The Gilded Leaf: Triumph, Tragedy, and Tobacco: Three Generations of the R.J. Reynolds Family and Fortune

by Patrick Reynolds

Book Overview

This is an account of three generations of the Reynolds tobacco family. R.J.Reynolds was the business genius who founded the company, but his two sons were profligate playboys and his grandsons were all disinherited by their father. The author of the book is one of them.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316741213
• ISBN13: 9780316741217
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Little Brown and Company
• Length: 353 Pages
• Weight: 1.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

A gilded history

I had the opportunity to receive an original hardcover copy of this book some time ago, and was immediately captivated by the story, which indeed plays out more like a fictional novel than the history of a true-life family. This isn't just about how one family developed a tobacco empire, this is about how tobacco has influenced our culture, our way of life, and the very way our country goes about its daily business. Not necessarily disapproving of tobacco in general, Reynolds prefers to simply tell the story and let the actions of the characters, of the company itself, influence the reader's opinion. Kudos to Booksinprint for putting this book back into print ... it's a welcome keyhole into the private life of one of the country's most influential tobacco barons.

Smokin'!

Excellent tale of the Reynolds family. The authors have written a wonderfully engrossing tale of wealth, privilege, tragedy, & heartache. Highly recommended!

Quite an Eye Opener

This past summer I visited Winston Salem and was given a great tour of the area from a person who's granddaddy was a friend of Dick Reynolds. During the tour he was telling me a lot of the history of the town which I found very fascinating. When he told me that Patrick Reynolds had written a book about the family, I just had to read it. It is hard to believe when you read it that it is a true story as it reads like a novel that would have made one heck of a TV saga. I found it very educational, interesting and very entertaining. I'm so glad I bought it.

Praise for The Gilded Leaf

'Fascinating ... Illuminating ... stunning detail.' Chicago Tribune 'Fascinating insight into the evolution of a family over three generations that is simply a good read ... panoramic sweep, bitter irony and tragic touches.' Detroit Free Press 'Fascinating insider's view of three generations of the R. J. Reynolds tobacco family ...compelling.' Richmond Times-Dispatch 'An altogether fascinating story [that] quickly builds speed and interest and becomes an absorbing story of fortune and misfortune.' Washington Post Book World 'Readers of this captivating account may need to remind themselves that it is not fiction. There are colorful characters, a family rising from humble beginnings to attain fabulous wealth and power, scandal and tragedy wrought by excess -- and an irony-laden finale.' Publishers Weekly 'A courageous and worthwhile book. More than an entertainment, it documents the danger of parents who confuse money with love.' New York Times Book Review