Astor

In this engaging historical biography, bestselling authors Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe delve into the remarkable saga of the Astor family, tracing their journey from German immigrant John Jacob Astor’s arrival in 1783 to the sensational events surrounding Brooke Astor’s son in 2009. Through ambition and reinvention, the Astors transformed a beaver trapping business into a prominent real estate empire, influencing Gilded Age New York society and American culture. This story reveals the family's triumphs and tragedies, including their notorious connection to the Titanic, providing a fascinating lens on the evolution of American identity.