America s Secret Aristocracy

Editorial Reviews From Library Journal The latest work by Birmingham ( Our Crowd ), chronicler of America’s upper classes, this focuses on leading upper-class families from the 18th century to the present. Although a bit disjointed, Birmingham’s work is lively and based on research into family documents and interviews with current family members. It is divided into three parts: a history of some of the leading 18th- and 19th-century Eastern families, e.g., the Livingstons, Jays, Randolphs, and Roosevelts; a study of the elite families of America’s leading cities; and a look at these families in the 20th century, including recent eccentric family members and the current status of the Jay and Livingston families whose account began the work. A popular, entertaining history for public and academic libraries. BOMC alternate. Louis Vyhnanek, Washington State Univ. Lib . , Pullman Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.