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The Perennial Philadelphians: The Anatomy of an American Aristocracy
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The Perennial Philadelphians tells the story of the city's inherited aristocracy--of Wanamakers and Drexels, of Biddles and Cadwaladers. Drawing on history, genealogy, politics, economics, the fine arts, private diaries, and the impressions and anecdotes of myriad living witnesses, Nathaniel Burt paints a fascinating portrait of Old Philadelphians. He traces the succession
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Paperback, 640 pages
Published
October 27th 1999
by University of Pennsylvania Press
(first published January 1st 1975)
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Long and detailed and written in a classy style. If you want to know about the aristocratic lifestyle of Philadelphia (Main Line and Chestnut Hill) families, this is the book.
It explains Philadelphia's long-time difficulty of living in the shadow of New York and Washington. ...more
It explains Philadelphia's long-time difficulty of living in the shadow of New York and Washington. ...more
"First published in 1963, this classic text has lost none of its timeliness."
To be polite, this book is a very accurate window into the mindset of Philadelphians in 1963. I should know, my family helped settle Philadelphia in 1682 and we've been kicking around there ever since.
Mr Burt accurately observes that to outsiders, Philadelphia was the Forbidden City. Everyone just knew everyone worth knowing. And if they didn't know you, they would attempt to find a connection with you - any connectio ...more
To be polite, this book is a very accurate window into the mindset of Philadelphians in 1963. I should know, my family helped settle Philadelphia in 1682 and we've been kicking around there ever since.
Mr Burt accurately observes that to outsiders, Philadelphia was the Forbidden City. Everyone just knew everyone worth knowing. And if they didn't know you, they would attempt to find a connection with you - any connectio ...more
A portrait of a city built on colonial and post industrial revolution enterprise with family businesses and firms and rigid social rules. A story of what is now a lost world.
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