An NHS Book Talk With Anderson Cooper on 'Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty'

On November 4, 2021, the Newport Historical Society hosted a virtual book talk with Anderson Cooper, discussing his new book 'Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty'.
In a conversation with Newport Historical Society Executive Director Ruth Taylor, Cooper discusses his family's legacy, and the impact it has had on shaping his own identity. Joined by his cousin Gladys Szapary, the two Vanderbilt descendants explore their roles as 'family archivists', and the enormity of the task of preserving the Vanderbilt family's letters, photographs, and clothing.
As both award-winning journalist and great, great, great grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, who rose from obscurity and died the richest man in America in 1877, Anderson Cooper is uniquely qualified to tell this extraordinary family history. VANDERBILT: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty, written with novelist and historian Katherine Howe, chronicles the lives of some of the most remarkable members of this famous and fractured family who re-defined conspicuous consumption.

[@yelenafrench5097]

Anderson Cooper is world class journalist, great author and truly a good human being. I wish he continues his accomplishments in all facets of his life! My very best wishes to him!

[@civilpanda9422]

I find Anderson Cooper so very, very likeable. Apart from his fascinating family history, his fabulous career as a journalist, I feel he could be a good friend. It is very easy to relate to him as a human being. Cheers to that. Thank you for sharing your stories Anderson.

[@harrietnelson6048]

Anderson Cooper is a detailed oriented journalist. He covers all angles of the news. His emphasis has always been on getting the facts , showing bravery, understanding and enthusiasm for his work. He deserves awards for journalism.

[@marlisamorgan2]

I love, love, love Anderson Cooper ♥️💙💜! He's done very well for himself, as did his mom. They NEVER tried to use the Vanderbilt name to their advantage. Like alot of relatives that come from wealthy families, they tried to make a name for themselves and did very well doing so.

[@sandraa.lelacheur3001]

I sooo loved Gloria Vanderbilt. I’ve followed all of Anderson’s career. As we are close in age… I’ve been fortunate seeing most all of it. I enjoyed watching Anderson’s career. I knew that you were honest. That’s a extremely honorable trait. I’m sure your Mother had extreme pride. Your Simply… a very good man.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Thank you Newport Historical Society, Ruth Taylor, Gladys Szapary and Anderson Cooper. I enjoyed the discussion. I wish the best for the NHS and for all of you. I have tried to archive my own family's history and have also struggled with what to save and what to keep. (My family is no where near as rich or as famous as the Vanderbilt family) So many of the younger generation do not appear to be interested in the family's history. It is frustrating.

[@intellectualinvestor1447]

What an interesting and fun discussion. Especially enjoyed the archivist thoughts - Anderson is a trooper and sets a standard for anyone who comes into possession of family artifacts.

[@aprilstonehouse7865]

😊😊

[@hasaheadachenow]

I love Anderson story, his mom was fascinating , beautiful, and their relationship is very poignant.

[@karenschmidt2528]

One of the best books I have purchased - listened on Audible.

[@maeshellewest-davies7904]

I had the same when my mom died. I just boxed things up and dealt with them as I could. took me a couple of years.

[@angela77991]

Anderson had a relative Alfred Vanderbilt who died in ship Luistania similar to Titanic in year 1915 at 37 yrs old. He was a hero who gave his lifejacket to a young mother with a baby, he couldn't even swim, his body was never recovered😢. He looks alot like Anderson, was very suave and debinar guy! Their are pictures of him in Wikipedia, his son Alfred, jr died in 1999, I wonder if Anderson knew him!🤔

[@Lulu5771]

This was fascinating, I love hearing the stories from the family members and think it's great they are carrying on to archive, preserve this rich history. Thank you

[@cindyferguson8855]

Greetings.... from the Western North Carolina Mountains...! Learned SO MUCH cool/interesting stuff .... about a really cool/interesting guy....Thank You !!

[@Jude74]

Please write a book about the Morgans!

[@kimclarke5018]

Sorry I’m a year late to the party. Great guest to have to discuss his book.

[@joycedominguez1828]

I always wanted to hear more. I've already listened to one other. So interesting.

[@peacemomma7122]

What a treat. Living history. Thank you for sharing.

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

It’s shocking how that family could spend all of that money. They easily could have lived lavishly on the interest alone or with some modest investments.

[@lisarandleman6141]

Things changed with the advent of the 20th century, a more egalitarian society, the income and corporate tax and with wage increases for employees

[@margarethakloots5287]

Thank you, just now!

[@margarethakloots5287]

You probably said more during this interview than what's in the book!

[@laurabustinza9526]

Cooper seems an open book

[@christinemcmannamy314]

They are historical

[@margarethakloots5287]

"Fragmented Selves" Or many talents, interests, and contributions to the community??

[@rebeccahoward9436]

Has anyone counted the times Anderson said, “you know”?

[@margarethakloots5287]

no!

[@user-bx8ol3yv3d]

Nothing mentioned about Gloria or family’s involvement in the occult.

[@robert-pj3bc]

I read his mom's book.

[@nativetexan6628]

I am from the South, and we never discuss anything substantive in our families. 😂

[@user-ys7tb2tl5t]

When are you coming home to Kansas

[@DennisFreitas-bn7nh]

The American Golden Age is over!

[@margarethakloots5287]

i watched this video days ago

[@lieuphuongmai9592]

Xin chồng cho 2 má con em du lịch mỷ xin cảm ơn

[@lieuphuongmai9592]

❤😂😊

[@lynnedwyer6716]

Oh right. My ancestors. Poor, hungry folks that fled a famine. No names. No faces. No origin. Most people can’t write books about how they made money, built empires.

[@CJ-oi7zm]

So are you jealous. Not a good trait. But look how far you’ve come. You got food, so write your own story. But it doesn’t sound like you know how.

[@pauljorgensen6608]

Oh boo hoo.

[@artandcrafttherapy]

👌🏽😘🍄

[@user-ys7tb2tl5t]

Was your grandmother wanted you here

[@lizthor-larsen7618]

Cooper sounds foolishly apologetic about the fact that he's related to this rich family. He had nothing to do with his ancestry and makes these false pride sounds in his speech as if he did. Come on, Anderson, "get over yourself" as the saying goes. Man up and report on the lives of your family, loved or unloved, with confidence about your own integrity.

[@jamesweir2943]

he must be frustrated that he didn’t get to live the highlife like his predecessors.

[@rachaelmorgan4025]

I He s ` no HE DIDN'T GO WITHOUT AND HE WAS LOVED THAT'S WHAT MATTERS

[@jamesweir2943]

@@rachaelmorgan4025 and you know that how?

[@rachaelmorgan4025]

@@jamesweir2943 maybe because it came from his own mouth nany ti es

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

He said that he avoided the Vanderbilts and saw his mother overspending and determined to work hard and earn his own money. His mother left him $1.5M in cash and $1.5M in a coop condo.

[@jamesweir2943]

Why don’t you produce that statement?

[@claygorovoy5467]

Yes we lost the money and I had to join the butt club and got a job as a cia propaganda pusher

[@eagle-eye29]

A C’s justification of the irresponsible CNN Trump interview was pathetic. Telling people who voiced their opposition to go back to their silos was ridiculous. Lost all respect. Now all I hear is blah blah blah

[@user-ew2od8tj2d]

Think I will pass on anything this Leftie promotes...

[@victoriasanchez1111]

See you bye.