John Armstrong Chanler (Archie), an heir to the Astor fortune, had a complex and interesting life. His marriage to southern bell Amelie Rives added another layer to his story.

The Astor family's background is rich and fascinating. They amassed their fortune through various means, which contributed to their powerful status. Archie's personal experiences within the family further exemplified their influence.

Amelie, on the other hand, was a captivating yet controversial figure. While she was undeniably beautiful, she also had a reputation for being selfish and manipulative. Her actions and behavior had a significant impact on Archie and their relationship.

Overall, the story of Archie and Amelie provides a unique glimpse into the lives of the wealthy and powerful Astor family. It showcases the complexities of family dynamics, the allure of beauty, and the consequences of one's actions.

Archie Astor is the great-great grandson of John Jacob Astor, who amassed a fortune in real estate in New York around 1800. Archie ties the knot with Amelie, a southern belle hailing from Virginia. She is an author and artist of some repute. Archie has several siblings who deem him incompetent, and as a result, he spends several years confined in a "home."

Archie was indeed eccentric, but I remain unconvinced that he warranted being sent away. After the War, Amelie's family is not financially well-off, yet she perceives herself as a refined Southern lady. Their life together is tumultuous, and their marriage is short-lived. Both are troubled individuals, and the story is truly heart-wrenching.

Their relationship is filled with challenges and difficulties, as they struggle to find common ground and deal with their respective issues. Despite their differences, there is a certain charm and allure to their story, which makes it both fascinating and tragic.

Sadly, not the toast of my Gilded Age shelf

This was not exactly the splendid carriage ride into intoxicating history that I was hoping for. I truly believed I could find that unforgettable experience with Fortune's Children: The Fall of the House of Vanderbilt (a title I highly recommend to anyone interested in the Gilded Age or all that glitters about history).

Archie and Amélie: Love and Madness in the Gilded Age was more like a gossipy, well-opinionated magazine article. In contrast, Fortune’s Children takes you back and holds you tight with its sparkling narrative styling. Archie and Amélie does manage to achieve this entrancing way of sharing the past with the reader, especially in the beginning when introducing the massive family tree of John Armstrong "Archie" Chanler. However, as soon as the chapters of Amélie Rives appear, it completely loses that welcoming spirit.

It quickly becomes evident that the author absolutely detests Amélie Rives. Reading the liberally peppered passages of negative opinions and snide little commentaries that follow any later fact about the southern belle or even a few more illustrious names from this era is very uncomfortable and irritating. I was seriously hoping that when I picked up this title, I could form my own mental pictures of personalities based solely on facts and non-biased evidence or research. But this was not the case with Archie and Amélie: Love and Madness in the Gilded Age.

Still, I did receive a decent, familiar portrait of the era that I can't stop reading about. There were chapters that held my full attention, mainly the passages about Newport, English Aristocracy, exclusive society circles, or medical treatments, etc. But I wish there were less biased attitudes, fewer side thoughts on behavior, and less use of phrases like "it is supposed, we can only imagine, it is likely or possible" throughout this work. Or that the middle and final chapters were as vibrant as the beginning. What a shame. After reading and experiencing the Vanderbilt’s stories, I wanted to find an equally impressive read about the Astors. Perhaps I will try A Season of Splendor: The Court of Mrs. Astor in Gilded Age New York in the near future. It looks very promising.

~*~For more reviews see: http://asthefinalpageturns.blogspot.com

I truly loved it. However, it leans more towards being a history book.

It is not something that would appeal to everyone.

It is important to note that it is not a novel.

The content is presented in a more factual and detailed manner, similar to what one would expect from a history text.

While it may lack the fictional elements and narrative flow that some readers prefer in a novel, it offers a wealth of information and insights into a particular period or topic.

Those who have a genuine interest in history and are willing to engage with the material on a more academic level will likely find this book to be a valuable and engaging read.

But for those who are primarily looking for entertainment or a light-hearted story, this may not be the right choice.

It is essential to understand the nature of the book before deciding whether it is suitable for your personal reading preferences.