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Empty Mansions : The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell Jr. (2013, Hardcover)
ZBK Books (145724)
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Condition Notes: Used book - May contain writing, notes, highlighting, bends or folds. Text is readable, book is clean, and pages and cover mostly intact. May show normal wear and tear. Item may be missing CD.
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About this product
Product Identifiers
PublisherRandom House Publishing Group
ISBN-100345534522
ISBN-139780345534521
eBay Product ID (ePID)159888979
Product Key Features
Number of Pages496 Pages
Publication NameEmpty Mansions : the Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune
LanguageEnglish
SubjectWomen, Rich & Famous, General, Curiosities & Wonders, Property, United States / General
Publication Year2013
TypeNot Available
Subject AreaLaw, Référence, Antiques & Collectibles, Biography & Autobiography, History
AuthorBill Dedman, Paul Clark Newell Jr.
FormatHardcover
Dimensions
Item Height1.4 in
Item Weight29.1 Oz
Item Length9.5 in
Item Width6.6 in
Additional Product Features
LCCN2013-023933
Reviews"An amazing story of profligate wealth . . . an outsized tale of rags-to-riches prosperity." -- The New York Times "An exhaustively researched, well-written account . . . a blood-boiling expose [that] will make you angry and will make you sad." -- The Seattle Times "An evocative and rollicking read, part social history, part hothouse mystery, part grand guignol ." -- The Daily Beast "An enlightening read." -- Library Journal "A childlike, self-exiled eccentric, [Huguette Clark] is the sort of of subject susceptible to a biography of broad strokes, which makes Empty Mansions, the first full-length account of her life, impressive for its delicacy and depth." -- Town & Country "A spellbinding mystery." -- Booklist " Empty Mansions is a dazzlement and a wonder. Bill Dedman and Paul Newell unravel a great character, Huguette Clark, a shy soul akin to Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird --if Boo's father had been as rich as Rockefeller. This is an enchanting journey into the mysteries of the mind, a true-to-life exploration of strangeness and delight."-- Pat Conroy, author of The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and His Son " Empty Mansions is at once an engrossing portrait of a forgotten American heiress and a fascinating meditation on the crosswinds of extreme wealth. Hugely entertaining and well researched, Empty Mansions is a fabulous read." --Amanda Foreman, author of A World on Fire "In Empty Mansions, a unique American character emerges from the shadows. Through deep research and evocative writing, Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr., have expertly captured the arc of history covered by the remarkable Clark family, while solving a deeply personal mystery of wealth and eccentricity." --Jon Meacham, author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power "Who knew? Though virtually unknown today, W. A. Clark was one of the fifty richest Americans ever--copper baron, railroad builder, art collector, U.S. senator, and world-class scoundrel. Yet his daughter and heiress Huguette became a bizarre recluse. Empty Mansions reveals this mysterious family in sumptuous detail." --John Berendt, author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil " Empty Mansions is a mesmerizing tale that delivers all the ingredients of a top-notch mystery novel. But there is nothing fictional about this true, fully researched story of a fascinating and reclusive woman from an era of fabulous American wealth. Empty Mansions is a delicious read--once you start it, you will find it hard to put down." --Kate Alcott, bestselling author of The Dressmaker "More than a biography, more than a mystery, Empty Mansions is a real-life American Bleak House , an arresting tale about misplaced souls sketched on a canvas that stretches from coast to coast, from riotous mining camps to the gilded dwellings of the very, very rich." --John A. Farrell, author of Clarence Darrow: Attorney for the Damned, "An exhaustively researched, well-written account . . . a blood-boiling expose [that] will make you angry and will make you sad." -- The Seattle Times "An evocative and rollicking read, part social history, part hothouse mystery, part grand guignol ." -- The Daily Beast "A childlike, self-exiled eccentric, [Huguette Clark] is the sort of of subject susceptible to a biography of broad strokes, which makes Empty Mansions, the first full-length account of her life, impressive for its delicacy and depth." -- Town & Country "A spellbinding mystery." -- Booklist " Empty Mansions is a dazzlement and a wonder. Bill Dedman and Paul Newell unravel a great character, Huguette Clark, a shy soul akin to Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird --if Boo's father had been as rich as Rockefeller. This is an enchanting journey into the mysteries of the mind, a true-to-life exploration of strangeness and delight."-- Pat Conroy, author of The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and His Son " Empty Mansions is at once an engrossing portrait of a forgotten American heiress and a fascinating meditation on the crosswinds of extreme wealth. Hugely entertaining and well researched, Empty Mansions is a fabulous read." --Amanda Foreman, author of A World on Fire "In Empty Mansions, a unique American character emerges from the shadows. Through deep research and evocative writing, Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr., have expertly captured the arc of history covered by the remarkable Clark family, while solving a deeply personal mystery of wealth and eccentricity." --Jon Meacham, author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power "Who knew? Though virtually unknown today, W. A. Clark was one of the fifty richest Americans ever--copper baron, railroad builder, art collector, U.S. senator, and world-class scoundrel. Yet his daughter and heiress Huguette became a bizarre recluse. Empty Mansions reveals this mysterious family in sumptuous detail." --John Berendt, author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil " Empty Mansions is a mesmerizing tale that delivers all the ingredients of a top-notch mystery novel. But there is nothing fictional about this true, fully researched story of a fascinating and reclusive woman from an era of fabulous American wealth. Empty Mansions is a delicious read--once you start it, you will find it hard to put down." --Kate Alcott, bestselling author of The Dressmaker "More than a biography, more than a mystery, Empty Mansions is a real-life American Bleak House , an arresting tale about misplaced souls sketched on a canvas that stretches from coast to coast, from riotous mining camps to the gilded dwellings of the very, very rich." --John A. Farrell, author of Clarence Darrow: Attorney for the Damned, Advance praise for Empty Mansions " Empty Mansions is at once an engrossing portrait of a forgotten American heiress and a fascinating meditation on the crosswinds of extreme wealth. Hugely entertaining and well researched, Empty Mansions is a fabulous read." -Amanda Foreman, author of A World on Fire "In Empty Mansions, a unique American character emerges from the shadows. Through deep research and evocative writing, Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr., have expertly captured the arc of history covered by the remarkable Clark family, while solving a deeply personal mystery of wealth and eccentricity." -Jon Meacham, author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power "Who knew? Though virtually unknown today, W. A. Clark was one of the fifty richest Americans ever-copper baron, railroad builder, art collector, U.S. senator and world-class scoundrel. He lived on a Rockefeller scale, yet his daughter and heiress Huguette became a bizarre recluse. Empty Mansions reveals this mysterious family in sumptuous detail." -John Berendt, author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil " Empty Mansions is a mesmerizing tale that delivers all the ingredients of a top-notch mystery novel. But there is nothing fictional about this true, fully researched story of a fascinating and reclusive woman from an era of fabulous American wealth. Empty Mansions is a delicious read-once you start it, you will find it hard to put down." -Kate Alcott, bestselling author of The Dressmaker "More than a biography, more than a mystery, Empty Mansions is a real-life American Bleak House , a transfixing tale about misplaced souls sketched on a canvas that stretches from coast to coast, from riotous mining camps to the gilded dwellings of the very, very rich." -John A. Farrell, author of Clarence Darrow: Attorney for the Damned, Advance praise for Empty Mansions " Empty Mansions is a dazzlement and a wonder. Bill Dedman and Paul Newell unravel a great character, Huguette Clark, a shy soul akin to Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird --if Boo's father had been as rich as Rockefeller. This is an enchanting journey into the mysteries of the mind, a true-to-life exploration of strangeness and delight. "-- Pat Conroy, author of The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and His Son " Empty Mansions is at once an engrossing portrait of a forgotten American heiress and a fascinating meditation on the crosswinds of extreme wealth. Hugely entertaining and well researched, Empty Mansions is a fabulous read." --Amanda Foreman, author of A World on Fire "In Empty Mansions, a unique American character emerges from the shadows. Through deep research and evocative writing, Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr., have expertly captured the arc of history covered by the remarkable Clark family, while solving a deeply personal mystery of wealth and eccentricity." --Jon Meacham, author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power "Who knew? Though virtually unknown today, W. A. Clark was one of the fifty richest Americans ever--copper baron, railroad builder, art collector, U.S. senator, and world-class scoundrel. Yet his daughter and heiress Huguette became a bizarre recluse. Empty Mansions reveals this mysterious family in sumptuous detail." --John Berendt, author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil " Empty Mansions is a mesmerizing tale that delivers all the ingredients of a top-notch mystery novel. But there is nothing fictional about this true, fully researched story of a fascinating and reclusive woman from an era of fabulous American wealth. Empty Mansions is a delicious read--once you start it, you will find it hard to put down." --Kate Alcott, bestselling author of The Dressmaker "More than a biography, more than a mystery, Empty Mansions is a real-life American Bleak House , an arresting tale about misplaced souls sketched on a canvas that stretches from coast to coast, from riotous mining camps to the gilded dwellings of the very, very rich." --John A. Farrell, author of Clarence Darrow: Attorney for the Damned, "An amazing story of profligate wealth . . . an outsized tale of rags-to-riches prosperity." -- The New York Times "An exhaustively researched, well-written account . . . a blood-boiling expose [that] will make you angry and will make you sad." -- The Seattle Times "An evocative and rollicking read, part social history, part hothouse mystery, part grand guignol ." -- The Daily Beast "A childlike, self-exiled eccentric, [Huguette Clark] is the sort of of subject susceptible to a biography of broad strokes, which makes Empty Mansions, the first full-length account of her life, impressive for its delicacy and depth." -- Town & Country "One of those incredible stories that you didn''t even know existed. It filled a void." --Jon Stewart, The Daily Show "So well written . . . such a gripping, gripping story." --Bill Goldstein, NBC 4 New York "A compelling account of what happened to the Clark family and its fortune . . . a tremendous feat." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch "A fascinating story." -- Today "Meticulous and absorbing." -- Bloomberg Businessweek "Riveting . . . deliciously scandalous . . . a thrilling study of the responsibilities and privileges that come with great wealth." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "A spellbinding mystery." -- Booklist "Enlightening." -- Library Journal " Empty Mansions is a dazzlement and a wonder. Bill Dedman and Paul Newell unravel a great character, Huguette Clark, a shy soul akin to Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird --if Boo''s father had been as rich as Rockefeller. This is an enchanting journey into the mysteries of the mind, a true-to-life exploration of strangeness and delight."-- Pat Conroy, author of The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and His Son " Empty Mansions is at once an engrossing portrait of a forgotten American heiress and a fascinating meditation on the crosswinds of extreme wealth. Hugely entertaining and well researched, Empty Mansions is a fabulous read." --Amanda Foreman, author of A World on Fire "In Empty Mansions, a unique American character emerges from the shadows. Through deep research and evocative writing, Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr., have expertly captured the arc of history covered by the remarkable Clark family, while solving a deeply personal mystery of wealth and eccentricity." --Jon Meacham, author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power "Who knew? Though virtually unknown today, W. A. Clark was one of the fifty richest Americans ever--copper baron, railroad builder, art collector, U.S. senator, and world-class scoundrel. Yet his daughter and heiress Huguette became a bizarre recluse. Empty Mansions reveals this mysterious family in sumptuous detail." --John Berendt, author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil " Empty Mansions is a mesmerizing tale that delivers all the ingredients of a top-notch mystery novel. But there is nothing fictional about this true, fully researched story of a fascinating and reclusive woman from an era of fabulous American wealth. Empty Mansions is a delicious read--once you start it, you will find it hard to put down." --Kate Alcott, bestselling author of The Dressmaker "More than a biography, more than a mystery, Empty Mansions is a real-life American Bleak House , an arresting tale about misplaced souls sketched on a canvas that stretches from coast to coast, from riotous mining camps to the gilded dwellings of the very, very rich." --John A. Farrell, author of Clarence Darrow: Attorney for the Damned, "An amazing story of profligate wealth . . . an outsized tale of rags-to-riches prosperity." -- The New York Times "An exhaustively researched, well-written account . . . a blood-boiling expose [that] will make you angry and will make you sad." -- The Seattle Times "An evocative and rollicking read, part social history, part hothouse mystery, part grand guignol ." -- The Daily Beast "A childlike, self-exiled eccentric, [Huguette Clark] is the sort of of subject susceptible to a biography of broad strokes, which makes Empty Mansions, the first full-length account of her life, impressive for its delicacy and depth." -- Town & Country "One of those incredible stories that you didn''t even know existed. It filled a void." --Jon Stewart, The Daily Show "So well written . . . such a gripping, gripping story." --Bill Goldstein, NBC 4 New York "A compelling account of what happened to the Clark family and its fortune . . . a tremendous feat." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch "A fascinating story." -- Today "Meticulous and absorbing." -- Bloomberg Businessweek "Brilliantly researched, tough-minded, and fair . . . a fascinating read." -- Santa Barbara Independent "Riveting . . . deliciously scandalous . . . a thrilling study of the responsibilities and privileges that come with great wealth." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "A spellbinding mystery." -- Booklist "Enlightening." -- Library Journal " Empty Mansions is a dazzlement and a wonder. Bill Dedman and Paul Newell unravel a great character, Huguette Clark, a shy soul akin to Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird --if Boo''s father had been as rich as Rockefeller. This is an enchanting journey into the mysteries of the mind, a true-to-life exploration of strangeness and delight."-- Pat Conroy, author of The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and His Son " Empty Mansions is at once an engrossing portrait of a forgotten American heiress and a fascinating meditation on the crosswinds of extreme wealth. Hugely entertaining and well researched, Empty Mansions is a fabulous read." --Amanda Foreman, author of A World on Fire "In Empty Mansions, a unique American character emerges from the shadows. Through deep research and evocative writing, Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr., have expertly captured the arc of history covered by the remarkable Clark family, while solving a deeply personal mystery of wealth and eccentricity." --Jon Meacham, author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power "Who knew? Though virtually unknown today, W. A. Clark was one of the fifty richest Americans ever--copper baron, railroad builder, art collector, U.S. senator, and world-class scoundrel. Yet his daughter and heiress Huguette became a bizarre recluse. Empty Mansions reveals this mysterious family in sumptuous detail." --John Berendt, author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil " Empty Mansions is a mesmerizing tale that delivers all the ingredients of a top-notch mystery novel. But there is nothing fictional about this true, fully researched story of a fascinating and reclusive woman from an era of fabulous American wealth. Empty Mansions is a delicious read--once you start it, you will find it hard to put down." --Kate Alcott, bestselling author of The Dressmaker "More than a biography, more than a mystery, Empty Mansions is a real-life American Bleak House , an arresting tale about misplaced souls sketched on a canvas that stretches from coast to coast, from riotous mining camps to the gilded dwellings of the very, very rich." --John A. Farrell, author of Clarence Darrow: Attorney for the Damned, "An amazing story of profligate wealth . . . an outsized tale of rags-to-riches prosperity." -- The New York Times "A fascinating investigation into the haunting true-life tale of reclusive heiress Huguette Clark." -- People "An exhaustively researched, well-written account . . . a blood-boiling expose [that] will make you angry and will make you sad." -- The Seattle Times "An evocative and rollicking read, part social history, part hothouse mystery, part grand guignol ." -- The Daily Beast "A childlike, self-exiled eccentric, [Huguette Clark] is the sort of of subject susceptible to a biography of broad strokes, which makes Empty Mansions, the first full-length account of her life, impressive for its delicacy and depth." -- Town & Country "One of those incredible stories that you didn''t even know existed. It filled a void." --Jon Stewart, The Daily Show "So well written . . . such a gripping, gripping story." --Bill Goldstein, NBC 4 New York "A compelling account of what happened to the Clark family and its fortune . . . a tremendous feat." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch "A fascinating story." -- Today "Meticulous and absorbing." -- Bloomberg Businessweek "Brilliantly researched, tough-minded, and fair . . . a fascinating read." -- Santa Barbara Independent "Riveting . . . deliciously scandalous . . . a thrilling study of the responsibilities and privileges that come with great wealth." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "A spellbinding mystery." -- Booklist "Enlightening." -- Library Journal " Empty Mansions is a dazzlement and a wonder. Bill Dedman and Paul Newell unravel a great character, Huguette Clark, a shy soul akin to Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird --if Boo''s father had been as rich as Rockefeller. This is an enchanting journey into the mysteries of the mind, a true-to-life exploration of strangeness and delight."-- Pat Conroy, author of The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and His Son " Empty Mansions is at once an engrossing portrait of a forgotten American heiress and a fascinating meditation on the crosswinds of extreme wealth. Hugely entertaining and well researched, Empty Mansions is a fabulous read." --Amanda Foreman, author of A World on Fire "In Empty Mansions, a unique American character emerges from the shadows. Through deep research and evocative writing, Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr., have expertly captured the arc of history covered by the remarkable Clark family, while solving a deeply personal mystery of wealth and eccentricity." --Jon Meacham, author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power "Who knew? Though virtually unknown today, W. A. Clark was one of the fifty richest Americans ever--copper baron, railroad builder, art collector, U.S. senator, and world-class scoundrel. Yet his daughter and heiress Huguette became a bizarre recluse. Empty Mansions reveals this mysterious family in sumptuous detail." --John Berendt, author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil " Empty Mansions is a mesmerizing tale that delivers all the ingredients of a top-notch mystery novel. But there is nothing fictional about this true, fully researched story of a fascinating and reclusive woman from an era of fabulous American wealth. Empty Mansions is a delicious read--once you start it, you will find it hard to put down." --Kate Alcott, bestselling author of The Dressmaker "More than a biography, more than a mystery, Empty Mansions is a real-life American Bleak House , an arresting tale about misplaced souls sketched on a canvas that stretches from coast to coast, from riotous mining camps to the gilded dwellings of the very, very rich." --John A. Farrell, author of Clarence Darrow: Attorney for the Damned, "An amazing story of profligate wealth . . . an outsized tale of rags-to-riches prosperity." -- The New York Times "An exhaustively researched, well-written account . . . a blood-boiling expose [that] will make you angry and will make you sad." -- The Seattle Times "An evocative and rollicking read, part social history, part hothouse mystery, part grand guignol ." -- The Daily Beast "A childlike, self-exiled eccentric, [Huguette Clark] is the sort of of subject susceptible to a biography of broad strokes, which makes Empty Mansions, the first full-length account of her life, impressive for its delicacy and depth." -- Town & Country "One of those incredible stories that you didn''t even know existed. It filled a void." --Jon Stewart, The Daily Show "A compelling account of what happened to the Clark family and its fortune . . . a tremendous feat." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch "A fascinating story." -- Today "Meticulous and absorbing." -- Bloomberg Businessweek "Riveting . . . deliciously scandalous . . . a thrilling study of the responsibilities and privileges that come with great wealth." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "A spellbinding mystery." -- Booklist "Enlightening." -- Library Journal " Empty Mansions is a dazzlement and a wonder. Bill Dedman and Paul Newell unravel a great character, Huguette Clark, a shy soul akin to Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird --if Boo''s father had been as rich as Rockefeller. This is an enchanting journey into the mysteries of the mind, a true-to-life exploration of strangeness and delight."-- Pat Conroy, author of The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and His Son " Empty Mansions is at once an engrossing portrait of a forgotten American heiress and a fascinating meditation on the crosswinds of extreme wealth. Hugely entertaining and well researched, Empty Mansions is a fabulous read." --Amanda Foreman, author of A World on Fire "In Empty Mansions, a unique American character emerges from the shadows. Through deep research and evocative writing, Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr., have expertly captured the arc of history covered by the remarkable Clark family, while solving a deeply personal mystery of wealth and eccentricity." --Jon Meacham, author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power "Who knew? Though virtually unknown today, W. A. Clark was one of the fifty richest Americans ever--copper baron, railroad builder, art collector, U.S. senator, and world-class scoundrel. Yet his daughter and heiress Huguette became a bizarre recluse. Empty Mansions reveals this mysterious family in sumptuous detail." --John Berendt, author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil " Empty Mansions is a mesmerizing tale that delivers all the ingredients of a top-notch mystery novel. But there is nothing fictional about this true, fully researched story of a fascinating and reclusive woman from an era of fabulous American wealth. Empty Mansions is a delicious read--once you start it, you will find it hard to put down." --Kate Alcott, bestselling author of The Dressmaker "More than a biography, more than a mystery, Empty Mansions is a real-life American Bleak House , an arresting tale about misplaced souls sketched on a canvas that stretches from coast to coast, from riotous mining camps to the gilded dwellings of the very, very rich." --John A. Farrell, author of Clarence Darrow: Attorney for the Damned
Dewey Edition23
IllustratedYes
Dewey Decimal973.9092 B
Intended AudienceTrade
Synopsis#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Janet Maslin, The New York Times * St. Louis Post-Dispatch When Pulitzer Prize - winning journalist Bill Dedman noticed in 2009 a grand home for sale, unoccupied for nearly sixty years, he stumbled through a surprising portal into American history. Empty Mansions is a rich mystery of wealth and loss, connecting the Gilded Age opulence of the nineteenth century with a twenty-first-century battle over a $300 million inheritance. At its heart is a reclusive heiress named Huguette Clark, a woman so secretive that, at the time of her death at age 104, no new photograph of her had been seen in decades. Though she owned palatial homes in California, New York, and Connecticut, why had she lived for twenty years in a simple hospital room, despite being in excellent health? Why were her valuables being sold off? Was she in control of her fortune, or controlled by those managing her money? Dedman has collaborated with Huguette Clark's cousin, Paul Clark Newell, Jr., one of the few relatives to have frequent conversations with her. Dedman and Newell tell a fairy tale in reverse: the bright, talented daughter, born into a family of extreme wealth and privilege, who secrets herself away from the outside world. Huguette was the daughter of self-made copper industrialist W. A. Clark, nearly as rich as Rockefeller in his day, a controversial senator, railroad builder, and founder of Las Vegas. She grew up in the largest house in New York City, a remarkable dwelling with 121 rooms for a family of four. She owned paintings by Degas and Renoir, a world-renowned Stradivarius violin, a vast collection of antique dolls. But wanting more than treasures, she devoted her wealth to buying gifts for friends and strangers alike, to quietly pursuing her own work as an artist, and to guarding the privacy she valued above all else. The Clark family story spans nearly all of American history in three generations, from a log cabin in Pennsylvania to mining camps in the Montana gold rush, from backdoor politics in Washington to a distress call from an elegant Fifth Avenue apartment. The same Huguette who was touched by the terror attacks of 9/11 held a ticket nine decades earlier for a first-class stateroom on the second voyage of the Titanic . Empty Mansions reveals a complex portrait of the mysterious Huguette and her intimate circle. We meet her extravagant father, her publicity-shy mother, her star-crossed sister, her French boyfriend, her nurse who received more than $30 million in gifts, and the relatives fighting to inherit Huguette's copper fortune. Richly illustrated with more than seventy photographs, Empty Mansions is an enthralling story of an eccentric of the highest order, a last jewel of the Gilded Age who lived life on her own terms. Praise for Empty Mansions "An amazing story of profligate wealth . . . an outsized tale of rags-to-riches prosperity." -- The New York Times "An evocative and rollicking read, part social history, part hothouse mystery, part grand guignol ." --The Daily Beast "Fascinating . . . [a] haunting true-life tale." -- People "One of those incredible stories that you didn't even know existed. It filled a void." --Jon Stewart, The Daily Show "Thrilling . . . deliciously scandalous." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review), #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Janet Maslin, The New York Times - St. Louis Post-Dispatch When Pulitzer Prize - winning journalist Bill Dedman noticed in 2009 a grand home for sale, unoccupied for nearly sixty years, he stumbled through a surprising portal into American history. Empty Mansions is a rich mystery of wealth and loss, connecting the Gilded Age opulence of the nineteenth century with a twenty-first-century battle over a $300 million inheritance. At its heart is a reclusive heiress named Huguette Clark, a woman so secretive that, at the time of her death at age 104, no new photograph of her had been seen in decades. Though she owned palatial homes in California, New York, and Connecticut, why had she lived for twenty years in a simple hospital room, despite being in excellent health? Why were her valuables being sold off? Was she in control of her fortune, or controlled by those managing her money? Dedman has collaborated with Huguette Clark's cousin, Paul Clark Newell, Jr., one of the few relatives to have frequent conversations with her. Dedman and Newell tell a fairy tale in reverse: the bright, talented daughter, born into a family of extreme wealth and privilege, who secrets herself away from the outside world. Huguette was the daughter of self-made copper industrialist W. A. Clark, nearly as rich as Rockefeller in his day, a controversial senator, railroad builder, and founder of Las Vegas. She grew up in the largest house in New York City, a remarkable dwelling with 121 rooms for a family of four. She owned paintings by Degas and Renoir, a world-renowned Stradivarius violin, a vast collection of antique dolls. But wanting more than treasures, she devoted her wealth to buying gifts for friends and strangers alike, to quietly pursuing her own work as an artist, and to guarding the privacy she valued above all else. The Clark family story spans nearly all of American history in three generations, from a log cabin in Pennsylvania to mining camps in the Montana gold rush, from backdoor politics in Washington to a distress call from an elegant Fifth Avenue apartment. The same Huguette who was touched by the terror attacks of 9/11 held a ticket nine decades earlier for a first-class stateroom on the second voyage of the Titanic . Empty Mansions reveals a complex portrait of the mysterious Huguette and her intimate circle. We meet her extravagant father, her publicity-shy mother, her star-crossed sister, her French boyfriend, her nurse who received more than $30 million in gifts, and the relatives fighting to inherit Huguette's copper fortune. Richly illustrated with more than seventy photographs, Empty Mansions is an enthralling story of an eccentric of the highest order, a last jewel of the Gilded Age who lived life on her own terms. Praise for Empty Mansions "An amazing story of profligate wealth . . . an outsized tale of rags-to-riches prosperity." -- The New York Times "An evocative and rollicking read, part social history, part hothouse mystery, part grand guignol ." --The Daily Beast "Fascinating . . . a] haunting true-life tale." -- People "One of those incredible stories that you didn't even know existed. It filled a void." --Jon Stewart, The Daily Show "Thrilling . . . deliciously scandalous." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review), #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Janet Maslin, The New York Times - St. Louis Post-Dispatch When Pulitzer Prize - winning journalist Bill Dedman noticed in 2009 a grand home for sale, unoccupied for nearly sixty years, he stumbled through a surprising portal into American history. Empty Mansions is a rich mystery of wealth and loss, connecting the Gilded Age opulence of the nineteenth century with a twenty-first-century battle over a $300 million inheritance. At its heart is a reclusive heiress named Huguette Clark, a woman so secretive that, at the time of her death at age 104, no new photograph of her had been seen in decades. Though she owned palatial homes in California, New York, and Connecticut, why had she lived for twenty years in a simple hospital room, despite being in excellent health? Why were her valuables being sold off? Was she in control of her fortune, or controlled by those managing her money? Dedman has collaborated with Huguette Clark's cousin, Paul Clark Newell, Jr., one of the few relatives to have frequent conversations with her. Dedman and Newell tell a fairy tale in reverse: the bright, talented daughter, born into a family of extreme wealth and privilege, who secrets herself away from the outside world. Huguette was the daughter of self-made copper industrialist W. A. Clark, nearly as rich as Rockefeller in his day, a controversial senator, railroad builder, and founder of Las Vegas. She grew up in the largest house in New York City, a remarkable dwelling with 121 rooms for a family of four. She owned paintings by Degas and Renoir, a world-renowned Stradivarius violin, a vast collection of antique dolls. But wanting more than treasures, she devoted her wealth to buying gifts for friends and strangers alike, to quietly pursuing her own work as an artist, and to guarding the privacy she valued above all else. The Clark family story spans nearly all of American history in three generations, from a log cabin in Pennsylvania to mining camps in the Montana gold rush, from backdoor politics in Washington to a distress call from an elegant Fifth Avenue apartment. The same Huguette who was touched by the terror attacks of 9/11 held a ticket nine decades earlier for a first-class stateroom on the second voyage of the Titanic . Empty Mansions reveals a complex portrait of the mysterious Huguette and her intimate circle. We meet her extravagant father, her publicity-shy mother, her star-crossed sister, her French boyfriend, her nurse who received more than $30 million in gifts, and the relatives fighting to inherit Huguette's copper fortune. Richly illustrated with more than seventy photographs, Empty Mansions is an enthralling story of an eccentric of the highest order, a last jewel of the Gilded Age who lived life on her own terms. Praise for Empty Mansions "An amazing story of profligate wealth . . . an outsized tale of rags-to-riches prosperity." -- The New York Times "An evocative and rollicking read, part social history, part hothouse mystery, part grand guignol ." --The Daily Beast "Fascinating . . . [a] haunting true-life tale." -- People "One of those incredible stories that you didn't even know existed. It filled a void." --Jon Stewart, The Daily Show "Thrilling . . . deliciously scandalous." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
LC Classification NumberCT275.C6273D33 2013
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- 30 Jan, 2020
The title touches on one of the great mysteries about the woman in the book
This book helped me look into the life of a rich eccemyyric woman. It was well researched and well written. Plus one of the mansions is in my home townVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 12 Sep, 2022
Thought Provoking about what to do with your wealth, rich or poor
I like the book so much I bought 4 copies for friends and recommended it to others. There were lots of good questions, that came up as I read it, that I'm still contiemplating the answers. Definitely thought provoking and really interesting :-)Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 13 Mar, 2025
I’ve wanted a he of thus book for my per...
I’ve wanted a he of thus book for my personal library. It’s a good read and now I have an excellent addition to my personal collection. Thank you ThriftBooks!Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 03 Feb, 2016
Awesome
Expertly researched and compiled in an easy to read format. Chapters are short so I was able to take breaks without feeling like I had pages to go until I can stop. The story is engaging and mysterious. I am saddened that the father (AW Clark) is treated as historically insignificant. Before reading this book I knew nothing of this man, who by all accounts was a fair businessman, helped people get rich and was generally liked. He was a one term senator plagued by scandal for trying to "buy" his election --- that never happens. That is the entirety of his character flaws. I'm still reading the book so this is an interim review.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 09 Dec, 2020
A very entertaining story!
I found this to be a very good, not great, read. The book was a superb introduction to individuals who, for myself, were obscure figures. Well researched and documented. Well worth my time and investment.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 23 Aug, 2018
Poor little rich girl.
One of the most fascinating books I have ever read.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 16 Jan, 2019
Empty Mansions
Book was in like new condition and the material was a great read, Hard to put downVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 10 Aug, 2017
Love this book !
Fascinating to read of one of the richest heiress most never knew about until she passed .Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 05 Feb, 2020
A great read
A great read, esp for those who live in the NYC area and know some of the characters and for those interested in American historyVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 04 May, 2021
Great
Good story. Excellent read and book was so reasonableVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
