Gilded Age New York was all about flaunting your money. And no one did it better than the first families of excess, the Astors and the Vanderbilts. Part one of a multi part series, today we’re looking at the life of Caroline Astor, the “Mystic Rose” and arbiter of taste in New York Society. You’ll want to listen to the episode to get primed on the new HBO series, The Gilded Age. Tune in!

HISTORICAL FICTION

The Social Graces by Renée Rosen

PODCASTS

The Astors and the Waldorf Astoria by The Bowery Boys

The Real Mrs. Astor, Ruler or Rebel? by The Gilded Gentleman

The Mrs. Astor by The History Chicks

NONFICTION

Season of Splendor: The Court of Mrs. Astor by Greg King

When the Astors Owned New York by Justin Kaplan