Heiresses By, Laura Thompson

Five Stars. The photograph/cover sets the stage for "The Lives of the Million Dollar Babies." This is a comprehensive, well researched 'tell all' of the lives of the wealthy 'oligarchs' as Ms. Thompson references, dating back to the Edwardian age. In Part II, she moves on to the 19th century and takes a deep dive into the Vanderbilts, who were one of the wealthiest shipping and railroad tycoons. She at times, adds some tidbits of gossip and snarkiness particularly, when detailing the famous feud between the Astors and the Vanderbilts who fought for the 'Crown of New York Society.'

The Author weaves a gilded but, at times, tarnished tale of tthe lives of these million dollar babies from Mary Davies, Catherine Tylney Long, Ellen Turner to the Vanderbilts, Barbara Hutton, the Woolworth heiress, Nancy Cunard, Daisy Fellowes and more. The Author astutely notes, that before the 20th century, a wife's inheritance was the property of her husband, unprotected and vulnerable, the heiresses ended up in perilous situations, involving forced marriages, kidnapping and asylums. 

In 1964, "The Married Women's Property Act" 'allowed' women to equally share money and any property with her husband. Essentially allowing heiresses a 'share' of their wealth once they marry, which opened the door to men who were intent on marrying into wealth. 

The Author also shares literary references to books and short stories written about Heiresses, which added in the "Author's words, a 'minor frisson'  that made the comprehensive worldly tour of the rich and famous even more interesting. She cites, Jane Austin, Edith Wharton, "The Age of Innocence", Henry James, James Baldwin and Dorothy Parker. 

I thought the Author provided a detailed balance of the good, bad and the ugly when discusses the heiresses lives. At times, she was a bit tangential and difficult to follow..I never quite understood her reference to Meghan Markle and Jeff Bezos?! 

Overall. I found this to be a fascinating, engaging read that I devoured in a few days.

I was given an ARC of this book.The release date is 02/15/22. Many, Many thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Press for the opportunity to read and review this delightful book.

Other Books by the Author:

The Six: The Lives of the Mitford Sisters

Agatha Christie: A Mysterious Life

Dogs: A Personal History of Greyhound Racing