Gilded: How Newport Became America's Richest Resort

Bought this book for a very good price for “New” and was not disappointed. Arrived in perfect condition as promised. Thank you! As to the book it’s perfect for the Gilded Age fans out there. In depth history of Newport RI, summer playground of the rich back in the day. Really good read!

Short chapters, fascinating characters, interesting facts about one of America's coolest small oceanside cities. Newport is small but has a lot of history that is fun to read about.

My wife and I have been fortunate to visit Newport in each season, and we have never stopped being fascinated by the place! Christmas is gorgeous, even though the "cottages" were never occupied at that holiday. What is nice about this book is that the author covers "both" Newports---the colonial section, down by the docks, as well as the mansions on Bellevue Ave. Just by chance, on one of our visits, we were fortunate to be there for an open house tour of the colonial homes, and it was similar to what we have in Philadelphia. The homes are absolutely beautiful. A well-written book that never loses your interest!

I first withdrew this book from a local library, had to finally give it back so I purchased it on Amazon.com. I visited Newport some years ago, and it does indeed emanate a special aura to the visitor. One can walk down Bellevue Avenue with its splendidly huge "cottages" and almost hear the clip-clop of horses' hooves and see the liveried groomsmen. I adored Cliff Walk, and walked the almost three-mile "hike" alongside the Atlantic, with its perilous drops, hoping I would not slip and not be heard from again, but enjoying the "backyards" of the various "cottages" fronted on Bellevue. Never mind. This book gives a fascinating account of the history of Newport, and its more colorful characters, and is not encyclopedic, but, a fairly simple and enjoyable read. If one would be interested in any specific character in this book, there is always the option of partaking of that biographical character in another volume or two. Suffice, "Gilded" is a nice summer's journey to a Newport of long ago.

I REALLY ENJOYED THE READING OF THE BOOK. HOWEVER, WITH ALL THE HOOPLA ABOUT THE GILDED AGE SOME PHOTOS WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT - THIS ERA WAS ABOUT THE PARADING OF WEALTH FOR THE WORLD TO SEE HOW SUCCESSFUL AND PRIVILEGED THE 400 WERE. THE NARRATIVE WAS GOOD AND VERY INFORMATIVE. THE AUTHOR GAVE A REAL SENSE OF WHAT LIFE MIGHT HAVE BEEN LIKE AWASH IN GILT, BUT ALSO A SLAVE TO THE STYLE AND MORES OF THE TIME. SADLY, MUCH OF THE PAST IN NEWPORT HAS BEEN LOST TO THE BULLDOZER AND THEREFORE WE MUST RELY ON THE AUTHOR TO SEARCH THE PHOTO ARCHIVES FOR US WHICH WOULD GREATLY ENHANCE THE WHOLE AS A PROJECT. IT WAS, AFTER ALL, ABOUT VISUAL WEALTH AND SHOWING IT OFF. I FOUND MYSELF DEARLY WANTING A COMPANION VOLUME OF PICTURES FROM THIS FABULOUSLY OVER THE TOP BYGONE ERA TO ENHANCE MY READING EXPERIENCE. STILL, I WOULD SUGGEST THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WHO HAS AN INTEREST IN LEARNING OUR GLORIOUS NEWPORT PAST, AND INCIDENTLY, JUST HOW IT GAVE BIRTH TO THE NOW ICONIC NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL. GET A COMPANION BOOK THAT HAS PICS 'THO.

We’ve always wanted to visit Newport and were finally able to do so last week with friends who’d never been to New England. My only regret is that I hadn’t found and read this book before our visit to that beautiful city and some of the mansions/cottages gracing its shores. Meticulously researched and written with verve and wit, its historicity is as entertaining as its style. I can’t wait to begin reading my next Deborah Davis book!

Having lived in RI, I'm familiar with manych of Newport's features, but not much about the social intercourse of that beautiful community. This does tell much about that, though superficially. That's not a criticism, just an observation that great detail about Newport and its elite residents are not to be found here.

This is one of the best books I have ever read/purchased!! The author, Deborah Davis, CLEARLY did her research, and I find all of the information she provides in this book fascinating. It reads like a good mystery novel, it's that good. Deborah Davis gives clear and detailed descriptions of not only the beautiful Newport cottages/mansions, such as how they came into existence (the land selection, architect, building materials) and sometimes an approximate dollar cost, but also gives great background information on each of the previous owners of those cottages/mansions. I am so glad I chose this book to read about Newport. I highly recommend this book if you want to know EVERYTHING about Newport!

This book was a lovely read and gave an insight into life during the gilded period. An unusual book well written and very descriptive with an interesting ending.