The Glitter and the Gold: The American Duchess - In Her Own Words

This isn't exactly a "couldn't put it down" novel, but it's a fascinating glimpse into the a wholly different world. Not just because of the insane lifestyle of the wealthy elite, but also because of how differently the world worked before all of these technologies and other modern conveniences were available. I love the glimpses into the lives of iconic historical individuals and events from the perspective of someone who was there and did not know how untouchable this reality is/was to the rest of the world past and present. Learning about Winston Churchill's mom's (is that proper grammer, I can't tell) badassness (I know that word isnt but you get it) as she passes through Consuela's life and other historical figures is super interesting to me. And though it uses quite flowery language and is full sentiments that are not at all in touch with how the rest of the world was living, whenever I pick it back up to read more, I can feel how much less noisy and bustling day to day life was. It's peaceful. Even if she does complain about everything and everyone, lol.

This autobiography of the granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt chronicles the life of a daughter of fortune born in 1877 to William K. Vanderbilt of the New York Central Railroad empire.Consuelo describes her father as having a happy nature and disliking strife. Speaking of her mother, she tells of a woman with towering ambition, one who is combative and domineering. She once told Consuelo, "I don't ask you to think, I do the thinking, you do as you are told."One of the things Consuelo's mother told her was who she would marry. The Duke of Marlborough, whose family estate was Blenheim Palace, became the groom of this arranged marriage. With him Consuelo produced two sons, and after eleven years of strained relations she sought a legal separation. For several more years, Consuelo remained in England, and then following her divorce, remarried and moved to her second husband's native country, France. There, Consuelo and her husband, Jacques Balsan, enjoyed many happy years in Paris, on the Riviera, and in Saint Georges Motel. When France fell to Hitler in 1940, Consuelo and Jacques escaped to the United States where she regained her citizenship.This self-portrait of a privileged life reveals a woman deeply concerned about those less fortunate. Throughout her years in Britain and France, Consuelo championed many causes to benefit the poor, the working women, and children of the underprivileged.In 1913 she helped organize a conference to draw attention to the plight of poorly paid female workers. When World War I broke out, she helped the Women's Emergency Corps, a group of women who took over jobs of men sent off to fight. In 1916 she spoke on infant mortality, metioning the prevalence of venereal disease and its disastrous effects. As Honorary Treasurer of the Medical School for Women, she secured donations to establish and equip an extension of the Physics Department at the Royal Free Hospital.In France, her philanthropic efforts continued. She helped secure funding for a hospital for the middle class. After moving to Saint Georges-Motel, she established a children's sanatorium where children could recover from tuberculosis.Along with her philanthropic efforts, Consuelo maintained an active social life. While married to the Duke of Marlborough she hosted a shooting party which included the Prince of Wales on the guest list. Over a hundred guests were accommodated in the house.In France her social circle included ambassadors, archbishops, counts and countesses, renowned writers, artists, and prime ministers.The book contains many black and white photos of family members, homes in Britain and France, and artistic portraits of Consuelo and her family when she was a duchess.While the text is engaging and the eras and opulence described in terms that will never fail to impress, Consuelo's frequent inclusion of French phrases sans translation leave those illiterate in French in the dark as to the meaning.The autobiography ends with Consuelo's return to the United States at the start of World War II, but no information on how she spent the years between 1940 and 1952, the date of publication of her autobiography. She lived until 1964, dying when she was 87 years old. Evidently, she wrote no other books but this one.Further information on Consuelo and her mother can be found in Consuelo and Alva Vanderbilt: The Story of a Daughter and Mother in the Gilded Age, by Amanda Mackenzie Stuart, Harper Perennial, 2005 The Glitter and the Gold: The American Duchess---in Her Own Words

Consuelo Balsan's autobiography will be of interest to anyone who enjoys Downton Abbey. The book is not as entertaining as the television show, but there are some good parts. It begins with Consuelo's birth and takes the reader through her childhood where she lived in luxurious surroundings but at the mercy of a mercurial mother who insisted that "children be seen and not heard." Alva, the mother, insisted on Consuelo's marriage to the impoverished Duke of Marlborough and thwarted Consuelo's desire to marry someone else. Once married, Consuelo takes the reader across to England and describes life as a duchess in an old, stately mansion. After she produces the heir and the spare to the ducal dynasty, Consuelo parts from her husband and lives in London where she gets involved in the suffragette movement, finds love again with Jacques Balsan and eventually moves to France where they live happily as husband and wife. She describes their idyllic life, both in southern France and in the magnificent chateau she bought with her Vanderbilt millions where the couple lived until the outbreak of World War II which forced their evacuation from occupied France.It is at the end where the book leaves much to be desired. The reader is left hanging as Consuelo sets off for America, her homeland, and somewhere she has not lived for nearly 45 years. It would have been nice to know how she reacquainted herself with the States and how she re-adapted to her native country. Consuelo name drops throughout her book but there doesn't seem to be much substance to the stories she offers about the famous people in her life. No one, not even her two husbands, is more than a two-dimensional character. Perhaps it was her tendency to hold back on describing people fully because it isn't the thing to do, at least among the elite.Consuelo was taught to give back to society and she performs admirably by opening her houses to politicians, suffragettes, social workers and fundraisers and she even operates a sanatorium in France. But her writing is stilted, relying heavily on flowery phrases that show, at least to this reader, that she could be a bit stuffy. Her book could have used a little more gossip and information about the players around her, because that is what the readers want, but if you like Downton, you will enjoy this book.

Have read several books on the "Vanderbilt"s but this book really covers all of Consuelo. Came out thinking - Good for you woman, you done great.

Disappointing. Almost like reading a report in the first half - no passion, full of the pointless social lives of Consuelo and other upper class people with too much money, influence and connections to royalty. She is an American teenager, the great grand-daughter of the fabulously wealthy Vanderbuilt. Her mother marries her off to an English Duke to whom she dutifully provides an heir and a spare, whilst organising, hosting and attending a constant round of social engagements. The second half of the book is an improvement in that Consuelo was able to direct her own life, follow her social conscience and interests and support important social change whilst improving her own private life and finding happiness. Very patchy, no depth, at best a surface look at the fairy-floss lives of the times.

Very good book. Fascinating all this period and her life. I red this book before going to Visit Bleiham palace in Uk last Christmas and i was happy i did. Love Consuelo....nice ladyand great anectodes.

Book its self is very good. Pictures and paper not good quality

Very interesting memoir. She met and socialized with some very known people.