THE VANDERBILTS

The fairy-tale story of Cornelius Vanderbilt’s rise to fame and fortune is worth hearing. Add to that the grand residences and social empire his descendants built, and this story positively glitters with opulence. Ray Childs delivers vignettes that illustrate the ingenuity and extravagance of the New York-based clan. He alters his voice so that quotations stand out from the narrative. His warm, rich voice expresses, in turn, admiration for and humor towards the Vanderbilts' numerous escapades. While Childs does his best to clarify the tangled branches of the Vanderbilt family tree, the sheer number of family members is confusing. Without the photographs and captions from the print book, it’s difficult to fully appreciate this biography. Still, those fascinated by this American “royal family” will find much food for thought. C.A. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2010]