They arrived from Germany with next to nothing, but through hard work, ambition, and savvy business sense, the Astor family catapulted itself to the apex of American society. A Family's Fortune chronicles the astonishing transformation of the Astors from humble immigrants to the nation's leading aristocrats over nearly two centuries. This engrossing multigenerational saga has all the drama, adventure, triumph, and tragedy of the best historical fiction. Yet it remains absolutely grounded in meticulous research and fact.

Readers will be fascinated by patriarch John Jacob Astor, who embodied the rags-to-riches American Dream, turning his fur trading business into the country's largest fortune. Subsequent generations expanded into New York City real estate, acquiring vast swaths of land that define the city we know today. The Astors strategically married into other elite families, including the Vanderbilts, to become the arbiters of New York high society.

From lavish homes on Fifth Avenue to legendary balls and European tours, the Astors lived an existence of unbelievable wealth and privilege. They encountered scandals, jealousies, and tragedies as well. A Family's Fortune takes readers inside the complex family dynamics underlying the Astor aura of perfection and prestige. Their drive for status and luxury came at a steep personal cost that this gripping narrative reveals in full.

At the same time, the Astors' philanthropy endowed New York with indelible cultural institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York Public Library, and Carnegie Hall. By chronicling this iconic American family from colonial days through the Jazz Age, A Family's Fortune sheds intimate light on the events and evolving social fabric that shaped early America. Each generation's story provides a vivid window into the history of the time.

Meticulously researched using extensive primary source materials, this definitive account transports readers into the rooms where it all happened. The ambitious dreams, business dealings, family drama, and luxurious lifestyle of a family that left an indelible mark on New York City and society itself come alive on every riveting page. For anyone fascinated by American history or captivating family sagas, A Family's Fortune is essential reading.