Book SummaryThe Last Castle, by Denise Kiernan

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Last Castle

The Biltmore Estate embodies the extravagant wealth characteristic of the Gilded Age through its luxurious design, artistic features, and grand vision.

The narrative delves into the origins of the Biltmore Estate, emphasizing its grand architecture that epitomizes the opulent affluence characteristic of the late 19th-century period of significant economic growth. George Washington Vanderbilt, the most junior member of a prominent family renowned for their dominance in the railroad sector, sought to create a self-sustaining estate reminiscent of the grand European properties. He had the ambition to construct a lavish home and simultaneously transform the adjacent region into a thriving, model community.

The property exemplifies the opulent splendor that was emblematic of the Gilded Age.

Biltmore's magnificence underscores the vast wealth inequalities that marked the period of swift economic expansion in the late 1800s. The lavish lifestyle of the Vanderbilts stood in stark contrast to the everyday lives of the working-class people. The construction of this grand estate, equipped with sophisticated features not widely available to most Americans at the time, highlights the profound social stratification of the era.

The mansion's opulence and contemporary features were a sharp departure from the daily lives of the working-class people.

Kiernan emphasizes the grand scale of Biltmore House, pointing out its 250 rooms which include numerous bedrooms, a vast array of bathrooms, and a trio of kitchens for food preparation. The sprawling grounds, which extend over an area greater than four acres, serve as a testament to George Vanderbilt's affinity for grandeur. The property was equipped with contemporary conveniences like electric call buttons, dumbwaiters, and an elevator system, setting it apart from the standard residences of the time, even among those belonging to the wealthy. Kiernan highlights the stark contrast between the lavish lifestyle associated with the Biltmore estate and the modest everyday experiences of the average American, pointing out that the mansion required 25 tons of coal every two weeks, while the laborers constructing it earned merely $1-3 per day. The narrative underscores the stark disparity in lifestyles, which was emblematic of the societal divisions characteristic of the Gilded Age.

The distinguished architect Richard Morris Hunt was commissioned to design the estate, and the renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted was in charge of the grounds that encompassed the property.

George Vanderbilt enlisted the expertise of leading architects to bring his grand vision for the Biltmore Estate to fruition. Richard Morris Hunt, the architect selected to design the residence, was renowned for his work on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty and the grand foyer of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Hunt designed the exterior of the castle to evoke the grandeur typical of French...

The Last Castle Summary The union and romantic narrative of George Vanderbilt with Edith Dresser highlight the sharp contrast between the wealthy Vanderbilt family and the modest beginnings of the Dresser lineage.

The section explores the divergent paths of the Vanderbilt family as opposed to the Dressers, highlighting the unique struggles that come with wealth and the relentless scrutiny of society. George Vanderbilt, who hailed from a lineage of immense wealth in America, sought a partner who would embrace his distinctive lifestyle. Edith Dresser was a member of high society, but her financial means were not on par with the vast wealth associated with the Vanderbilt family. The public was captivated by their union, largely because of the significant disparity in their financial backgrounds, a point that journalists frequently highlighted.

The public was enthralled by the intimate aspects of the Vanderbilt family's life, sparking curiosity about who George might marry.

The writer delves into the profound fascination with the Vanderbilt family, noting that their every move was subject to meticulous scrutiny. The public's fascination and speculation intensified as their family name became synonymous with the expansion of American industry, and their immense wealth further fueled this interest. George remained unmarried for a significant period. Rumors intensified around the...

The Last Castle Summary The philanthropic activities of the Vanderbilts, their substantial impact on the surrounding Asheville area, and the estate's capacity to adapt through various eras.

The story explores the dynamic engagement of the Vanderbilts with Asheville's residents and highlights the crucial role Edith played in launching and maintaining forward-thinking social reforms. Economic challenges and natural calamities, such as floods, threatened the existence of the majestic estate, even as emerging cultural trends, such as the movement focused on handcraftsmanship and artistic design, offered opportunities for innovative rejuvenation.

George's reserved nature was markedly different from Edith Vanderbilt's charitable activities.

Kiernan depicts Edith Vanderbilt with a welcoming and outgoing nature, which stands in stark contrast to George's more introverted disposition. She was instrumental in bolstering the surrounding community of the estate by delivering aid to families during sickness, supplying necessary items to pregnant women, and working together to organize celebrations for the local residents. She steadfastly advocated for the enhancement of educational and employment opportunities for women and children, a stance that defied the expected societal roles for women of her social standing in that era.

Edith dedicated herself to improving...

The Last Castle Summary The Vanderbilt descendants have continuously worked to maintain and enhance the estate, securing its link to their family heritage.

Descendants of the Vanderbilt family initiated updates to the Biltmore Estate, ensuring it kept pace with modern trends. Cornelia embraced modernity while she administered the affairs of the property. Confronted by ongoing economic difficulties, Edith Stuyvesant Dresser, alongside her spouse Jack Cecil, resolved to make Biltmore House accessible to visitors, a move that would both safeguard its future and generate essential income. Subsequent generations further developed the concept, diversifying the economic activities on the property, which solidified Biltmore's status as a unique and enduring point of interest.

Cornelia Vanderbilt Cecil managed the estate, fulfilling her role as her mother's heir.

Cornelia Vanderbilt Cecil, who came into possession of Biltmore at the age of twenty-five, displayed a spirited independence that echoed her mother's. Cornelia fostered relationships among the staff of the estate and the surrounding Asheville populace. In an age characterized by transformative social norms and evolving viewpoints, particularly in relation to the expectations of women, she epitomized the spirit commonly known as the Roaring Twenties. She oversaw the operations...