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A Dangerous Woman: American Beauty, Noted Philanthropist, Nazi Collaborator - The Life of Florence Gould
A Dangerous Woman is Susan Ronald's revealing biography of Florence Gould, fabulously wealthy socialite and patron of the arts, who hid a dark past as a Nazi collaborator in 1940’s Paris.
Born in turn-of-the-century San Francisco to French parents, Florence moved to Paris at the age of eleven. Believing that only money brought respectability and happiness, she became the third wife of Frank Jay Gould, son of the railway millionaire Jay Gould. She guided Frank’s millions into hotels and casinos, creating a luxury hotel and casino empire. She entertained Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso, Joseph Kennedy, and many Hollywood stars―like Charlie Chaplin, who became her lover. While the party ended for most Americans after the Crash of 1929, Frank and Florence stayed on, fearing retribution by the IRS. During the Occupation, Florence took several German lovers and hosted a controversial Nazi salon. As the Allies closed in, the unscrupulous Florence became embroiled in a notorious money laundering operation for Hermann Göring’s Aerobank.
Yet after the war, not only did she avoid prosecution, but her vast fortune bought her respectability as a significant contributor to the Metropolitan Museum and New York University, among many others. It also earned her friends like Estée Lauder who obligingly looked the other way. A seductive and utterly amoral woman who loved to say “money doesn’t care who owns it,” Florence’s life proved a strong argument that perhaps money can buy happiness after all.
Born in turn-of-the-century San Francisco to French parents, Florence moved to Paris at the age of eleven. Believing that only money brought respectability and happiness, she became the third wife of Frank Jay Gould, son of the railway millionaire Jay Gould. She guided Frank’s millions into hotels and casinos, creating a luxury hotel and casino empire. She entertained Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso, Joseph Kennedy, and many Hollywood stars―like Charlie Chaplin, who became her lover. While the party ended for most Americans after the Crash of 1929, Frank and Florence stayed on, fearing retribution by the IRS. During the Occupation, Florence took several German lovers and hosted a controversial Nazi salon. As the Allies closed in, the unscrupulous Florence became embroiled in a notorious money laundering operation for Hermann Göring’s Aerobank.
Yet after the war, not only did she avoid prosecution, but her vast fortune bought her respectability as a significant contributor to the Metropolitan Museum and New York University, among many others. It also earned her friends like Estée Lauder who obligingly looked the other way. A seductive and utterly amoral woman who loved to say “money doesn’t care who owns it,” Florence’s life proved a strong argument that perhaps money can buy happiness after all.
400 pages, Paperback
Published February 19, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
January 27, 2018
I found this a fascinating read about a very strong woman who decided one way or another that she would be rich and made it come true. Philanthropist, patron of the arts, Nazi sympathizer. Florence Lacaze (later fancied up to La Caze) was all of these things and more, apparently and had quite a fascinating life. She started out in San Francisco as a child born to French parents and moved to Paris with her mother after the great earthquake at age 11. She went through WWI and eventually ended up the third wife of American railway millionaire Frank Jay Gould. She went after him when he was still married to his 2nd wife but saw the marriage as no barrier to what she wanted, as she was obsessed with being rich and a member of society. While he battled through his divorce with his 2nd wife, Frank bought Florence a mansion of her own in Paris and arranged for her to be introduced into high society circles.
Once they married, he 45 to her 27 on February 10, 1923, she went about pursuing even greater riches for them. They researched land available and suitable for a hotel and casino on the French Rivera and began buying and building. After much time they had built quite an empire with several casinos and hotels and they developed several spa towns such as Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, Granville and Juan-les-Pins. They opened the famous Hotel “Le Provencal” in Juan-les-Pins which was their favorite. They had privately agreed to an open marriage and she had helped him beat his long-time heavy drinking habit before they wed, but it still had taken a great toll on his health.
Her husband died in 1956 at age 78. The problem for most is how she spent her time in Paris during WWII when the Germans occupied France. It seems she was quite the Nazi sympathizer...collaborator? when it was convenient and she and her circle of friends fared very very well by adding several important Germans to her cast of lovers. Florence passed away childless on February 18, 1983, at 87.
Her foundation has paid for New York’s Florence Gould Hall and San Francisco’s Florence Gould Theater, both named after her. There are other books also establishing her ties as an enthusiastic hostess and friend to Nazis and Nazi collaborators in her lavish Parish digs during WWII such as “And The Show Went On: Cultural Life in Nazi-occupied Paris,” Alan Riding’s book from from Vintage Books (Oct 2011), along with “Americans in Paris: Life and Death Under Nazi Occupation” by Charles Glass (Feb 2011) from Penguin, and “The Shameful Peace: How French Artists and Intellectuals Survived the Nazi Occupation” by Frederic Spotts from Yale University Press (March 2010)
An advance digital copy was provided by NetGalley, Susan Ronald, and St.Martin's Press for my review. Publication date Feb 20, 2018
Once they married, he 45 to her 27 on February 10, 1923, she went about pursuing even greater riches for them. They researched land available and suitable for a hotel and casino on the French Rivera and began buying and building. After much time they had built quite an empire with several casinos and hotels and they developed several spa towns such as Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, Granville and Juan-les-Pins. They opened the famous Hotel “Le Provencal” in Juan-les-Pins which was their favorite. They had privately agreed to an open marriage and she had helped him beat his long-time heavy drinking habit before they wed, but it still had taken a great toll on his health.
Her husband died in 1956 at age 78. The problem for most is how she spent her time in Paris during WWII when the Germans occupied France. It seems she was quite the Nazi sympathizer...collaborator? when it was convenient and she and her circle of friends fared very very well by adding several important Germans to her cast of lovers. Florence passed away childless on February 18, 1983, at 87.
Her foundation has paid for New York’s Florence Gould Hall and San Francisco’s Florence Gould Theater, both named after her. There are other books also establishing her ties as an enthusiastic hostess and friend to Nazis and Nazi collaborators in her lavish Parish digs during WWII such as “And The Show Went On: Cultural Life in Nazi-occupied Paris,” Alan Riding’s book from from Vintage Books (Oct 2011), along with “Americans in Paris: Life and Death Under Nazi Occupation” by Charles Glass (Feb 2011) from Penguin, and “The Shameful Peace: How French Artists and Intellectuals Survived the Nazi Occupation” by Frederic Spotts from Yale University Press (March 2010)
An advance digital copy was provided by NetGalley, Susan Ronald, and St.Martin's Press for my review. Publication date Feb 20, 2018
February 21, 2018
This extensively researched biography was well written, but all the information was overwhelming.
And to spend that much time and energy writing about such a distasteful person!
Florence Gould seemed only interested in what was happening in the world around her with regards as to how she could gain from it.
And to spend that much time and energy writing about such a distasteful person!
Florence Gould seemed only interested in what was happening in the world around her with regards as to how she could gain from it.
February 5, 2018
This biography was quite the undertaking--both for the author and for the reader. I had never heard of Florence Gould before, but had heard of the Gould family, so I was going into this with no expectations, other than the title and the synopsis of the book.
It seems Florence was living an earlier version of the Kardashian lifestyle, albeit without the constant glare of cameras and social media. Just about every aspect of her life was a paradox. I never really felt that I got to know who Florence was and I can’t blame the author, considering the estate was not helpful in providing a window into Florence’s life. There is also the possibility that any documents or diaries that Florence possessed may have been destroyed.
For the first half of the book, I saw Florence as a vapid, money hungry woman who was desperate to be noticed among important people. As she made her way in life, the author mentioned numerous individuals from her private life, the arts, the hotel industry and people in politics. In fact, there was so much name-dropping that at times it was difficult to keep track of Florence.
I almost abandoned this about halfway through, but as WWII got underway, I thought it might get more interesting and it did but even so, Florence kept getting lost in the recounting of other individuals that were weaving in and out of her life. I understand the need to tie these people into her life, but it was very hard to keep track of everyone.
By the last part of Florence’s life, the story seemed a bit more personal and it was probably easier to document what she had done in more recent years. She was a big philanthropist, but also spent most of her life trying to work events to her advantage.
All in all, this was not a very favorable view of her life.
Author Susan Ronald did an outstanding job of researching in order to write about the life of Florence Gould. It’s a shame the estate was not willing to allow the author access because it most likely would have added to her story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advance copy. It was my pleasure to provide my honest review.
It seems Florence was living an earlier version of the Kardashian lifestyle, albeit without the constant glare of cameras and social media. Just about every aspect of her life was a paradox. I never really felt that I got to know who Florence was and I can’t blame the author, considering the estate was not helpful in providing a window into Florence’s life. There is also the possibility that any documents or diaries that Florence possessed may have been destroyed.
For the first half of the book, I saw Florence as a vapid, money hungry woman who was desperate to be noticed among important people. As she made her way in life, the author mentioned numerous individuals from her private life, the arts, the hotel industry and people in politics. In fact, there was so much name-dropping that at times it was difficult to keep track of Florence.
I almost abandoned this about halfway through, but as WWII got underway, I thought it might get more interesting and it did but even so, Florence kept getting lost in the recounting of other individuals that were weaving in and out of her life. I understand the need to tie these people into her life, but it was very hard to keep track of everyone.
By the last part of Florence’s life, the story seemed a bit more personal and it was probably easier to document what she had done in more recent years. She was a big philanthropist, but also spent most of her life trying to work events to her advantage.
All in all, this was not a very favorable view of her life.
Author Susan Ronald did an outstanding job of researching in order to write about the life of Florence Gould. It’s a shame the estate was not willing to allow the author access because it most likely would have added to her story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advance copy. It was my pleasure to provide my honest review.
January 28, 2018
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
First of all, this was a very hard book for me to finish. It is lengthy, at 400 pages, and is chock-full of details which seems to be overwhelming at times. Second, Florence Gould was not a likable person. She was a despicable woman, and I don’t use that word lightly. This biography details how Florence used her wealth and social standing to become a patron of the arts. Her 1983 obituary lists her literary and artistic prizes, but neglected to mention she was also a Nazi collaborator. As Florence liked to say, “money doesn’t care who owns it.”
Florence’s parents were French immigrants living in San Francisco. After the 1906 earthquake, Florence, her mother and her sister returned to Paris. Florence was groomed to marry well, and she did exactly that when she married Frank Gould, an heir to millions made on railways. In addition, Frank’s scheming business practices made him even richer. After their marriage, Frank and Florence partnered together to create an empire of luxury hotels and casinos. The 1929 crash only meant that Florence could pick up real estate, paintings, jewelry, etc. at bargain prices.
During the war, Florence had several Nazi lovers and was embroiled in a money-laundering scheme. After the war, women who slept with the enemy had their heads shaved and were paraded through the streets to be humiliated and spit upon. Florence, however, escaped judgment and prosecution for treason, most likely due to her vast fortune and social connections. I found it interesting that she called Joseph Kennedy, who had his son, Teddy, a war correspondent, interview Florence. Teddy’s article indicated that anything Florence may have done was to keep her and her husband out of a concentration camp. See, she was despicable!
www.candysplanet.wordpress.com
First of all, this was a very hard book for me to finish. It is lengthy, at 400 pages, and is chock-full of details which seems to be overwhelming at times. Second, Florence Gould was not a likable person. She was a despicable woman, and I don’t use that word lightly. This biography details how Florence used her wealth and social standing to become a patron of the arts. Her 1983 obituary lists her literary and artistic prizes, but neglected to mention she was also a Nazi collaborator. As Florence liked to say, “money doesn’t care who owns it.”
Florence’s parents were French immigrants living in San Francisco. After the 1906 earthquake, Florence, her mother and her sister returned to Paris. Florence was groomed to marry well, and she did exactly that when she married Frank Gould, an heir to millions made on railways. In addition, Frank’s scheming business practices made him even richer. After their marriage, Frank and Florence partnered together to create an empire of luxury hotels and casinos. The 1929 crash only meant that Florence could pick up real estate, paintings, jewelry, etc. at bargain prices.
During the war, Florence had several Nazi lovers and was embroiled in a money-laundering scheme. After the war, women who slept with the enemy had their heads shaved and were paraded through the streets to be humiliated and spit upon. Florence, however, escaped judgment and prosecution for treason, most likely due to her vast fortune and social connections. I found it interesting that she called Joseph Kennedy, who had his son, Teddy, a war correspondent, interview Florence. Teddy’s article indicated that anything Florence may have done was to keep her and her husband out of a concentration camp. See, she was despicable!
www.candysplanet.wordpress.com
May 1, 2018
While it may seem strange to put the biography of Florence Gould under "true crime", her deeds outlined in "A Dangerous Woman" certainly qualify. Author Susan Ronald has a tough job, bringing a case of war-time crimes against someone she admires for her philanthropy and absolutely fabulous lifestyle. However, no amount of starving artist support or fancy salons justifiy Florence Gould's collaboration with Nazi's, buying looted art or dealings with the black market during the occupation of France.
Fascinating reading for those interested in WWII, the lifestyles of the rich & famous and the French artistic scene from WWI to the 1950's.
Fascinating reading for those interested in WWII, the lifestyles of the rich & famous and the French artistic scene from WWI to the 1950's.
December 26, 2017
The title says it all: American beauty, noted philanthropist, Nazi collaborator. This is a compelling, well written tale of a vain, money-grasping woman, who constantly re-invented herself to suit the moment. Author Susan Ronald does well with the material at hand to unpick the intricately woven pieces of Florence's life as there is still much documentation that is kept under lock and key, and thus inaccessible to the author.
Susan Ronald describes this elusive woman as one who "craved significance", had an insatiable "lust for phenomenal wealth", and a seemingly bottomless desire "be be loved". Ronald says that these three elements were "the driving forces behind who she was and what she did".
Indeed, much of Florence's earlier life was devoted to being the centre of attention, and acquiring wealth, through means honourable and not so honourable. It was finally with her marriage to millionaire Frank Gould that the couple were able to build their "entertainment empire" on the French Riviera and in Monaco, and give to Florence what she craved most - wealth. And it was through a steady stream on influential lovers during the German occupation of France that Florence was able to maintain her position; she carried on as if the 'war and occupation were inconveniences to be overcome". Her unparalleled freedom to move throughout France during the occupation that was to later give rise to rumour, scandal, and charges of collaboration and treason. Much post-WWII scandal had no affect on her later philanthropic activities as a major donor to the Metropolitan Museum.
As one reviewer noted, maybe money can buy happiness.
Susan Ronald describes this elusive woman as one who "craved significance", had an insatiable "lust for phenomenal wealth", and a seemingly bottomless desire "be be loved". Ronald says that these three elements were "the driving forces behind who she was and what she did".
Indeed, much of Florence's earlier life was devoted to being the centre of attention, and acquiring wealth, through means honourable and not so honourable. It was finally with her marriage to millionaire Frank Gould that the couple were able to build their "entertainment empire" on the French Riviera and in Monaco, and give to Florence what she craved most - wealth. And it was through a steady stream on influential lovers during the German occupation of France that Florence was able to maintain her position; she carried on as if the 'war and occupation were inconveniences to be overcome". Her unparalleled freedom to move throughout France during the occupation that was to later give rise to rumour, scandal, and charges of collaboration and treason. Much post-WWII scandal had no affect on her later philanthropic activities as a major donor to the Metropolitan Museum.
As one reviewer noted, maybe money can buy happiness.
January 25, 2019
Although I know about Jay Gould, I knew nothing about his daughter-in-law Florence. The thing that makes her interesting is she was right at the thick of things from the end of WWI through the end of World War II. Without this backdrop, this book would be about an extremely unlikable, sociopathic, liar, who was pushy, and hell-bent on becoming a social queen (and staying there) by any means necessary.
After fleeing San Francisco in the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake, Florence and her French mother return to Paris without her father, who, though not wealthy, was a successful editor of a French language newspaper in his adopted city (he also emigrated from France) and refused to throw it all away. Mother and daughter were reasonably comfortable in Paris, though hardly living the high life...that is until the father's death a few years later caused them to scrounge for a solution to their woes. (One of her schemes was to become "discovered" as an opera singer by wangling invitations to sing at the fashionable salons of the day. However, she was not given her due as the diva she believed herself to be). It is at that point that the family met the son of a former neighbor of theirs from San Francisco during his travels.
Florence pursued him relentlessly, believing him to be wealthy and eventually married him after extracting a lump sum payment from his parents for $100,000. However, after finding out he was not a man of leisure and merely studying to be an architect, she divorced him pronto (which in those days could not be done without concocting an adultery story). Enter Frank Gould, son of the robber baron, who she met while working as a showgirl at the Folies-Bergere. She masterminded his escape from his second wife, also a former showgirl, who contested the divorce bitterly.
With the Gould money at her disposal, she set out to become "Queen of the Riviera" by building numerous luxury hotel/casinos there. Although she seemed to have had many admirers, it's hard to believe they were not just in it for the money. She never could understand why she and Frank did not have the same kind of genuine friendships as Sara and Gerald Murphy, who have been written about extensively. (It seems to me it's because the true Bohemian writers and artists, who were the pioneers, thought the Goulds were poseurs, and by overdeveloping the area with luxury properties, they seem to have ruined it).
I did get bogged down in the 2nd half of the book with the history of the casino wars on the Riviera and in Monaco (and all the shady pseudo Mafia people behind them). I was beginning to think that the plot of Casino Royale was not quite so silly after all. I think an entire book could have been written just about that. To attempt to tell all these convoluted tales here results in a dense mass of names and places to keep track of. I also felt the same way about the descriptions of how the Goulds were lured into various Nazi money laundering schemes using her casinos as a front.
One thing's for sure, she didn't let a little thing like the Nazi occupation of France spoil the party. Even writers who really couldn't stand her were regulars at her Thursday salon because, thanks to her German friends, she had unlimited access to rationed luxuries (as well as coal for heat). After the war many people thought she should have been tried for treason. However, despite telling inconsistent stories to the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover was too busy going after bigger fish and she got away. Although it seems doubtful she gave away state secrets, she could have left France easily. She stayed because it was the center of her universe and she could not bear to be away from it.
After fleeing San Francisco in the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake, Florence and her French mother return to Paris without her father, who, though not wealthy, was a successful editor of a French language newspaper in his adopted city (he also emigrated from France) and refused to throw it all away. Mother and daughter were reasonably comfortable in Paris, though hardly living the high life...that is until the father's death a few years later caused them to scrounge for a solution to their woes. (One of her schemes was to become "discovered" as an opera singer by wangling invitations to sing at the fashionable salons of the day. However, she was not given her due as the diva she believed herself to be). It is at that point that the family met the son of a former neighbor of theirs from San Francisco during his travels.
Florence pursued him relentlessly, believing him to be wealthy and eventually married him after extracting a lump sum payment from his parents for $100,000. However, after finding out he was not a man of leisure and merely studying to be an architect, she divorced him pronto (which in those days could not be done without concocting an adultery story). Enter Frank Gould, son of the robber baron, who she met while working as a showgirl at the Folies-Bergere. She masterminded his escape from his second wife, also a former showgirl, who contested the divorce bitterly.
With the Gould money at her disposal, she set out to become "Queen of the Riviera" by building numerous luxury hotel/casinos there. Although she seemed to have had many admirers, it's hard to believe they were not just in it for the money. She never could understand why she and Frank did not have the same kind of genuine friendships as Sara and Gerald Murphy, who have been written about extensively. (It seems to me it's because the true Bohemian writers and artists, who were the pioneers, thought the Goulds were poseurs, and by overdeveloping the area with luxury properties, they seem to have ruined it).
I did get bogged down in the 2nd half of the book with the history of the casino wars on the Riviera and in Monaco (and all the shady pseudo Mafia people behind them). I was beginning to think that the plot of Casino Royale was not quite so silly after all. I think an entire book could have been written just about that. To attempt to tell all these convoluted tales here results in a dense mass of names and places to keep track of. I also felt the same way about the descriptions of how the Goulds were lured into various Nazi money laundering schemes using her casinos as a front.
One thing's for sure, she didn't let a little thing like the Nazi occupation of France spoil the party. Even writers who really couldn't stand her were regulars at her Thursday salon because, thanks to her German friends, she had unlimited access to rationed luxuries (as well as coal for heat). After the war many people thought she should have been tried for treason. However, despite telling inconsistent stories to the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover was too busy going after bigger fish and she got away. Although it seems doubtful she gave away state secrets, she could have left France easily. She stayed because it was the center of her universe and she could not bear to be away from it.
June 1, 2021
This biography of Florence Gould starts with her leaving San Francisco after the big fire of 1906 and moving to Paris with her mother, sister, and grandmother. As she grew up, she became a famous socialite and a known beauty. She married Frank Gould of the American Gould railroad family and thus secured her wealth. She and her husband expanded their fortune by investing in and building several hotels and casinos in the French Riviera. As Nazi occupation and World War II struck, Florence maintained her high social status and immense wealth by collaborating with the Germans. She was known in her later years for her art collection.
I wanted to try to expand my horizons by reading this book, but I did not enjoy it. Florence Gould had few if any redeeming qualities. She was selfish and self-serving, doing whatever it took to stay on top. She had sex with practically everyone she came in contact with. She most likely knowingly took part in underhanded deals to acquire art fir her vast collection. She lied time and time again about her involvement with the Germans in WW II. I don’t consider her a dangerous woman, just a selfish one.
Also, considering this was a biography about Florence Gould, she was absent for much of it. Long sections went by with no mention or appearance by Florence. So many tangents, some more interesting than others. For instance, Florence rubbed elbows with and befriended many notables of the day such as Colette, Maurice Chevalier, Coco Chanel, Charlie Chaplin, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, and it was really interesting to learn a bit about their history as well. I just think a biography about Florence Gould should focus on its subject. A more accurate title would be something about the people and history of Paris and the French Riviera in the first half of the 20th century. Thanks to NetGalley for the free ebook.
I wanted to try to expand my horizons by reading this book, but I did not enjoy it. Florence Gould had few if any redeeming qualities. She was selfish and self-serving, doing whatever it took to stay on top. She had sex with practically everyone she came in contact with. She most likely knowingly took part in underhanded deals to acquire art fir her vast collection. She lied time and time again about her involvement with the Germans in WW II. I don’t consider her a dangerous woman, just a selfish one.
Also, considering this was a biography about Florence Gould, she was absent for much of it. Long sections went by with no mention or appearance by Florence. So many tangents, some more interesting than others. For instance, Florence rubbed elbows with and befriended many notables of the day such as Colette, Maurice Chevalier, Coco Chanel, Charlie Chaplin, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, and it was really interesting to learn a bit about their history as well. I just think a biography about Florence Gould should focus on its subject. A more accurate title would be something about the people and history of Paris and the French Riviera in the first half of the 20th century. Thanks to NetGalley for the free ebook.
February 12, 2018
A Dangerous Woman illuminated life in France during the 1920's through the 1940's in a totally different way for me:
. . . I am familiar with Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald's playful period on the Riviera;
. . . I enjoyed reading about Gerald and Sara Murphy's golden times as American's abroad;
. . . and I was intrigued by Coco Chanel's life at the Hotel Ritz during WW2;
BUT, I was not prepared for this in-depth and very troubling tale of a woman whose ambition and quest for riches was so powerful that she literally sold her soul to the devil (the Nazi's).
Although I'd read many books about the period, I don't recall any mention of Florence Gould. This book certainly remedied that! The story is a fascinating one, but the level of detail is mind-numbing. It would be an invaluable text for a serious student of nazi collaboration, but it is a bit tedious for the casual student of the period and its social history.
NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
. . . I am familiar with Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald's playful period on the Riviera;
. . . I enjoyed reading about Gerald and Sara Murphy's golden times as American's abroad;
. . . and I was intrigued by Coco Chanel's life at the Hotel Ritz during WW2;
BUT, I was not prepared for this in-depth and very troubling tale of a woman whose ambition and quest for riches was so powerful that she literally sold her soul to the devil (the Nazi's).
Although I'd read many books about the period, I don't recall any mention of Florence Gould. This book certainly remedied that! The story is a fascinating one, but the level of detail is mind-numbing. It would be an invaluable text for a serious student of nazi collaboration, but it is a bit tedious for the casual student of the period and its social history.
NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2019
I'm not sure how I ended up getting this audiobook through my library. I think it was from a friend's recommendation. I had never heard of Florence Gould but I certainly learned a lot about her. As the title says, she was a determined woman who used her beauty and wits to become very wealthy and entertain with many powerful powerful people as well as artists and entertainers. I also learned a lot of fascinating history. Details about the 1906 SanFrancisco earthquake and how Monaco became the haven for the rich and famous. The author Susan Ronald did a fantastic job with background research. There are a lot of names and dates which most don't mean anything to me but some that I was surprisingly familiar with. Carol Monda does a fantastic job of narrating especially with all of the French and German names. A really interesting read, especially for anyone who likes late 19th and early 20th-century history.
February 13, 2018
** ARC provided by the author for an honest review **
Susan Ronald’s biography of Florence Gould, A Dangerous Woman peeks into the life and times of a unique and intriguing woman.
Florence Gould was a socialite and Nazi collaborator. She was a woman who went after what she wanted, no matter what she had to do to get it. This book is filled with a lot of history but few concrete facts on Gould herself.
This was a rather dry and tedious read. I felt as though I was reading a history textbook, which isn’t a bad thing, just not for the casual reader. I recommend this one to those hardcore history buffs and those that are fascinated with the times of WWII.
3.5 stars
Susan Ronald’s biography of Florence Gould, A Dangerous Woman peeks into the life and times of a unique and intriguing woman.
Florence Gould was a socialite and Nazi collaborator. She was a woman who went after what she wanted, no matter what she had to do to get it. This book is filled with a lot of history but few concrete facts on Gould herself.
This was a rather dry and tedious read. I felt as though I was reading a history textbook, which isn’t a bad thing, just not for the casual reader. I recommend this one to those hardcore history buffs and those that are fascinated with the times of WWII.
3.5 stars
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January 15, 2018I received a copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
I read quite a few biographies, and it is rare to read one in which the author appears overwhelming negative about their subject. Granted, I think we can all agree that collaborating with the Nazis was not cool, but it's still a little odd. The overall work wasn't bad, but the author notes that she wasn't given access to the Florence Gould archives, and this is an instance where having that access would have greatly improved the outcome. Seems a little thin overall, more opinions than facts.
I read quite a few biographies, and it is rare to read one in which the author appears overwhelming negative about their subject. Granted, I think we can all agree that collaborating with the Nazis was not cool, but it's still a little odd. The overall work wasn't bad, but the author notes that she wasn't given access to the Florence Gould archives, and this is an instance where having that access would have greatly improved the outcome. Seems a little thin overall, more opinions than facts.
October 27, 2023
I hadn't know of Florence Gould prior to this book, but I was quickly fascinated by this high-society woman who managed hotels on the French Riviera and purchased artwork looted by Nazis. Florence Gould is not a heroine, but she was certainly interesting. I particularly found her activities during World War II, when she resided in France and appeared to have contacts with both the Nazi occupiers and the French Resistance. Highly recommended for those seeking a complicated read about a woman during this time.
March 10, 2018
The Devil's Mistress for sure
January 12, 2018
A Dangerous Woman is an indepth look at Florence Gould's life. It was a very interesting read. She was an active participant in the political and social circles of France and Germany. She interacted with the movers and shakers of the era. It was interesting to read the value of her estate. The Gould Foundation refused to give the author access to their archives, but she managed to produce a good biography based on the sources she utilized. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.
October 2, 2019
Crawling out of poverty and plotting her way to become the wife of Jay Gould of the railroad fortune, Florence Gould spends WWII in France, oblivious to those around her who are not as powerful, rich or well-known as she is. Escaping the horrors of the Gestapo and the SS around her by befriending the Nazis, Florence Gould continues in her life of plenty, ignoring the reality of war around her. Not the most uplifting book to read, but one that recognizes the life of a wealthy woman who today is recognized by so many as a "most generous philanthropist" when, in reality, she was self-serving, egotistical, and self-absorbed.
December 17, 2017
Thank you to netgalley for providing me with this book for a fair review.
This story just was not for me. I could not get interested in this woman or her life in either San Francisco or Europe. I tried but could not finish.
This story just was not for me. I could not get interested in this woman or her life in either San Francisco or Europe. I tried but could not finish.
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August 2, 2018If, like me, you knew next to nothing about Florence Gould then you’d be well advised to start with this fascinating book. Probably best know for siding with the Nazis during the occupation of France, Florence was a shrewd and cynical operator who constantly had one eye on her interests and position. Securing her financial future by marrying heir to the Gould family fortune, Frank Gould, she further cemented their finances by helping him with the construction of a hotel and casino empire. Readers of F Scott Fitzgerald might recognise Florence as her and Frank were apparently the inspiration behind some of his more gauche characters and there’s quite the cast of characters in Florence’s on life. She was close friends with Zelda Fitzgerald before the latter’s exhibitionist behaviour proved too much for the conservative Frank. There’s similar names dropped throughout the book which makes this book a must read for anyone interested in 1920s society.
The author was unable to get any cooperation from the Gould family. I imagine they don’t like being reminded of the extremely dubious manner in which Florence’s art collection was curated. The lack of official help does leave Florence slightly out of reach but the book is excellently researched. The author picks apart a lot of the financial dealings of the Gould couple and manages to break them down for the layman while keeping the book interesting. This book is perfect for anyone who’s exhausted several Mitford and swinging twenties books and is looking for something off the beaten path. If you like your society history then I’d heartily recommend this book.
I received a ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair review.
The author was unable to get any cooperation from the Gould family. I imagine they don’t like being reminded of the extremely dubious manner in which Florence’s art collection was curated. The lack of official help does leave Florence slightly out of reach but the book is excellently researched. The author picks apart a lot of the financial dealings of the Gould couple and manages to break them down for the layman while keeping the book interesting. This book is perfect for anyone who’s exhausted several Mitford and swinging twenties books and is looking for something off the beaten path. If you like your society history then I’d heartily recommend this book.
I received a ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair review.
April 4, 2018
What a deeply unpleasant woman Florence Gould was – excessively wealthy, selfish and self-centred, voracious in her appetites for men, fame and fortune, and a Nazi collaborator to boot. This is a fascinating account of her life, meticulously researched as far as was possible (the author wasn’t allowed access to the Florence Gould archives so inevitably there’s some speculation to fill in the gaps) but I found it occasionally got too bogged down in rather dull detail – for example in some of Florence Gould’s financial shenanigans. There were also some rather odd turns of phrase and inaccurate vocabulary, which is something that always irritates me – a bit more editing wouldn't have gone amiss. But overall the book does a great job in chronicling Florence’s life and depicting the times she lived in. She knew just about everyone in France during her long life there (she left the US quite early on). From Chanel to Chaplin, the Fitzgeralds to Picasso and many, many more, including leading Nazis, with one of whom she had an affair, and it’s her collaboration that I found particularly disturbing. She also acquired a lot of art, and the provenance of that is deeply questionable. A whole other story there, I think. Ronald doesn’t make excuses for her subject, and nothing could make Florence a sympathetic character, but the book shouldn’t be judged on the personality of its subject, a trap into which I fear some reviewers have fallen. This is in fact a very sound and comprehensive biography and I learnt a lot from it.
March 7, 2018
"Florence understood instinctively that beauty, as well as money, was power; and she had both in abundance."
Florence Gould was an intelligent, conniving, self-centered, savvy business woman, but most of all she was a survivor. She survived the San Francisco earthquake and fire as a child, a major flood in France, World War I and World War II. Her survival skills came into play again with her questionable connections with top officials of The Third Reich which was a contention with FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover, after the war. Hoover tried everything to get her convicted for aiding and abetting the enemy to no avail. She was definitely a force to be reckoned with.
Her open marriage to a very wealthy and shrewd American multimillionaire, Frank Gould, gave her the opportunities she needed to become an independent wealthy woman in her own right by investing in real estate and art, though obtained under dubious conditions. It's known that many of her art purchases were bought from collections taken by the Nazis from French Jews. Though rumors said she was an anti-Semite, Ronald supposes that Florence didn't care one way or another. She preferred to have fun rather than worry about "political rumblings", and being the self-serving woman she was, she chose to help both sides when it suited her.
See my complete review at The Eclectic Review
April 28, 2018
Susan Ronald's "A Dangerous Woman" tells the story of Florence Gould, a woman whose life is so vivid and opportunistic she seems more like an unpleasant Scarlett O'Hara than a 20th century society figure.
The first half of the book on Gould's early life is so meticulously researched and reported, it becomes a bit of a slog for readers, who might wonder where the story is going. Things pick up as Gould marries into money and joins French cafe society, but her story starts to read like a social column with long diversions to discuss Gould's famous friends and associates.
The most interesting part of the story is about how she collaborated with -- or sucked up to? -- the Nazis in occupied France. While her actions are despicable, Ronald's accounts of Gould's young life make her actions a little easier to understand -- from birth, Florence had been taught by her mother and grandmother to seek the main chance under all circumstances.
Gould's philanthropy later in life seem to redeem her wartime behavior to an extent -- at least in some circles -- transforming her into the grande dame her mother always had in mind.
It's an interesting book about a woman who is an obnoxious relic of the past living a life that also seems entirely modern. Those curious about social history, especially the international set in the early 20th century, will find a trove of information here.
The first half of the book on Gould's early life is so meticulously researched and reported, it becomes a bit of a slog for readers, who might wonder where the story is going. Things pick up as Gould marries into money and joins French cafe society, but her story starts to read like a social column with long diversions to discuss Gould's famous friends and associates.
The most interesting part of the story is about how she collaborated with -- or sucked up to? -- the Nazis in occupied France. While her actions are despicable, Ronald's accounts of Gould's young life make her actions a little easier to understand -- from birth, Florence had been taught by her mother and grandmother to seek the main chance under all circumstances.
Gould's philanthropy later in life seem to redeem her wartime behavior to an extent -- at least in some circles -- transforming her into the grande dame her mother always had in mind.
It's an interesting book about a woman who is an obnoxious relic of the past living a life that also seems entirely modern. Those curious about social history, especially the international set in the early 20th century, will find a trove of information here.
April 3, 2018
I have rated this book with 3 stars not because of the author's research and presentation of Florence Gould but because I found Florence morally bankrupt. She had been born in San Francisco to French parents and moved to Paris with her mother. Believing money brought respectability and happiness, she used her first husband, whom she believed to be wealthy, to re-establish her American citizenship to reclaim her family's inheritance. Henry was not wealthy and the inheritance was non-existent. Returning to France, she next married the drunken son of the millionaire Jay Gould. She directed Frank's millions into luxury hotels and casinos along the Riviera. The Stock Market Crash of 1929 had little affect on the Goulds. During the German Occupation of France Florence took several well-placed German lovers and thrived. Despite her collaboration, she avoided prosecution after the war and became a major contributor to the Metropolitan Museum in New York.
When she died, her jewelry collection sold for $8.1 million at Christie's in New York and her art collection had 180 objects. She once famously said, "Money doesn't care who owns it". I say, "If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look who he has given it to."
When she died, her jewelry collection sold for $8.1 million at Christie's in New York and her art collection had 180 objects. She once famously said, "Money doesn't care who owns it". I say, "If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look who he has given it to."
July 2, 2018
I wanted to read this book because I knew that she once owned a famous necklace made at the request of Napoleon III for his wife, Eugenie. The necklace is not mentioned in the book, but lots of other jewels are included. I had a major problem with the first half of the book. The author so clearly disliked her subject that it was hard to plow through the criticisms if Florence before she became a Gould. I thought that the first marriage was unfairly portrayed, the ex husband did not seem to be upset with Florence from his comments after the marriage ended, but the author excoriated her for behavior that appeared to be quite normal. I can understand the author's dislike, especially after the start of WWII, but I think that contaminated the first half of the book. It was unclear to me what role Florence played in the creation of the hotels and casinos in Europe, she is credited in generalities but there are no details to back up the conclusions, and I wonder where she got the business sense she is alleged to have. A party girl with keen business sense? Seems like there is more there there than is in this book.
April 15, 2024
Florence Gould is the subject of Susan Roland's novel A Dangerous Woman. She was the third wife of Frank Gould, who was the son of railway millionaire Jay Gould. She was 27 and he was 45 when they married. Florence found her worth among the rich and famous. It was clear that she was a gold digger. As she said, "Money doesn't care who owns it." But she wanted it all. All she wanted was to be at the center. Their wealth grew from building luxury hotels and casinos. America was in shambles when the Stock Market crashed in 1929, but the Goulds prospered. Florence acquired great wealth after the crash by purchasing art, jewelry, and real estate at rock bottom prices. In 1933, the Nazis attacked Germany. Florence was a Nazi sympathizer and collaborator. Florence conducted a number of illegal operations, but she avoided prosecution. Favors exchanged for sex. Her ever-growing fortune only enhanced her fame and respectability. It has always been interesting to see how money can get you out of trouble and cause people to turn a blind eye to wrongdoings. Narcissistic and self-centered, she looked only out for herself. This book was well researched by the author.
March 2, 2018
Florence Gould was a master at spinning a story and at making things work to her advantage. As the third wife of Frank Gould, Florence engineered their success in hotels and casinos on the Riviera in the 1930’s, and had many friends in the arts who were pleased to be part of her circle. During World War II, Florence was associated with a money laundering scheme for the Nazis, and somehow avoided prosecution after the war was over. She then reinvented herself once again, and became a patron of the arts, contributing to worthy causes such as the Metropolitan Museum, gaining the status and respectability that had somehow evaded her throughout her life.
I was fascinated by the description of this book, and eagerly began reading, only to find a rather dry biography that was heavy on facts and light on story. I was disappointed, since Florence did lead an interesting and exciting life, that the book wasn’t more compelling.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was fascinated by the description of this book, and eagerly began reading, only to find a rather dry biography that was heavy on facts and light on story. I was disappointed, since Florence did lead an interesting and exciting life, that the book wasn’t more compelling.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2018
Reading biographies and/or memoirs isn't always easy to do, especially when the subject of the book is a person you vehemently disagree with. A Dangerous Woman is an in-depth and sometimes intense peek into the life of Florence Gould. It's a tough book to read because it deals with someone who only looked out for herself during a time when major political and human atrocities occurred. Now, once I got beyond my personal feelings for Gould, it was interesting to read about her motivation and drive. Some parts were difficult to read because of the fact-heavy narrative that seemed to be lacking in cohesiveness. I think that may be due to lack of access to the Florence Gould archives.
February 21, 2018
I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley for an honest review. I had heard of the Gould family but not Florence. This woman seems very cunning, the fact that she wanted a certain lifestyle and did whatever was needed to live that life. I was a bit overwhelmed with all the information but stuck it out and found the ending was worth it. I think the best part of the book details her activities during the Nazi occupation of France. Florence was a hard-headed woman determined to get what she wanted. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in history and a little gossip
April 7, 2019
A well researched and written book about an odious and repugnant woman. Only in the authors notes at the back of the book are we told primary documents and any writings by Florence Gould were unobtainable. I wondered why there were so few comments byFlorence.
I think I would have needed a shower if I had spent any time with her. I laughed when it was mentioned that some of her paintings were not remarkable. I imagine that she bought whatever was foisted upon her but turned a painting back because she did not like a hairstyle.
I think I would have needed a shower if I had spent any time with her. I laughed when it was mentioned that some of her paintings were not remarkable. I imagine that she bought whatever was foisted upon her but turned a painting back because she did not like a hairstyle.
March 13, 2019
The author did an amazing amount of research on this woman who may or may not have been a Nazi collaborator.
Florence was basically a gold digger who took advantage of every opportunity to keep her in comfort especially during the Paris occupation. She most certainly took advantage of the Nazi confiscated art.
Time and place were well captured but the amount of detail and people that were mentioned became tedious.
Florence was basically a gold digger who took advantage of every opportunity to keep her in comfort especially during the Paris occupation. She most certainly took advantage of the Nazi confiscated art.
Time and place were well captured but the amount of detail and people that were mentioned became tedious.
October 23, 2018
Although most of the characters are of the grasping variety and a drain on the rest of society the backgrounds in which they operated - particularly Paris in the early 20th century and during WWII - are well described. It is narrated by Carol Monda who handles the European language descriptive names well.
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