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The Glitter and the Gold by Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan
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I've seen this book and its author take some rather harsh, and I believe unwarranted, criticism. Granted, I have a particular interest in the history of the Vanderbilts and this is the fourth or fifth book I've read involving their legacy, so I was already familiar with some of what Mrs. Balsan relates here. However, referring to her as "snobbish" simply because of her use of formal English and rather common French idioms says more about the would-be "critic" rather than any hubris of the writer's.

I very much enjoyed Consuelo's writing style, managing to impart her struggles and passions without buying into the "poor little rich girl" narrative with which the world sought to burden her. She never seeks to invoke pity. I also found that she manages to talk about tireless work and great accomplishments in philanthropy without a hint of self-aggrandizement. In her world of such extreme comfort, she found true meaning in helping others.

Another frequent complaint about The Glitter and the Gold is that too much of it reads like a list of famous people the former Duchess met and entertained. Where I do find some of these passages to be a little tedious, "knowing your Vanderbilt history" comes in handy. I also think it would've been interesting to hear more about her feelings during some of the well-known and public events in her life. However, this is someone for whom publishing the more painful and salacious details would have been untoward. I think the Downton Abbey craze helps sales of books like these but then also condemns them to undue criticism when the "story" doesn't move along like a romance novel. The Countess of Carnarvon's books on Highlclere Castle are great examples of this: much of the real (and very interesting) history of Highclere can be found in the plot of the tv show, but people find the books "boring" because they're not "juicy" enough.

My suggestion, for anyone truly interested in the history and culture of this period or this family, is to read "Alva and Consuelo Vanderbilt" first. I think that book gives a far more complete picture and that this book makes a nice supplement to it. Overall, a very enjoyable read.

Description
The Glitter and the Gold by Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan
PDF mediaartfix.blogspot.no/?5H5VW…

I've seen this book and its author take some rather harsh, and I believe unwarranted, criticism. Granted, I have a particular interest in the history of the Vanderbilts and this is the fourth or fifth book I've read involving their legacy, so I was already familiar with some of what Mrs. Balsan relates here. However, referring to her as "snobbish" simply because of her use of formal English and rather common French idioms says more about the would-be "critic" rather than any hubris of the writer's.

I very much enjoyed Consuelo's writing style, managing to impart her struggles and passions without buying into the "poor little rich girl" narrative with which the world sought to burden her. She never seeks to invoke pity. I also found that she manages to talk about tireless work and great accomplishments in philanthropy without a hint of self-aggrandizement. In her world of such extreme comfort, she found true meaning in helping others.

Another frequent complaint about The Glitter and the Gold is that too much of it reads like a list of famous people the former Duchess met and entertained. Where I do find some of these passages to be a little tedious, "knowing your Vanderbilt history" comes in handy. I also think it would've been interesting to hear more about her feelings during some of the well-known and public events in her life. However, this is someone for whom publishing the more painful and salacious details would have been untoward. I think the Downton Abbey craze helps sales of books like these but then also condemns them to undue criticism when the "story" doesn't move along like a romance novel. The Countess of Carnarvon's books on Highlclere Castle are great examples of this: much of the real (and very interesting) history of Highclere can be found in the plot of the tv show, but people find the books "boring" because they're not "juicy" enough.

My suggestion, for anyone truly interested in the history and culture of this period or this family, is to read "Alva and Consuelo Vanderbilt" first. I think that book gives a far more complete picture and that this book makes a nice supplement to it. Overall, a very enjoyable read.