The Elegant Inn: The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, 1893-1929

Dearing delivers a lively account of life at the first Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, built in New York City in 1893 and razed in 1929, to be replaced by the Empire State Building. During the 36 years of its existence, the Waldorf was a beacon to the world's wealthy classes, who were catered to lavishly by an impeccable staff. As the country's poor suffered in the economically depressed 1890s, crusading journalists attacked the unbridled spending of the party-givers at the hotel. Details of these affairs spice the vivid social history of a recent but far different time. So do anecdotes about chef Oscar of the Waldorf and guests including Diamond Jim Brady, Lillian Russell, Chicago gambler Bet-a-Million Gates; tycoons like the boorish William Waldorf Astor, for whom the hotel was named; etc. Illustrations not seen by PW. 25,000 first printing. (April 22)