New York Times Bestseller “A soaring and gorgeous American story” (Karen Abbott) from the author of the New York Times bestselling The Girls of Atomic City. The fascinating true story behind the magnificent Gilded Age mansion Biltmore–the largest, grandest residence ever built in the United States. The story of Biltmore spans World Wars, the Jazz Age, the Depression, and generations of the … Wars, the Jazz Age, the Depression, and generations of the famous Vanderbilt family, and features a captivating cast of real-life characters including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Thomas Wolfe, Teddy Roosevelt, John Singer Sargent, James Whistler, Henry James, and Edith Wharton.
Orphaned at a young age, Edith Stuyvesant Dresser claimed lineage from one of New York’s best known families. She grew up in Newport and Paris, and her engagement and marriage to George Vanderbilt was one of the most watched events of Gilded Age society. But none of this prepared her to be mistress of Biltmore House.
Before their marriage, the wealthy and bookish Vanderbilt had dedicated his life to creating a spectacular European-style estate on 125,000 acres of North Carolina wilderness. He summoned the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted to tame the grounds, collaborated with celebrated architect Richard Morris Hunt to build a 175,000-square-foot chateau, filled it with priceless art and antiques, and erected a charming village beyond the gates. Newlywed Edith was now mistress of an estate nearly three times the size of Washington, DC and benefactress of the village and surrounding rural area. When fortunes shifted and changing times threatened her family, her home, and her community, it was up to Edith to save Biltmore–and secure the future of the region and her husband’s legacy.
The Last Castle is the unique American story of how the largest house in America flourished, faltered, and ultimately endured to this day.more
A fascinating and detailed look at the building of The Biltmore. This is a very well researched book about George Vanderbilt and his family. The details provide a complete and complex history of the people and time involved in the building of The Biltmore. It was a bit of a slow start for me, but I found the history of the house very interesting!
For anyone interested in the Vanderbilt family, the Gilded Age, architecture, and the rise and fall of great wealth in early 20th century America, this book is a must read. It begins with a lot of detail about the property and the building of the house, but then goes in-depth about George and Edith Vanderbilt’s lives and everything they did to improve the area and bring educational and economic opportunities to the people of Asheville. Lots of insight into the Vanderbilt family as a whole, too.
The story encompasses the pre-planning for the historic estate, the persons behind the scenes, and the very elegant and wealthy owners themselves.
It was also fascinating to read about George and Edith’s benevolence toward their staff, it is very refreshing to have heard how large their hearts were for others.
If you love history, the gilded age, and all the famous persons from that era, you’ll adore this novel.
It is a true story of George Vanderbilt and his wife, Edith and what they created in the mountains of Asheville (formerly known as Buck). It also includes the building by Seely of the Grove Park Inn and the furnishings he got from the Biltmore industries and how it was used as a rehab for soldiers returning from the second world war. Great Read once you get into it.
Fabulous book I learned a lot. George Vanderbilt did some tremendous things and saved the forests.
An amazing story that grew more interesting as it went along. Things rarely work out as planned and our obsessions can go awry, but humanity’s ability to make the most…and at times…the worst of situations never ceases to amaze me. Here, with wealth and power to an astonishing degree, this truism clarifies itself even more so.
If I ever desired great wealth—I don’t anymore.
Just got back from visiting Biltmore. This is a great book and helps you understand more the gigantic task of keeping this amazing house going.
The Biltmore is the largest, grandest residence ever built in the U.S. This book is the true story behind the magnificent Gilded Age mansion.
The story of this mansion spans World Wars, the Depression, the Jazz Age and generations of the Vanderbilt family. It features a cast of real-life people; including F.Scott Fitzgerald, Thomas Wolfe, Teddy Roosevelt, John Singer Sargent, James, Whistler, Henry James and Edith Wharton.
Edith Stuyvesant Dresser was orphaned at a young age. She grew up in Newport and Paris mainly. Her engagement and marriage to George Vanderbilt was one of the most watched events of the Gilded Age society. Unfortunately, none of this prepared her to be the mistress of Biltmore.
Before being married to Edith, George had dedicated his life to creating his estate on 125,000 acres in the wilderness in the North Carolina. He was wealthy and asked the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted to help his with his vision. Richard Morris Hunt was a famous architect and he came to erect the 175,000 square foot chateau.
Edith became the mistress of an estate and a benefactress of the area. When things changed and it threatened her entire being, it was up to her to save Biltmore and secure her husband’s legacy.
The Last Castle is the story of Biltmore; how it began, how it grew, how it lost momentum, and how it endures to this day.
I greatly enjoyed this story. I have heard about Biltmore but never realized how grand it is or how it came to be. I liked seeing how each generation of the family has evolved into caring for the “home” and its history.
This is the first book I have read from this author. I will have to look at others she has written.
Excellent historic information and review about Baltimore House!!
I should have made a list of all the people in the book, because the way it was arranged many showed up in a number of chapters. There was too much information about all of the friends of George Vanderbilt and what happened to them. The last third of the book went much faster without all of the extra details.
Great historical view of an era in America with many interesting people.
A fascinating look at the building of Biltmore Castle and George and Edith Vanderbilt. If you have ever visited the Biltmore, or plan to, this is a must read.
And if not, read it anyway, and you will want to.
The Last Castle is a very readable history book of the story of the George Vanderbilt Family, their influence on Asheville, the building of The Biltmore, and their contributions to the local community and the world. I found it fascinating and quite informative, and I have recommended it to many people who have enjoyed it. Archer Parsons