filled with photographs of her, her family, her art, and her famously stylish interiors.
December 28, 2014
Stunning photos combined with informative biographical information about the life of Gloria Vanderbilt.
June 12, 2012
This book is beautiful. I was sad to see in the back that she looks nothing like she used too.
May 25, 2017
Excellent. The story of Gloria Vanderbilt from her birth to the present time.The pictures in the book (coffee table style) are unbelievable.The magnificence of the art, furniture, jewelry and houses is really hard to imagine. She is in her 80's now and still living the good life, along with her son, Anderson Cooper, who helped with the book. Well worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews