Summary of Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty

The dynasty’s trajectory captures both the promise and pitfalls of American capitalism. The Commodore’s son Billy carefully expanded the empire, but later generations indulged in extravagant estates, lavish parties, and high society drama. The Breakers, the family’s magnificent summer home in Newport, once epitomized Vanderbilt grandeur; by 2018, the last of the family had been forced out of it, a stark reminder of how fleeting dynastic wealth can be.

In this sweeping account, Anderson Cooper—himself a descendant of the Commodore—and historian Katherine Howe trace the story of the Vanderbilts from the gritty wharves of nineteenth-century Manhattan to the gilded mansions of Fifth Avenue and Newport, and even into the courts of Europe. Their telling brings both the triumphs and tragedies of this extraordinary family to life, blending social history with personal insight.

More than a family saga, Vanderbilt is the story of America itself: ambition, reinvention, greed, glamour, and the enduring question of what it means to leave behind a legacy.