---
product_id: 64374375
title: "The Last Castle: The Epic Story of Love, Loss, and American Royalty in the Nation's Largest Home"
price: "€ 20.86"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.ie/products/64374375-the-last-castle-the-epic-story-of-love-loss-american
store_origin: IE
region: Ireland
---

# The Last Castle: The Epic Story of Love, Loss, and American Royalty in the Nation's Largest Home

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## Description

The Last Castle: The Epic Story of Love, Loss, and American Royalty in the Nation's Largest Home [Kiernan, Denise] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Last Castle: The Epic Story of Love, Loss, and American Royalty in the Nation's Largest Home

Review: The Last Castle, a Story of an American Beauty - The Last Castle is an enjoyable read, it gives the reader both an appreciation of how George Washington Vanderbilt envisioned and set out to build his beautiful mansion, as well as preserve the forest around Biltmore by establish a forestry school. George W Vanderbilt, was wealthy, he inherited money from his father and his grandfather the Commodore, however in building Biltmore he never laid out a budget or plan he just decided what he wanted and hired the best, like William Law Olmstead for the grounds and Richard Morris Hunt for the Mansion. As a result, Biltmore House was incredibly expensive to erect and subsequently operate, and as a result, it severely and irreparably impacted the family’s finances. He left numerous rooms unfinished, like the music room which was never finished till 1976. Denise Kiernan also introduces us to Edith Stuyvesant Dresser and how her background compares to her future husband George Washington Vanderbilt. Edith also had strong lineage, she was descendant of Peter Stuyvesant but she was not wealthy, however her family was well off, she was a "well brought up young lady". When she married George,she strived to protect both Biltmore House and the Asheville area and ensure that her husband’s legacy would remain, after he died suddenly. Her story is intrical part of Biltmore's story past and future. Kiernan doesn't just tell you about the people that make up the building of Biltmore, but she also incorporated historical content to the time line. Such what historical events that effect the Dresser and Vanderbilt family, as the Titanic, the sinking of the Lusitania, WWI, the depression, and then WWII. She will also take facts and details from the late 1800’s to the death of George and Edith’s daughter Cornelia’s death in 1976. The highlights for me were the descriptions of John Singer Sargent painting various portraits at Biltmore House, the innovative refrigeration, wiring and elevator systems installed at the house, that Teddy Roosevelt was visiting Biltmore House when the idea for the teddy bear came about, and that Edith’s second marriage was to Elbridge Gerry, the individual who inspired the term “gerrymandering”. The look into the gilded age, was truly a wonderful and enlightening read. I have been Biltmore and it is truly a beauty among the mountains. I recommend you read "The Last Castle" before you go or even after, you won't be disappointed.
Review: Good reading - Good read, writer pulls everything together well.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #28,796 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #61 in Women in History #83 in U.S. State & Local History #161 in Women's Biographies |
| Customer Reviews | 4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars (7,523) |
| Dimensions  | 6 x 1.08 x 9 inches |
| Edition  | Reprint |
| ISBN-10  | 1476794057 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-1476794051 |
| Item Weight  | 1 pounds |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 432 pages |
| Publication date  | May 1, 2018 |
| Publisher  | Atria |

## Images

![The Last Castle: The Epic Story of Love, Loss, and American Royalty in the Nation's Largest Home - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71BMVKNr4yL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Last Castle, a Story of an American Beauty
*by J***N on August 7, 2018*

The Last Castle is an enjoyable read, it gives the reader both an appreciation of how George Washington Vanderbilt envisioned and set out to build his beautiful mansion, as well as preserve the forest around Biltmore by establish a forestry school. George W Vanderbilt, was wealthy, he inherited money from his father and his grandfather the Commodore, however in building Biltmore he never laid out a budget or plan he just decided what he wanted and hired the best, like William Law Olmstead for the grounds and Richard Morris Hunt for the Mansion. As a result, Biltmore House was incredibly expensive to erect and subsequently operate, and as a result, it severely and irreparably impacted the family’s finances. He left numerous rooms unfinished, like the music room which was never finished till 1976. Denise Kiernan also introduces us to Edith Stuyvesant Dresser and how her background compares to her future husband George Washington Vanderbilt. Edith also had strong lineage, she was descendant of Peter Stuyvesant but she was not wealthy, however her family was well off, she was a "well brought up young lady". When she married George,she strived to protect both Biltmore House and the Asheville area and ensure that her husband’s legacy would remain, after he died suddenly. Her story is intrical part of Biltmore's story past and future. Kiernan doesn't just tell you about the people that make up the building of Biltmore, but she also incorporated historical content to the time line. Such what historical events that effect the Dresser and Vanderbilt family, as the Titanic, the sinking of the Lusitania, WWI, the depression, and then WWII. She will also take facts and details from the late 1800’s to the death of George and Edith’s daughter Cornelia’s death in 1976. The highlights for me were the descriptions of John Singer Sargent painting various portraits at Biltmore House, the innovative refrigeration, wiring and elevator systems installed at the house, that Teddy Roosevelt was visiting Biltmore House when the idea for the teddy bear came about, and that Edith’s second marriage was to Elbridge Gerry, the individual who inspired the term “gerrymandering”. The look into the gilded age, was truly a wonderful and enlightening read. I have been Biltmore and it is truly a beauty among the mountains. I recommend you read "The Last Castle" before you go or even after, you won't be disappointed.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good reading
*by S***G on January 15, 2026*

Good read, writer pulls everything together well.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Engrossing Historical Narrative
*by M***E on September 26, 2024*

**"The Last Castle"** by Denise Kiernan is an engrossing historical narrative that unveils the remarkable and untold story of the Biltmore Estate, the grandest private residence in North America. Through a blend of meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Kiernan chronicles the estate’s fascinating history, which spans over 120 years and encompasses significant events like the World Wars, the Jazz Age, and the Great Depression. At the heart of this narrative is Edith Stuyvesant Dresser, who, despite her privileged upbringing and high-profile marriage to George Vanderbilt, finds herself challenged by the immense responsibility of managing the sprawling estate and its intricate legacy. As Kirsten narrates Edith's journey—from her early life to her pivotal role as mistress of Biltmore—readers are introduced to an array of notable historical figures, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Teddy Roosevelt, and Edith Wharton, who all intersect with the Vanderbilt family’s story. The book paints a vivid picture of the creation of the estate, including collaborations with renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and architect Richard Morris Hunt, showcasing the grandeur of Biltmore while also revealing the personal and societal challenges Edith faced. "The Last Castle" is a beautifully written and insightful account that celebrates resilience and legacy, making it a must-read for those intrigued by American history and the opulent lifestyles of the Gilded Age.

## Frequently Bought Together

- The Last Castle: The Epic Story of Love, Loss, and American Royalty in the Nation's Largest Home
- Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty
- Lady on the Hill: How Biltmore Estate Became an American Icon

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*Store origin: IE*
*Last updated: 2026-02-26*