A PRIDE OF LIONS: The Astor Orphans

by Lately Thomas ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 27, 1971

The ten children of Margaret Astor Ward (the daughter of the magnetic Sam Ward -- also a Lately Thomas biographee) and John Winthrop Chanler were orphaned when both of their parents died successively of pneumonia. Two of the ten did not survive until maturity which reduces this collective portrait further and it is designed to show a representative patrician family affiliated (according to Thomas) by their 'voices' and their self-sufficiency. They are seen growing up on the Hudson, later in Newport or Tuxedo Park or Manhattan (also at Delmonico's -- another Thomas book) or on the continent. The most interesting two are Willie who chased oil, indefatigably and intrepidly in Africa, and only succeeded in leaving his name on a waterfall -- and Armstrong who married a neurasthenic 'authoress,' was divorced by her and committed by the family for life (justifiably?) to an institution. The most virtuous by far was Margaret, a battlefront nurse. Mr. Thomas contends that their story is as ""extraordinary as it is instructive, and as instructive as it is entertaining"" -- something of a stretcher but certainly there are those who enjoy respectable social history, Index.

Pub Date: Oct. 27, 1971

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1971

Categories: NONFICTION