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Lady on the Hill: How Biltmore Estate Became an American Icon
It is the epitome of Gilded Age splendor: the largest private home ever built in the United States, a French chateau graced with more than 50,000 priceless furnishings and objets d'art, set in an enchanting rural paradise, designed by America's foremost nineteenth-century landscape architect. A National Historic Landmark, George Vanderbilt's dream home welcomes visitors to experience its glorious past as well as its exciting future. Once described by David Rockefeller as a "white elephant," what makes Biltmore Estate as popular a destination as Monticello, Mount Vernon, and Colonial Williamsburg?
Lady on the Hill tells the inspiring story of the thirty-five-year effort to restore this fading beauty to her former glory - all without a penny of government funding or outside foundation grants. Central to this true-life tale of rebirth against the odds is George Vanderbilt's grandson William A. V. Cecil, a well-mannered, highly educated man who, when caught up in an idea, becomes a whirling dervish, generating enough energy and enthusiasm to motivate everyone around him. And, according to author Howard Covington Jr., Cecil gets a week's worth of ideas before he's done with his Monday morning shave.
In the late 1950s, attorneys, financial managers, and tax accountants were united in advising Cecil and his brother, George, to sell off the estate's 12,000 acres in order to create a suburban subdivision. Cecil quietly ignored this advice and came up with a better idea: over the next four decades, he would turn this down-at-the-heels mansion that was a drain on the family business into the most successful, privately preserved historic site in the United States, perhaps even the world
Cecil succeeded beyond even his wildest dreams. Not only did he raise the money needed to begin and continue a painstaking, decades-long restoration of the house itself, but he also achieved a goal that even his grandfather had found elusive. He made Biltmore Estate a self-sustaining, working enterprise that included a vibrant tourist destination, a working winery and vineyard, and a farming operation; employed hundreds of people; and attracted hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy every year.
Lady on the Hill tells the inspiring story of the thirty-five-year effort to restore this fading beauty to her former glory - all without a penny of government funding or outside foundation grants. Central to this true-life tale of rebirth against the odds is George Vanderbilt's grandson William A. V. Cecil, a well-mannered, highly educated man who, when caught up in an idea, becomes a whirling dervish, generating enough energy and enthusiasm to motivate everyone around him. And, according to author Howard Covington Jr., Cecil gets a week's worth of ideas before he's done with his Monday morning shave.
In the late 1950s, attorneys, financial managers, and tax accountants were united in advising Cecil and his brother, George, to sell off the estate's 12,000 acres in order to create a suburban subdivision. Cecil quietly ignored this advice and came up with a better idea: over the next four decades, he would turn this down-at-the-heels mansion that was a drain on the family business into the most successful, privately preserved historic site in the United States, perhaps even the world
Cecil succeeded beyond even his wildest dreams. Not only did he raise the money needed to begin and continue a painstaking, decades-long restoration of the house itself, but he also achieved a goal that even his grandfather had found elusive. He made Biltmore Estate a self-sustaining, working enterprise that included a vibrant tourist destination, a working winery and vineyard, and a farming operation; employed hundreds of people; and attracted hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy every year.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published March 10, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
January 1, 2018
Book Review
I read Lady on the Hill: How Biltmore Estate Became an American Icon by Howard E. Covington Jr. over the last two weeks, absorbing a few chapters each night to reminisce over my stay at the beautiful estate last September. I miss it and want to go back right now, but alas, a short book review will have to do.
It's a 3.5 star read for me -- a good account of the transition of the estate from what it originated as through what it became in early 2000. I don't often read non-fiction unless it's someone famous I admire in history (I don't read current celebrity/political books, just not usually my thing) or a great account of some marvel or period in history. This fell into the second category, as I was anxious to learn about how the Vanderbilts changed over the years. It's hard to maintain a fresh voice in a book that is informational. At times, I felt this was a tad dry, even for the type of book it is. I went in knowing there'd be information dumps, partial history and a different take on how it currently runs. I learned a lot more than I did on my visit, but at the same time, it felt like it was missing enough of a lure to keep me wanting to read more. The writing is strong. The information is great. Yet, it came from a starting place of facts rather than the passion behind everything that went into the estate. You feel it from the Cecil family in a few chapters, but not always. The author did a good job at balancing all the information, and it's worth a read for anyone who loves the estate. If it's your first time to get acquainted, it might be a difficult read. All in all, I'm glad I revisited the place and took the time to read over several weeks in between other books, as it made the magic last a bit longer.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I’m Jay, an author who lives in NYC. My debut novel, Watching Glass Shatter, can be purchased on Amazon. I write A LOT. I read A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll find the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge – words and humor. You can also find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
I read Lady on the Hill: How Biltmore Estate Became an American Icon by Howard E. Covington Jr. over the last two weeks, absorbing a few chapters each night to reminisce over my stay at the beautiful estate last September. I miss it and want to go back right now, but alas, a short book review will have to do.
It's a 3.5 star read for me -- a good account of the transition of the estate from what it originated as through what it became in early 2000. I don't often read non-fiction unless it's someone famous I admire in history (I don't read current celebrity/political books, just not usually my thing) or a great account of some marvel or period in history. This fell into the second category, as I was anxious to learn about how the Vanderbilts changed over the years. It's hard to maintain a fresh voice in a book that is informational. At times, I felt this was a tad dry, even for the type of book it is. I went in knowing there'd be information dumps, partial history and a different take on how it currently runs. I learned a lot more than I did on my visit, but at the same time, it felt like it was missing enough of a lure to keep me wanting to read more. The writing is strong. The information is great. Yet, it came from a starting place of facts rather than the passion behind everything that went into the estate. You feel it from the Cecil family in a few chapters, but not always. The author did a good job at balancing all the information, and it's worth a read for anyone who loves the estate. If it's your first time to get acquainted, it might be a difficult read. All in all, I'm glad I revisited the place and took the time to read over several weeks in between other books, as it made the magic last a bit longer.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I’m Jay, an author who lives in NYC. My debut novel, Watching Glass Shatter, can be purchased on Amazon. I write A LOT. I read A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll find the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge – words and humor. You can also find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
October 2, 2017
The book doesn't immerse the reader in the house and grounds. The reader doesn't get to know George Washington Vanderbilt particularly, and only gets to know William Cecil by watching the results of his single, driving ambition. This quick read is laser focused on Biltmore as a business. If that's what you want, you will enjoy.
September 10, 2016
Biltmore buffs will no doubt enjoy this detailed story of how George Vanderbilt's great estate has managed to survive as a privately owned historic house museum for the past 80-odd years. Downton Abbey fans will likely have some familiarity with the challenges of keeping a massive estate afloat; the fact that Biltmore has survived (and thrived) is indeed a testament to the tenacity and business savvy of William Cecil, and this book demonstrates that quite clearly. An interesting read for those who love Biltmore and want to learn more about the history of the house itself; those who are more interested in the lives of the Vanderbilts may find their curiosity piqued here, as I did, and want to look into some biographies that expand on some of the questions raised by this account (e.g. why did Cornelia and John Cecil divorce? Why did Cornelia never return to Biltmore?). I highly recommend perusing the Images of America: Biltmore Estate book alongside your reading of this text. There are a few images included in this volume, but the ones in Images of America: Biltmore Estate are much more numerous and give a great visual context for many of the things the author mentions here.
January 2, 2012
The fascinating story of the survival and preservation of the largest private residence in America. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the Biltmore Estate, or in the preservation of national historic landmarks. The book starts with enough historical background of George W. Vanderbilt and the construction of the house to provide context, but is mostly concerned with the efforts of William Cecil, Vanderbilt's grandson, to preserve the house, improve it, and keep it in private hands. As someone who has visited Biltmore many times, this book brought the incredible story of the house and estate to life for me. Having survived threats from a proposed regional airport and a planned routing of interstate 40 through its property, as well as financial instability through most of the 20th century, the estate's future was still in question when this book was written in 2004 due to future inheritance tax issues. I read this book in the car on the way home from a trip to Ashville and Biltmore, and now I am already looking forward to my next return visit!
August 19, 2023
We listened to this to prep for our trip to visit Biltmore… very interesting. At times could be a little dry but still worth it. A paper copy would be good to see photos of the people and places talked about.
June 28, 2022
Fascinating read. I recently visited the estate again and reading this book provided much of the backstory of this huge house. The book also gave family history and turning the estate from a drain to an asset. A must read for anyone who loves history, estate planning, and history.
December 28, 2024
no comment i found this book laying around and was too broke to go the bookstore
August 30, 2018
I checked spoiler alert because my review goes into some detail covered in the first few chapters.
A fascinating look into the family dynamics laying behind the business that is Biltmore.
Fresh from two successive tours of the residence, I was interested by a book that promised to divulge just how this incredible property and home were preserved, without taxpayer dollars.
As with so many wealthy scions, Cornelius Vanderbilt passed along his fortune to a second generation who built up the fortune to even more only to have the the third generation squander it to varying degrees. Fortunately, one of the squanderers, George Vanderbilt, decided to build a preposterous and magnificent ‘residence’, that even Rockefeller dubbed a white elephant. I use scare quotes because it is more accurate to dub the property a private country resort with a lavish guest hotel with resident suites.
Turns out George hadn’t inherited that much of a fortune, divided as it was, his share came to about $12 million. But that was enough for him to make some investments, to support his passion for art, furniture, furnishings, antiquities and most importantly, classical architecture—barely.
As funds ran short during the later phases of construction, many rooms and projects were left undone. In spite of this, the home was stunning, the largest US residence ever built and an architectural treasure in the Beaux Arts tradition.
The story picks up where the fourth generation displayed the stereotypical indifference to their source of wealth, determined to squander it further. Fortunately, the Vanderbilt’s only daughter, the nearly useless Cornelia married a British fellow, John Cecil who saw to the benign neglect management of the estate in her absence (she left shortly after it was opened to the public in the mid 30’s, never to return—good riddance I say).
Finally, we see in the fifth generation, in her sons, particularly William Cecil a generation that foresaw the eventual loss of the estate if something wasn’t done. The story focuses on his efforts to resuscitate the moribund property and residence that had been left nearly intact and in original ownership after years of impending doom.
And what a story it is: a somewhat spoiled and entitled boarding-schooled scion returns to America to rediscover his patrimony, and pick up his grandfather’s passion and carry it into the 21st century. Along the way encountering the irony, of snobbish preservation academics and professionals looking down their noses at his “commercial” approach to preservation.
The story recounts how eventually, William Cecil lives to see his snobbish critics in the preservation industry whole-heartedly adopt his successful philosophy and management approach in preserving their own properties.
A worthwhile read for anyone interested in how important properties are preserved and recent US history.
A fascinating look into the family dynamics laying behind the business that is Biltmore.
Fresh from two successive tours of the residence, I was interested by a book that promised to divulge just how this incredible property and home were preserved, without taxpayer dollars.
As with so many wealthy scions, Cornelius Vanderbilt passed along his fortune to a second generation who built up the fortune to even more only to have the the third generation squander it to varying degrees. Fortunately, one of the squanderers, George Vanderbilt, decided to build a preposterous and magnificent ‘residence’, that even Rockefeller dubbed a white elephant. I use scare quotes because it is more accurate to dub the property a private country resort with a lavish guest hotel with resident suites.
Turns out George hadn’t inherited that much of a fortune, divided as it was, his share came to about $12 million. But that was enough for him to make some investments, to support his passion for art, furniture, furnishings, antiquities and most importantly, classical architecture—barely.
As funds ran short during the later phases of construction, many rooms and projects were left undone. In spite of this, the home was stunning, the largest US residence ever built and an architectural treasure in the Beaux Arts tradition.
The story picks up where the fourth generation displayed the stereotypical indifference to their source of wealth, determined to squander it further. Fortunately, the Vanderbilt’s only daughter, the nearly useless Cornelia married a British fellow, John Cecil who saw to the benign neglect management of the estate in her absence (she left shortly after it was opened to the public in the mid 30’s, never to return—good riddance I say).
Finally, we see in the fifth generation, in her sons, particularly William Cecil a generation that foresaw the eventual loss of the estate if something wasn’t done. The story focuses on his efforts to resuscitate the moribund property and residence that had been left nearly intact and in original ownership after years of impending doom.
And what a story it is: a somewhat spoiled and entitled boarding-schooled scion returns to America to rediscover his patrimony, and pick up his grandfather’s passion and carry it into the 21st century. Along the way encountering the irony, of snobbish preservation academics and professionals looking down their noses at his “commercial” approach to preservation.
The story recounts how eventually, William Cecil lives to see his snobbish critics in the preservation industry whole-heartedly adopt his successful philosophy and management approach in preserving their own properties.
A worthwhile read for anyone interested in how important properties are preserved and recent US history.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2020
I loved this book. Reading it became more poignant as I finished it on the day Biltmore announced a full temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I enjoyed exploring how Biltmore became a destination place through Mr. Cecil’s unique business vision.
June 10, 2018
Along with the inside scoop about the Biltmore estate and business, this book is full of local Western North Carolina/Asheville history. I need to revisit Biltmore to fit the new details about its management and past into place. Covington, a journalist, presents a highly readable account of America’s largest private home.
November 7, 2018
This was a very interesting read. I loved reading about the history of the family and the largest private home ever built in the United States. Makes me want to take a trip and see it.
January 7, 2022
2.5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2019
An amazing place to visit! I picked up this book in the gift shop after the tour. Very good history on the biltmore estate.
August 16, 2014
This was a really interesting read! I learned more about the historic preservation and business end of Biltmore, and not just about the architecture and landscaping end of things. The author also included the splitting of the house and the dairy businesses, and the development of the wintery. I'd hoped to have this book finished before our visit to Biltmore last December, but still a very interesting read.
November 13, 2013
Rome wasn't built in a day and the Biltmore House didn't just happen. I appreciated this story so much because I work in the House as a Host/Guide. It's a magnificent place to work and a fabulous company for whom to work. Now I appreciate it so much more knowing the full story.
January 25, 2018
This is a fascinating read about the struggle to maintain the largest private home in the U.S. At turns, I was impressed. At other turns, I was a bit dismayed by the commercialism. George Vanderbilt was a wealthy bachelor when he built Biltmore. I didn't know that the beautiful Mrs. Vanderbilt's bedroom originally belonged to his mother - not his wife. I also had wondered why he left the music room unfinished during his lifetime since it's a main room on the first floor of the house. The book is pretty blunt about the reasons for the abandonment. It could've been that the architect died, and George didn't want to carry on without his guidance. More likely, it was that George overbuilt and spent half his fortune on the house. By the time he died at a relatively early age, George had borrowed heavily on his life insurance. He was far from destitute, but he also was far from being as wealthy as everyone thought. He likely decided to get around to the music room and the organ pipes later when his fortunes improved. You get glimpses of George here and there, but largely this book is about his grandson, William Cecil. The Cecil brothers were (only one of the two still is alive) the sons of George's only child, Cornelia. Cornelia was a bit flighty and had no interest in Biltmore once she divorced her husband. In fact, she left the U.S. as a young adult and never returned. It was William who turned the house into the tourist attraction that it is today. Here's what frustrated me about William. He was very disdainful of curators who preserve antiquities - and there are a lot of valuable antiquities at Biltmore because George was quite the collector. Instead, William was interested in making money, and I understand why. Biltmore is quite the albatross. It must be very stressful to keep it up without turning it over to a private foundation. However, I also got the sense that William was more interested in turning Biltmore into Walt Disney World than in acknowledging the house's importance as one of the few remaining relics of the grand wealth that preceded income taxes. He did some incredible things for Biltmore, including finishing unfinished rooms, but I for one am interested in the provenance of objects and how the house functioned before the family was forced to retreat to a smaller apartment within the house. There is a life to a house. But then William would do something like carefully finish the music room with the help of master craftsmen and great study of what George envisioned for that room, and I'd change my mind about his approach to the house. All in all, it's a fascinating read about not just a house but a marketing genius.
May 18, 2019
As the author acknowledges in his introduction, this book was “engaged” by Biltmore Company executives and “shepherded...through to completion” by Biltmore’s vice president of marketing. Nevertheless, North Carolina journalist Howard Covington writes with a light touch, and he has gracefully achieved what, in lesser hands, might have been simple hack promotion for the Biltmore brand. The story of how Biltmore House managed to transition from an unfinished faux chateau conceived by a well-educated but fuzzy thinking Vanderbilt heir to become the Gilded Age landmark and major tourist destination that it is today deserves the fine telling it has received here. Likewise, the accomplishment of William A. V. Cecil in combining private historic preservation with a sharp eye for the bottom line receives in this account well-deserved recognition.
Back in the 1930s (when the entrance fee was $2, enough to feed a family for several days), a regional newspaper suggested that rather than overpay to tour the mansion, visitors to western North Carolina would do better to “see for nothing...thousands of Nature’s own masterpieces.” I’m personally sympathetic to that view; but I'm also glad that Biltmore has survived and prospered, especially as an exceedingly rare example of historic preservation managed through enlightened private enterprise.
Back in the 1930s (when the entrance fee was $2, enough to feed a family for several days), a regional newspaper suggested that rather than overpay to tour the mansion, visitors to western North Carolina would do better to “see for nothing...thousands of Nature’s own masterpieces.” I’m personally sympathetic to that view; but I'm also glad that Biltmore has survived and prospered, especially as an exceedingly rare example of historic preservation managed through enlightened private enterprise.
July 4, 2025
Logistics! The nitty-gritty behind the scenes I always want to know more of. Following on from George Vanderbilt's death, Lady on the Hill discusses the family's struggle to preserve and improve the Biltmore estate. Touching on everything from Edith's land sales to Cornelia's disinterest to George's dairy work, the biggest portion of the book is William's efforts to turn Biltmore into the museum home it is today.
George Vanderbilt always intended Biltmore to be a self-sustaining working estate. But the time of such places had already passed, leaving his descendents to forge new paths. Covington explores the different views of each generation and the singularity of William's path to success. While it flirts with hagiography, the book remains focused on the hard work and dedication needed behind the scenes to transform Biltmore into what it is today. While written first, this works as a good follow up from Denise Kiernan's The Last Castle, which is more focused on the Vanderbilts themselves and the building of the chateau. Together they provide a fuller picture of the estate and it's place in the mountains of western North Carolina.
George Vanderbilt always intended Biltmore to be a self-sustaining working estate. But the time of such places had already passed, leaving his descendents to forge new paths. Covington explores the different views of each generation and the singularity of William's path to success. While it flirts with hagiography, the book remains focused on the hard work and dedication needed behind the scenes to transform Biltmore into what it is today. While written first, this works as a good follow up from Denise Kiernan's The Last Castle, which is more focused on the Vanderbilts themselves and the building of the chateau. Together they provide a fuller picture of the estate and it's place in the mountains of western North Carolina.
January 28, 2024
Lady on the Hill, Biltmore America’s stateliest home, built by a never refuted over estimated fortune, is a true reflection of the lavish care and attention provided by its owner, caretakers and guides.
This is a book of management, determination and recognition by it’s owner, that apart from the
curious, architectural buffs, gardeners, movie makers and superb staff, Biltmore is just a rather big 175,000 square foot house, with a really big 8,000 acre yard that has shrunk from 125,000 via land sales for funding, enabling the grand old lady to pay her own way, has been neither easy or straight forward.
Hats off to Bill AV Cecil Jnr for accepting the reins and responsibility required to steer the
Biltmore Estate into the future for all those who really really ‘like that sort of thing’.
Thank you for your nth degree research put into words Howard E Covington Jnr
and your eloquence Mirron Willis, very much appreciated gentlemen. :-)
This is a book of management, determination and recognition by it’s owner, that apart from the
curious, architectural buffs, gardeners, movie makers and superb staff, Biltmore is just a rather big 175,000 square foot house, with a really big 8,000 acre yard that has shrunk from 125,000 via land sales for funding, enabling the grand old lady to pay her own way, has been neither easy or straight forward.
Hats off to Bill AV Cecil Jnr for accepting the reins and responsibility required to steer the
Biltmore Estate into the future for all those who really really ‘like that sort of thing’.
Thank you for your nth degree research put into words Howard E Covington Jnr
and your eloquence Mirron Willis, very much appreciated gentlemen. :-)
September 17, 2021
Just visited Asheville (lovely town) and toured the Biltmore Estate. It was a wonderful way to spend the day with my cousins, sister, neice and my aunt. If you have visited the Estate and were left with many questions, this is the book (or audible book) for you. The audio tour was quite substandard, but I now know why. This is a well run business and they need to move as many folks as possible through each day. The history of the Estate is a glimpse into the golden age of America and the heirs of Corneilus Vanderbilt. The book also makes a case for keeping these large historical estates (think Mar a Lago and MT. Vernon etc.) In the private sector v putting them into a Conservancy or a Foundation.
May 15, 2025
Even though I have only visited the Biltmore once, I talk about it all the time and plan to go back multiple times in the future especially during the Christmas season. Yes, it is expensive, but well worth the time and effort to go and visit. I love the history of the "Lady on the Hill" and the Vanderbilts. I like this book because it starts back in the beginning with George Vanderbilt and his dream, covers his untimely death, and how is wife Edith kept the house from being abandoned or even demolished. The afterward is written by William A.V. Cecil himself (grandson of George) so the book I am sure was approved by him before being published. But it is very interesting to read with scattered pictures throughout (I wish they had been more pictures).
November 28, 2025
The book wasn't what I had expected, a book with the house as the centerpiece with a lot of history about the structure over time. Instead, the book was about the house within a much broader context. Topics included the role of Biltmore in Asheville tourism, the constant financial struggles to pay for upkeep for the house and property, the business of managing a historical home that was privately owned, trends in the 20th century for historic properties and how to leverage other revenue streams at the estate (dairy and vineyards were the big ones) to keep the estate solvent. Mixed in with these was a history of Biltmore and what rile.it played in the family. I throughly enjoyed the informative boom.
March 9, 2020
Your enjoyment of this book is likely going to be influenced by your relationship to the Biltmore estate. If you've been visiting several times over the years, which has been my experience, this book is chock full of new information and insight into the vast majority of decades that the estate languished and the story of how it gradually became the tourist mecca it is today. This, to me, is actually more interesting than the story of George Vanderbilt and the construction of the estate and its acoutrements which are the major focus of a visit to the estate and most of the books and info surrounding the place.
August 16, 2025
This book is amazing because the Biltmore is amazing! I visited there in March of 2020, when they were hosting the Downton Abbey Exhibition, the perfect double-feature! The entire estate shut down the day after we left, right at the start of the pandemic; quite a memorable trip in many ways. The author is a former journalist who does an excellent job describing the people, the skills, the money and the imagination required to restore and modernize the Biltmore house and estate, while maintaining it as a private property, still owned by the descendants of George Washington Vanderbilt. Very impressive success story! (Note to the editor: it's "cachet," not cache.)
January 6, 2018
Good overview and history of the Biltmore Estate, not only its inception and construction, but it’s transformation and endurance as a major tourist attraction. You’ll learn a few fun behind the scenes stories and more about the Vanderbilt family.
The only thing I didn’t enjoy about this book was the sustained and repeated argument that private preservation is better than government-directed. This may be true in Bilmtore’s case, but it’s certainly not true for every historic home, and the insistence on this fact was distracting to the book’s intended purpose.
The only thing I didn’t enjoy about this book was the sustained and repeated argument that private preservation is better than government-directed. This may be true in Bilmtore’s case, but it’s certainly not true for every historic home, and the insistence on this fact was distracting to the book’s intended purpose.
April 5, 2018
Enjoyed the book. It gives a different perspective on the beautiful old homes of the Gilded Age. Times have changed, these homes just can't be run, kept up, maintained, etc without some innovative thinking. William Cecil did just that and he wasn't afraid to make mistakes. I think there are many people and organizations that missed a chance at a different kind of preservation of our past by not listening to his ideas. I was finally able to tour Biltmore in 2017 after wanting to for decades. It was lovely and I hope to go back again with a new "eye" for the property.
August 8, 2018
I thought this was an excellent read. Even though I’ve visited The Biltmore House several times I felt I learned a lot about the Vanderbilt Estate. I think what I appreciated the most was to realize the struggle and devotion it took to preserve it. It easy when visiting the estate to assume there’s Vanderbilt money keeping things going, tax breaks etc., not so and that makes the success story even more incredible. I thought the book was well written and very interesting. Now I need to make another visit to The Biltmore.
July 5, 2021
I started reading this book several months ago, then put it aside. Recently I picked it up again and could hardly put it down. Sometimes I think the reader simply needs to be ready for the story.
We visited Biltmore two years ago, and this time I was easily caught up in the story finding it fascinating. It is the story of William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil's struggle to save his grandfather's chateau from financial ruin and create a revenue stream to not only save it, but to preserve and improve it for future generations.
We visited Biltmore two years ago, and this time I was easily caught up in the story finding it fascinating. It is the story of William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil's struggle to save his grandfather's chateau from financial ruin and create a revenue stream to not only save it, but to preserve and improve it for future generations.
December 7, 2023
Starts out with history that whisks you back into the gilded age and introduces you to George Vanderbilt, father and founder of Biltmore, and slowly devolves into minutia related to the estate, such as ideal climates for growing grapes for wine, state interstate negotiations and management of silt on the pond, for examples. Not for the faint hearted and definitely for the detail-oriented, yet still intriguing for those of us fascinated by history, architecture and the transformative power of process.
June 24, 2017
Read this book if you are ineterested in one of these things; The Biltmore House, Asheville NC, he Vanderbilts, or historical preservation. Find out how the family and kept the estate together while others could not. Being at the edge of the Great Smokey mountains- we have been gonig to the Biltmore from East Tennessee for ever. A easy 1 1/2 hour drive from knoxville makes for the perfect day trip.
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