Thursday, October 3, 2013

Recommendation for a Book: Empty Mansions

I was as caught up as, apparently everyone else, when NBC NEWS began posting articles by Bill Dedman about the "mysterious heiress" Huguette Clark, but at the time I supposed I was the only one. 

I read news headlines while drinking coffee and consider the new ways the world might be coming to an end, so it was a fascinating sidebar to read these articles.

Lo and behold, I was one of many who found this story fascinating and so in good time, it was compiled into a book.  As soon as I heard it was published I promptly ordered it on Amazon.com and have been steadily reading it ever since. 


Who wrote it: The authors are Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell, Jr. 

Why I recommend it: It is a fascinating look into America's history spanning from the Civil War to just recently.  The part of me that is fascinated by the lives of the super wealthy also finds it intriguing.  There is mystery and bitter sweetness throughout. 


When I read it: It is broken into small chapters and the writing grabs you easily.  I find I read it in the bathroom (#TrueConfession), before bed at night, and occasionally after I finish the day job and I need some time to wind down before making dinner.

Photo: So the photo has nothing to do with the book, but who doesn't like a good giraffe photo? He lives in San Diego - FYI.